Mycobacteria include species of great medical importance, being - sponsible for both human and animal disease, including tuberculosis and lep- . The use of molecular techniques to explore the biology of these organisms rosy has exploded in the past few years. Mycobacteria pose particular problems in the laboratory, most notably their slow growth rate, their tendency to clump, and their resistance to standard methods for lysis; thus special adaptations of provides - commonly used methods are required . Mycobacteria Protocols scriptions of both basic and recently developed techniques for studying the molecular biology of mycobacteria. Although many genetic tools are still - quired, there is much that can be accomplished using those available, and this book provides a starting point for anyone interested in working on these - triguing, but difficult bacteria . The first eight chapters describe the basic techniques required for any study of mycobacteria, including culture and safety aspects, and preparation of nucleic acids, proteins, and cell-wall fractions. The introduction of DNA into mycobacteria was a major advance in enabling the development of - netic systems. Two chapters deal with introduction of DNA by electroporation and conjugation. Phages have also been used as the basis for genetic systems, . and a comprehensive list of protocols for their use is presented It is becoming difficult to handle the rapidly increasing body of kno- edge in the mycobacterial field.
