Project description:Primary objectives: The primary objective is to investigate circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) via deep sequencing for mutation detection and by whole genome sequencing for copy number analyses before start (baseline) with regorafenib and at defined time points during administration of regorafenib for treatment efficacy in colorectal cancer patients in terms of overall survival (OS).
Primary endpoints: circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) via deep sequencing for mutation detection and by whole genome sequencing for copy number analyses before start (baseline) with regorafenib and at defined time points during administration of regorafenib for treatment efficacy in colorectal cancer patients in terms of overall survival (OS).
Project description:Identification of Genes and Genomic Islands Correlated with High Pathogenicity through Tilling Microarray-Based Comparative Genomics in S. suis. Streptococcus suis is an important zoonotic pathogen that can cause meningitis and sepsis in both pigs and humans. S. suis isolates have been categorized into groups of different levels of pathogenicity, with sequence type (ST) ST1 clonal complex strains having a higher degree of virulence than other STs. However, the genetic basis of the differences in pathogenicity is still poorly understood. In this study, a comprehensive genomic comparison of 31 S. suis strains from different clinical sources with the genome sequence of the high pathogenicity (HP) strain GZ1 was conducted using NimbleGen’s tilling microarray platform.
Project description:Streptococcus suis is an important emerging worldwide pig pathogen and zoonotic agent with rapid evolution of virulence and drug resistance. Licochalcone A, used in traditional Chinese medicine, exhibits antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Herein, a whole-genome DNA microarray was used to investigate the global transcriptional regulation of Streptococcus suis 05ZYH33 treated by subinhibitory concentration of licochalcone A. 132 genes were differentially regulated upon liochalcone A treatment, including 78 genes up-regulated and 54 genes down-regulated which included many central biological functions such as metabolism, transcription and translation. We tried to investigate the antimicrobial mechanism of licochalcone A in the aspect of bacterial cell cycle control. Our analysis indicated that licochalcone A might inhibit the growth of S. suis by controlling the replication initiation and cell division through amino acid metabolism.
Project description:Investigation of whole genome gene expression level changes in a B. suis 1330 regA mutant, compared to the wild-type strain. The two-component system RegBA of Brucella suis plays a central role in the control of respiratory systems adapted to oxygen deficiency. The mutant strain is affected in long-term persistence in vitro (this study) and in chronic infection in vivo (Abdou, E et al. 2013, Infect.Immun. 81: 2053-61). Using an original “in vitro model of persistence”, we compare large-scale transcriptome of the wild-type and ∆regA strains to identify the RegA-regulon potentially involved in the set-up of the persistence state.
Project description:Mycoplasma suis belongs to the hemotrophic mycoplasma (HM) that are associated with acute and chronic anemia in a wide range of livestock and wild animals. The inability to culture HMs in vitro has hindered their characterization at the molecular level. Although genome sequences of eight HMs are available, there is only one study based on genome sequenced data on the proteomic level for HMs, namely M. suis. In the present work, the proteome of M. suis strain KI_3806 during acute infection was extended significantly by applying three different protein extraction methods, 1D SDS-PAGE and LC-MS/MS. A total of 404 of the 795 M. suis KI_3806 proteins (50.8%) of all encoded proteins were identified. Data analysis revealed the expression of 83.7% of the predicted ORFs with assigned functions but also highlights the expression of 179 of 523 (34.2%) hypothetical proteins with unknown functions. Computational analyses identified expressed membrane-associated hypothetical proteins that might be involved in adhesion or host-pathogen interaction. Furthermore, analyses of the expressed transporters indicated the existence of a hexose-6-phosphate-transporter and an ECF transporter. In conclusion, our proteome study provides a further step toward the elucidation of the unique life cycle of M. suis and the establishment of an in vitro culture.