title: Progress in genomics, metabolism and biotechnology of bifidobacteria.
abstract: Members of the genus Bifidobacterium were first described over a century ago and were quickly associated with a healthy intestinal tract due to their numerical dominance in breast-fed babies as compared to bottle-fed infants. Health benefits elicited by bifidobacteria to its host, as supported by clinical trials, have led to their wide application as probiotic components of health-promoting foods, especially in fermented dairy products. However, the relative paucity of genetic tools available for bifidobacteria has impeded development of a comprehensive molecular understanding of this genus. In this review we present a summary of current knowledge on bifidobacterial metabolism, classification, physiology and genetics and outline the currently available methods for genetically accessing and manipulating the genus.
authors.affiliation: Cork Cancer Research Centre, Mercy University Hospital and Leslie C. Quick Jnr. Laboratory, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cronin
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ventura
authors.forename: Gerald F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Fitzgerald
authors.forename: Douwe
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: van Sinderen
mesh_terms: D001644:Bifidobacterium / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D001709:Biotechnology; D001942:Breast Feeding; D005260:Female; D005285:Fermentation; D023281:Genomics; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use