2000 Gordon Research Conference on the Biology of Spirochetes

第四届戈登螺旋体生物学研究会议是目前唯一一个致力于螺旋体基础研究的国际会议，螺旋体是细菌中一个独立的门。这些生物具有独特但普遍的结构和运动方式。有自由生活的螺旋体，而另一些则寄生于包括白蚁在内的节肢动物宿主。其他几种会引起人类和动物疾病。最近，白蚁肠道螺旋体首次被培养出来，并被发现可以促进聚合物（如纤维素）的降解。作为一个群体，这些生物很难研究，因为缺乏连续体外培养系统（在某些情况下）和足够的遗传系统。然而，最近公布的两种螺旋体的基因组序列提供了丰富的信息，这些信息现在正被纳入这些细菌的生物学研究中。此外，最近在开发基因交换系统方面取得了重大进展，该系统既适用于自由生活的螺旋体，也适用于致病的螺旋体。此外，设计培养白蚁肠道螺旋体的方法的新进展具有广泛的应用前景，因为这一基础知识现在正在转化为培养与某些人类疾病相关的螺旋体。前三届螺旋体生物学戈登会议受到好评。2000年的会议预计将有150名教师、研究生、博士后研究员和工业科学家参加。将特别注意使年轻的调查人员有足够的代表。计划的口头报告和海报会议将提供一个讨论和交流思想的论坛。过去的会议促成了实验室之间的重要合作。

The fourth Gordon Research Conference on the Biology of Spirochetes is the only ongoing international meeting devoted to basic research on spirochetes, which comprise a separate phylum of the Bacteria. These organisms have a unique but common structure and mode of motility. There are free-living spirochetes, whereas others are parasitic for arthropod hosts including termites. Several other species cause disease in humans and animals. Recently, termite gut spirochetes have for the first time been cultured and were found to augment degradation of polymers such as cellulose. As a group, these organisms are difficult to study because of the lack of a system for continuous in vitro culture (in some cases) and adequate genetic systems. However, the recent publication of the genomic sequences for two spirochete species provide a wealth of information that is now being incorporated into studies on the biology of these bacteria. Furthermore, significant progress has recently been made in developing genetic exchange systems that should be applicable to both free living and pathogenic spirochetes. Additionally, the new developments of devising methods to cultivate termite gut spirochetes has broad application, as this basic knowledge is now being translated into cultivating spirochetes associated certain human diseases. The first three Biology of Spirochetes Gordon Conferences were well-received. For the 2000 conference, 150 faculty, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and industrial scientists are anticipated. Special attention will be made to obtain adequate representation of young investigators. The planned oral presentations and poster sessions will provide a forum for discussion and exchange of ideas. The past conferences have led to important collaborations between laboratories.