BACKGROUND Bacteria use N-acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) molecules to regulate the expression of genes in a density-dependent manner. Several biosensors have been developed and engineered to detect the presence of all types of AHLs. RESULTS In this study, we describe the usefulness of a traI-luxCDABE-based biosensor to quickly detect AHLs from previously characterized mutants of Burkholderia c...

polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (pahs) are one of the most common contaminants found in soil. pahs exhibit a significant concern because of their toxicity, carcinogenic, teratogenic and mutagenic properties. using microorganisms for cleaning the pollution of soil can be cheap, effective and can provide environmental immunity. the goal of this study is to isolate and identify phenanthrene degra...

Exposure to the soil-borne pathogens Burkholderia pseudomallei and Burkholderia cenocepacia can lead to severe infections and even mortality. These pathogens exhibit a high resistance to antibiotic treatments. In addition, no licensed vaccine is currently available. A nanoscale platinum-containing titania photocatalyst (TiO(2)-Pt) has been shown to have a superior visible light-responsive photo...

Recent developments in microbial techniques (such as PCR, GE, FISH) have allowed researchers to detect, identify and quantify microorganisms without the limitation of culture-dependent methods. This has given both engineers and scientists a more fundamental understanding about systems containing microorganisms. These techniques can be used to monitor bacteria in wastewater treatment systems, so...

Quorum sensing is a communication system by which bacteria use signal molecules to induce physiological response. In natural marine environments, quorum suspected occur in regions with high cell densities. Free-living bacteria, however, are largely believed exist at concentrations too low make of density-dependent quorum-sensing system. Due so-called ‘free-living’ inhabiting gels composed exopo...