Bacterial Signaling
Bacterial Signaling

Author: Reinhard Krämer

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2009-12-09

Total Pages: 513

ISBN-13: 3527629246

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Providing a comprehensive insight into cellular signaling processes in bacteria with a special focus on biotechnological implications, this is the first book to cover intercellular as well as intracellular signaling and its relevance for biofilm formation, host pathogen interactions, symbiotic relationships, and photo- and chemotaxis. In addition, it deals in detail with principal bacterial signaling mechanisms -- making this a valuable resource for all advanced students in microbiology. Dr. Krämer is a world-renowned expert in intracellular signaling and its implications for biotechnology processes, while Dr. Jung is an expert on intercellular signaling and its relevance for biomedicine and agriculture.

Innate Antiviral Immunity
Innate Antiviral Immunity

Author: Karen Mossman

Publisher:

Published: 2017

Total Pages: 275

ISBN-13: 9781493972371

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This book explores methods to study the complex and evolving interplay between a virus and its host that range from model systems to the detection of chemical molecules. The collection starts with the application of humanized mice and zebrafish as model organisms to study virus-host interactions and induction of innate immune responses. Subsequent chapters outline diverse methods to detect small interfering RNAs, microRNAs, and virus-derived dsRNA from a variety of cells, tissues, and organisms, as well as to interrogating the cytosolic RNA and DNA sensing pathways, including using RNA PAMPs as molecular tools, purification of cGAMP from virus particles and infected cells, and mechanisms to visualize the subcellular localization and activation of the adaptor proteins MAVS and STING. Cutting-edge methods, including high-throughput and genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 screens, chromosome conformation capture, and whole-exome sequencing, are described to identify novel mediators, pathways, and variants underlying host susceptibility. Given the importance of studying these pathways and players under physiologic conditions, methods describing the isolation of primary mouse sensory neurons and group 2 innate lymphoid cells are also provided. Finally, this collection comes full circle back to the whole organism level and concludes with epidemiological methods to investigate virus-host interactions and the induction of innate immunity. Written for the Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Innate Antiviral Immunity: Methods and Protocols spans a diverse array of approaches to study and elucidate the intricacies of this vital area of study.

Bacterial Biofilms
Bacterial Biofilms

Author: Tony Romeo

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2008-02-26

Total Pages: 302

ISBN-13: 3540754180

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Throughout the biological world, bacteria thrive predominantly in surface-attached, matrix-enclosed, multicellular communities or biofilms, as opposed to isolated planktonic cells. This choice of lifestyle is not trivial, as it involves major shifts in the use of genetic information and cellular energy, and has profound consequences for bacterial physiology and survival. Growth within a biofilm can thwart immune function and antibiotic therapy and thereby complicate the treatment of infectious diseases, especially chronic and foreign device-associated infections. Modern studies of many important biofilms have advanced well beyond the descriptive stage, and have begun to provide molecular details of the structural, biochemical, and genetic processes that drive biofilm formation and its dispersion. There is much diversity in the details of biofilm development among various species, but there are also commonalities. In most species, environmental and nutritional conditions greatly influence biofilm development. Similar kinds of adhesive molecules often promote biofilm formation in diverse species. Signaling and regulatory processes that drive biofilm development are often conserved, especially among related bacteria. Knowledge of such processes holds great promise for efforts to control biofilm growth and combat biofilm-associated infections. This volume focuses on the biology of biofilms that affect human disease, although it is by no means comprehensive. It opens with chapters that provide the reader with current perspectives on biofilm development, physiology, environmental, and regulatory effects, the role of quorum sensing, and resistance/phenotypic persistence to antimicrobial agents during biofilm growth.

Biological DNA Sensor
Biological DNA Sensor

Author: Rebecca Schmidt

Publisher: Elsevier Inc. Chapters

Published: 2013-10-30

Total Pages: 33

ISBN-13: 0128068868

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Cyclic dinucleotides (c-di-NMPs), such as c-di-GMP and c-di-AMP were first discovered in bacteria, where they play important roles as second messenger molecules that regulate bacterial cellular functions. In addition, these and other c-di-NMPs exert potent biological effects on mammalian cells, such as the inhibition of cancer cell proliferation, immune cell activation, and the triggering of type I interferon production. Here, we introduce the biology of c-di-NMPs in bacterial systems and review the current state of the literature on their biological effects in mammalian cells. Emphasis is placed on evaluating the evidence that c-di-NMPs have potent immune stimulatory effects on cultured mouse and human cells and can act as adjuvants and immune stimulants in animal models. In addition, we highlight areas where further experimentation could hasten the development of c-di-NMPs as adjuvants in potent and safe systemic and mucosal vaccines.

Acidophiles
Acidophiles

Author: Raquel Quatrini

Publisher:

Published: 2016

Total Pages: 310

ISBN-13: 9781910190333

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Contributors from a wide range of biological and environmental sciences. This up-to-date and comprehensive book is indispensable for environmental scientists and microbiologists and is a recommended acquisition for all microbiology libraries. Written by experts in their field, this important volume provides a comprehensive account of acidophilic microbiology from fundamental to applied aspects. The seventeen chapters are arranged in five sections, each dealing with a specific area. The first section looks at the challenges faced by life-forms that grow in extremely acidic environments and how they adapt to meet these challenges. The next section describes the physiological and phylogenetic diversities of acidophilic microorganisms including archaea, bacteria and eukaryotes. Section three covers acidophile community dynamics, quorum sensing and the formation of biofilms. The next section deals with the various omic technologies that are used to study acidophiles including genomic and metagenomic studies, proteomic-, mobilomic- and metabolomic-focused research. The final section considers the ways in which acidophiles are used in established and emerging biotechnologies and describes why these fascinating microorganisms are considered potential candidates for life on other solar bodies, such as Mars, and beyond.

Bacterial Physiology
Bacterial Physiology

Author: Walid El-Sharoud

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2007-12-07

Total Pages: 377

ISBN-13: 3540749217

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The application of new molecular methodologies in the study of bacterial behavior and cell architecture has enabled new revolutionary insights and discoveries in these areas. This new text presents recent developments in bacterial physiology that are highly relevant to a wide range of readership including those interested in basic and applied knowledge. Its chapters are written by international scientific authorities at the forefront of the subject. The value of this recent knowledge in bacterial physiology is not only restricted to fundamental biology. It also extends to biotechnology and drug-discovery disciplines.

Non-canonical Cyclic Nucleotides
Non-canonical Cyclic Nucleotides

Author: Roland Seifert

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2017-04-28

Total Pages: 379

ISBN-13: 3319526731

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The cyclic purine nucleotides 3’,5’-cAMP and 3’,5’-cGMP are well-established second messengers. cGMP has recently been covered in a volume of the Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology (volume 191). In addition to 3’,5’-cAMP and 3’,5’-cGMP, so-called non-canonical cyclic nucleotides exist. These comprise the cyclic pyrimidine nucleotides 3’,5’-cCMP and 3’,5’-cUMP, the purine nucleotide 3’,5’-cIMP, the 2’,3’-nucleoside monophosphates and cyclic dinucleotides. In this volume of the Handbook of Pharmacology, word-leading experts in the field summarize our current knowledge on these non-canonical cyclic nucleotides, discuss open questions, future research directions and the pharmacotherapeutic implications. Special emphasis will be given to the emerging roles of 3’,5’-cCMP and 3’,5’-cUMP as second messengers with regard to generators, effectors, biological functions, inactivation and bacterial toxins. The role of 3’,5’-cIMP as potential second messenger will also be critically discussed. Furthermore, we will consider transport of cyclic nucleotides and their potential role as first messengers. The role of the cyclic dinucleotide cGAMP in the immune system will covered, too. Lastly, the book will present important methodological aspects ranging from mass-spectrometric methods for cyclic nucleotide detection to the synthesis of nucleotide analogs as experimental tools and holistic methods for analysis of cyclic nucleotide effects.

How Tobacco Smoke Causes Disease
How Tobacco Smoke Causes Disease

Author: United States. Public Health Service. Office of the Surgeon General

Publisher:

Published: 2010

Total Pages: 728

ISBN-13:

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This report considers the biological and behavioral mechanisms that may underlie the pathogenicity of tobacco smoke. Many Surgeon General's reports have considered research findings on mechanisms in assessing the biological plausibility of associations observed in epidemiologic studies. Mechanisms of disease are important because they may provide plausibility, which is one of the guideline criteria for assessing evidence on causation. This report specifically reviews the evidence on the potential mechanisms by which smoking causes diseases and considers whether a mechanism is likely to be operative in the production of human disease by tobacco smoke. This evidence is relevant to understanding how smoking causes disease, to identifying those who may be particularly susceptible, and to assessing the potential risks of tobacco products.

Bacterial Activation of Type I Interferons
Bacterial Activation of Type I Interferons

Author: Dane Parker

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2014-10-06

Total Pages: 133

ISBN-13: 331909498X

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The type I interferon (IFN) signaling pathway is well recognized as a pathway activated by viral infections. It is activated by a variety of microbial pattern recognition receptors including the Toll-like receptors, NOD-like receptors and several cytosolic receptors. Activation of the type I IFN pathway leads to the production of both antiviral factors and products that influence immune cell function. More recently it has been shown that bacteria are also capable of activating this pathway. Bacterial Activation of Type I Interferons reviews both the current understanding of how different bacterial species are able to activate this pathway as well as the influence type I IFNs have on the outcome to infection. Several different bacterial species are covered, spanning Gram positive and Gram negative, intracellular, extracellular, and different host infection sites. An introduction to the pathogenesis of each organism is provided, and the signaling molecules involved in the activation of the type I IFN pathway and the role it plays in animal infection models are also covered.

CRISPR-Cas Systems
CRISPR-Cas Systems

Author: Rodolphe Barrangou

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-13

Total Pages: 300

ISBN-13: 364234657X

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CRISPR/Cas is a recently described defense system that protects bacteria and archaea against invasion by mobile genetic elements such as viruses and plasmids. A wide spectrum of distinct CRISPR/Cas systems has been identified in at least half of the available prokaryotic genomes. On-going structural and functional analyses have resulted in a far greater insight into the functions and possible applications of these systems, although many secrets remain to be discovered. In this book, experts summarize the state of the art in this exciting field.