The use of comparative genomic hybridization to characterize genome dynamics and diversity among the serotypes of Shigella.

Background: Compelling evidence indicates that Shigella species, the etiologic agents of bacillary dysentery, as well as enteroinvasive Escherichia coli, are derived from multiple origins of Escherichia coli and form a single pathovar. To further understand the genome diversity and virulence evolution of Shigella, comparative genomic hybridization microarray analysis was employed to compare the gene content of E. coli K-12 with those of 43 Shigella strains from all lineages.

[Development of the cDNA chip for SARS virus and a primary study on the possible molecular mechanism of interferon alpha2b inhibiting the SARS virus replication].

Background: To study the molecular mechanism of interferon alpha2b(IFNalpha2b) inhibiting the SARS virus replication. SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS virus) cDNA chip was developed and applied to detect the virus RNA transcription levels in the interferon-treated and untreated cell cultures, and the mechanism of anti-SARS virus activity of interferon alpha2b in cell culture system was explored.

Methods: SARS virus cDNA chip was prepared by comparing the published SARS virus genome sequence, and the cDNA chip was used to study the interferon alpha2b function during SARS virus replication.