Apr 2010
Human Variation: Cause and Consequence
Category: Conferences
June 20 - 23, 2010 Human Variation: Cause and Consequence
Heidelberg, Germany Further information
The goal of this Symposium is to explore human genetic and phenotypic variability in the light of recent developments in genomics, genetics and molecular medicine. The topics covered will include the mechanisms of mutation, normal sequence variation from the DNA to the chromosomal level, functional polymorphism and disease genetics. Keynote Lectures will be delivered by Svante Paabo, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, and Kari Stefansson, deCODE genetics.
Suggested reading: Molecular Biology Books
Heidelberg, Germany Further information
The goal of this Symposium is to explore human genetic and phenotypic variability in the light of recent developments in genomics, genetics and molecular medicine. The topics covered will include the mechanisms of mutation, normal sequence variation from the DNA to the chromosomal level, functional polymorphism and disease genetics. Keynote Lectures will be delivered by Svante Paabo, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, and Kari Stefansson, deCODE genetics.
Suggested reading: Molecular Biology Books
Antiviral Role of RNA Interference
Category: Regulation
from Michelle L. Flenniken, Mark Kunitomi, Michel Tassetto and Raul Andino in Insect Virology
Insects, like all living organisms, have developed defence mechanisms to resist infection. RNA interference (RNAi), a nucleic acid-based, post-transcriptional gene regulation process has recently emerged as a central pathway to anti-viral defence in insects. In this chapter, we outline the role of RNAi in insect immunity and highlight research that led to its discovery as well as research aimed at understanding the mechanistic details of anti-viral RNAi and the counter-measures viruses employ to modulate this immunological mechanism. As our knowledge of the pathways and mechanisms involved in insect immunity expands, so do the opportunities to employ insects as model systems to examine the general principles and co-evolution of hosts and their pathogens.
Further reading: Insect Virology
Insects, like all living organisms, have developed defence mechanisms to resist infection. RNA interference (RNAi), a nucleic acid-based, post-transcriptional gene regulation process has recently emerged as a central pathway to anti-viral defence in insects. In this chapter, we outline the role of RNAi in insect immunity and highlight research that led to its discovery as well as research aimed at understanding the mechanistic details of anti-viral RNAi and the counter-measures viruses employ to modulate this immunological mechanism. As our knowledge of the pathways and mechanisms involved in insect immunity expands, so do the opportunities to employ insects as model systems to examine the general principles and co-evolution of hosts and their pathogens.
Further reading: Insect Virology
Sensory Mechanisms book
Category: Books
Stephen Spiro and Ray Dixon (Texas, USA and Norwich,UK; respectively) present a new publication Sensory Mechanisms in Bacteria: Molecular Aspects of Signal Recognition
This book reviews a selection of important model systems, providing a timely snapshot of the current state of research in the field. The book opens with an introductory chapter that reviews the diversity of signal recognition mechanisms, illustrating the breadth of the field. Subsequent chapters include descriptions of the sensing of ligands (alpha-ketoglutarate, adenylate energy charge, glutamine and xenobiotic compounds), chemoreceptors, iron-sulfur cluster-based sensors, metal-dependent and metal-responsive sensors, thiol-based sensors, and PDZ domains as sensors of other proteins read more ....
This book reviews a selection of important model systems, providing a timely snapshot of the current state of research in the field. The book opens with an introductory chapter that reviews the diversity of signal recognition mechanisms, illustrating the breadth of the field. Subsequent chapters include descriptions of the sensing of ligands (alpha-ketoglutarate, adenylate energy charge, glutamine and xenobiotic compounds), chemoreceptors, iron-sulfur cluster-based sensors, metal-dependent and metal-responsive sensors, thiol-based sensors, and PDZ domains as sensors of other proteins read more ....
 | Edited by: Stephen Spiro and Ray Dixon ISBN: 978-1-904455-69-1 Publisher: Caister Academic Press Publication Date: September 2010 Cover: Hardback |
PDZ domains as sensors of other proteins
Category: Regulation
from Rebecca Kirk and Tim Clausen in Sensory Mechanisms in Bacteria: Molecular Aspects of Signal Recognition
Proteins containing PDZ domains have been shown to mediate a wide range of protein-protein interactions and to function as molecular scaffolds in the assembly of multi-protein complexes. The most studied typical function of PDZ domains is to recognize and bind short specific sequences at the C-terminal tails of their interacting partners; however other PDZ-mediated interactions including the recognition of internal motifs have been reported. PDZ domains are frequently combined with catalytic domains like, for example, protease, kinase and phosphatase domains. In this case, the PDZ domains do not simply function as molecular glue bringing entities of signaling cascades in contact with each other, but rather exert important regulatory functions by controlling the activity of their co-working partner domain. For one class of PDZ-enzymes, the HtrA proteases, the inter-domain communication has been studied in molecular detail providing the first insight into how PDZ domains control enzyme function and sense different external stimuli. HtrA proteins function to monitor protein homeostasis in the cell.
In prokaryotes this family of proteins underpins processes required for tolerance against various folding stresses and pathogenicity. Human HtrA proteins are involved in mammalian stress response pathways and in the prevention of the onset of protein misfolding diseases: including arthritis, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. Recent biochemical and structural data indicate that the PDZ domains of HtrA proteins could act as sensors of folding stress, autoproteolysis, misfolded proteins, cleavage products and of specific interaction partners.
Further reading: Sensory Mechanisms in Bacteria: Molecular Aspects of Signal Recognition
Proteins containing PDZ domains have been shown to mediate a wide range of protein-protein interactions and to function as molecular scaffolds in the assembly of multi-protein complexes. The most studied typical function of PDZ domains is to recognize and bind short specific sequences at the C-terminal tails of their interacting partners; however other PDZ-mediated interactions including the recognition of internal motifs have been reported. PDZ domains are frequently combined with catalytic domains like, for example, protease, kinase and phosphatase domains. In this case, the PDZ domains do not simply function as molecular glue bringing entities of signaling cascades in contact with each other, but rather exert important regulatory functions by controlling the activity of their co-working partner domain. For one class of PDZ-enzymes, the HtrA proteases, the inter-domain communication has been studied in molecular detail providing the first insight into how PDZ domains control enzyme function and sense different external stimuli. HtrA proteins function to monitor protein homeostasis in the cell.
In prokaryotes this family of proteins underpins processes required for tolerance against various folding stresses and pathogenicity. Human HtrA proteins are involved in mammalian stress response pathways and in the prevention of the onset of protein misfolding diseases: including arthritis, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. Recent biochemical and structural data indicate that the PDZ domains of HtrA proteins could act as sensors of folding stress, autoproteolysis, misfolded proteins, cleavage products and of specific interaction partners.
Further reading: Sensory Mechanisms in Bacteria: Molecular Aspects of Signal Recognition
Genetics of bifidobacteria
Category: Genetics
from Pablo Alvarez Martin, Simone Guglielmetti, and Baltasar Mayo in Bifidobacteria: Genomics and Molecular Aspects
Mobile genetic elements, cloning vectors and genetic manipulation of bifidobacteria.
Growth difficulties, because of their fastidious nutritive nature and oxygen sensitivity, and a lack of efficient genetic tools have impeded until recently proper development of molecular studies in Bifidobacteria. These studies, however, are critical to uncover the cross-talk between bifidobacteria and their hosts' cells, and also to prove unequivocally the supposed beneficial activities supplied through the gastrointestinal tract of mammals either endogenously or after ingestion as probiotics.
Analysis of gene sequences provided by whole genome sequencing projects has opened new avenues to decipher the genetic basis of bacteria-cell interactions and probiotic effects. However, the purposeful development of stable cloning and expression vectors based on robust replicons, either from temperate phages or resident plasmids, is additionally needed. Recent publications address the current knowledge on the mobile genetic elements of bifidobacteria (phages, plasmids, and transposons) and review the different types of vectors already available for the Bifidobacterium species, together with the transformation procedures for introducing DNA into bifidobacterial cells.
Further reading:
Mobile genetic elements, cloning vectors and genetic manipulation of bifidobacteria.
Growth difficulties, because of their fastidious nutritive nature and oxygen sensitivity, and a lack of efficient genetic tools have impeded until recently proper development of molecular studies in Bifidobacteria. These studies, however, are critical to uncover the cross-talk between bifidobacteria and their hosts' cells, and also to prove unequivocally the supposed beneficial activities supplied through the gastrointestinal tract of mammals either endogenously or after ingestion as probiotics.
Analysis of gene sequences provided by whole genome sequencing projects has opened new avenues to decipher the genetic basis of bacteria-cell interactions and probiotic effects. However, the purposeful development of stable cloning and expression vectors based on robust replicons, either from temperate phages or resident plasmids, is additionally needed. Recent publications address the current knowledge on the mobile genetic elements of bifidobacteria (phages, plasmids, and transposons) and review the different types of vectors already available for the Bifidobacterium species, together with the transformation procedures for introducing DNA into bifidobacterial cells.
Further reading:
Electrospinning Nanofibers
Category: Technology
Electrospinning is a highly versatile technique that can be used to create ultrafine fibres of various polymers and other materials, with diameters ranging from a few micrometers down to tens of nanometres. The nonwoven webs of fibers formed through this process typically have high specific surface areas, nano-scale pore sizes, high and controllable porosity and extreme flexibility with regard to the materials used and modification of the surface chemistry of the fibres. The combination of these features permit the application of electrospun nanofibres in a variety of water treatment applications, including filtration, solid phase extraction and reactive membranes.
Read more: Nanotechnology in Water Treatment Applications
Read more: Nanotechnology in Water Treatment Applications
Nanobiotechnology
Category: Technology
Microbial tests are based essentially on time-consuming culture methods. However, newer enzymatic, immunological and genetic methods are being developed to replace and/or support classical approaches to microbial detection. Moreover, innovations in nanotechnology and nanosciences are having a significant impact in biodiagnostics, where a number of nanoparticle-based assays and nanodevices have been introduced for biomolecular detection.
Current and emerging molecular approaches for the detection of microbial pathogens especially in the area of nanobiotechnology will aid microbial diagnostics and pathogen detection.
Further reading: Nanotechnology in Water Treatment Applications
Current and emerging molecular approaches for the detection of microbial pathogens especially in the area of nanobiotechnology will aid microbial diagnostics and pathogen detection.
Further reading: Nanotechnology in Water Treatment Applications
Nanotechnology
Category: Technology
Nanotechnology refers to the engineering and art of manipulating matter at the nanoscale (1-100 nm). This emerging technology has many applications applications including applications in microbiology and water treatment.
Nanotechnology offers the potential of novel nanomaterials (nanostructured catalytic membranes, nanosorbents, nanocatalysts and bioactive nanoparticles) for the treatment of surface water, groundwater and wastewater contaminated by toxic metal ions, organic and inorganic solutes and microorganisms. At the present time many nanomaterials are under active research and development for this purpose.
Further reading: Nanotechnology in Water Treatment Applications
Nanotechnology offers the potential of novel nanomaterials (nanostructured catalytic membranes, nanosorbents, nanocatalysts and bioactive nanoparticles) for the treatment of surface water, groundwater and wastewater contaminated by toxic metal ions, organic and inorganic solutes and microorganisms. At the present time many nanomaterials are under active research and development for this purpose.
Further reading: Nanotechnology in Water Treatment Applications
Population genetics
Category: Genetics
Microbial population genetics is a rapidly advancing field of investigation with relevance to many areas of science. The subject encompasses theoretical issues such as the origins and evolution of species, sex and recombination. Population genetics lays the foundations for tracking the origin and evolution of antibiotic resistance and deadly infectious pathogens and is also an essential tool in the utilization of beneficial microbes.
Congress of the Human Proteome Organisation
Category: Conferences
September 4 - 7, 2011 10th Congress of the Human Proteome Organisation
Geneva, Switzerland Further information
The combined HUPO 10th Annual World Congress, 5th EuPA Annual Scientific Meeting and the 8th SPS scientific meeting. The Scientific Program will focus on Translational Proteomics.
Suggested reading: Molecular Biology Books
Geneva, Switzerland Further information
The combined HUPO 10th Annual World Congress, 5th EuPA Annual Scientific Meeting and the 8th SPS scientific meeting. The Scientific Program will focus on Translational Proteomics.
Suggested reading: Molecular Biology Books
World Molecular Imaging Congress
Category: Conferences
September 8 - 11, 2010 2010 World Molecular Imaging Congress
Kyoto, Japan Further information
Organizers from the Society for Molecular Imaging (SMI), the Academy of Molecular Imaging (AMI), the European Society for Molecular Imaging (ESMI), and the Federation of Asian Societies for Molecular Imaging (FASMI) are working together, with input from a scientifically diverse, international program committee, to develop a scientific program that integrates developments in imaging technologies and molecular imaging agents with applications for drug development, basic science investigations, and clinical translation.
Suggested reading: Molecular Biology Books
Kyoto, Japan Further information
Organizers from the Society for Molecular Imaging (SMI), the Academy of Molecular Imaging (AMI), the European Society for Molecular Imaging (ESMI), and the Federation of Asian Societies for Molecular Imaging (FASMI) are working together, with input from a scientifically diverse, international program committee, to develop a scientific program that integrates developments in imaging technologies and molecular imaging agents with applications for drug development, basic science investigations, and clinical translation.
Suggested reading: Molecular Biology Books