Category Archives: Plasmids

Jonathan Eisen Asks About Finishing Microbial Genomes…and the Mad Biologist Answers

Posted on January 28, 2010 by mikethemadbiologist

In about a year, we’ll have very little need for complete finishing, unless the biological question specifically requires it.
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Posted in Genomics, Microbiology, Plasmids | 3 Comments

About That Slate Antibiotic Resistance Article…

Posted on December 4, 2009 by mikethemadbiologist

Drug development isn’t the answer; infection control is.
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Posted in Antibiotics, KPC, Microbiology, MRSA, Plasmids | 6 Comments

KPC: The Other Potential Pandemic–And We’re Completely Ignoring It

Posted on August 12, 2009 by mikethemadbiologist

In the midst of the concern about TEH SWINEY FLOO!, very few people (other than the Mad Biologist), have been discussing the double whammy of influenza followed by bacterial infections. Then add antibiotic resistance to the mix.
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Posted in Antibiotics, E. coli, Influenza, KPC, Microbiology, MRSA, Plasmids, Public Health | 13 Comments

Unnecessary Bioterrorism Hysteria

Posted on June 2, 2009 by mikethemadbiologist

Bioterror agents walk among us. AAAAIIIIEEEE!!!
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Posted in E. coli, Microbiology, MRSA, Plasmids, Terrorism, Viruses, Yersinia | 3 Comments

The Fitness Cost of Resistance Could Be…

Posted on May 21, 2009 by mikethemadbiologist

the signal peptide? Interesting.
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Posted in Antibiotics, E. coli, Evolution, Microbiology, Plasmids | 1 Comment

‘Hopeful Monsters’: Nothing in Evolution Makes Sense Except in the Light of E. coli (and Shigella)

Posted on May 20, 2009 by mikethemadbiologist

Bacterial evolution muddies up the water.
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Posted in E. coli, Ecology, Evolution, Genetics, Genomics, Microbiology, Plasmids | 2 Comments

Why VRE Is a Problem

Posted on October 30, 2008 by mikethemadbiologist

An epidemic strain of VMRSA only has to get lucky once…
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Posted in Antibiotics, Genetics, Microbiology, MRSA, Plasmids, We're Really Fucked | 2 Comments

Community-Acquired ST398 MRSA Found in Sweden

Posted on August 18, 2008 by mikethemadbiologist

This is bad. The piggy MRSA has entered the commensal human population.
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Posted in Antibiotics, Microbiology, MRSA, Plasmids, Public Health, We're Really Fucked | 6 Comments

OK, Now I’m Convinced There Isn’t an Anthrax Mixture

Posted on August 7, 2008 by mikethemadbiologist

The inversion is not enough evidence to conclude that two anthrax strains were used.
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Posted in Anthrax, Genetics, Genomics, Microbiology, Plasmids, Terrorism | 6 Comments

Bacterial Clonal Spread and CTX-M-15 Beta-Lactamases

Posted on March 12, 2008 by mikethemadbiologist

This is like a Reese’s peanut butter cup, but evil.
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Posted in Antibiotics, E. coli, Ecology, Evolution, Microbiology, Plasmids, Public Health, We're Really Fucked | 1 Comment