Methods for studying the genetics, molecular biology, physiology, and pathogenesis of the streptococci

Tn917 transponson mutagenesis and marker rescue of interrupted genes of Streptococcus mutans.- Site-specific homologous recombination mutagenesis in group B streptococci.- Targeted mutagenesis of enterococcal genes.- A lactococcal pWV01-based integration toolbox for bacteria.- Vectors containing streptococcal bacteriophage integrases for site-specific gene insertion.- Streptococcal integration vectors for gene inactivation and cloning.- Induction of transformation in streptococci by synthetic competence stimulating peptides.- Characterization of the lactococcal conjugative element pRS01 using IS946-mediated mutagenesis.- Use of electroportation in genetic analysis of enterococcal virulence.- Genetic transfer methods for Streptococcus sobrinus and other oral streptococci.- Isolation of enterococcal antigen-encoding genes from genomic libraries.- A simple microtiter plate screening assay for bacterial invasion or adherence.- End-probing: A non-radioactive approach to mapping transponson insertions.- A method for mapping phage-inducible promoters for use in bacteriophage-triggered defense systems.- Secretion of heterologous proteins by genetically engineered Streptococcus gordonii.- Examination of streptococcal gene expression in the mammalian environment.- Analysis of adherence-associated gene expression in Streptococcus parasangusis: A method for RNA isolation.- Development of an integrative, lacZ transcriptional-fusion plasmid vector for Streptococcus mutans and its use to isolate expressed genes.- Use of proteomics and PCR to elucidate changes in protein expression in oral streptococci.- The use of continuous flow bioreactors to explore gene expression and physiology of suspended and adherent populations of oral streptococci.- In vitro systems for investigating group Bstreptococcal: host cell and extracellular matrix interactions.- The rat model of endocarditis.- Lipoproteins and other cell-surface associated proteins in streptococci.- Growth of Streptococcal mutons in an iron-limiting medium.- Identification of oral streptococci using PCR-based, reverse-capture, checkerboard hybridization.- Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis as an epidemiologic tool for enterococci and streptococci.- Cell-based panning as a means to isolate phage display Fabs specific for a bacterial surface protein.