Natural Science Forum / Biology / Microbiology / February 2007

I recently obtained a culture of Bacillus megaterium, and as it
sporulated, it secreted a dark gray or black pigment. Does anyone have
a reference they could suggest on this? Thanks!
Chris

Dear Members,
The new section "RNAi" has been added! Links to RNAi tutorials,
databases, RNAi software, etc. have been given in the "RNAi" section.
The next section, "Caenorhabditis", is coming on 20th March, 2007.

SCIENTISTS are hard at work to try to find genetic causes for
alcoholism, homosexuality, promiscuity, violence, other aberrant
behavior, and even for death itself. Would it not be a relief to find
that we are not responsible for our actions but are merely victims of

Hi to all.....
Chris the pigment that you found in the Bacillus megaterium medium is
often melanin that was secreted by a yeast.
read this:

I teach a basic microbiology lab class and have included the phenol red
fermentation test in the lab after the students do the
oxidation-fermentation glucose test.  I am trained as a phytoplankton
ecophysiologist, so I am not familiar with this test outside of teaching

One idea I have often kicked around regarding fighting viruses is
this.
Given that certain classes of viruses are reverse sense (either RNA or
DNA) is there, within their genetic information, a reverse sense

I'm trying to identifiy Streptococcus bovis from colon tissues but I
can't find a good protocol before use API strep test ( Biomerieux) to
finally isolated it.
please, do you know any protocol to identify it in the laboratory by

Any chance of getting an updated version of the CD-ROM, "Identibacter
interactus,"
for use on current Macs or PCs?
Thanks,

I am looking for a source of supplies for the potency testing assay using
cylinder plates. More specifically the cylinders (6 mm) and cylinder
dispenser.
Any help is greatly appreciated.

DEAR SIR
       I am doing research in actinomycetes.I have
some clarifications from isolation of
actinomycetes.Can you help me? THat is, How do

Can anyone answer this question, or provide links to where I might
find the answer?
Are there any molecules that exist within the virion or capsid, and
which are uniquely found there? That is to say, molecules found in the

Dear Sir/Madam,
I would like to introduce myself as Julie .k, working professionally
as a Technical programmer in a reputed private Organization in India
and have identified your E-mail address in a refined search for

Is there something like a database on the Web where one can look up
impact factors of microbiology journals? Visiting each journal's
website to look them up is a bit tedious.
Peter

I see that you have helped others in identifying the Proteus genus. I have  a
quick question that I hope you can help me with. I've looked everywhere for
an  answer. I did a test on Proteus mirabilis and saw no growth at 37 degrees  
Celcius in glucose broth, and still no growth ...

Larry,
I found a question you had answered regarding filamentous bacteria on  
bio.net. I would really appreciate your help if you have a minute to  
answer a  question. I have isolated an organism  from a polymer