The abundance of sulfate-reducing bacteria and archaea (SRBA) is impressive and new isolates are being reported continuously. A few decades ago, only two genera of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) had been identified. As of 2018, 92 genera containing more than 420 species of SRB have been isolated and characterized and there are several species of archaea. This book addresses the development of the research with SRBA and includes historical background of this field. Biochemical characterization of the enzymes, cytochromes and electron carriers involved with dissimilatory sulfate reduction are reviewed and the presence of relevant genes in cultured and uncultured SRBA are assessed using genome analysis. The contributions of transmembrane electron transport complexes as related to cell energetics are discussed. This book highlights the unique cellular and molecular features of the SRBA and discusses the biochemical interactions behind their metabolic capabilities which enable SRBA to grow in extreme environments. Examples are provided to detoxify and alleviate pollution situations, to evaluate mechanisms proposed for corrosion of ferrous metals and to examine the effects of SRB on human and animal hosts.

Numerous infectious diseases are described as idiopathic, meaning that "the cause is a complete mystery." For many idiopathic diseases, the causes become clear when certain techniques are applied to the patient's blood or other tissues. Cell Wall Deficient Forms: Stealth Pathogens, Third Edition describes these techniques. In the case of tuberculosis, a disease that has recently regained importance because the strains have acquired antibiotic resistance, the book describes a method that is widely used abroad. This method typically renders the diagnosis within 72 hours. The book examines a plethora of issues and provides answers to the following questions:
o What organism should be added to the childhood vaccine, especially for boys?
o What bacteria in its pleomorphic state is found in direct smears of synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis cases?
o In which chronic diseases ( presently considered as being of unknown origin) is an acid-fast organism routinely found in smears of 72 hour blood cultures?
o Which "bacterium" has a life cycle in the human erythrocyte as complex as that of Plasmodium malaria?
o Which common pathogen's L Form can permanently damage myocardium mammaliam?
Cell Wall Deficient Forms: Stealth Pathogens, Third Edition discloses significant aspects of microbiology, aspects that are not taught, and which go unrecognized in the clinical laboratory.

Spirulena Platensis, a blue-green algae, has been recognized and used worldwide as a traditional source of protein in the food industry. The uses and mass cultivation of this algae have risen substantially due to an increased understanding of its biological systems. This text contains detailed descriptions of both the biology and the biotechnological uses of Spirulena Platensis. Part One focuses on the physiology, morphology, photosyntheses and genetics of laboratory cultures. Part Two discusses the practical uses in biotechnology industries, such as: the cultivation on flat-plate reactors; mass cultures outdoors; uses in wastewater treatment and the use of biomass. It offers critiques of the problems encountered and discussions of the future commercial prospects for large-scale production.

Acinetobacter details the clinical aspects of this bacterium responsible for many infections in hospitalized patients. This reference explains the importance of these organisms, both from the patient's viewpoint and the economic perspective, and provides clinicians with the knowledge they need to control these bacteria.

This volume describes the structure and function of bacterial toxins and presents a comprehensive review of virulence factors, providing recent information concerning cell physiology and biochemistry, as well as new toxin tools for experimental studies and clinical therapy. A wide variety of toxic proteins, including the toxins that cause diptheria, cholera, pertussis, shigellosis, tetanus, botulism and anthrax, are discussed.;The work is aimed at microbiologists, biochemists, endocrinologists, toxicologists, infectious disease specialists, pathologists, public health officials, and upper-level undergraduate and graduate students in these disciplines.

Fimbriae are the best-studied bacterial colonization factors. They are of paramount importance in bacterial pathogenesis and microbial ecology. Due to the advent of new and powerful techniques, an impressive amount of information has been accumulated on these important surface organelles over the last decade. The first book of its kind, Fimbriae brings together into one volume the state of the art of this very active field. Internationally recognized researchers give both a horizontal and lateral approach to fimbriology. Selected types of fimbriae are extensively reviewed and fundamental questions such as evolution, control or regulation, biogenesis, bacteria-host interaction, and fimbriae-based vaccines are examined.

Cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, commonly occur in a variety of water types throughout the world. A variable, but, high proportion of the cyanobacterial blooms and scums, which can develop annually in lakes, reservoirs, canals and slow-flowing rivers, contain potent toxins. Although animal poisonings and human health problems associated with the ingestion of, or contact with, cyanobacterial scums have long been recognized, a developing understanding of the health hazards posed by the toxins requires that reliable, sensitive, specific and convenient methods are available for their detection and quantification.
Detection methods for cynobacterial toxins looks at the application of biological, toxicological, biochemical and physicochemical techniques in studies of cyanobacterial toxins and at experimental methods that have identified at least 50 cyanobacterial compounds toxic to vertebrates.
Academics, public health bodies, environmental protection agencies and water companies are all involved in monitoring cyanobacterial levels and effects, and this book will help to ensure that their research is not duplicated, is standardized and comparable, and that optimal progress can be made in an important area that is still in its developing stages.

An in-depth resource addressing the ecology of Clostridium botulinum which affects the degree of food contamination, and its control in various foods. The text summarizes worldwide data on this organism in food and the environment and the principles of its control in specific foods and products.

A book for anyone interested in halophilic bacteria
The Biology of Halophilic Bacteria presents detailed information regarding methods for working with halophilic bacteria. Helpful hints for performing various tests and assays in high salts are given, and information about data presentation and analysis is provided as well. The book will be useful to molecular biologists, biochemists, ecologists, and others interested in halophilic bacteria.

Psychrotrophic Bacteria in Foods: Disease and Spoilage presents a comprehensive review of psychrotrophic bacteria and other pathogens and their role in causing food spoilage in refrigerated and frozen foods. The book focuses on the growth, survival, and subsequent activity of these organisms, especially in meat and poultry products. Metabolic products of bacterial growth in foods as indicators of spoilage are described. The book also discusses the potential microbiological hazard posed to "new generation" minimally processed refrigerated foods. Psychrotrophic Bacteria in Foods: Disease and Spoilage is an informative reference for food microbiologists and other food scientists working in industry and academia. It will also be useful to researchers and personnel in regulatory agencies.

This volume brings together a wide range of methods to explore the structure and function of bacterial chromatin from molecular to the cellular scale. Chapters detail experimental protocols of in vivo and in vitro approaches, approaches to genome structure modeling, and data analysis. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Bacterial Chromatin: Methods and Protocols aims to be useful as an up-to-date reference work for scholars in the bacterial chromatin field, those entering the field from adjacent research fields, and scientists in the eukaryotic chromatin field.

This book is intended to be a general reference for environmental decision makers who are interested in the fate of chlorinated aromatic compounds with respect to microbial activity. It includes reviews of microbial physiology, genetics, and methods of biodegradation assessment.

The future prospects of probiotics lie in the successful application of individual strains with specific beneficial effects on the host. This development implies that not only the most robust strains are selected but also strains with a promising probiotic function with moderate or high sensitivity to processing stresses. This also means an increasing variety of probiotic strains with different functions. Therefore the processing of probiotics becomes an important issue. The strains have to be cultivable and proper growth conditions have to be known. Another very important step in processing is the preservation step. This includes either the freezing and frozen storage or the drying and storage in powder form. The fermentation, drying, and storage processes are highly interrelated. Therefore a holistic approach has to be chosen for the production of highly effective probiotic formulation. The book comprises state-of-the-art knowledge on isolation and characterization of probiotics as well as processing (fermentation, freezing, drying, and storage) and application of probiotics in different food products. This book will serve as a guidebook to researchers, technologists, and industry professionals in the field of probiotics.

The future of agriculture strongly depends on our ability to enhance productivity without sacrificing long-term production potential. An ecologically and economically sustainable strategy is the application of microorganisms, such as the diverse bacterial species of plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB). The use of these bio-resources for the enhancement of crop productivity is gaining worldwide importance. "Bacteria in Agrobiology: Plant Nutrient Management" focus on the management of plant nutrient to support plant growth and development. The topics treated in this book include mechanisms of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria, zinc and phosphate solubilizing microorganisms, sulfur oxidizing bacteria, ACC deaminase, siderophores, phytohormones, quorum-sensing, biofilms, antibiotics, volatiles, denitrification and integrated nutrient management.

Phage Display in Biotechnology and Drug Discovery, Second Edition provides a comprehensive view of the impact and promise of phage display in drug discovery and biotechnology. Building on the success of its previous edition, the book discusses current theories, principles, and methods in the field and demonstrates applications for peptide phage display, protein phage display, and the development of novel antibodies. The book provides readers with an overview of the amazing breadth of the impact that phage display technology has had on the study of proteins in general as well as the development of proteins. It will be a valuable resource for those interested in using phage display and recombinant antibodies in basic research and drug discovery.

This handbook acquaints readers with the exciting developments in various areas of cyanobacterial research in the backdrop of the publication of complete genome sequence of the cyanobacterium "Synechocystis sp. "strain PCC 6803 in 1996. It begins with a summary of the current knowledge on the taxonomy, phylogeny and evolution of cyanobacteria followed by the sequenced genomes, differentiation of akinetes and heterocyst. The book considers mechanisms of cellular movements (gliding, swimming and twitching motions) exhibited by various cyanobacteria in order to adjust to their environmental niches and the operation of the circadian rhythms. It covers cyanobacterial symbiosis, cyanophages and cyanobacterial toxins, followed by a discussion on stress responses (salinity, temperature, desiccation and oxidation).

A comprehensive account on the developments in all these spheres has been presented in a lucid style with the required background information, molecular techniques employed and models proposed. This handbook constitutes the first such book written by a single author at a level and depth for graduate and research students in botany and microbiology.

This volume provides methods to analyze the meningococcus and its interactions with biologically relevant host cells and sites, to interrogate the population structure and biology of the meningococcus that defines its capacity to cause disease, and to aid in vaccine development and surveillance. Many of these methods are applicable to the close relative, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and several of the methods described can also be used in investigating host-pathogen interactions for a range of other organisms. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Neisseria meningitidis: Methods and Protocols will allow for the use of these methods by more laboratories and foster collaboration and consistency in investigations of this enigmatic and dangerous pathogen.

Most studies of bacterial or fungal infectious diseases focus separately on the pathogenic microbe, the host response, or the characterization of therapeutic compounds. Compartmentalization of pathogenesis-related research into an analysis of the "pathogen", the "host," or the "antimicrobial compound" has largely been dictated by the lack of model systems in which all of these approaches can be used simultaneously, as well as by the traditional view that microbiology, immunology, and chemical biology and pharmacology are separate disciplines. An increasing number of workers from different fields have turned to insects, fish, worms and other model hosts as facile, ethically expedient, relatively simple, and inexpensive hosts to model a variety of human infectious diseases and to study host responses and innate immunity. Because many of these hosts are genetically tractable, they can be used in conjunction with an appropriate pathogen to facilitate the discovery of novel features of the host innate immune response. This book provides a series of reports from the 1st International Conference on Model Hosts. This first of its kind meeting focused on invertebrate, vertebrate and amoeboid systems used for the study of host-pathogen interactions, virulence and immunity, as well as on the relevance of these pathogenesis systems and mammalian models. Importantly, a common, fundamental set of molecular mechanisms is employed by a significant number of microbial pathogens against a widely divergent array of metazoan hosts. Moreover, the evolutionarily conserved immune responses of these model hosts have contributed important insights to our understanding of the innate immune response of mammals. This book provides a series of reports from the 1st International Conference on Model Hosts. This first of its kind meeting focused on invertebrate, vertebrate and amoeboid systems used for the study of host-pathogen interactions, virulence and immunity, as well as on the relevance of these pathogenesis systems and mammalian models. Importantly, a common, fundamental set of molecular mechanisms is employed by a significant number of microbial pathogens against a widely divergent array of metazoan hosts. Moreover, the evolutionarily conserved immune responses of these model hosts have contributed important insights to our understanding of the innate immune response of mammals.

This book addresses multiple aspects of biological clocks in prokaryotes. The first part of the book deals with the circadian clock system in cyanobacteria, i.e. the pioneer of bacterial clocks. Starting with the history and background of cyanobacteria and circadian rhythms in microorganisms, the topics range from the molecular basis, structure and evolution of the circadian clock to modelling approaches, Kai systems in cyanobacteria and biotechnological applications. In the second part, emergent timekeeping properties of bacteria in microbiomes and bacteria other than cyanobacteria are discussed. Since the discovery of circadian rhythms in cyanobacteria in the late 1980s, the field has exploded with new information. The cyanobacterial model system for studying circadian rhythms (Synechococcus elongatus), has allowed a detailed genetic dissection of the bacterial clock due to state-of-the-art methods in molecular, structural, and evolutionary biology. Cutting-edge research spanning from cyanobacteria and circadian phenomena in other kinds of bacteria, to microbiomes has now given the field another major boost. This book is aimed at junior and senior researchers alike. Students or researchers new to the field of biological clocks in prokaryotes will get a comprehensive overview, while more experienced researchers will get an update on the latest developments.

This book presents a set of modern protocols forming a solid background for who want to start or improve research programme on phytoplasmas. Chapters guide readers through detailed techniques for maintaining phytoplasma collections, border inspection, detection of different phytoplasma strains, new pipelines to produce phytoplasma genome draft, protocols for phytoplasma gene expression analyses, and methods for the investigation of the phloem tissue. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Phytoplasmas: Methods and Protocols aims to ensure successful results in the further study of this vital field.