Protein secretion and membrane insertion occur through the ubiquitous Sec machinery. In this system, insertion involves the targeting of translating ribosomes via the signal recognition particle and its cognate receptor to the SecY (bacteria and archaea)/Sec61 (eukaryotes) translocon. A common mechanism then guides nascent transmembrane helices (TMHs) through the Sec complex, mediated by associ...

We present a simple and inexpensive method for the capture and release of bacteria contained in an array of conical nanopores on a membrane inside a microfluidic device. As an example, we demonstrate that cyanobacteria can be captured, one bacterium per pore, in a defined orientation with over 500 bacteria per membrane with viabilities as high as 100%. The device can also specifically capture c...

We present a simple and inexpensive method for the capture and release of bacteria contained in an array of conical nanopores on a membrane inside a microfluidic device. As an example, we demonstrate that cyanobacteria can be captured, one bacterium per pore, in a defined orientation with over 500 bacteria per membrane with viabilities as high as 100%. The device can also specifically capture c...

Gram-negative bacteria naturally shed particles that consist of outer membrane lipids, outer membrane proteins, and soluble periplasmic components. These particles have been proposed for use as vaccines but the yield has been problematic. We developed a high yielding production process of genetically derived outer membrane particles from the human pathogen Shigella sonnei. Yields of approximate...

the aim of this study was to compare invasive and non-invasive strains of shigella flexneri isolated from tehran by a 120 kda protein band by sds-page, electron microscopy of cell culture and congo red dye methods. methods: s. flexneri strains were isolated by standard bacterial methods from fecal specimens of children attending to the 3 children’s hospitals. phenotype analysis for screening vi...

The asymmetric outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria contains lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) which contribute significantly to the bacterium's surface properties and play a crucial role in regulating membrane permeability. We report on neutron diffraction studies performed on aligned, self-assembled bilayers of Na-, Ca-, and Mg-salt forms of LPS isolated from Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. From th...

Freeze-fracture and thin-section electron microscopy were used to describe the sites of attachment of 2 kinds of ectosymbiotic bacteria to a devescovinid flagellate from termites. In each case, surface specializations in both partners occur at the junctional complexes. Rod bacteria lie in pockets of the eukaryotic membrane which are coated by dense material and contain high densities of intrame...

this is a comprehensive review of the recent progresses made in the field of zeolite membranes. it describes zeolitic materials and methods of membrane fabrication, followed by a summary of applications for gas separation, pervaporation and separation of liquid mixtures. special attention is called to polymer mixed matrix membranes (mmms) and membranes based on metal organic frame works (mofs)....

Bdellovibrio-and-like organisms (BALOs) are predatory bacteria that prey upon Gram-negative bacteria and are taxonomically subsumed in the order Bdellovibrionales. Despite their unique lifestyle, these bacteria show remarkable genotypic diversities. The outer membrane of the predators is likely to play an important role during the recognition and invasion stage, as well as in the intraperiplasm...

This article reviews the importance of the round-window membrane in exposing the labyrinth to or protecting it from the toxic effects of otitis media. Characteristics of the immune system in the human middle ear and middle-ear mechanisms against bacteria are explained. The role of bacteria and bacterial products in inner-ear damage is detailed, and related pathological events are described. The...