Biomedical subjects

Eric J Rubin

Publications and source records attributed to Eric J Rubin.

22 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2002

Construction of a mariner-based transposon for epitope-tagging and genomic targeting.

Mobile genetic elements are often employed for constructing gene fusions or to perform mutagenesis. mariner transposons are well-suited to such applications because of their low site specificity, in vitro activity, and exceptionally broad host range. This report describes a mariner-based method for rapidly creating a large number of insertion mutants that can be converted to in-frame epitope fusions in a single step. First, a mariner-based vector is used to deliver a FLP recombinase substrate randomly into a target molecule. Expression of the FLP recombinase is then induced to catalyse the excision of sequences flanked by FLP recombinase target recognition sites, leaving behind a triple-FLAG epitope. The reversibility of the excision event provides opportunities for using genomic targeting methods easily to create transcriptional or translational fusions to genes of interest.

Cloning, Molecular↗

PubMed2002

A genome-scale analysis for identification of genes required for growth or survival of Haemophilus influenzae.

A high-density transposon mutagenesis strategy was applied to the Haemophilus influenzae genome to identify genes required for growth or viability. This analysis detected putative essential roles for the products of 259 ORFs of unknown function. Comparisons between complete genomes defined a subset of these proteins in H. influenzae having homologs in Mycobacterium tuberculosis that are absent in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a distribution pattern that favors their use in development of antimicrobial therapeutics. Three genes within this set are essential for viability in other bacteria. Interfacing the set of essential gene products in H. influenzae with the distribution of homologs in other microorganisms can detect components of unrecognized cellular pathways essential in diverse bacteria. This genome-scale phenotypic analysis identifies potential roles for a large set of genes of unknown function.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed2002

Genomic analyses of microbial virulence.

Genomic sequencing of bacterial pathogens is providing an increasing wealth of new data. It is, however, still unclear how this information can be used to develop new experimental approaches. Here, we describe recent efforts to complement existing bacterial genetics with genomic methods for the study of pathogenesis.

Bacteria↗

PubMed2002

Tuberculosis. Advances in laboratory diagnosis and drug susceptibility testing.

Laboratory diagnosis of mycobacterial infection is complicated by the fastidious growth requirements of the bacillus organism. Delays in diagnosis can impede effective treatment and surveillance of the disease. Control of Mycobacterium tuberculosis has also been aggravated by the emergence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, and enhanced methods of antibiotic susceptibility testing are needed. Molecular laboratory techniques and advances in rapid culture methods have led to the development of diagnostic and drug susceptibility tests that are rapid and reliable. This article describes recent innovations in the molecular diagnosis and antibiotic susceptibility testing of M tuberculosis.

Animals↗