Events Conferences Webinars

Abstract:

The species of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex (MTBC)—M. tuberculosis, M. africanum, M. bovis, M. caprae, M. microti, and M. pinnipedii—are very closely related. In this webinar, we will discuss the techniques used to examine the MTBC in order to unravel this taxonomic mystery. Using phylogenomic techniques to compare the type strains of these species, we discovered that all of these “species” are, in fact, M. tuberculosis. We further examined all the strains deposited in GenBank under those species names and found all of them to be strains of M. tuberculosis. All known strains of three other putative MTBC members (“M. canettii”, “M. mungi”, and “M. orygis”) were similarly shown to be strain of M. tuberculosis. We have recently published a paper in the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology officially unifying the previously separate MTBC species as M. tuberculosis.

Key Points:

• Using whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and phylogenomic analysis of the MTBC species type strains, we discovered that all of these “species” are, in fact, Mycobacterium tuberculosis. 
• By similarly analyzing all the MTBC non-type strain whole-genome sequences (>3,700) in GenBank, we determined that all of these strains similarly should be considered to be strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. 
• We recommend the use of the infrasubspecific term ‘variant’ and infrasubspecific designations that generally retain the historical nomenclature associated with the groups or otherwise convey such characteristics (e.g., M. tuberculosis variant bovis). 
• ATCC is currently in the process of updating the nomenclature used in our catalog to reflect this phylogenomically modernized taxonomy.

At the 8th annual Cedarlane Life Science & Medical Lab Expo you can see what’s new in your area of research and chat with industry experts.

ASM Microbe 2018 (June 7-11, 2017, Atlanta, GA) showcases the best microbial sciences in the world, and provides a one-of-a-kind forum to explore the complete spectrum of microbiology from basic science to translation and application.

The ATCC-GMU School of System Biology annual workshop is designed to provide an overview of Best Practices in Cell Culture through classroom presentation and laboratory work. This Workshop is intended for trainees with no prior experience in basic cell culture techniques.

Topics include the following Best Practices for:

• Designing and using laboratory space for cell culture
• Receiving and managing cells in culture
• Naming cell lines
• Selecting media for culturing mammalian cell
• Authenticating cell lines
• Detecting and mitigating the risk of cell culture contaminants
• Cryopreserving, thawing and recovering and assessing cells
• Storing and shipping cryopreserved cells

This 4-day workshop employs an integrated approach – utilizing hands-on training to reinforce lecture material – enabling trainees to translate culture techniques into applications in their own laboratories.

The ASTMH Annual Meeting is a five-day educational conference that draws nearly 4,500 attendees -researchers, physicians in global health and tropical and travel disease, military personnel and public health officials from around the world.

AMP 2018 brings together key researchers in every aspect of molecular diagnostics, including Interpretation & Reporting of Molecular Diagnostic Tests, Assay Development, Validation & Performance, & Translational Research.