Table of contents
June 2007 Vol 5 No 6
In this issue
p393 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1675
Editorial: Access denied
p394 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1676
Research Highlights
Bacterial pathogenesis: Plant pathogen counter-attacks
p395 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1685
Symbiosis: Fitness partners beat the heat
p396 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1681
Microbial ecology: Proteorhodopsins tune in
p396 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1686
Protozoan parasites: Fatal attraction
p396 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1687
In brief
Techniques & applications | Bacterial pathogenesis | Virology
p397 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1679
Innate immunity: Pannexin-1: the missing link?
p398 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1682
Bacterial physiology: Biofilms to die for...
p398 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1684
Bacterial pathogenesis: Pseudomonas makes its own bed
p399 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1683
News and Analysis
Genome watch
It's hip to be square!
p400 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1677
Disease watch
In the news
p402 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1678
Reviews
The unique role of natural killer T cells in the response to microorganisms
Emmanuel Tupin, Yuki Kinjo & Mitchell Kronenberg
p405 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1657
Natural killer T (NKT) cells influence diverse immune responses, combining features of both the innate and adaptive immune systems. This Review examines the unique role of invariant NKT cells (which have an invariant T-cell-receptor 
-chain) in the response to various microbial pathogens.
Harnessing calcineurin as a novel anti-infective agent against invasive fungal infections
William J. Steinbach, Jennifer L. Reedy, Robert A. Cramer, Jr, John R. Perfect & Joseph Heitman
p418 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1680
As improvements continue to be made in medical care, so the number of immunocompromised patients increases, and invasive fungal infections caused by Cryptococcus neoformans, Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus are a particular problem for this group of patients. Here, the prospects for harnessing the fungal calcineurin pathway in the development of novel antifungals to tackle invasive fungal infections are discussed.
Mechanosensitive channels in bacteria: signs of closure?
Ian R. Booth, Michelle D. Edwards, Susan Black, Ulrike Schumann & Samantha Miller
p431 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1659
Mechanosensitive channels have a major role in maintaining the homeostasis of bacterial cells. These channels also ensure the physical integrity of bacterial cells by sensing physical perturbations of the membrane and gating in response to this signal. This Review looks at the latest data on these fascinating membrane proteins.
Helicobacter pylori evolution and phenotypic diversification in a changing host
Sebastian Suerbaum & Christine Josenhans
p441 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1658
Helicobacter pylori is a hugely successful pathogen that exhibits extraordinary genetic heterogeneity. Here, Sebastian Suerbaum and Christine Josenhans review the genetic diversity of H. pylori and the mechanisms that mediate its diversification within the human host.
Replication of hepatitis C virus
Darius Moradpour, François Penin & Charles M. Rice
p453 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1645
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) afflicts more than 170 million people worldwide causing chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The recent development of complete cell-culture systems for HCV has accelerated the pace of hepatitis research. Specifically, these techniques have provided new insights into the virus lifecycle that are reviewed here. This should pave the way for developing bespoke and effective antiviral therapies and vaccines.
Perspective
Opinion
Pathogen profiling for disease management and surveillance
Vitali Sintchenko, Jonathan R. Iredell & Gwendolyn L. Gilbert
p464 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1656
The use of pathogen profiles in the management of disease could integrate typing and epidemiological data to enable the early detection of hospital infections and real-time global epidemiological surveillance of pathogens. This article outlines approaches to the translation of pathogen genotyping and microbial genomics into formats that are suitable for communicable disease management, surveillance and control.
