Bacteria
Mainly because of their relative simplicity, ease of manipulation and growth in vitro, and importance in medicine, bacteria were instrumental in the development of molecular biology. The complete genome sequence for a large number of bacterial species is now available. A list of sequenced prokaryotic genomes is available. Molecular microbiology techniques are currently being used in the development of new genetically engineered vaccines, in bioremediation, biotechnology, food microbiology, probiotic research, antibacterial development and environmental microbiology.
Many bacteria have become model organisms for molecular studies.
Molecular techniques have had a direct influence on the clinical practice of medical microbiology. In many cases where traditional phenotypic methods of microbial identification and typing are insufficient or time-consuming, molecular techniques can provide rapid and accurate data, potentially improving clinical outcomes. Specific examples include:
- 16s rRNA sequencing to provide bacterial identifications
- Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis for strain typing of epidemiologically related organisms.
- Direct detection of genes related to resistance mechanisms, such as mecA gene in Staphylococcus aureus
Read more about this topic: Molecular Microbiology
Famous quotes containing the word bacteria:
“To the eyes of a god, mankind must appear as a species of bacteria which multiply and become progressively virulent whenever they find themselves in a congenial culture, and whose activity diminishes until they disappear completely as soon as proper measures are taken to sterilise them.”
—Aleister Crowley (1875–1947)