Rebecca Ballard
Current Organizations / Institutes
The organizations/institutes from the scholar's latest article
Research Subjects
Research Interests
Rebecca Ballard has a total of 22 co-authors. Here are the top co-authors by number of shared publications:
- Adriana Vallesi
School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy
1 shared publication - Anders Johansson
Department of Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
1 shared publication - Andreas Sjödin
CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI), Umeå, Sweden
1 shared publication - Björn Brindefalk
CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, FOI, SE 901 82 Umeå, Sweden
1 shared publication - Caroline Öhrman
Swedish Defence Research Agency, CBRN Defence and Security, Umeå, Sweden
1 shared publication - David M. Wagner
Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University
1 shared publication
Latest Publications
- Open Access
- 11 January 2021
- Published by MDPI AG in Microorganisms
- Vol. 9 (1) , 146
Reorganized Genomic Taxonomy of Francisellaceae Enables Design of Robust Environmental PCR Assays for Detection of Francisella tularensis
In recent years, an increasing diversity of species has been recognized within the family Francisellaceae. Unfortunately, novel isolates are sometimes misnamed in initial publications or multiple sources propose different nomenclature for genetically highly similar isolates. Thus, unstructured and occasionally incorrect information can lead to confusion in the scientific community. Historically, detection of Francisella tularensis in environmental samples has been challenging due to the considerable and unknown genetic diversity within the family, which can result in false positive results. We have assembled a comprehensive collection of genome sequences representing most known Francisellaceae species/strains and restructured them according to a taxonomy that is based on phylogenetic structure. From this structured dataset, we identified a small number of genomic regions unique to F. tularensis that are putatively suitable for specific detection of this pathogen in environmental samples. We designed and validated specific PCR assays based on these genetic regions that can be used for the detection of F. tularensis in environmental samples, such as water and air filters.
- 11 January 2021
- Published by MDPI AG in Microorganisms
- Vol. 9 (1) , 146
Open AccessReorganized Genomic Taxonomy of Francisellaceae Enables Design of Robust Environmental PCR Assays for Detection of Francisella tularensis
In recent years, an increasing diversity of species has been recognized within the family Francisellaceae. Unfortunately, novel isolates are sometimes misnamed in initial publications or multiple sources propose different nomenclature for genetically highly similar isolates. Thus, unstructured and occasionally incorrect information can lead to confusion in the scientific community. Historically, detection of Francisella tularensis in environmental samples has been challenging due to the considerable and unknown genetic diversity within the family, which can result in false positive results. We have assembled a comprehensive collection of genome sequences representing most known Francisellaceae species/strains and restructured them according to a taxonomy that is based on phylogenetic structure. From this structured dataset, we identified a small number of genomic regions unique to F. tularensis that are putatively suitable for specific detection of this pathogen in environmental samples. We designed and validated specific PCR assays based on these genetic regions that can be used for the detection of F. tularensis in environmental samples, such as water and air filters.