Understanding the Gut Microbiota by Gerald W. Tannock

Author:Gerald W. Tannock
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
ISBN: 9781118801345
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Published: 2016-12-01T00:00:00+00:00

Summary

The lotic bowel environment can be partially simulated using simple to multistage chemostats. However, the potential of these apparatuses, in conjunction with mathematical modeling, has not yet been fully realized.

Humanized microbiota animals are sophisticated gnotobiotic models to use in studying microbiota–host relationships.

Explanation of Terms

Anaerobic glovebox A sealed container that is designed to allow the manipulation of cultures in the absence of oxygen. Sleeves and gloves are built into the container so that the user can place their hands into the gloves and perform tasks inside the box, at least one side of which is transparent. An interchange that can be evacuated and filled with gases enables materials to be removed or introduced into the glovebox without introducing air. Gloveboxes may be heated or may contain incubators, in order to provide suitable temperatures for cultures.

Angiogenin-3 A stimulator of new blood vessels through the process of angiogenesis.

Confocal microscopy An optical imaging technique used to increase optical resolution and contrast of a micrograph by adding a spatial pinhole placed at the confocal plane of the lens in order to eliminate out-of-focus light. The practical effect is that the image comes from a thin section of sample (giving a small depth of field). By scanning many thin sections, a sharp three-dimensional image of the sample can be built up.

Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis Similar to temporal gradient gel electrophoresis (TGGE; see Chapter 2). A semiquantitative, nucleic acid-based method of comparing the bacterial compositions of multiple samples. Involves polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of part of the bacterial 16S rRNA genes coupled to gradient gel electrophoresis, in this case using chemicals (urea and formamide) to denature the 16S rRNA gene sequences as they migrate through a polyacrylamide gel, and so produce a “profile” of the community. For further information, see Addendum.

Dilution to extinction culture Aims to inoculate a large number of culture tubes (or microtitre tray wells), each with a mean of less than one microbial cell, by diluting a biological sample containing a mixture of species. This should maximize the number of cultures that develop from a single bacterium, minimizing the effort that has to be put into purifying the resultant cultures.

Epigenetic factors Factors that exert genetic control other than an individual's DNA sequence. Epigenetic changes can switch genes on or off and determine which proteins are transcribed. There are three systems that can interact to silence genes: DNA methylation, histone modification, and RNA-associated silencing.

Fluorescent oligonucleotide probes Oligonucleotides conjugated to fluorescent dye molecules that emit visible light when irradiated with ultraviolet wavelengths. The oligonucleotides anneal to specific DNA or RNA sequences within cells, labeling the cells so that they can be observed by epifluorescence microscopy. For further information, see Addendum.

Gnotobiotic Lacking in microorganisms, or where all mircroorganisms are known. Relates both to germfree animals and to previously germfree animals that have been colonized by defined microbial species.

Laser-capture microdissection Dissection of histological tissue using a laser beam as cutting tool. Dissected cells can be retained and used in experiments, allowing specific functions to be associated with particular types of cell.

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