Introduction to Bacteria

Bacteria Servers and Databases

• Cyanobase- A genome database for Synechocystis sp. strain PC6803, a cyanobacterium. Two incredible maps (choose GIF or JAVA clickable maps) provide direct click access to more detailed maps and then (with another click on the detailed maps) to sequence information. A very specific but well organized resource.
  
• Genomics: A Global Resource- The purpose of this website is to provide a dynamic and accessible information resource on emerging genomics-related issues. The goal is to continue to add scientifically- and technically-valid and otherwise useful information on the subject of genomics as it becomes available, and to list other sources of genomics-related information.
  
• Genome Sequence Database- GSDB contains complete bacterial genome information for Haemophilus influenzae and Mycoplasma genitalium. Sequences are available as flat files that can be downloaded. The database provides DNA sequence entry retrieval and ad-hoc SQL-based queries; electronic data submission methods and submission tracking reports; on-line database update methods; and access to all GSDB software and documentation for downloading and on-line reading. The System for Integrated Genome Map Assembly (SIGMA) provides a hypertext, "guided tour" introduction to SIGMA, sample chromosome maps, and easy access to the software and documentation. A Small Business Assistance home page and an Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues (ELSI) database/home page are currently being developed and will be available soon.
  
• What Is There?- "The WIT system helps users create metabolic reconstructions, which is made possible by the recent abundance of complete bacterial genomic sequences. Such reconstructions will for the first time set the stage for meaningful simulations of the basic behaviour of microbes, and may thus significantly advance microbial biology."
  
• Kazusa DNA Research Institute- The KDRI is a new institute. Its home page describes research activities, and provides databases containing "the genome sequences of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. and the Human Full Length cDNA. CyanoBase can be searched by a graphic representation of the map, by category, or by keyword. An Arabidopsis Thaliana database is also being constructed.
• List of Bacterial Names with Standing in Nomenclature - This is an annotated, searchable guide to the official nomenclature of bacteria and the nomenclatural changes as cited in the Approved Lists of Bacterial Names, or published or validated in the International Journal of Systematic Bacteriology. The site is organized both alphabetically and chronologically and the entire list can be downloaded.

Plant and Animal Bacteria Diseases

• The Bad Bug Book- This site is a online version of the FDA's guide on food poisoning. There are many links to various illnesses and syndromes caused by ingestion of plants, fungi, protozoans and fish. The intent in each chapter is to provide basic facts regarding these organisms and toxins, including their characteristics, habitat or source, associated foods, infective dose, characteristic disease symptoms, complications, recent and/or major outbreaks, and any susceptible populations. The chapters contain minimal information on the analytical methods used to detect, isolate, and/or identify the pathogens or natural toxins.
  
• Emerging Infections Information Network- This site is designed to suppliment seminars at the Yale University School of Medicine, and offers forums for discussing the current weeks topic. What is of interest to someone who is not affiliated with the school are the multimedia arcives of previous seminars. These include records of forum discussions as well as slides, movies, and transcripts.
  
• Bugs on the Web- This site offers clinical and laboratory information about viruses and bacteria which affect human health. References are included with the information.
  
• The Helicobacter Foundation- This page serves as a repository for information regarding clinical concerns involving Helicobacter pylori and the Helicobacter Foundation, which was chartered in 1994 in order to disseminate information to the public concerning the dangers and remedies of Helicobacter infection. As such, the page informs visitors of the latest discoveries of transmission factors, new drug developments, and successful diet therapies. In addition, general tutorials on the pathogenesis and biology of Helicobacter provide the visitor with a good background for understanding the material at hand.
  
• New and Emerging Plant Diseases Project- The New and Emerging Plant Diseases Project (Department of Plant Pathology, NC State University) provides a comprehensive listing of new, emerging, and re-emerging plant diseases. Plant diseases are organized by fungal, bacterial, viral, and nematode diseases, in addition to chronic / spreading diseases known for more than 20 years and unreported threatening plant diseases. Data may be viewed sorted by disease, host, or pathogen.
  

Bacteria Taxonomy

• Taxonomy of Archaea
  
• Taxonomy Resources
  

Other Bacterial Sites on the Web

• Cryopreservation Manual- This page is a comprehensive introduction to cryopreservation from Taylor-Wharton RDF Cryogenics. Topics covered include an introduction, the preparation, equilibration, freezing, storage, and reconstitution of cell lines, as well as the determination of recovered cells. The site lists hints for freezing different types of cell lines, among them animal and plant cell lines, microorganisms, and viruses. The manual has helpful diagrams, a useful reference chart of storage temperatures and cryoprotective agents, as well as a step-by-step protocol and references.
  
• The Microbiology Network - Includes a virtual library for microbiologists, links to discussion groups, web links to employment services, other web resources and microbiology file libraries. The site, supported by commercial sponsors, describes its "strong area of interest" as regulatory microbiology in the pharmaceutical, food, and personal care industries.
  
• The Microbe Zoo- This site is set up nicely and is incredibly user friendly. It uses a map to guide the user. Simply click on an environment of the map and information relating the chosen environment and microbes is given. For example, one section of the map is called DirtLand. Once in the "DirtLand" environment the site gives detailed information on microbes presence and function in soil. There are other environments on the site to view microbes, such as animal, space, and water environments.
  
• Microbes in the News- Microbes in the News is an effort to provide acurate accounts of current events related to microbiology as an educational resource on the World Wide Web. The articles, which often concern the effects that microbes have on the daily lives of both scientists and non-scientists, are collected from various press sources and synopsized for publication to this page.