This book brings together many of the world's leading experts in the fields of Antarctic terrestrial soil ecology, providing a comprehensive and completely up-to-date analysis of the status of Antarctic soil microbiology. Antarctic terrestrial soils represent one of the most extreme environments on Earth. Once thought to be largely sterile, it is now known that these diverse and often specialized extreme habitats harbor a very wide range of different microorganisms. Antarctic soil communities are relatively simple, but not unsophisticated. Recent phylogenetic and microscopic studies have demonstrated that these communities have well established trophic structuring and play a significant role in nutrient cycling in these cold and often dry desert ecosystems. They are surprisingly responsive to change and potentially sensitive to climatic perturbation. Antarctic terrestrial soils also harbor specialized 'refuge'habitats, where microbial communities develop under (and within) translucent rocks. These cryptic habitats offer unique models for understanding the physical and biological 'drivers' of community development, function and evolution.

Salmonella: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition expands upon the previous edition with current, detailed methods on different aspects and landmarks advancing knowledge on salmonella research. With new chapters on molecular assays for detection, identification and serotyping of salmonella, quantitative proteomic identification of host factors involved in salmonella infection, determination of antimicrobial resistance in salmonella, site-directed mutagenesis, chromosomal gene analysis, development of bacterial nanoparticle vaccine, attachment of nanoparticle cargo to biotinylated salmonella for combination bacteriotherapy against tumors, various microscopy methods to analyze salmonella interaction with host cells, in vitro modeling of gallbladder-associated salmonella colonization, and analysis of salmonella phages and prophages. 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, Salmonella: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition present methods that are of value to investigators in the salmonella field.

Part 1: Physiology, Evolution and Ecology: 1 An Overview of Purple Bacteria: Systematics, Physiology, and Habitats.-2 New Light on Aerobic Anoxygenic Phototrophs.-3 Evolutionary Relationships Among Purple Photosynthetic Bacteria and the Origin of Proteobacterial Photosynthetic Systems.- Part 2: Biosynthesis of Pigments, Cofactors and Lipids: 4 Biosynthesis of Bacteriochlorophylls in Purple Bacteria.-5 Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) Biosynthesis in the Purple Bacteria.- 6 Distribution and Biosynthesis of Carotenoids.-7 Membrane Lipid Biosynthesis in Purple Bacteria.-Part 3: Antenna Complexes: Structure, Function and Organization: 8 Peripheral Complexes of Purple Bacteria.-9 Reaction Center-Light-Harvesting Core Complexes of Purple Bacteria.-10 Structure-Function Relationships in Bacterial Light-Harvesting Complexes Investigated by Reconstitution Techniques.-11 Spectroscopic Properties of Antenna Complexes from Purple Bacteria.-12 Energy Transfer from Carotenoids to Bacteriochlorophylls.-13 Spectroscopy and Dynamics of Excitation Transfer and Trapping in Purple Bacteria.-14 Organization and Assembly of Light-Harvesting Complexes in the Purple Bacterial Membrane.-15 From Atomic-level Structure to Supramolecular Organization in the photosynthetic Unit of Purple Bacteria.-Part 4: Reaction Centre Structure and Function: 16 Structural Plasticity of Reaction Centers from Purple Bacteria.-17 Structure and Function of the Cytochrome c2: Reaction Center Complex from Rhodobacter sphaeroides.-18 Directed Modification of Reaction Centers from Purple Bacteria.-19 Mechanism of Charge Separation in Purple Bacterial Reaction Centers.-20 The Acceptor Quinones of Purple Photosynthetic Bacteria- Structure and Spectroscopy.-Part 5: Cyclic Electron Transfer Components and Energy Coupling Reactions: 21 Biogenesis of c-type Cytochromes and Cytochrome Complexes.-22 Structural and Mutational Studies of the Cytochrome bc1 Complex.-23 The Cytochrome bc1and Related bc Complexes: The Rieske/Cytochrome b Complex as the Functional Core of a Central Electron/Proton Transfer Complex.-24 Proton Translocation and ATP Synthesis by the FoF1-ATPase of Purple Bacteria.-25 Proton-Translocating Transhydrogenase in Photosynthetic Bacteria.-26 Functional Coupling Between Reaction Centers and Cytochrome bc1 Complexes.-Part 6: Metabolic Processes: 27 Respiration and Respiratory Complexes.- 28 Carbon Dioxide Metabolism and its Regulation in Nonsulfur Purple Photosynthetic Bacteria.- 29 Degradation of Aromatic Compounds by Purple Nonsulfur Bacteria.-30 Metabolism of Inorganic Sulfur Compounds in Purple Bacteria.-31 Dissimilatory and Assimilatory Nitrate Reduction in the Purple Photosynthetic Bacteria.-32 Swimming and Behavior in Purple Non-Sulfur Bacteria.-33 Metals and Metalloids in Photosynthetic Bacteria: Interactions, Resistance and Putative Homeostasis Revealed by Genome Analysis.-Part 7: Genomics, Regulation and Signalling:34 Purple Bacterial Genomics.- 35 Regulation of Gene Expression in Response to Oxygen Tension.-36 Regulation of Genes by Light.-37 Regulation of Hydrogenase Gene Expression.-38 Regulation of Nitrogen Fixation.-39 Regulation of the Tetrapyrrole Biosynthetic Pathway.-40 Bacteriophytochromes Control Photosynthesis in Rhodopseudomonas palustris.-41 Photoreceptor Proteins from Purple Bacteria.-Part 8: New Applications and Techniques: 42 Foreign Gene Expression in Photosynthetic Bacteria.-43 Assembly of Bacterial Light Harvesting Complexes on Solid Substrates.-44 Optical Spectroscopy of Individual Light-Harvesting Complexes from Purple Bacteria.-45 De novo Designed Bacteriochlorophyll-Binding Helix-Bundle Proteins.-46 Design and Assembly of Functional Light-Harvesting Complexes.-47 The Supramolecular Assembly of the Photosynthetic Apparatus of Purple Bacteria Investigated by High-Resolution Atomic Force Microscopy.-48 Protein Environments and Electron Transfer Processes Probed wit

The aim of this book is to provide readers with a wide overview of the main healthcare-associated infections caused by bacteria and fungi able to grow as biofilm. The recently acquired knowledge on the pivotal role played by biofilm-growing microorganisms in healthcare-related infections has given a new dynamic to detection, prevention and treatment of these infections in patients admitted to both acute care hospitals and long-term care facilities. Clinicians, hygienists and microbiologists will be updated by leading scientists on the state-of-art of biofilm-based infections and on the most innovative strategies for prevention and treatment of these infections, often caused by emerging multidrug-resistant biofilm-growing microorganisms.

Described as the earliest, simplest life forms, with unlimited metabolic versatility, bacteria are ideally suited to answer some very fundamental questions on life and its processes. They have been employed in almost all fields of biological studies, including Genetics. The whole edifice of science of Genetics centers around three processes: the generation, expression, and transmission of biological variation, and bacteria offer immediate advantages in studying all the three aspects of heredity. Being haploid and structurally simple, it becomes easy to isolate mutations of various kinds and relate them to a function. The availability of such mutants and their detailed genetic and biochemical analyses lead to a gamut of information on gene expression and its regulation. While studying the transmission of biological variation, it is clear that unlike their eukaryotic counterpart, a more genetic approach needs to be employed. Transmission of genetic information in most eukaryotic organisms rests on sexual reproduction that allows the generation of genetically variable offspring through the process of gene recombination. Even though bacteria show an apparent preference for asexual reproduction, they too have evolved mechanisms to trade their genetic material. In fact, bacteria not only could acquire many genes from close relatives, but also from entirely distant members through the process of horizontal gene transfer. Their success story of long evolutionary existence will stand testimony to these mechanisms. While teaching a course on Microbial Genetics to the post-graduate students at Delhi University, it was realized that a book devoted to bacterial genetics may be very handy to the students, researchers, and teachers alike. A strong foundation in genetics also helps in comprehending more modern concepts of molecular biology and recombinant DNA technology, always a favorite with the students and researchers. Planning the format of the book, emphasis has been laid on the generation and transmission of biological variability. The omission of expression part is indeed intentional because lots of information is available on this aspect in any modern biology book. The contents are spread over seven chapters and the text is supported with figures/tables wherever possible. The endeavor has been to induce the readers to appreciate the strength of bacterial genetics and realize the contribution of these tiny organisms to the growth of biological sciences as a whole and genetics in particular.

Alicyclobacillus are not pathogenic bacteria, but they are troublesome, not only for consumers but also for beverage producers, because no effective control methods have yet been developed. It is against this background and in recognition of the importance and urgency of the problem that this book brings together new insights on the topic together with research published to date. The book uniquely focuses on one genus of bacteria. It aims to bring the information of Alicyclobacillus together and offer helpful understanding to control the bacteria for food industries.

Since its early days in the 1990s, the Quorum Sensing (QS) field has grown from a few dozen laboratories, investigating the pathways, proteins, and chemicals that facilitate signaling in bacteria, to hundreds of groups that have integrated evolutionary biology, computer science, mathematics, engineering, and metagenomics to create an ever-expanding and dynamic field. In Quorum Sensing: Methods and Protocols, expert researchers provide an in-depth set of diverse protocols that span this broad area of study. Broken into three detailed sections, the volume covers the detection, isolation, and characterization of the QS signals made by both Gram- and Gram+ bacteria, determination of the function of QS signals in vivo, and the development of QS disruption strategies. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series format, chapters include brief introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and expert tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known experimental pitfalls. Comprehensive and cutting-edge, Quorum Sensing: Methods and Protocols serves as an invaluable collection of easily accessible techniques for scientists seeking to further our knowledge about bacterial communication and its relation to humanity.

Microbial relationships with all life forms can be as free living, symbiotic or pathogenic. Human beings harbor 10 times more microbial cells than their own. Bacteria are found on the skin surface, in the gut and other body parts. Bacteria causing diseases are the most worrisome. Most of the infectious diseases are caused by bacterial pathogens with an ability to form biofilm. Bacteria within the biofilm are up to 1000 times more resistant to antibiotics. This has taken a more serious turn with the evolution of multiple drug resistant bacteria. Health Departments are making efforts to reduce high mortality and morbidity in man caused by them. Bacterial Quorum sensing (QS), a cell density dependent phenomenon is responsible for a wide range of expressions such as pathogenesis, biofilm formation, competence, sporulation, nitrogen fixation, etc. Majority of these organisms that are important for medical, agriculture, aquaculture, water treatment and remediation, archaeological departments are: Aeromonas, Acinetobacter, Bacillus, Clostridia, Enterococcus, Pseudomonas, Vibrio and Yersinia spp. Biosensors and models have been developed to detect QS systems. Strategies for inhibiting QS system through natural and synthetic compounds have been presented here. The biotechnological applications of QS inhibitors (QSIs) in diverse areas have also been dealt with. Although QSIs do not affect growth and are less likely to impose selective pressure on bacteria, however, a few reports have raised doubts on the fate of QSIs. This book addresses a few questions. Will bacteria develop mechanisms to evade QSIs? Are we watching yet another defeat at the hands of bacteria? Or will we be acting intelligently and survive the onslaughts of this Never Ending battle?

Listeria monocytogenes is still a major threat to public health. A new book in the Methods in Molecular Biology series, Listeria monocytogenes: Methods and Protocols addresses its titular pathogen with protocols and methodologies used in research to gain a better understanding of Listeria at a molecular level. The topics covered include sampling in order to isolate Listeria, methods for their identification and characterization, methods for gene manipulation and finally, methods for control of the organism. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective subjects, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Vital and authoritative, Listeria monocytogenes: Methods and Protocols aims to contribute to the harmonization of the methods used in the field and will therefore benefit all those interested in Listeria research.

Corynebacterium diphtheriae is the classical etiological agent of diphtheria and the type strain of the genus Corynebacterium. While diphtheria of the respiratory tract became rare with the introduction of vaccination programs in industrialized countries, even today several thousand cases per year are reported to the World Health Organization. This shows that diphtheria is not completely eradicated and that reservoirs exist. The book summarizes the latest advances made in understanding C. diphtheriae and the closely related species Corynebacterium ulcerans and Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. Topics addressed are genomics of toxigenic corynebacteria, host-pathogen-interaction, detection, surveillance and treatment as well as application aspects.

Plasmids are closed, circular pieces of DNA that are able to self--replicate and are carried by many bacteria. They provide unique functions for bacteria by allowing them to sexually replicate and to pass on genetic material between each other. Plasmids are also responsible for the genetic factors that give resistance to antibiotics, and provide the enzymes needed to break down poorly metabolised food resources. The author has provided an updated treatment of the structure, function and application of plasmids suitable for undergraduates and medical students. Employing an original teaching perspective----examining plasmids as living organisms with either a symbiotic or parasitic mode of survival----this text provides an important framework for understanding the structure and function of plasmids in an evolutionary context.* The most up to date text on plasmids* An innovative teaching perspective makes for easy student understanding* Contains crucial chapters on the importance of plasmids for clinical and biological research

Host-Bacteria Interactions: Methods and Protocols details cutting edge protocols that cover aspects of the investigation of host bacteria interactions using mammalian and novel non mammalian infection models, cell biology, OMICS and bacterial genetics. Chapters focus on techniques that can be used to investigate different aspects of the physiopathology of bacterial infections, from the whole animal to tissue, cellular and molecular level. 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, Host-Bacteria Interactions: Methods and Protocols provide researchers with a comprehensive account of the practical steps necessary for carrying out each protocol successfully.

Due to the highly collaborative nature of investigators working in the field, we have rapidly advanced our understanding of Staphylococcus epidermidis and other staphylococci in the last two decades. The chapters in Staphylococcus Epidermidis: Methods and Protocols are designed to give the new investigator a series of tools so they can ask novel and exciting questions related to the biology of this opportunistic pathogen, as many exciting and unexplored questions such as defining the interaction of S. epidermidis and other normal flora remain to be discovered. Written in the 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 protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and easily accessible, Staphylococcus Epidermidis: Methods and Protocols seeks to serve both professionals and novices with its well-honed methodologies.

This book describes the growing body of information on the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, transmission, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of Kingella kingae infections in young children. In addition, it covers experimental methods that have been developed to study the microbiology, genetics, and virulence factors of K. kingae, information that provides the foundation for new approaches to treatment and prevention of K. kingae disease. With this content in mind, excerpts from the book will be of relevance for clinicians who care for pediatric patients, for clinical microbiologists who are involved in detecting organisms in clinical specimens, and for scientists who are studying K. kingae in an effort to develop novel targets for antimicrobial therapy and new approaches to prevention. First isolated in the 1960s by Elizabeth O. King, a bacteriologist at the CDC, Kingella kingae was largely ignored over the next two decades as a human pathogen because of its uncommon recovery from patients with disease. However, in recent years K. kingae has been increasingly recognized as a clinically important pathogen in young children, and is currently recognized as the leading cause of osteoarticular infections in young children in a growing number of countries. Research into this organism has grown tremendously over the past 15 years, resulting in a better appreciation of the importance of K. kingae in pediatric patients and of the molecular mechanisms of disease.

In recent years, molecular microbiology has emerged as a top, cutting-edge biological discipline, thanks to the multi-disciplinary and integrative approaches taken by investigators seeking to understand the intricacies of the microbial world and how it affects human health and the biosphere. In Bacterial Cell Surfaces: Methods and Protocols, recent advances in structural biology, proteomics, and imaging techniques, together with the traditional biochemical and genetic approaches, are provided in order to present an exciting look into the structure, function, and regulation of the bacterial cell envelope. The detailed volume contains examples of traditional and innovative tools for the study of protein structure and function and enzymatic activities, the purification and analysis of macromolecules and their complexes, and the investigation of regulatory mechanisms and cell biological processes. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) 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 practical, Bacterial Cell Surfaces: Methods and Protocols is aimed at the microbiologist, biochemist, or cell biologist, whether a beginning graduate student or a veteran experimentalist, who wishes to learn new methodologies and take advantage of the years of research and protocol optimization from the best laboratories around the world.

​In recent years there has been significant attention paid on the endophytic research by various groups working within this domain. Mutualistic endophytic microbes with an emphasis on the relatively understudied fungal endophytes are the focus of this special book. Plants are associated with micro-organisms: endophytic bacteria and fungi, which live inter- and intra-cellularly without inducing pathogenic symptoms, but have active biochemical and genetic interactions with their host. Endophytes play vital roles as plant growth promoters, biocontrol agents, biosurfactant producers, enzymes and secondary metabolite producers, as well as providing a new hidden repertoire of bioactive natural products with uses in pharmaceutical, agrochemical and other biotechnological applications. The increasing interest in endophytic research generates significant progress in our understanding of the host-endophyte relationship at molecular and genetic level. The bio-prospection of microbial endophytes has led to exciting possibilities for their biotechnological application as biocontrol agent, bioactive metabolites, and other useful traits. Apart from these virtues, the microbial endophytes may be adapted to the complex metabolism of many desired molecules that can be of significant industrial applications. These microbes can be a useful alternative for sustainable solutions for ecological control of pests and diseases, and can reduce the burden of excess of chemical fertilizers for this purpose. This book is an attempt to review the recent development in the understanding of microbial endophytes and their potential biotechnological applications. This is a collection of literature authored by noted researchers having signatory status in endophytic research and summarizes the development achieved so far, and future prospects for further research in this fascinating area of research.

Bacterial genomics is a mature research interdisciplinary field, which is approached by ecologists, geneticists, bacteriologists, molecular biologists and evolutionary biologists working in medical, industrial and basic science. Thanks to the large diffusion of bacterial genome analysis, Bacterial Pangenomics: Methods and Protocols is able to provide the most recent methodologies about the study of bacterial pangenomes by covering the three major areas: the experimental methods for approaching bacterial pangenomics, the bio informatic pipelines for analysis and annotation of sequence data and finally the methods for inferring functional and evolutionary features from the pangenome. Written in the 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 protocols and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and easily accessible, Bacterial Pangenomics: Methods and Protocols will serve as a field guide for both qualified bacterial genomics investigators who want to update their technical knowledge, for less experienced researchers who want to start working with bacterial genomics and pangenomics, as well as serving as a manual and supplemental textbook for graduate students of genomics and bioinformatics.

Microbial Products: Applications and Translational Trends offers complete coverage of the production of microbial products, including biopolymers, biofuels, bioactive compounds, and their applications in fields such as bioremediation, agriculture, medicine, and other industrial settings. This book focuses on multiple processes including upstream procedures and downstream processing, and the tools required for their production. Lab-scale development processes may not be as efficient when aiming for large-scale industrial production, so it is necessary to utilize in silico modeling tools for bioprocess design to ensure success at translational levels. Therefore, this book presents in silico and mathematical simulations and approaches used for such applications. Further, it examines microbial products produced from bacteria, fungi, and algae. These major microbial categories have the capacity to produce various, diverse secondary metabolites, bioactive compounds, enzymes, biopolymers, biofuels, probiotics, and more. The bioproducts examined in the book are of great social, medical, and agricultural benefit, and include examples of biodegradable polymers, biofuels, biofertilizers, and drug delivery agents. Presents approaches and tools that aid in the design of eco-friendly, efficient, and economic bioprocesses. Utilizes in silico and mathematical simulations for optimal bioprocess design. Examines approaches to be used for bioproducts from the lab scale to widely applied microbial biotechnologies. Presents the latest trends and technologies in the production approaches for microbial bio-products manufacture and application. This book is ideal for both researchers and academics, as it provides up-to-date knowledge of applied microbial biotechnology approaches for bio-products.

This book introduces Planctomycetes bacteria and deals in detail with their unusual structure, physiology, genomics and evolutionary significance. It is a definitive summary of recent knowledge of this important distinctive group of bacteria, microorganisms which challenge our very concept of the bacterium. Planctomycetes, and their relatives within the PVC superphylum of domain Bacteria, including verrucomicrobia and chlamydia, challenge our classical concept of the bacterium and its modes of life and provide new experimental models for exploring evolutionary cell biology and the full diversity of how living cells can be organized internally. Unique among bacteria, they include species possessing cells with intracellular membrane-bounded compartments and a peptidoglycan-less cell wall, and bacteria such as the anammox organisms performing unique anaerobic ammonium oxidation significant for global nitrogen cycle.

Streptococci are Gram-positive bacteria that cause a wide spectrum of diseases, such as pharyngitis, necrotizing fasciitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome, as well as rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease as sequelae. Antibiotics alone have not been able to control the disease and in spite of many efforts an effective vaccine is not yet available. A prerequisite for novel and successful strategies for combating these bacteria is a complete understanding of the highly complex pathogenic mechanisms involved, which are analyzed in this volume. In ten chapters, prominent authors cover various aspects including streptococcal diseases and global burden, epidemiology, adaptation and transmission, and molecular mechanisms of different diseases, as well as sequelae, vaccine development and clinical management. This book will serve as a valuable reference work for scientists, students, clinicians and public health workers and provide new approaches to meeting the challenge of streptococcal diseases.

Over the years of cancer investigation a lot of discoveries in this field were made, and many associations between various biological carcinogens and cancer were revealed. Some of them are credibly determined, thus these infectious agents (human papilloma virus, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, Epstein-Barr virus, human herpes virus 8, human T-cell lymphotropic virus 1, human immunodeficiency virus, Merkel cell polyomavirus, Helicobacter pylori, Opisthorchis viverrini, Clonorchis sinensis, Schistosoma haematobium) are recognized as carcinogens and probable carcinogens by International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). The problem is of large importance, since share of infectious agents-related cancer cases is steadily increasing, reaching 25% according to certain estimates. It is worth noting that many of cancer cases are caused by infectious agents other than "conventional ones" like HPV, EBV, HBV, HCV, H.pylori etc. In recent years, a number of significant breakthroughs in the field were performed, such as the discovery of the microbiota role in cancer causation.

This Brief will review the methods that are currently available for the detection, isolation, and typing of pathogenic E. coli with a particular focus on foodborne diseases caused by the Shiga toxigenic E. coli group, which have been implicated in a number of significant outbreaks in recent years. Pathogenic forms of E. coli can cause a variety of diarrheal diseases in hosts due to the presence of specific colonization and virulence factors, and pathogenicity-associated genes, which are generally not present in other E. coli. Six pathotypes of pathogenic E. coli are recognized (Shiga toxigenic E. coli, Enteropathogenic E. coli, Enterotoxigenic E. coli, Enteroinvasive E. coli, Enteroaggregative E. coli and Diffusely Adherent E. coli) and certain strains among these groups are major public health concerns due to the severity of disease that they can cause. Methods to detect and isolate these pathogens from a variety of sources are constantly evolving. In addition, the accumulation of knowledge on these pathogens allows for improved intervention strategies.

Plant microbe interaction is a complex relationship that can have various beneficial impacts on both the communities. An urgent need of today's world is to get high crop yields in an ecofriendly manner. Utilization of beneficial and multifaceted plant growth promoting (PGP) microorganisms can solve the problem of getting enhanced yields without disturbing the ecosystem thus leading to sustainability. For this to achieve understanding of the intricate details of how the beneficial microbes form associations with the host plant and sustain that for millions of years must be known. A holistic approach is required wherein the diversity of microbes associated with plant and the network of mechanisms by which they benefit the host must be studied and utilized. 'Plant Microbe Symbiosis - Fundamentals and Advances' provides a comprehensive understanding of positive interactions that occur between plant and microorganisms and their utilization in the fields. The book reviews the enormous diversity of plant associated microbes, the dialog between plant-microbes-microbes and mechanisms of action of PGP microbes. Utilization of PGPRs as nutrient providers, in combating phytopathogens and ameliorating the stressed and polluted soils is also explained. Importantly, the book also throws light on the unanswered questions and future direction of research in the field. It illustrates how the basic knowledge can be amalgamated with advanced technology to design the future bioformulations.

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.

Blackwell is proud to announce Professor Barry Marshall, along with Dr. Robin Warren, have been awarded the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine.

Providing background and the human touch of a discovery process taking almost a century, "Helicobacter Pioneers" is a collection of accounts from pioneering researchers of "Helicobacter pylori," of who had firsthand knowledge of the pioneer.

A remarkable work with original accounts that will never date, this book will inspire readers interested in gastroenterology, microbiology, or any facet of medical or scientific history.