Probiotics are defined as live microorganisms, which when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host. Species of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are most commonly used as probiotics. The yeast Saccharomyces boulardii and […]
World Health Organization (WHO) defines “probiotics” as “live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a perceived health benefit on the host”. These intentionally ingested microorganisms consist mainly of bacteria but also include yeasts. […]
Last updated on June 30th, 2021Although most prokaryotes cannot survive in nature without their cell walls, some do so naturally. These include the mycoplasmas, a group of pathogenic bacteria that causes several infectious diseases of […]
Viruses are genetic elements that cannot replicate independently of a living host cell. Host cells provide energy, metabolic intermediates needed for replication and also synthesize viral proteins. As viruses need suitable living cells to multiply, […]
A mutation is a change in the nucleotide sequence of a gene. This gives rise to a new genetic trait or a changed genotype. A cell or an organism that shows the effect of a […]
Last updated on June 21st, 2021All organisms require an energy source to drive energy-consuming life processes. Energy can be tapped from light or chemicals (organic chemicals and inorganic chemicals). Organisms that can utilize radiant energy […]
Last updated on June 21st, 2021Cellular life on earth has evolved along three major lineages, called Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya. Comparative rRNA sequencing revealed these three distinct cellular lineages, also called domains. Bacteria and Archaea […]
Spirochetes are long, thin, flexible, spirally coiled helical bacilli. These motile, gram-negative bacilli are classified into eight genera primarily on the basis of habitat, pathogenicity, phylogeny, morphological and physiological characteristics. These long slender bacteria are […]
Human skin is home to billions of diverse bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses with bacteria making up the vast majority. Typically, a person has around 1,000 species of bacteria on their skin. The skin microbiome is […]
Candida auris (C. auris) causes a serious and sometimes fatal fungal infection that is emerging globally. First identified in 2009 in Asia, this drug-resistant fungi is an emerging threat especially to vulnerable patients (e.g, hospitalized […]
Epitopes, also known as antigenic determinants, are the immunologically active discrete sites on the antigen molecule that physically bind to antibodies, B-cell receptors, or T-cell receptors. When an antibody binds to an antigen, it isn’t […]
Last updated on June 21st, 2021There are two medically important Bacillus species: Bacillus anthracis which causes anthrax, and Bacillus cereus, which causes a foodborne illness (food poisoning) similar to that of Staphylococcus. Gram Staining Gram-positive […]
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