Current Issues in Molecular Biology

1474 KiB

Open AccessReview

Filamentous Bacteriophage: Biology, Phage Display and Nanotechnology Applications

by Jasna Rakonjac, Nicholas J. Bennett, Julian Spagnuolo, Dragana Gagic and Marjorie Russel

Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2011, 13(2), 51-76; https://doi.org/10.21775/cimb.013.051 - 18 Apr 2011

Cited by 248 | Viewed by 2389

Filamentous bacteriophage, long and thin filaments that are secreted from the host cells without killing them, have been an antithesis to the standard view of head-and-tail bacterial killing machines. Episomally replicating filamentous phage Ff of Escherichia coli provide the majority of information about [...] Read more.

Filamentous bacteriophage, long and thin filaments that are secreted from the host cells without killing them, have been an antithesis to the standard view of head-and-tail bacterial killing machines. Episomally replicating filamentous phage Ff of Escherichia coli provide the majority of information about the principles and mechanisms of filamentous phage infection, episomal replication and assembly. Chromosomally- integrated "temperate" filamentous phage have complex replication and integration, which are currently under active investigation. The latter are directly or indirectly implicated in diseases caused by bacterial pathogens Vibrio cholerae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Neisseria meningitidis. In the first half of the review, both the Ff and temperate phage are described and compared. A large section of the review is devoted to an overview of phage display technology and its applications in nanotechnology. Full article

639 KiB

Open AccessReview

Quantum Microbiology

by J. T. Trevors and L. Masson

Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2011, 13(2), 43-50; https://doi.org/10.21775/cimb.013.043 - 2 Mar 2011

Viewed by 836

Abstract

During his famous 1943 lecture series at Trinity College Dublin, the reknown physicist Erwin Schrödinger discussed the failure and challenges of interpreting life by classical physics alone and that a new approach, rooted in Quantum principles, must be involved. Quantum events are simply [...] Read more.

During his famous 1943 lecture series at Trinity College Dublin, the reknown physicist Erwin Schrödinger discussed the failure and challenges of interpreting life by classical physics alone and that a new approach, rooted in Quantum principles, must be involved. Quantum events are simply a level of organization below the molecular level. This includes the atomic and subatomic makeup of matter in microbial metabolism and structures, as well as the organic, genetic information codes of DNA and RNA. Quantum events at this time do not elucidate, for example, how specific genetic instructions were first encoded in an organic genetic code in microbial cells capable of growth and division, and its subsequent evolution over 3.6 to 4 billion years. However, due to recent technological advances, biologists and physicists are starting to demonstrate linkages between various quantum principles like quantum tunneling, entanglement and coherence in biological processes illustrating that nature has exerted some level quantum control to optimize various processes in living organisms. In this article we explore the role of quantum events in microbial processes and endeavor to show that after nearly 67 years, Schrödinger was prophetic and visionary in his view of quantum theory and its connection with some of the fundamental mechanisms of life. Full article

705 KiB

Open AccessReview

Chromosome Organizaton in Simple and Complex Unicellular Organisms

by Justin M. O'Sullivan

Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2011, 13(2), 37-42; https://doi.org/10.21775/cimb.013.037 - 4 Feb 2011

Viewed by 361

Abstract

The genomes of unicellular organisms form complex 3-dimensional structures. This spatial organization is hypothesized to have a significant role in genomic function. Spatial organization is not limited solely to the three-dimensional folding of the chromosome(s) in genomes but also includes genome positioning, and [...] Read more.

The genomes of unicellular organisms form complex 3-dimensional structures. This spatial organization is hypothesized to have a significant role in genomic function. Spatial organization is not limited solely to the three-dimensional folding of the chromosome(s) in genomes but also includes genome positioning, and the folding and compartmentalization of any additional genetic material (e.g. episomes) present within complex genomes. In this comment, I will highlight similarities in the spatial organization of eukaryotic and prokaryotic unicellular genomes. Full article

754 KiB

Open AccessReview

Role of Fusobacterium nucleatum in Periodontal Health and Disease

by Benoit Signat, Christine Roques, Pierre Poulet and Danielle Duffaut

Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2011, 13(2), 25-36; https://doi.org/10.21775/cimb.013.025 - 10 Jan 2011

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3096

Abstract

The pathogenesis of periodontitis involves the interplay of microbiota present in the subgingival plaque and the host responses. Inflammation and destruction of periodontal tissues are considered to result from the response of a susceptible host to a microbial biofilm containing gram-negative pathogens. Antimicrobial [...] Read more.

The pathogenesis of periodontitis involves the interplay of microbiota present in the subgingival plaque and the host responses. Inflammation and destruction of periodontal tissues are considered to result from the response of a susceptible host to a microbial biofilm containing gram-negative pathogens. Antimicrobial peptides are important contributors to maintaining the balance between health and disease in this complex environment. These include several salivary antimicrobial peptides such as beta-defensins expressed in the epithelium and LL-37 expressed in both epithelium and neutrophils. Among gram-negative bacteria implicated in periodontal diseases, Fusobacterium nucleatum, is one of the most interesting. This review will focus on expression, function, regulation and functional efficacy of antimicrobial peptides against F. nucleatum. We are looking for how the presence of F. nucleatum induces secretion of peptides which have an impact on host cells and modulate immune response. Full article

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Curr. Issues Mol. Biol., Volume 13, Issue 2 (July 2011) – 4 articles

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI