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

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

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

Detection of human papillomavirus from liquid-based cytology specimens by in-house PCR: a pilot study

The Papanicolaou smear remains the most common method for the detection of precancerous changes in cervical cytology. However, the introduction of a liquidbased cytology (LBC) technique expands the possibility of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) diagnosis, and permits detection of precancerous changes and human papillomavirus (HPV) simultaneously. In the pilot study reported here, using an in-house polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method, high-grade HPV was detected in 32% of a cohort of 38 patients. This conventional PCR method could be developed for use on a real-time PCR platform or in a microtitre-well format and subsequently automated

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

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

The Unani system of medicine: does it have a scientific basis?

The Unani system of medicine is claimed to be an effective management protocol for the treatment of stroke using herbal remedies. Although effective, the method does not require invasive intervention nor has it any side effects. Researchers at the University of Westminster, London, have embarked on a project to scientifically validate this stroke remedy. However, such herbal treatments are often considered to be non-scientific and represent 'quack' medicine. So, is there evidence that Unani medicine works

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