252 research outputs found
Bioinformatics: a useful tool for the molecular microbiologist?
Following hard on the heels of the human genome project, microbial genome versions have now begun to produce vast
amounts of information on the nucleotide sequences of specific microbes. How useful is this information and how can researchers wade through the millions of base pairs of sequence data to find genes or sequences of interest for either diagnostic or therapeutic strategies? In theory, the answer lies with the new specialty of bioinformatics, which covers genomics, proteomics and metabolomics - terms that are more recognisable to many as molecular genetics and
biochemistry
Trichomonas vaginalis: an irritating protozoan or an important viral co-factor
Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) is one of the most successful protozoan pathogens and the most common non-viral sexually transmitted disease, responsible for around 180 million new infections worldwide every year. Presentation in females is usually profuse, purulent, malodorous vaginal discharge and vaginal irritation, although infection can be subclinical or asymptomatic. TV may also be associated with inflammation of the cervix (strawberry cervix) that may mimic the cervical tenderness associated with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Changes in the cervical cells in women with TV have been likened to the changes seen in early cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), while in men the infection often presents as urethritis and prostatitis
Proteomics: more than just biochemistry
Growth of the so-called 'omics' technologies may appear to be simply a case of giving new, trendy names to boring, old-fashioned technology. After all, who would dispute that genomics is just genetics and molecular biology, glycomics is the study of glycosylation or that metabolomics is simply the study of metabolic pathways? Surely, then, proteomics is just biochemistry. Indeed, students are now told that they are studying proteomics, as there is a
tendency to turn off at the mere mention of biochemistry
Vaccination against cervical cancer
Human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated cervical cancer affects almost half a million sexually active females each year worldwide. Recently, however, clinical trials of two HPV vaccines have demonstrated successful results
Genetically modified food: good news but bad press
The negative aspects of genetically modified (GM) foods are often presented in the media. Reports of 'supercrops',
'superweeds', allergic reactions, health hazards and environmental damage have appeared. So, are GM foods really bad news or is the public simply being misled about the good and bad aspects of this technology
Occupational exposure to silica dust and risk of lung cancer: an updated meta-analysis of epidemiological studies
Funnel plot for studies with odds ratio (OR) as measure of association. (DOC 144 kb
Bioinformatics: a useful tool for the molecular microbiologist?
Following hard on the heels of the human genome project, microbial genome versions have now begun to produce vast
amounts of information on the nucleotide sequences of specific microbes. How useful is this information and how can researchers wade through the millions of base pairs of sequence data to find genes or sequences of interest for either diagnostic or therapeutic strategies? In theory, the answer lies with the new specialty of bioinformatics, which covers genomics, proteomics and metabolomics - terms that are more recognisable to many as molecular genetics and
biochemistry
- …