Main description:

This volume looks at the newest methods, materials, equipment, and technologies developed to study the cell biology of the pneumococcus. The chapters, which cover a wide range of topics, are organized into six parts: Part one discusses the cultivation of Streptococcus pneumoniae in vitro; Part Two talks about the microscopy techniques used to study the biology of Streptococcus pneumoniae and pneumococcal interactions with the host; Parts Three and Four describe the genetics, proteome, and proteomics of Streptococcus pneumoniae; Part Five explains in vitro and in vivo models of Streptococcus pneumoniae-host interactions; and Part Six looks at the factors of public health, epidemiology, and biostatistics. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.

Cutting-edge and authoritative, Streptococcus pneumoniae: Methods and Protocols is a valuable resource for both novice and expert researchers who want to expand their studies into new areas and new systems in this continuously evolving field.

Contents:

Editor Biography...Preface...Table of Contents...Contributing Authors...
Part I Cultivation of Streptococcus pneumoniae In Vitro
1. Optimal Conditions for Streptococcus pneumoniae Culture: In Solid and Liquid MediaEsther Texeira and Norma Suarez
Part II Microscopy Techniques to Study the Biology of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Pneumococcal Interactions with the Host
2. Electron Microscopy to Study the Fine Structure of the Pneumococcal CellSven Hammerschmidt and Manfred Rohde
3. Immunofluorescent Staining and High-Resolution Microscopy to Study the Pneumococcal CellFederico Iovino and Birgitta Henriques-Normark
4. Construction of Fluorescent Pneumococci for In Vivo Imaging and Labeling of the ChromosomeMorten Kjos
5. High-Resolution and Super-Resolution Immunofluorescent Microscopy Ex Vivo to Study Pneumococcal Interactions with the HostFederico Iovino and Birgitta Henriques-Normark
Part III The Genetics of Streptococcus pneumoniae
6. Natural Genetic Transformation: A Direct Route to Easy Insertion of Chimeric Genes into the Pneumococcal ChromosomeIsabelle Mortier-Barriere, Nathalie Campo, Mathieu Berge, Marc Prudhomme, and Patrice Polard
7. Gene Expression Analysis in the PneumococcusRory A. Eutsey, Carol A. Woolford, Surya D. Aggarwal, Rolando A. Cuevas, Luisa N. Hiller
8. Transcriptional Knockdown in Pneumococci using CRISPR InterferenceMorten Kjos
Part IV The Proteome and Proteomics of Streptococcus pneumoniae
9. Protein Expression Analysis by Western Blot and Protein-Protein InteractionsMaria Dolores Cima-Cabal, Fernando Vazquez, Juan R. de los Toyos, and Maria del Mar Garcia-Suarez
10. Mass Spectrometry to Study the Bacterial Proteome from a Single ColonyJianwei Zhou, Lu Zhang, Huixia Chuan, Angela Sloan, Raymond Tsang, Keding Cheng
11. Bead-Based Flow Cytometric Cell Counting of Live and Dead BacteriaFang Ou, Cushla McGoverin, Joni White, Simon Swift, and Frederique Vanholsbeeck
Part V Streptococcus pneumoniae-Host Interactions: In Vitro and In Vivo Models
12. In Vitro Adhesion, Invasion, and Transcytosis of Streptococcus pneumonia with Host CellsTerry Brissac and Carlos J. Orihuela
13. Growing and Characterizing Biofilms Formed by Streptococcus pneumoniaeYashuan Chao, Caroline Bergenfelz, and Anders P. Hakansson
14. In Vivo Mouse Models to Study How Pneumococci Interact with the Host and Cause Invasive Pneumococcal DiseaseVicky Sender, Birgitta Henriques-Normark, and Federico Iovino
15. Two-Photon Intravital Imaging of Leukocytes in the Trachea during Pneumococcal InfectionMiguel Palomino-Segura and Santiago F. Gonzalez
16. IVIS Spectrum CT to Image the Progression of Pneumococcal Infections In VivoAdam Sierakowiak, Birgitta Henriques-Normark, and Federico Iovino
Part VI Public Health, Epidemiology, and Biostatistics
17. The Pneumococcus and Its Critical Role in Public HealthGodwin Oligbu, Norman K. Fry, and Shamez Ladhani
18. The Epidemiology and Biostatistics of PneumococcusGodwin Oligbu, Norman K. Fry, and Shamez Ladhani