Information theoretic perspective on genome clustering.

Shannon's information theoretic perspective of communication helps one to understand the storage and processing of information in one-dimensional sequences. An information theoretic analysis of 937 available completely sequenced prokaryotic genomes and 238 eukaryotic chromosomes is presented. Information content (Id) values were used to cluster these chromosomes.

Understanding the virulence of the entero-aggregative E. coli O104:H4.

O104:H4 is a new strain of E. coli that has caused an outbreak in Germany. It was isolated from patients with bloody diarrhoea and Haemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS).

Characterization of DLP12 Prophage Membrane Associated Protein: HolinGFP.

Lysis cassette genes from phages determine the final lytic event of the host cells. The lysis cassette genes are conserved in phages and prophages. The membrane associated holin from DLP12 prophage, available as a GFP fusion construct, was shown to be overexpressed, using confocal microscopy analysis, in bacterial cells.

Molecular modeling and conformational analysis of native and refolded viral genome-linked protein of cardamom mosaic virus.

The viral genome-linked protein (VPg) of Potyviruses is covalently attached to the 5' end of the genomic RNA. Towards biophysical characterization, the VPg coding region of Cardamom mosaic virus (CdMV) was amplified from the cDNA and expressed in E. coli.

Identification of prophages in bacterial genomes by dinucleotide relative abundance difference.

Background: Prophages are integrated viral forms in bacterial genomes that have been found to contribute to interstrain genetic variability. Many virulence-associated genes are reported to be prophage encoded. Present computational methods to detect prophages are either by identifying possible essential proteins such as integrases or by an extension of this technique, which involves identifying a region containing proteins similar to those occurring in prophages.

Subclassification and targeted characterization of prophage-encoded two-component cell lysis cassette.

Bacteriophage induced lysis of host bacterial cell is mediated by a two component cell lysis cassette comprised of holin and lysozyme. Prophages are integrated forms of bacteriophages in bacterial genomes providing a repertoire for bacterial evolution. Analysis using the prophage database (http://bicmku.

A simulation model of Escherichia coli osmoregulatory switch using E-CELL system.

Background: Bacterial signal transduction mechanism referred to as a "two component regulatory systems" contributes to the overall adaptability of the bacteria by regulating the gene expression. Osmoregulation is one of the well-studied two component regulatory systems comprising of the sensor, EnvZ and the cognate response regulator, OmpR, which together control the expression of OmpC and OmpF porins in response to the osmolyte concentration.

Results: A quantitative model of the osmoregulatory switch operative in Escherichia coli was constructed by integrating the enzyme rate equations using E-CELL system.

Intermediate-term follow-up after transmyocardial laser revascularisation.

Transmyocardial laser revascularisation has emerged as a new therapeutic option for patients with severe diffuse coronary artery disease refractory to conventional modes of therapy. One hundred and two patients underwent isolated transmyocardial laser revascularisation between December 1994 and November 1997. After transmyocardial laser revascularisation, angina class improved from 2.