Abstract

DYNAMIC PROPERTIES OF ESCHERICHIA COLI

Subash Kumar Gupta* and Anand Sharma

ABSTRACT

Escherichia coli are a member of the family of Enterobacteriaceae, Gram- negative, non-spore forming and facultative anaerobic bacteria. Escherichia coli is a component of the normal gut flora in warm blooded animals, human beings and birds which usually remain harmless and confined to the intestinal lumen. However, some strains are pathogenic and cause gastrointestinal illness ranging from mild diarrhea to potentially fatal complications. E. coli live in our intestines help our body breakdown the food we eat as well as assist with waste processing, vitamin K production, and food absorption. Escherichia coli offer a means for the rapid and economical production of recombinant proteins. These advantages, coupled with a wealth of biochemical and genetic knowledge, have enabled the production of such economically sensitive products as insulin and bovine growth hormone.

Keywords: Diarrhea, Escherichia coli, gram-negative, pathogenicity, Theodor Escherich.