• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.9
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• pp.1401-1409
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• 2015

The aim of this study was to develop a SYBR Green-based real-time PCR assay for the rapid, specific, and sensitive detection of Acidovorax avenae subsp. citrulli, which causes bacterial fruit blotch (BFB), a serious disease of cucurbit plants. The molecular and serological methods currently available for the detection of this pathogen are insufficiently sensitive and specific. Thus, a novel SYBR Green-based real-time PCR assay targeting the YD-repeat protein gene of A. avenae subsp. citrulli was developed. The specificity of the primer set was evaluated using DNA purified from 6 isolates of A. avenae subsp. citrulli, 7 other Acidovorax species, and 22 of non-targeted strains, including pathogens and non-pathogens. The AC158F/R primer set amplified a single band of the expected size from genomic DNA obtained from the A. avenae subsp. citrulli strains but not from the genomic DNA of other Acidovorax species, including that of other bacterial genera. Using this assay, it was possible to detect at least one genomeequivalents of the cloned amplified target DNA using 5 × 10⁰ fg/µl of purified genomic DNA per reaction or using a calibrated cell suspension, with 6.5 colony-forming units per reaction being employed. In addition, this assay is a highly sensitive and reliable method for identifying and quantifying the target pathogen in infected samples that does not require DNA extraction. Therefore, we suggest that this approach is suitable for the rapid and efficient diagnosis of A. avenae subsp. citrulli contaminations of seed lots and plants.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.127-134
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• 1997

Transmission electron microscopy of an ArGnthnmoebo isolate (KA/LS) from a contact lens case revealed bacterial endosymbionts within cytoplasm of the amoebae. The Acnnthamoebn isolate belonged to the morphological group ll. Based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) - restriction fragment leilgth polymorphism (RFLP) of 185 ribosomal RNA coding DNA (rDNA) , the isolate was identified as A. Iwnunensis. Strain typing by isoenzyme analysis using isorlectric focusing (IEF) and mitochondrial (Ent) DNA RFLP revealed that the isolate was closely related with KA/Ll , the most predominant type of isolates from contact lens storage casas, KA/E2, a clinical isolate, KA/W4, previou:fly reported to host endosymbionts. and L3a strains of A. Iwnunensis. The endosymbionts were similar to those of KA/W4 in a.jpects that they were randomly distributed in both trophozoites and cysts, and were rod-shaped bacteri3 measuring approximately 1.38 x 0.50 ㎛. But the number of endosymbionts per amoeba was significantly lower than that of KA/W4. They were neither limited by phagosomal membranes nor included in lacunae- like stnlcture.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.770-778
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• 2013

To determine the seasonal variation of bacterial community in the seawater of Gwangyang Bay, three hundred thirty six bacterial strains were isolated on February, May, July and October 2011. Amplified Ribosomal DNA Restriction Analysis (ARDRA) was used to construct the phylotyes of the isolates using the restriction endonuclease, Hae III. Diversity indices of ARDRA patterns were calculated. One hundred and one phylotypes including 40 unique pylotypes were found at the 80% similarity level. Partial 16S rRNA genes of one hundred thirty nine strains representing each phylotypes were sequenced and compared. Bacterial community composed of 4 different phyla which include Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes. Proteobacteria was the prevailing phylum in all seasons, followed by Bacteroidetes in winter, spring and autumn while Actinobacteria in summer. At the family level, Flavobacteriaceae dominated in winter and spring and Pseudoalteromonadaceae did in summer and autumn. Genera Altererythrobacter, Loktanella, Pseudoalteromonas and Vibrio were encountered in all seasons. The most diverse bacterial community was found in autumn followed by the order of spring, winter and summer.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.135-140
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• 2018

BACKGROUND: The Asian hornet (Vespa velutina nigrithorax), a wasp species, has attacked honey bee populations and affected the beekeeping industry in Korea over the past 15 years. However, little research has been done with this invasive species. In this study, we investigated the intestine bacterial microbiota of Asian hornets and honey bees to design an attractive trap for Asian hornets. METHODS AND RESULTS: Genomic DNAs isolated from the intestine microorganisms of Asian hornets and honey bees were utilized to amplify bacterial 16S rDNA for the comparative sequence analysis. The next generation sequencing analysis identified that the orders Flavobacteriales as the most abundant intestinal microorganisms in Asian hornets, showing a clear difference compared to honey bees in which Aeromonadales are dominant. We also report five newly identified 16S rDNA sequences of Asian hornet intestinal bacteria. According to the sequence blast search, these five bacteria belong to the genera Thalassomonas, Caedobacter, Vampirovibrio, Alkaliphilus and Calothrix. CONCLUSION: While Asian hornets and honey bees show similar intestine bacterial diversity, the relative ratio of bacterial populations is different. providing useful information to design pest control agents specifically targeting Asian hornets.

• Interdisciplinary Bio Central
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.10.1-10.8
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• 2011

Introduction: Hash functions are computer algorithms that protect information and secure transactions. In response to the NIST's "International Call for Hash Function", we developed a biological hash function using the computing capabilities of bacteria. We designed a DNA-based XOR logic gate that allows bacterial colonies arranged in a series on an agar plate to perform hash function calculations. Results and Discussion: In order to provide each colony with adequate time to process inputs and perform XOR logic, we designed and successfully demonstrated a system for time-delayed bacterial growth. Our system is based on the diffusion of ${\ss}$-lactamase, resulting in destruction of ampicillin. Our DNA-based XOR logic gate design is based on the op-position of two promoters. Our results showed that $P_{lux}$ and $P_{OmpC}$ functioned as expected individually, but $P_{lux}$ did not behave as expected in the XOR construct. Our data showed that, contrary to literature reports, the $P_{lux}$ promoter is bidirectional. In the absence of the 3OC6 inducer, the LuxR activator can bind to the $P_{lux}$ promoter and induce backwards transcription. Conclusion and Prospects: Our system of time delayed bacterial growth allows for the successive processing of a bacterial hash function, and is expected to have utility in other synthetic biology applications. While testing our DNA-based XOR logic gate, we uncovered a novel function of $P_{lux}$. In the absence of autoinducer 3OC6, LuxR binds to $P_{lux}$ and activates backwards transcription. This result advances basic research and has important implications for the widespread use of the $P_{lux}$ promoter.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.189-198
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• 2004

T-RFLP analysis and clone sequencing analysis based on bacterial 16S rDNA were conducted to assess bacterial community structure and diversity in two layers (0-1cm, 6-7cm depth) of the sediment from Janghwari intertidal flat in Ganghwa Island. The results of T-RFLP (terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism) analysis using restriction enzyme HhaI showed that the T-RFs of various size ($60{\pm}2$) bp-($667{\pm}2$) bp) appeared evenly at the surface sediments but two T-RFs with 60(${\pm}2$)bp and 93 (${\pm}2$)bp predominated at 6-7cm depth. Analysis of partial sequences for 172 clones revealed that 98% of the clones were not matched with the sequences of cultured bacteria strains in the GenBank (${\geq}similarity$ 98%), and approximately 86% of them were classified as different phylotypes. Most clones belonged to $\alpha$-, $\gamma$-, and $\delta$-Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria/Holophaga and green nonsulfur bacteria group. Proteobacteria group occupied the highest proportion in both layers (69% at 0-1cm depth and 46% at 6-7cm depth). $\gamma$-Proteobacteria and $\delta$-Proteobacteria that are associated with oxidation and reduction of sulfur compounds were appeared to be dominant, and comprised 21.5% and 15.7% of total clones, respectively. Overall results indicated that extremely diverse bacterial groups were inhabiting in the sediment of Ganghwa intertidal flat, and bacterial communities associated with the behaviour of sulfur seemed to playa significant role in the biogeochemical environment in this anoxic sediment.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.72-77
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• 1999

To investigate soil bacterial diversity according to vegelalioo types, utilizing ability of sole carbon sources and restriction enzyme patterns of 16s rDNA were analyzed. From the both results; five kinds of soil microbial communities were grouped as forest soil (Quercus mongolica and Pinus densi&ra vegetation), grass-agricultured soil and microbial communities of naked soil. But, both soil microbial communities of directily exlracted from ths soil and indirectly extracted from heterotrophic bacteria that cultured soil in LB medium showed very different similarity.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.41-50
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• 2015

The aim of this study was to identify bacteria isolated from the oral cavities and to determine their antimicrobial susceptibility against eight antibiotics. The bacterial strains were obtained from the Korean Collection for Oral Microbiology (KCOM). The bacteria were identified by comparing 16S rDNA sequences at the species level. The data showed that 77 bacterial strains were predominantly identified as streptococci (49.4%) and staphylococci (14.3%). Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined using a broth dilution assay to test the sensitivity of the bacterial strains. The MIC values of the oral bacterial strains against antibiotics were different. Streptococci were sensitive to clindamycin, cefuroxime axetil, and vancomycin, and they were resistant to tetracycline. Staphylococci also were sensitive to clindamycin, cefuroxime axetil, and vancomycin, and they were resistant to penicillin antibiotics. Gramnegative bacterial strains were sensitive to tetracycline and were resistant to clindamycin. These results suggest that the antimicrobial susceptibility test is necessary in deciding the prescription for antibiotics, to prevent the misuse or abuse of antibiotics.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.157-161
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• 2016

Gamma irradiation was evaluated for its in vitro and in vivo antibacterial activity against a postharvest bacterial pathogen, Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora (Ecc). Gamma irradiation in a bacteria cell suspension resulted in a dramatic reduction of the viable counts as well as an increase in the amounts of DNA and protein released from the cells. Gamma irradiation showed complete inactivation of Ecc, especially at a dose of 0.6 kGy. In addition, scanning electron microscopy of irradiated cells revealed severe damage on the surface of most bacterial cells. Along with the morphological changes of cells by gamma irradiation, it also affected the membrane integrity in a dose-dependent manner. The mechanisms by which the gamma irradiation decreased the bacterial soft rot can be directly associated with the disruption of the cell membrane of the bacterial pathogen, along with DNA fragmentation, results in dose-dependent cell inactivation. These findings suggest that gamma irradiation has potential as an antibacterial approach to reduce the severity of the soft rot of paprika.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.135-139
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• 2005

Bacterial canker of Japanese apricot (Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc.) was found in all orchards located at southern area of Korea. Typical symptoms were characterized by dark spots formed on fruits, brown lesions on leaves, and bacterial exudate oozed out of the cracked bark of diseased tree. Thirty-eight isolates from 16 different areas were identified on the basis of biochemical and physiological characteristics (LOPAT and GATTa test) and also on the basis of 165 rDNA and ITS sequences. Pathogenicity tests confirmed that bacterial canker of Japanese apricot in Korea is caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. morsprunorum.