Biomedical subjects
Ana Cerdeño-Tárraga
Publications and source records attributed to Ana Cerdeño-Tárraga.
Diversity at every level.
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Pathogenomics of non-pathogens.
Analysing the genomes of non-pathogenic microorganisms, in addition to its basic and applied scientific interest, can also shed considerable light on the study of pathogenic microorganisms. Two of the three microorganisms described here are rarely pathogenic, but carry genetic determinants that have previously been identified as being important for the pathogenicity of other microorganisms. This underlines the growing understanding that many so-called 'virulence genes' are probably involved in more general interactions between the microorganism and the host or the environment.
New environments, versatile genomes.
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Chalk and cheese.
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The magnificent seven.
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The value of comparison.
With the number of published microbial genomes now in excess of 100, any new genome that is sequenced is likely to have a close relative available for comparison. Indeed, it is increasingly difficult to perform any genomic analysis that is not comparative. This should, however, not be seen as a drawback; it is often the case that a large amount of information can be drawn from these comparisons, especially between closely related organisms. Several genome sequences published recently indicate the value of comparisons at the genomic level.
Pathogenomics.
The genomes described this month reflect the overall historical bias of microbial genomics towards pathogenic bacteria. Although the balance is now being redressed to some extent, especially through the study of extremophiles, it is still the case that the opportunities provided by genomic studies are primarily taken up by those who study bacterial pathogenicity. This part of the field is, however, being broadened by including the study of pathogens of animals, insects and plants alongside those that afflict humans.
Split personalities.
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