The Dynamic Bacterial Genome


Book Description

The genetic information contained in DNA is not static, especially in bacterial DNA. It is capable of recombining with other DNA sequences and transferring to other bacteria. These processes allow bacteria to rapidly respond to their environment and are also important in production of disease and the spread of antibiotic resistance. This book is concerned with the mechanisms underlying these dynamic processes in bacterial DNA.




Structure and Function of the Bacterial Genome


Book Description

Presents an integrated view of the expression of bacterial genetic information, genome architecture and function, and bacterial physiology and pathogenesis This book blends information from the very latest research on bacterial chromosome and nucleoid architecture, whole-genome analysis, cell signaling, and gene expression control with well-known gene regulation paradigms from model organisms (including pathogens) to give readers a picture of how information flows from the environment to the gene, modulating its expression and influencing the competitive fitness of the microbe. Structure and Function of the Bacterial Genome explores the governance of the expression of the genes that make a bacterium what it is, and updates the basics of gene expression control with information about transcription promoter structure and function, the role of DNA as a regulatory factor (in addition to its role as a carrier of genetic information), small RNAs, RNAs that sense chemical signals, ribosomes and translation, posttranslational modification of proteins, and protein secretion. It looks at the forces driving the conservation and the evolution of the dynamic genome and offers chapters that cover DNA replication, DNA repair, plasmid biology, recombination, transposition, the roles of repetitive DNA sequences, horizontal gene transfer, the defense of the genome by CRISPR-Cas, restriction enzymes, Argonaute proteins and BREX systems. The book finishes with a chapter that gives an integrated overview of genome structure and function. Blends knowledge of gene regulatory mechanisms with a consideration of nucleoid structure and dynamics Offers a 'DNA-centric' approach to considering transcription control Views horizontal gene transfer from a gene regulation perspective Assesses the opportunities and limitations of designing synthetic microbes or rewiring existing ones Structure and Function of the Bacterial Genome is an ideal book for graduate and undergraduate students studying microbial cell biology, bacterial pathogenesis, gene regulation, and molecular microbiology. It will also appeal to principal investigators conducting research on these and related topics and researchers in synthetic biology and other arms of biotechnology.




The Dynamic Bacterial Genome


Book Description

This book is concerned with the mechanisms underlying recombination in bacterial DNA.




Dynamics of the Bacterial Chromosome


Book Description

This book provides an unique overview on bacterial genetics, bacterial genome projects and gene technology and its applicaitons in biological and biomedical research and medicine. The author guides the reader up the front in research within the different fields of bacterial genetics, based mainly on results received with Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis.




The Pangenome


Book Description

This open access book offers the first comprehensive account of the pan-genome concept and its manifold implications. The realization that the genetic repertoire of a biological species always encompasses more than the genome of each individual is one of the earliest examples of big data in biology that opened biology to the unbounded. The study of genetic variation observed within a species challenges existing views and has profound consequences for our understanding of the fundamental mechanisms underpinning bacterial biology and evolution. The underlying rationale extends well beyond the initial prokaryotic focus to all kingdoms of life and evolves into similar concepts for metagenomes, phenomes and epigenomes. The book’s respective chapters address a range of topics, from the serendipitous emergence of the pan-genome concept and its impacts on the fields of microbiology, vaccinology and antimicrobial resistance, to the study of microbial communities, bioinformatic applications and mathematical models that tie in with complex systems and economic theory. Given its scope, the book will appeal to a broad readership interested in population dynamics, evolutionary biology and genomics.




The New Science of Metagenomics


Book Description

Although we can't usually see them, microbes are essential for every part of human life-indeed all life on Earth. The emerging field of metagenomics offers a new way of exploring the microbial world that will transform modern microbiology and lead to practical applications in medicine, agriculture, alternative energy, environmental remediation, and many others areas. Metagenomics allows researchers to look at the genomes of all of the microbes in an environment at once, providing a "meta" view of the whole microbial community and the complex interactions within it. It's a quantum leap beyond traditional research techniques that rely on studying-one at a time-the few microbes that can be grown in the laboratory. At the request of the National Science Foundation, five Institutes of the National Institutes of Health, and the Department of Energy, the National Research Council organized a committee to address the current state of metagenomics and identify obstacles current researchers are facing in order to determine how to best support the field and encourage its success. The New Science of Metagenomics recommends the establishment of a "Global Metagenomics Initiative" comprising a small number of large-scale metagenomics projects as well as many medium- and small-scale projects to advance the technology and develop the standard practices needed to advance the field. The report also addresses database needs, methodological challenges, and the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in supporting this new field.




Bacterial Genomes


Book Description

A wide range of microbiologists, molecular biologists, and molecular evolutionary biologists will find this new volume of singular interest. It summarizes the present knowledge about the structure and stability of microbial genomes, and reviews the techniques used to analyze and fingerprint them. Maps of approximately thirty important microbes, along with articles on the construction and relevant features of the maps are included. The volume is not intended as a complete compendium of all information on microbial genomes, but rather focuses on approaches, methods and good examples of the analysis of small genomes.




Bacterial Genetics and Genomics


Book Description

Understanding of bacterial genetics and genomics is fundamental to understanding bacteria and higher organisms, as well. Novel insights in the fields of genetics and genomics are challenging the once clear borders between the characteristics of bacteria and other life. Biological knowledge of the bacterial world is being viewed under a new light with input from genetic and genomics. Replication of bacterial circular and linear chromosomes, coupled (and uncoupled) transcription and translation, multiprotein systems that enhance survival, wide varieties of ways to control gene and protein expression, and a range of other features all influence the diversity of the microbial world. This text acknowledges that readers have varied knowledge of genetics and microbiology. Therefore, information is presented progressively, to enable all readers to understand the more advanced material in the book. This second edition of Bacterial Genetics and Genomics updates the information from the first edition with advances made over the past five years. This includes descriptions for 10 types of secretion systems, bacteria that can be seen with the naked eye, and differences between coupled transcription-translation and the uncoupled runaway transcription in bacteria. Topic updates include advances in bacteriophage therapy, biotechnology, and understanding bacterial evolution. Key Features Genetics, genomics, and bioinformatics integrated in one place Over 400 full-colour illustrations explain concepts and mechanisms throughout and are available to instructors for download A section dedicated to the application of genetics and genomics techniques, including a chapter devoted to laboratory techniques, which includes useful tips and recommendations for protocols, in addition to troubleshooting and alternative strategies Bulleted key points summarize each chapter Extensive self-study questions related to the chapter text and several discussion topics for study groups to explore further This book is extended and enhanced through a range of digital resources that include: Interactive online quizzes for each chapter Flashcards that allow the reader to test their understanding of key terms from the book Useful links for online resources associated with Chapters 16 and 17




Prokaryotic Genomics


Book Description

Prokaryotic Genomics provides molecular microbiologists in particular and researchers working with bacteria in general with the most important established recipes needed for their work. The volume covers both revisited classical methods and new tools for global analysis such as genomics or proteomics. It is written for those in need of a bench manual to complete their experiments and for those wanting to understand the modern tools used in microbiology.




Bacterial Chromatin


Book Description

The birth and the development of molecular biology and, subsequently, of genetic engineering and biotechnology cannot be separated from the advancements in our knowledge of the genetics, biochemistry and physiology of bacteria and bacter- phages. Also most of the tools employed nowadays by biotechnologists are of bacterial (or bacteriophage) origin and the playground for most of the DNA manipulations still remains within bacteria. The relative simplicity of the bacterial cell, the short gene- tion times, the well defined and inexpensive culturing conditions which characterize bacteria and the auto-catalytic process whereby a wealth of in-depth information has been accumulated throughout the years have significantly contributed to generate a large number of knowledge-based, reliable and exploitable biological systems. The subtle relationships between phages and their hosts have produced a large amount of information and allowed the identification and characterization of a number of components which play essential roles in fundamental biological p- cesses such as DNA duplication, recombination, transcription and translation. For instance, to remain within the topic of this book, two important players in the or- nization of the nucleoid, FIS and IHF, have been discovered in this way. Indeed, it is difficult to find a single fundamental biological process whose structural and functional aspects are better known than in bacteria.