[Initial stages of steel biocorrosion].

Initial stages of corrosion of mild steel induced by Klebsiela rhinoscleromatis BO2 were studied in various media. The effect of the microorganism was detected 8-10 h after inoculation. The number of viable cells were virtually unchanged within one month in all media, but the corrosive activity of the strain decreased.

[Microbiological degradation of asymmetrical dimethylhydrazine--a toxic component of rocket fuel].

A possibility of microbiological cleaning of water and soil polluted with asymmetric dimethylhydrazine (ADMH), a highly toxic rocket fuel ingredient (RFI), was studied. Several isolates (bacteria, yeast, and micromycetes) capable of utilizing ADMH as the only source of nitrogen, carbon, and energy were isolated from RFI-polluted tundra soil. Acceleration of RFI biodegradation was achieved using a biosorbent that involved cells of the degrader strain immobilized on granulated activated carbon.

[The mobile vector method for genetic transformation of animals].

Experimental data on transgenic animal production using transfected sperm are reviewed. Pathways for further improvement of the method for increasing the frequency of transgenic organisms are proposed: modification of the saccharophosphate skeleton and DNA ends; use of nucleic exchange enzymes and directed oligonucleotides; use of adhesive sequences (MAR elements), ori replication, and transposable elements within the transgenes; development of the embryos selection; the use of gene targeting elements; and the use of various DNA conformations. The promising use of spermatozoa as a noninvasive system of gene delivery in transgenesis and prenatal gene therapy are outlined.

[The use of molecular biological methods for the individual characterization of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains].

The expediency of using molecular biological methods for the evaluation of M. tuberculosis clinical strains by individual genetic certification of circulating M. tuberculosis strains has been substantiated.

[Properties of MTPN11 mycobacteriophage].

Some characteristics of the poorly studied phage MTPH11, which is used for identification of mycobacteria, are presented. The phage has an isometric head and a long noncontractile tail (B1 morphotype). The attachment apparatus of this phage includes a basal plate composed of two joint disks and a single tail fiber.

[Simplified model of increase in colony diameter during growth of unicellular microorganisms and its use in evaluating the effect of biocides on microbial cells].

A simplified model of increase in colony diameter is proposed. The model uses the size of single cells and several measurements of colony diameter during linear growth for calculating with good approximation the growth curve for the culture from the moment of inoculation. The parameter mu(m)', which is approximately 10% lower than the maximum specific growth rate of the colony biomass, could be also calculated.