Monkeypox mutations characterized
Conserved mutations in the latest Monkeypox virus clade were characterized
The current global outbreak of Moneypox virus required a detailed bioinformatic analysis to determine which mutations are consistently present in isolates that are now being detected. Some of these may have caused changes in the virus' behavior, such as increasing the replication rate or virus titers, which needs to be experimentally verified.
The publication describing this work is open source and can be found here
Review activities at the highest possible level
Peer reviewing is a cornerstone of scientific publishing. The pecking order of journals dictates that the journals Nature and Science are at the top. To maintain that reputation, their editors are dependent on high-quality review reports, and select their invitations to reviewers carefully. It is considered an honour to be asked to review an article for such a high-profile journal, and in a number of cases that honour went to MMGC, of we are a little pround!
MMGC assisted in a paper that made it into Nature Communications
A publication in a highly established journal like Nature Communications is ultimate proof of outstanding research. The research group of Prof. Thomas C.G. Bosch, from Kiel University, Germany, is renown for their excellent research using the water polyp Hydra as a model organism.
It was therefore an honour when Dr. Bosch requested assistance of MMGC to prepare a manuscript for Nature Comm. And after a thorough round of review, which strengthened the paper thanks to highly professional reviewers, the paper came out in October 2017. The work describes how nerve cells of this animal control the bacteria living on its outside. A press release can be found here.
We look forward to further collaboration with the Bosch Team!
Bacteria: the Benign, the Bad and the Beautiful - Comments from the Press:
- "This book should be on public and school library shelves and in places where there is research in microbiology." (Reference Reviews , 1 December 2012)
- "Useful for lay readers curious about bacteria and bacterial activities. Summing Up: Recommended. General audiences, high school students, and lower-level undergraduates." (Choice, 1 July 2012)
- "Overall, I would confidently recommend this book to anyone with even a vague interest in bateria. (Phenotype, 28 May 2012)
- "Bacteria are fascinating little creatures that are deserving of the stories contained within Bacteria: The Benign, the Bad, and the Beautiful. The reader's viewpoint may very well change after hearing them." (New York Journal of Books, 13 December 2011)
Bacteria: the Benign, the Bad and the Beautiful keeps drawing an interest
This popular science book about bacteria, entitled 'Bacteria: the Benign, the Bad and the Beautiful' iremains to be a great success and is now available as second print. The book describes various aspects of bacteria in short illustrated chapters. It is aimed for a general public so no previous knowledge about bacteria is required to learn about a number of fundamental characteristics about bacteria. Nevertheless, the book is also of interest to students and professionals, as it describes novel scientific insights from diverse fields of microbiology. The book is published by John Wiley & Sohns and can can be ordered directly from the publisher here. Alternatively, get it from >>>
Also available for Kindle
Bioinformatics for Microbiologists
This textbook on bioinformatic tools for the microbiologist, written by David W. Ussery, Stefano Borini and Trudy M. Wassenaar, has quickly become a standard work. Place your order now.
An unusual job, by T.M. Wassenaar
This crime novel is the first work of fiction written by Trudy Wassenaar. A scientific consultant discovers a drugs fraud at a pharmaceutical company. She investigates under cover to find out who is responsible, and when the first victim presents itself, she is determined to get to the bottom of things.
The book is available from >>>
DNA doesn't lie, by T.M. Wassenaar
This crime novel is the second work of fiction written by Trudy Wassenaar. A scientific consultant is drawn into the field of forensics where things don't quite seem to add up. Just of one thing she can be certain: DNA doesn't lie.
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