The Molecular Biology of Photorhabdus Bacteria

The Molecular Biology of Photorhabdus Bacteria PDF Author: Richard H. ffrench-Constant
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319527150
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 212

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Book Description
This book provides an essential update on the startling array of novel insecticidal toxins and drugs produced by the fascinating bacterium Photorhabdus. The respective chapters describe everything from the detailed molecular biology of the ‘Toxin complexes’ or Tc’s to the complexity of insect immune response in relation to both the bacterium and its nematode vector. The volume covers both primary (toxin production and regulation) and secondary (natural product synthesis and regulation) metabolism and emphasises the potential use of toxins and drugs in both agriculture and medicine. It also discusses in detail two totally novel quorum sensing mechanisms and the likely role of LuxR solos in sensing the presence of different bacterial hosts. Lastly, the book explores the unique case of P. asymbiotica, which seems to have evolved the ability to infect both insects and humans. This synthesis proves that Photorhabdus truly does offer a ‘gold mine’ for the discovery of novel insecticidal proteins and novel natural products with potential uses in agriculture and medicine alike.

The Molecular Biology of Photorhabdus Bacteria

The Molecular Biology of Photorhabdus Bacteria PDF Author: Richard H. ffrench-Constant
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319527150
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 212

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Book Description
This book provides an essential update on the startling array of novel insecticidal toxins and drugs produced by the fascinating bacterium Photorhabdus. The respective chapters describe everything from the detailed molecular biology of the ‘Toxin complexes’ or Tc’s to the complexity of insect immune response in relation to both the bacterium and its nematode vector. The volume covers both primary (toxin production and regulation) and secondary (natural product synthesis and regulation) metabolism and emphasises the potential use of toxins and drugs in both agriculture and medicine. It also discusses in detail two totally novel quorum sensing mechanisms and the likely role of LuxR solos in sensing the presence of different bacterial hosts. Lastly, the book explores the unique case of P. asymbiotica, which seems to have evolved the ability to infect both insects and humans. This synthesis proves that Photorhabdus truly does offer a ‘gold mine’ for the discovery of novel insecticidal proteins and novel natural products with potential uses in agriculture and medicine alike.

The Comprehensive Sourcebook of Bacterial Protein Toxins

The Comprehensive Sourcebook of Bacterial Protein Toxins PDF Author: Joseph E. Alouf
Publisher: Elsevier
ISBN: 0080456987
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 1072

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Book Description
This book describes the major achievements and discoveries relevant to bacterial protein toxins since the turn of the new century illustrated by the discovery of more than fifty novel toxins (many of them identified through genome screening). The establishment of the three-dimensional crystal structure of more than 20 toxins during the same period offers deeper knowledge of structure-activity relationships and provides a framework to understand how toxins recognize receptors, penetrate membranes and interact with and modify intracellular substrates. - Edited by two of the most highly regarded experts in the field from the Institut Pasteur, France - 14 brand new chapters dedicated to coverage of historical and general aspects of toxinology - Includes the major toxins of both basic and clinical interest are described in depth - Details applied aspects of toxins such as therapy, vaccinology, and toolkits in cell biology - Evolutionary and functional aspects of bacterial toxins evaluated and summarized - Toxin applications in cell biology presented - Therapy (cancer therapy, dystonias) discussed - Vaccines (native and genetically engineered vaccines) featured - Toxins discussed as biological weapons, comprising chapters on anthrax, diphtheria, ricin etc.

The Prokaryotes

The Prokaryotes PDF Author: Martin Dworkin
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 9780387334882
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 959

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Book Description
With the launch of its first electronic edition, The Prokaryotes, the definitive reference on the biology of bacteria, enters an exciting new era of information delivery. Subscription-based access is available. The electronic version begins with an online implementation of the content found in the printed reference work, The Prokaryotes, Second Edition. The content is being fully updated over a five-year period until the work is completely revised. Thereafter, material will be continuously added to reflect developments in bacteriology. This online version features information retrieval functions and multimedia components.

Field Manual of Techniques in Invertebrate Pathology

Field Manual of Techniques in Invertebrate Pathology PDF Author: Lawrence A. Lacey
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1402059337
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 852

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Book Description
This field manual is designed to provide background and instruction on a broad spectrum of techniques and their use in the evaluation of entomopathogens in the field. The second edition provides updated information and includes two additional chapters and 12 new contributors. The intended audience includes researchers, graduate students, practitioners of integrated pest management (IPM), regulators and those conducting environmental impact studies of entomopathogens.

Biocontrol Agents

Biocontrol Agents PDF Author: Mahfouz M M Abd-Elgawad
Publisher: CABI
ISBN: 1786390000
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 664

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Book Description
This book describes entomopathogenic and slug parasitic nematodes as potential biocontrol agents in crop insect and slug pest management. Addressing research on these two nematodes from tropical, subtropical and temperate countries, it covers the new techniques and major developments regarding mass production, formulation, application, commercialization and safety measures. Plans for future strategies to make these beneficial nematodes cost-effective and expand their use by including them in integrated pest management programmes in different agro-ecosystems are also discussed. Biocontrol Agents: Entomopathogenic and Slug Parasitic Nematodes provides a comprehensive review of the topic and is an essential resource for researchers, industry practitioners and advanced students in the fields of biological control and integrated pest management.

Entomopathogenic Nematology

Entomopathogenic Nematology PDF Author: Randy Gaugler
Publisher: CABI
ISBN: 9780851997919
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 410

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Book Description
Nematodes that are parasites of insects are no longer a laboratory curiosity. They have begun to be accepted as environmentally benign alternatives to the use of chemical insecticides, for the control of insect pests. Nematode worms are now applied as biological control agents against insectpests of numerous horticultural and agricultural crops. This book provides a comprehensive review of entomopathogenic nematology. It begins by reviewing fundamental biology and setting a taxonomic foundation for nematodes and their bacterial symbionts. Several chapters are devoted to functionalprocesses involved in parasitism and to nematode ecology. Later chapters describe technological advances and control methodologies.

Bacterial Signaling

Bacterial Signaling PDF Author: Reinhard Krämer
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 3527629246
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 513

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Book Description
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.

ADP-Ribosylating Toxins

ADP-Ribosylating Toxins PDF Author: Klaus Aktories
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3642769667
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 154

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Book Description
ADP-ribosylating toxins have been the focus of intensive research for more than 30 years. Researchers from diverse fields of science have taken an interest in these bacterial toxins; they are studied, for example, by microbiologists, biochemists, cell biologists, and pharmacologists. There are two principal reasons for the broad and still growing interest in ADP ribosylating toxins. First, insights into the structure and functions of the toxins might be the key to prevention and treatment of diseases caused by the toxin-producing infectious micro organisms. Second, the ADP-ribosylating toxins provide potent and often unique pharmacological tools for the study of the physiological functions of their target proteins. The latter is especially the case with cholera and pertussis toxins, which both modify the IX-subunits of heterotrimeric G-proteins involved in signal transduction pathways. These toxins have proved invaluable in extending our basic understanding of the regulation of hormone-controlled signal transduction. This volume provides a review and an update of recent studies on the basic properties of bacterial ADP-ribosylating tbxins and/or exoenzymes. Our current knowledge of the cel lular entry mechanisms of ADP-ribosylating toxins is reviewed by MADSHUS and STENMARK. WILSON and COLLIER then deal with recent insights into the enzyme mechanism and active site structure of diphtheria toxin and Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A, which modify elongation factor 2. Toxins which ADP-ribosylate heterotrimeric G-proteins involved in trans membrane signal transduction are the subject of the next two chapters.

Phenotypic Switching

Phenotypic Switching PDF Author: Herbert Levine
Publisher: Academic Press
ISBN: 012817997X
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 773

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Book Description
Phenotypic Switching: Implications in Biology and Medicine provides a comprehensive examination of phenotypic switching across biological systems, including underlying mechanisms, evolutionary significance, and its role in biomedical science. Contributions from international leaders discuss conceptual and theoretical aspects of phenotypic plasticity, its influence over biological development, differentiation, biodiversity, and potential applications in cancer therapy, regenerative medicine and stem cell therapy, among other treatments. Chapters discuss fundamental mechanisms of phenotypic switching, including transition states, cell fate decisions, epigenetic factors, stochasticity, protein-based inheritance, specific areas of human development and disease relevance, phenotypic plasticity in melanoma, prostate cancer, breast cancer, non-genetic heterogeneity in cancer, hepatitis C, and more. This book is essential for active researchers, basic and translational scientists, clinicians, postgraduates and students in genetics, human genomics, pathology, bioinformatics, developmental biology, evolutionary biology and adaptive opportunities in yeast. - Thoroughly addresses the conceptual, experimental and translational aspects that underlie phenotypic plasticity - Emphasizes quantitative approaches, nonlinear dynamics, mechanistic insights and key methodologies to advance phenotypic plasticity studies - Features a diverse range of chapter contributions from international leaders in the field

The Social Biology of Microbial Communities

The Social Biology of Microbial Communities PDF Author: Institute of Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309264324
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 633

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Book Description
Beginning with the germ theory of disease in the 19th century and extending through most of the 20th century, microbes were believed to live their lives as solitary, unicellular, disease-causing organisms . This perception stemmed from the focus of most investigators on organisms that could be grown in the laboratory as cellular monocultures, often dispersed in liquid, and under ambient conditions of temperature, lighting, and humidity. Most such inquiries were designed to identify microbial pathogens by satisfying Koch's postulates.3 This pathogen-centric approach to the study of microorganisms produced a metaphorical "war" against these microbial invaders waged with antibiotic therapies, while simultaneously obscuring the dynamic relationships that exist among and between host organisms and their associated microorganisms-only a tiny fraction of which act as pathogens. Despite their obvious importance, very little is actually known about the processes and factors that influence the assembly, function, and stability of microbial communities. Gaining this knowledge will require a seismic shift away from the study of individual microbes in isolation to inquiries into the nature of diverse and often complex microbial communities, the forces that shape them, and their relationships with other communities and organisms, including their multicellular hosts. On March 6 and 7, 2012, the Institute of Medicine's (IOM's) Forum on Microbial Threats hosted a public workshop to explore the emerging science of the "social biology" of microbial communities. Workshop presentations and discussions embraced a wide spectrum of topics, experimental systems, and theoretical perspectives representative of the current, multifaceted exploration of the microbial frontier. Participants discussed ecological, evolutionary, and genetic factors contributing to the assembly, function, and stability of microbial communities; how microbial communities adapt and respond to environmental stimuli; theoretical and experimental approaches to advance this nascent field; and potential applications of knowledge gained from the study of microbial communities for the improvement of human, animal, plant, and ecosystem health and toward a deeper understanding of microbial diversity and evolution. The Social Biology of Microbial Communities: Workshop Summary further explains the happenings of the workshop.