Bacterial Cell Wall


Book Description

Studies of the bacterial cell wall emerged as a new field of research in the early 1950s, and has flourished in a multitude of directions. This excellent book provides an integrated collection of contributions forming a fundamental reference for researchers and of general use to teachers, advanced students in the life sciences, and all scientists in bacterial cell wall research. Chapters include topics such as: Peptidoglycan, an essential constituent of bacterial endospores; Teichoic and teichuronic acids, lipoteichoic acids, lipoglycans, neural complex polysaccharides and several specialized proteins are frequently unique wall-associated components of Gram-positive bacteria; Bacterial cells evolving signal transduction pathways; Underlying mechanisms of bacterial resistance to antibiotics.




Gram-positive Pathogens


Book Description

This book is the only single volume to deal with all aspects of gram–positive pathogens. It addresses the mechanisms of gram–positive bacterial pathogenicity, including the current knowledge on gram–positive structure and mechanisms of antibiotic resistance. Emphasizing streptococci, staphylococci, listeria, and spore–forming pathogens, Gram–Positive Pathogens includes chapters written by many of the leading researchers in these areas. The chapters systematically dissect these organisms biologically, genetically, and immunologically in an attempt to understand the strategies used by these bacteria to cause human disease.




The Bacterial Cell Wall


Book Description

The bacterial cell wall represents a very complex structure disconnecting the interior of single-cell organisms from the environment, thus protecting, but also enabling, them to interact with the surrounding milieu and to exchange both substances and information. Knowledge of the biochemistry of the cell wall (components) and the genetic background helps to understand their significance with regard to microbiology and immunology of bacteria. This book represents the second edition of a publication which was presented nearly 20 years ago in the German language (Die bakterielle Zellwand). Since that time our knowledge in this field has been significantly enlarged. Therefore, the manuscript had to be completely revised and updated. To maintain both the size and the introductory character of the book at least to a great extent, the authors had to restrict the presented material to that which appears basic and most important. This requirement must inevitably bring about many subjective factors. As pointed out in the first edition, the term cell wall was not taken too strictly. Since the constituents located outside the cytoplasmic membrane are frequently difficult to divide in structure, localisation, and/or function into true cell wall components and supplementary substances, they are all at least briefly mentioned.




Bacterial Pathogenesis


Book Description

Established almost 30 years ago, Methods in Microbiology is the most prestigious series devoted to techniques and methodology in the field. Now totally revamped, revitalized, with a new format and expanded scope, Methods in Microbiology will continue to provide you with tried and tested, cutting-edge protocols to directly benefit your research. - Focuses on the methods most useful for the microbiologist interested in the way in which bacteria cause disease - Includes section devoted to 'Approaches to characterising pathogenic mechanisms' by Stanley Falkow - Covers safety aspects, detection, identification and speciation - Includes techniques for the study of host interactions and reactions in animals and plants - Describes biochemical and molecular genetic approaches - Essential methods for gene expression and analysis - Covers strategies and problems for disease control




Biogenesis of Fatty Acids, Lipids and Membranes


Book Description

Concise chapters, written by experts in the field, cover a wide spectrum of topics on lipid and membrane formation in microbes (Archaea, Bacteria, eukaryotic microbes).All cells are delimited by a lipid membrane, which provides a crucial boundary in any known form of life. Readers will discover significant chapters on microbial lipid-carrying biomolecules and lipid/membrane-associated structures and processes.







The Surfaceome


Book Description

This volume provides readers with the latest techniques and tools to assess modifications and functions of the surfaceome. The chapters in this book are divided into 4 sections: discovery-based approaches to surfaceome content; targeted approaches for surfaceome content; cell-based function analyses related to surfaceome content; and computational approaches in surfaceome studies. Section 1 focuses on discovery-based approaches for cataloging surfaceome content that analyses the surfaceome of bacteria, avian embryos, and mammalian systems. Section 2 discusses methods that over-express specific targets in Sf9 cells and generate bi-specific antibodies for targeting cancer and somatic cells. Section 3 explores voltage dependent sodium channels and high-content electrophysiological analyses. The final section looks at the new web-based platform known as targets-search. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, 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. Comprehensive and thorough, Surfaceome: Methods and Protocols assists in the study of cell surface protein biology and function. It is a valuable resource for all researchers interested in this field.




Novel Frontiers in the Production of Compounds for Biomedical Use


Book Description

The present book entitled “Novel Frontiers in the Production of Compounds for Biomedical Uses” can perhaps be placed in its best perspective by the Shakespearean character in The Tempest who exclaimed" What’s past is prologue”. Indeed, this compilation of some of the outstanding presentations in the field of biomedicine made at th the 9 European Congress on Biotechnology (Brussels, Belgium, July 11-15, 1999) not only reflects the achievements of the recent past, but provides a privileged glimpse of the biotechnology that is emerging in the first decade of the new Millennium. It is becoming increasingly apparent that biotechnology is offering biomedicine novel approaches and solutions to develop a sorely needed new generation of biopharmaceuticals. This is all the more necessary because in recent years, new diseases have emerged with extraordinary lethality in all corners of the globe, while age-related chronic illnesses have filled the gap wherever biomedicine has made successful inroads. The rise of antibiotic resistance also poses major threats to public health. Thus, as disease patterns evolve, the rational development of new drugs is becoming urgent, not only for the clinical outcome of patients, but also in optimising the allocation of scarce health care resources through the use of cost-effective productions methods. It is in response to all these challenges that biotechnology offers new strategies that go beyond the more traditional approaches. By the mid-1990’s, the number of recombinant products approved annually for therapeutic use reached double digits. With the advent of the genomics revolution.




Prokaryotic Metabolism and Physiology


Book Description

Extensive and up-to-date review of key metabolic processes in bacteria and archaea and how metabolism is regulated under various conditions.




Staphylococcus aureus


Book Description

This volume offers a comprehensive overview of basic and applied aspects of Staphylococcus aureus, which is one of the most important human pathogens. It includes sixteen chapters that address the microbiology and immunology of S. aureus, the pathology of its key manifestations, and the current standard of care. Further, it reviews cutting-edge advances in alternative therapeutic and prophylactic approaches to antibiotics. All chapters were written by respected experts in the field – presenting recent findings on a diverse range of aspects, they are nonetheless interlinked. As such, the book is a must-read for all researchers, clinicians and technicians engaged in basic or applied science work involving S. aureus.