Capsules are protective structures on the surfaces of many bacteria. The remarkable
structural diversity in capsular polysaccharides is illustrated by almost 80 capsular serotypes …

Sialic acids are structurally unique nine-carbon keto sugars occupying the interface between
the host and commensal or pathogenic microorganisms. An important function of host sialic …

The HAD (haloacid dehalogenase) superfamily includes phosphoesterases, ATPases,
phosphonatases, dehalogenases, and sugar phosphomutases acting on a remarkably …

Cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMPs) are important components of the innate host
defense system against microbial infections and microbial products. However, the human …

Meningococcal lipopoly (oligo) saccharide (LOS) is a major inflammatory mediator of
fulminant meningococcal sepsis and meningitis. Highly purified wild-type meningococcal …

Neisseria meningitidis, a devastating pathogen exclusive to humans, expresses capsular
polysaccharides that are the major meningococcal virulence determinants and the basis for …

Gram-negative bacteria possess an asymmetric lipid bilayer surrounding the cell wall, the
outer membrane (OM). The OM inner leaflet is primarily composed of various …

Gram-negative bacteria possess an outer membrane envelope consisting of an outer leaflet
of lipopolysaccharides, also called endotoxins, which protect the pathogen from …

The ability to adhere to surfaces and develop as a multicellular community is an adaptation
used by most microorganisms to survive in changing environments. Biofilm formation …

Bacterial capsules are surface layers made of long-chain polysaccharides. They are
anchored to the outer membrane of many Gram-negative bacteria, including pathogens …