Biomedical subjects

Erick Vandamme

Publications and source records attributed to Erick Vandamme.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Microbial metabolomics: past, present and future methodologies.

Microbial metabolomics has received much attention in recent years mainly because it supports and complements a wide range of microbial research areas from new drug discovery efforts to metabolic engineering. Broadly, the term metabolomics refers to the comprehensive (qualitative and quantitative) analysis of the complete set of all low molecular weight metabolites present in and around growing cells at a given time during their growth or production cycle. This review focuses on the past, current and future development of various experimental protocols in the rapid developing area of metabolomics in the ongoing quest to reliably quantify microbial metabolites formed under defined physiological conditions. These developments range from rapid sample collection, instant quenching of microbial metabolic activity, extraction of the relevant intracellular metabolites as well as quantification of these metabolites using enzyme based and or modern high tech hyphenated analytical protocols, mainly chromatographic techniques coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS(n), GC-MS(n), CE-MS(n)), where n indicates the number of tandem mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR).

Bacteria↗

PubMed2006

Dehydrogenation of ribitol with Gluconobacter oxydans: production and stability of L-ribulose.

l-Ribulose is an important chiral lead molecule used for the synthesis of, among others, l-ribose, a high-value rare sugar used in the preparation of antiviral drugs. These drugs--nucleoside-analogues--gain importance in the treatment of severe viral diseases, like those caused by the HIV or hepatitis virus. In this study, factors that may have an impact on l-ribulose production with Gluconobacter oxydans and on the stability of l-ribulose were investigated. A bioconversion-type process, using washed resting cells, was chosen to produce l-ribulose from ribitol. In this process, the cell production and bioconversion phase were separated. The former was first optimized and a maximum cell mass of 1.5 g CDWL(-1) could be produced. For the bioconversion phase, the aeration level of the system proved to be one of the most critical factors; a maximal production rate of 15.7 g L(-1)h(-1) or 5.9 g(g CDW)(-1)h(-1) of l-ribulose could be reached. Furthermore, resting cells were found capable of completely converting ribitol solutions of up to 300 g L(-1) within 30 h, although the kinetics indicated a rather low affinity of the dehydrogenase enzymes for the substrate.

Acetobacter↗

PubMed2006

Comparison of DNA and RNA quantification methods suitable for parameter estimation in metabolic modeling of microorganisms.

Recent developments in cellular and molecular biology require the accurate quantification of DNA and RNA in large numbers of samples at a sensitivity that enables determination on small quantities. In this study, five current methods for nucleic acid quantification were compared: (i) UV absorbance spectroscopy at 260 nm, (ii) colorimetric reaction with orcinol reagent, (iii) colorimetric reaction based on diphenylamine, (iv) fluorescence detection with Hoechst 33258 reagent, and (v) fluorescence detection with thiazole orange reagent. Genomic DNA of three different microbial species (with widely different G+C content) was used, as were two different types of yeast RNA and a mixture of equal quantities of DNA and RNA. We can conclude that for nucleic acid quantification, a standard curve with DNA of the microbial strain under study is the best reference. Fluorescence detection with Hoechst 33258 reagent is a sensitive and precise method for DNA quantification if the G+C content is less than 50%. In addition, this method allows quantification of very low levels of DNA (nanogram scale). Moreover, the samples can be crude cell extracts. Also, UV absorbance at 260 nm and fluorescence detection with thiazole orange reagent are sensitive methods for nucleic acid detection, but only if purified nucleic acids need to be measured.

Colorimetry↗

PubMed2005

Industrial importance of the genus Brevibacterium.

The genus Brevibacterium has long been difficult for taxonomists to classify due to its close morphological similarity to other genera. Since it was proposed in 1953, the genus has often been redefined. The genus is best known for its important role in the ripening of certain cheeses (B. linens) and for its supposed over-production of L: -amino acids. Other interesting industrial applications, including the production of ectoine, have recently been proposed. The general characteristics, the occurrence and the recent taxonomy of Brevibacterium are reviewed here. Furthermore, known and potential industrial applications for Brevibacterium species are briefly discussed.

Amino Acids↗

PubMed2004

Ectoine accumulation in Brevibacterium epidermis.

As a halotolerant bacterial species, Brevibacterium epidermis DSM 20659 can grow at relatively high salinity, tolerating up to 2 M NaCl. It synthesizes ectoine and the intracellular content increases with the medium salinity, with a maximum of 0.14 g ectoine/g CDW at 1 M NaCl. Sugar-stressed cells do not synthesize ectoine. Ectoine synthesis is also affected by the presence of external osmolytes. Added betaine is taken up and completely replaced ectoine, while L-proline is only temporarily accumulated after which ectoine is synthesized. The strain can metabolize ectoine; L-glutamate is a better carbon source for ectoine synthesis than L-aspartate.

Amino Acids, Diamino↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The impact of industrial biotechnology.

In this review, the impact of industrial (or "white") biotechnology can have on our society and economy is discussed. An overview is given of industrial biotechnology and its applications in a number of product categories ranging from food ingredients, vitamins, bio-colorants, solvents, plastics and biofuels. The use of fossil resources is compared with renewable resources as the preferred feedstock for industrial biotechnology. A brief discussion is also given of the expected changes in society and technology, ranging from the shift in the supply of resources, the growing need for efficiency and sustainability of the production systems, changing consumer perception and behaviour and changing agricultural systems and practices. Many of these changes are expected to speed up the transition from a fossil-based to a bio-based economy and society.

Biotechnology↗