Studies To Define Algx S Role In Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Alginate Biosynthesis

The opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa offers a rich variety of biologically relevant topics to explore and serves as a model system to understand the interactions of Gram-negative bacteria with human hosts. The organism adapts readily to most environments. It has a large and variable genome with a great deal of metabolic potential. P. aeruginosa encodes a variety of regulatory systems to fine tune gene expression and integrate environmental signals. This organism can infect both plants and animals and produces a plethora of enzymes and factors that can overcome host defenses. Moreover, it has the ability to change between the states of a sedentary colonizer to an invasive and highly motile organism. Clinically, the bacterium is resistant to many antibiotics making it difficult to treat and impossible to eradicate from the lungs of patients with cystic fibrosis. Intrinsic antibiotic resistance combined with an armamentarium of tissue degradative enzymes makes it imperative to possess a comprehensive understanding of the biology, genetics and pathogenesis of this organism so that novel therapeutics based on virulence product neutralization can be designed and implemented. This Research Topics issue will be devoted to updating the current understanding of P. aeruginosa systems as they relate to its different lifestyles in different environments. The underlying theme is to provide broad overviews and to integrate protein structure-function and gene regulation as it relates to the biology of this bacterium.

Written by more than 400 subject experts representing diverse academic and applied domains, this multidisciplinary resource surveys the vanguard of biomaterials and biomedical engineering technologies utilizing biomaterials that lead to quality-of-life improvements. Building on traditional engineering principles, it serves to bridge advances in materials science, life sciences, nanotechnology, and cell biology to innovations in solving medical problems with applications in tissue engineering, prosthetics, drug delivery, biosensors, and medical devices. In nearly 300 entries, this four-volume Encyclopedia of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, Second Edition, covers: essential topics integral to tissue engineering research: bioreactors, scaffolding materials and fabrication, tissue mechanics, cellular interaction, and development of major tissues and organs being attempted by researchers worldwide; artificial lungs and muscles, bio-artificial livers, and corneal, dental, inner ear, and total hip implants; tissue engineering of blood vessels, heart valves, ligaments, microvascular networks, skeletal muscle, and skin; bone remodeling, bone cement, and bioabsorbable bone plates and screws; controlled drug delivery, insulin delivery, and transdermal and ocular implant-based drug delivery; endovascular stent grafts, vascular grafts, and xenografts; 3-D medical imaging, electrical impedance imaging, and intravascular ultrasound; biomedical, protein adsorption, and in vivo cardiovascular modeling; polymer foams, biofunctional and conductive polymers, and electroactive polymeric materials; blood–material interactions, the bone–implant interface, host reactions, and foreign body responses and much more.

Provides insight into biopolymers, their physicochemical properties, and their biomedical and biotechnological applications This comprehensive book is a one-stop reference for the production, modifications, and assessment of biopolymers. It highlights the technical and methodological advancements in introducing biopolymers, their study, and promoted applications. "Biopolymers for Biomedical and Biotechnological Applications" begins with a general overview of biopolymers, properties, and biocompatibility. It then provides in-depth information in three dedicated sections: Biopolymers through Bioengineering and Biotechnology Venues; Polymeric Biomaterials with Wide Applications; and Biopolymers for Specific Applications. Chapters cover: advances in biocompatibility; advanced microbial polysaccharides; microbial cell factories for biomanufacturing of polysaccharides; exploitation of exopolysaccharides from lactic acid bacteria; and the new biopolymer for biomedical application called nanocellulose. Advances in mucin biopolymer research are presented, along with those in the synthesis of fibrous proteins and their applications. The book looks at microbial polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), as well as natural and synthetic biopolymers in drug delivery and tissue engineering. It finishes with a chapter on the current state and applications of, and future trends in, biopolymers in regenerative medicine. * Offers a complete and thorough treatment of biopolymers from synthesis strategies and physiochemical properties to applications in industrial and medical biotechnology * Discusses the most attracted biopolymers with wide and specific applications * Takes a systematic approach to the field which allows readers to grasp and implement strategies for biomedical and biotechnological applications "Biopolymers for Biomedical and Biotechnological Applications" appeals to biotechnologists, bioengineers, and polymer chemists, as well as to those working in the biotechnological industry and institutes.

The Perfect Slime presents the latest state of knowledge and all aspects of the Extracellular Polymeric Substances, (EPS) matrix – from the ecological and health to the antifouling perspectives. The book brings together all the current material in order to expand our understanding of the functions, properties and characteristics of the matrix as well as the possibilities to strengthen or weaken it. The EPS matrix represents the immediate environment in which biofilm organisms live. From their point of view, this matrix has paramount advantages. It allows them to stay together for extended periods and form synergistic microconsortia, it retains extracellular enzymes and turns the matrix into an external digestion system and it is a universal recycling yard, it protects them against desiccation, it allows for intense communication and represents a huge genetic archive. They can remodel their matrix, break free and eventually, they can use it as a nutrient source. The EPS matrix can be considered as one of the emergent properties of biofilms and are a major reason for the success of this form of life. Nevertheless, they have been termed the “black matter of biofilms” for good reasons. First of all: the isolation methods define the results. In most cases, only water soluble EPS components are investigated; insoluble ones such as cellulose or amyloids are much less included. In particular in environmental biofilms with many species, it is difficult to impossible isolate, separate the various EPS molecules they are encased in and to define which species produced which EPS. The regulation and the factors which trigger or inhibit EPS production are still very poorly understood. Furthermore: bacteria are not the only microorganisms to produce EPS. Archaea, Fungi and algae can also form EPS. This book investigates the questions, What is their composition, function, dynamics and regulation? What do they all have in common?

The complex world of polysaccharides is a compilation of the characteristics of a variety of polysaccharides from plants, animals and microorganisms. The diversity of these polysaccharides arises from the structural variations and the monosaccharide content which is under genetic control. The chemical and physical properties have made them useful in many pharmaceutical, food and industrial applications. These properties of the polysaccharides determine their biological activity and their function in various applications. The role played by polysaccharides in preservation and protection of food, as carriers of nutrients and drugs, their ability to interact with molecules both for efficient delivery as well as improving textures of food colloids and their use as therapeutics are some of the functions discussed.

An international journal providing for the rapid publication of short reports on microbiological research.