title: Genetic systems for studying obligate intracellular pathogens: an update.
abstract: Rapid advancements in the genetic manipulation of obligate intracellular bacterial pathogens have been made over the past two years. In this paper we attempt to summarize the work published since 2011 that documents these exciting accomplishments. Although each genus comprising this diverse group of pathogens poses unique problems, requiring modifications of established techniques and the introduction of new tools, all appear amenable to genetic analysis. Significantly, the field is moving forward from a focus on the identification and development of genetic techniques to their application in addressing crucial questions related to mechanisms of bacterial pathogenicity and the requirements of obligate intracellular growth.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, 501 Aubrey Green Drive, Mobile, AL 36688-0002, United States. Electronic address: dowood@southalabama.edu.
authors.forename: David O
authors.initials: DO
authors.lastname: Wood
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, 501 Aubrey Green Drive, Mobile, AL 36688-0002, United States.
authors.forename: Raphael R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Wood
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, 501 Aubrey Green Drive, Mobile, AL 36688-0002, United States.
authors.forename: Aimee M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Tucker
mesh_terms: D000709:Anaplasma / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D002689:Chlamydia / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity; D005821:Genetic Techniques; D016905:Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D042541:Intracellular Space / Q000382:microbiology*; D012281:Rickettsia / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity