MicrobiologyBytes

My colleague at the University of Leicester, Dr Martha Clokie, has recently co-edited a two-volume book on how to work with bacteriophages. Ranging from the evolution of pathogenicity to oceanic carbon cycling, the many and varied roles that bacteriophages play in microbial ecology and evolution have inspired increased interest within the scientific community. The book pulls together the vast body of knowledge and expertise from top international bacteriophage researchers to provide both classical and state-of-the-art molecular techniques, including laboratory protocols and a notes section which details tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Volume 1 “Isolation, Characterization, and Interactions” examines a number of topics, including the isolation of phages, morphological and molecular characterization, and interaction with bacteria. Volume 2 “Molecular and Applied Aspects” examines bacteriophage genomics, metagenomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics, along with applied bacteriophage biology.

Bacteriophages: Methods and Protocols, Volume 1: Isolation, Characterization, and Interactions
Editors: Martha R.J Clokie, Andrew M. Kropinski
Methods in Molecular Biology , Vol. 501
ISBN: 978-1-58829-682-5 (Hardcover)

Bacteriophages: Methods and Protocols, Volume 2: Molecular and Applied Aspects
ISBN: 978-1-60327-564-4 (Hardcover)

Unlike cellular organisms, which ‘grow’ from an increase in the integrated sum of their components and reproduce by division, virus particles are produced from the assembly of preformed components. Once manufactured, virus particles (virions) do not grow or undergo division. This alone makes the process of virus replication distinct from the growth of all other biological agents, and although the term ‘grow’ is sometimes used in the vernacular to refer to propagation of viruses, it is best to avoid this word when referring to the processes of virus replication. Although this article will attempt to paint a general picture of the process of virus replication, the type of host cell infected by the virus has a profound effect on the replication process. There are many examples of viruses undergoing different replicative cycles in different cell types. However, the coding capacity of the genome determines the basic replication strategy used by different viruses. This strategy may involve heavy reliance on the host cell, in which case the virus genome can be very compact and need only encode the essential information for a few proteins, for instance, in parvoviruses. Alternatively, large and complex virus genomes, such as those of poxviruses, encode most of the information necessary for replication, and the virus is only reliant on the cell for the provision of energy and the apparatus for macromolecular synthesis, such as ribosomes. Viruses with RNA genomes have no apparent need to enter the nucleus, although during the course of replication, some do. DNA viruses, as might be expected, mostly replicate in the nucleus where host cell DNA is replicated and the biochemical apparatus necessary for this process is located. However, some viruses with DNA genomes (e.g. poxviruses) have evolved to contain sufficient biochemical capacity to be able to replicate in the cytoplasm, with minimal requirement for host cell functions.

From: Cann A J. Replication of Viruses. Encyclopedia of Virology (B.W.J. Mahy and M.H.V. Van Regenmortel, Editors), pp.406-412, 2008 Oxford: Elsevier

A presentation for the Society for General Microbiology Education Division symposium “Communicating Microbiology”, Edinburgh, April 2008.

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Principles of Molecular Virology: US | UK

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A new exhibition at the Science Museum examines the history of the drug – Penicillin: A story of Triumph and Tragedy. Pictures courtesy of BBC News:

Penicillin: Triumph and Tragedy by Robert Bud
Oxford University Press: 2007. 344 pp. £30, $55
ISBN 0199254060

“A highly detailed account of how we arrived at what may be the threshold of a post-antibiotic age.”
New Scientist, February 24, 2007

Domagk, Fleming, Waksman & the Third Man: An interactive multimedia tutorial about antibiotics featuring sound, video, graphics and a self-assessment quiz.

Review: Instant Notes in Microbiology by Simon Baker, Naveed Khan, Jane Nicklin, and Richard Killington.
Instant Notes in Microbiology is a cheap and cheerful alternative to the proliferation of glossy microbiology textbooks which the North American market has spawned over the last decade. If cheap and cheerful puts you off, it shouldn’t. The book is comprehensive, well written, well illustrated (in black and white), and importantly, very competitively priced. Unashamedly concentrating on a non-medical approach to microbiology (although medical microbiology is covered as well), the book lives up to it’s title and presents a wide range of material concisely in an extended note format. The third edition of this popular title takes a molecular approach to microbiology, and includes the following features: the bacteriology section being completely rewritten to reflect the latest developments; improved coverage of systematics, growth, metabolism, molecular biology and industrial applications; a new chapter on microbial pathogenesis; and the eukaryotic and virology sections have been updated. This significant reference will ably guide students through their microbiology courses. This is a great book for anyone doing a course in microbiology or a related course. It gives good in depth coverage of all the major topic of the subject and it is great as a quick reference book.

ISBN: 0415390885

Review: Instant Notes in Medical Microbiology by William Irving, Tim Boswell, and D. Ala’Aldeen.
Instant Notes titles focus on core information and are designed to help undergraduate students come to grips with a subject quickly and easily. Instant Notes in Medical Microbiology covers the basic concepts and terminology required to understand the different kinds of microorganisms; the spread of microorganisms and the causes of disease; host responses to infection and laboratory diagnosis techniques. With a system-based approach to important diseases, diagnosis and treatment, this provides concise coverage of the core material essential to most medical microbiology courses. By explaining the essentials of the molecular biology of infectious agents, right through to the clinical management of the infected patient, passing disease pathogenesis, diagnosis, and the use of antimicrobial therapy on the way, the authors have achieved their aim to make microbiology less intimidating for new students.

ISBN: 1859962548