Project description:Hybridisation of reference strains to the VirEp Staphylococcus aureus microarray, and characterisation of different S. aureus isolates from different locations and associated with different diseases.
Project description:Staphylococcus aureus is a gram-positive cocci and an important human commensal bacteria and pathogen. S. aureus infections are increasingly difficult to treat because of the emergence of highly resistant MRSA (Methicillin-resistant S. aureus) strains. Here we present a method to study differential gene expression in S. aureus using high-throughput RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq). We use RNA-seq to examine the differential gene expression in S. aureus RN4220 cells containing an exogenously expressed transcription factor and between two S. aureus strains (RN4220 and NCTC8325-4). The information provided by RNA-seq was a significant advance over previously described microarray based techniques. We investigated the sequence and gene expression differences between RN4220 and NCTC8325-4 and used the RNA-seq data to identify S. aureus promoters suitable for in vitro analysis. We used RNA-seq to describe, on a genome wide scale, genes positively and negatively regulated by a phage encoded transcription factor, gp67. RNA-seq offers the ability to study differential gene expression with single-nucleotide resolution, and is a considerable improvement over the predominant genome-wide transcriptome technologies used in S. aureus. RNA-seq analysis of Staphylococcus aureus RN4220 (electrocompetent strain) carrying either empty pRMC2 (inducible expression vector) or pRMC2 carrying the ORF67 gene (encodes gp67). Both strains were grown to OD 0.2 and transgene expression was induced with 100ng/ml anhydrotetracycline. As a control, Staphylococcus aureus strain NCTC8325-4 (non-electrocompetent strain) was grown under identical conditions except without the addition of anhydrotetracycline.
Project description:To determine if significant genomic changes are associated with the development of vancomycin intermediate Staphylococcus aureus, genomic DNA microarrays were performed to compare the initial vancomycin susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (VSSA) and a related vancomycin intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (VISA) isolate from five unique patients (five isolate pairs). Keywords: comparative genomic hybridization
Project description:Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most important pathogens in humans and animals, multiply resistant strains are increasingly widespread, new agents are needed for the treatment of S. aureus. Rhein, a natural plant product, has potential antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. We employed Affymetrix Staphylococcus aureus GeneChipsTM arrays to investigate the global transcriptional profiling of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25923 treated with rhein. Results provided insight into mechanisms involved in rhein - Staphylococcus aureus interactions. Keywords: rhein response
