For both volumes:
Expert investigators describe not only the classic methods, but also the many novel techniques they have perfected for the transfer of large DNAs into the cells of both microbes and animals via large-insert recombinant DNAs. Volume 1 presents readily reproducible techniques for library construction, physical mapping, and sequencing.. An accompanying volume, Volume 2: Functional Studies, provides a wide variety of methods and applications for functional analysis of the DNA-transformed organisms. Besides protocols, each chapter includes scientific reviews, software tools, database resources, genome sequencing strategies, and illustrative case studies.

This volume collects new information on the genomics of saprophytic soil Pseudomonas, as well as functions related to genomic islands. It explores life styles in different settings and sheds further insights on the wide metabolic potential of this microbe for the removal of pollutants and production of added-value products. This volume also explores how Pseudomonas responds and reacts to environmental signals, including detection of cell density.

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.

Genetic investigations and manipulations of bacteria and bacteriophage have made vital contributions to our basic understanding of living cells and to the development of molecular biology and biotechnology. This volume is a survey of the genetics of bacteria and their viruses, and it provides students with a comprehensive introduction to this rapidly changing subject. The book is written for upper level undergraduates and beginning graduate students, particularly those who have had an introductory genetics course.

The fifth edition has been extensively revised to reflect recent advances in the field. The book now has a reader-friendly look, with end-of-chapter questions, "Thinking Ahead" and "Applications" boxes to challenge students comprehension and insights. A complete glossary of commonly used terms has been revised and expanded.

"Alginates: Biology and Applications" provides an overview of the state of art of alginate material properties, genetics and the molecular mechanisms underlying alginate biosynthesis as well as applications of tailor-made alginates in medicine, food and biotechnology.

Topics treated are: material properties of alginates, alginate production: precursor biosynthesis, polymerization and secretion, bacterial system for alginate uptake and degradation, enzymatic alginate modification, alginate gene regulation, role of alginate in bacterial biofilms, microbial production of alginates: physiology and process aspects, alginate-based blends and nano/microbeads, applications of alginates in food, alginate and its comonomer mannuronic acid: medical relevance as drugs.

Genetics and Regulation of Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria This book is the second volume of a seven-volume series, which covers all fields of research related to nitrogen fixation - from basic studies through applied aspects to environmental impacts. Volume II provides a comprehensive and detailed source of information concerning the genetics and regulation of biological nitrogen fixation in free-living prokaryotes. This preface attempts to provide the reader with some insight into how this volume originated, how it was planned, and then how it developed over the several years of its production. Once the editorial team was established, the first job was to decide which of the many free-living diazotrophs that have been subjected to genetic analysis should be included in this volume. Would we need to develop specific criteria for selection or would the organisms, in effect, select themselves? Of course, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Azotobacter vinelandii, which have served (and still serve) as the main model organisms for the genetic analysis of diazotrophy, plus some of the other bacteria described in this volume, did indeed select themselves. However, there was considerable discussion surrounding well-characterized fixing species, like Azorhizobium caulinodans and Herbaspirillum seropedicae, both of which are able to fix atmospheric N under free-living conditions.

Microbial plant pathogens causing qualitative and quantitative losses in all corps are present not only in the infected plants, but also in the environmental comprising of soil, water and air. The vectors present in the environment spread the microbial pathogens to short and/or long distances. Detection of microbial pathogens rapidly and reliably by employing suitable sensitive applicable for different ecosystems. The pathogens have to be identified precisely and differentiated and quantified to plan appropriate short- and long-term strategies to contain the incidence and spread of diseases induced by them. This book aims to present all relevant and latest information on the detection techniques based on the biological, biochemical, immunological and nucleic acid characteristics of microbial pathogens presents in the host plants, as well as in the natural substrates that support the survival and perpetuation of the pathogens.

Bacteria change the surface of the Earth. All kinds of bacteria reside in the biosphere, and although sometimes they may cause damage, they also help in cleaning the surface of the Earth and in the circulation of various substances. Chemolithoautotrophic bacteria in particular have a unique and intimate relationship with inorganic substances and human beings. This book covers in detail advances in the biochemistry and physiology of several chemolithoautotrophic bacteria as well as their relationship to certain environments. Included are recent findings regarding the oxidation mechanisms of ammonia, nitrite, sulfur compounds, and ferrous iron by special bacteria. The characteristics of many cytochromes are described to further advance the understanding of bacterial oxidation systems of inorganic compounds. Applications of bacteria, such as in sewage treatment and in biohydometallurgy, among others, are detailed, and bacteria considered closest to the origins of life are discussed in the final chapter.

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 the methods currently available in molecular, structural, and evolutionary biology.

This book addresses multiple aspects of bacterial circadian programs: the history and background of the cyanobacteria and circadian rhythms in microorganisms, the molecular basis, structure, and evolution of the circadian clock, entrainment of the oscillator with the environment and the control of downstream processes by the clock, the demonstration of adaptive significance and the prokaryotic clock s remarkable stability, and mathematical and synthetic oscillator models for clock function.

Experts in the field provide a timely and comprehensive review and a stepping-stone for future work on this amazing group of microorganisms and timing."

Several cyanobacterial species can produce powerful toxins that provide a serious threat for water quality, other aquatic organisms, and human health. These harmful cyanobacteria are especially prominent in freshwater ecosystems, and are a major concern for water managers.

From a scientific perspective, there are many recent advances in this research area:
- Owing to the scientific revolution in genomics, new molecular techniques have been developed that enable the detection of toxic cyanobacteria at a very early stage.
- New laboratory culture techniques have enabled eco-physiological studies of toxin production at a detailed scale that was beyond reach until recently.
- Remote sensing of freshwater cyanobacteria is a rapidly expanding field, owing to the increased spectral resolution of airborne data.
- New computational techniques have led to advanced models on the population dynamics of cyanobacteria.

From a management perspective, recognition of the toxins produced by harmful cyanobacteria has recently led to new environmental policies with respect to toxic cyanobacteria in many western countries.

The purpose of this work is to provide an up-to-date overview of the advances in our knowledge of harmful cyanobacteria. The work is directed towards graduate students and scientists in aquatic microbiology, aquatic ecology, environmental toxicology, and water management, and academic professionals in water management and environmental policy.

"This is an outstanding volume that should be a 'must-see' reference for all scientists and environmental professionals who are interested in cyanobacterial ecology and water quality management." Val H. Smith, University of Kansas, USA

The Conference on Pseudomonas syringae which started in 1973 as an informal meeting of a group of scientists working on these bacteria in Angers, France, has become more and more important with time. Many meetings have been held since then: 1984, 1987, 1991, 1995, and 2002 in Cape Sounion, Greece; Lisbon, Portugal; Florence, Italy; Berlin, Germany; and Maratea, Italy; respectively. This Conference is considered as the most important scientific forum in which recent advances in different research aspects on Pseudomonas syringae, a plant pathogenic bacterial species that includes a high number of pathogens (referred as pathovars) and Related Pathogens such as Acidovorax, Burkholderia, Ralstonia, affecting several economically important crops. The proceedings resulting from these meetings are considered as valuable sources of information related to this group of pathogens. The interest in organising this conference regularly is reflected by the attendance of more than 80 scientists from 20 countries worldwide, who participated at the 7th International Conference on Pseudomonas syringae pathovars and related pat- gens organized by the Institut Agronomique et Veterinaire Hassan II in Agadir, Morocco, from 13th to 16th November 2006."

In the context of increasing international concern for food and environmental quality, use of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) for reducing chemical inputs in agriculture is a potentially important issue. PGPR are root-colonizing bacteria that exert beneficial effects on plant growth and development, but they can be also employed in the control of plant pathogens, for enhancing the efficiency of fertilizers, and for degrading xenobiotic compounds. This book provides an update by renowned international experts on the most recent advances in the ecology of these important bacteria, the application of innovative methodologies for their study, their interaction with the host plant, and their potential application in agriculture.

This volume covers major aspects of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) and the virus which causes it. Chapters are written by leading experts in their fields and detail historical, public health, epidemiological, and clinical aspects of CCHF and the genetics and molecular biology of the virus. Additional chapters focus on disease control, tick vectors and infection among animals, both natural and experimental.

This volume provides an overview of the latency strategies developed during the estimated 200 Myears long coevolution of Alpha-, Beta- and Gammaherpesvirinae and their host species. The main emphasis is on herpesviruses infecting humans. However, relevant cases if herpesviruses infecting animals are covered as well. Special emphasis is drawn on results on molecular mechanisms regulating latent promoters of herpesvirus genomes and signals and molecular pathways resulting in reactivation of latent viral genomes. To balance the volume, epigenetic mechanisms (DNA methylation, histone modification, chromatin structure) involved in cell type specific expression of growth-transformation-associated Gammaherpesvirus genes will also be discussed at length)

This book will cover both the evidence for biofilms in many chronic bacterial infections as well as the problems facing these infections such as diagnostics and treatment regimes. A still increasing interest and emphasis on the sessile bacterial lifestyle biofilms has been seen since it was realized that that less than 0.1% of the total microbial biomass lives in the planktonic mode of growth. The term was coined in 1978 by Costerton et al. who defined the term biofilm for the first time.In 1993 the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) recognised that the biofilmmode of growth was relevant to microbiology. Lately many articles have been published on the clinical implications of bacterial biofilms. Both original articles and reviews concerning the biofilm problem are available.

Chronic wounds, by definition, are those that remain in a chronic inflammatory state and therefore fail to follow normal patterns of the healing process. The chronic wounds present a challenge to physicians and patients alike because they are very difficult to heal, inflict a huge cost to society and impair the quality of life for millions of people. There are many factors that contribute to the development of chronic wounds. One of the most clinically significant impediments to wound healing is infections. Bacteria biofilm formation in wounds is the best unifying explanation for the failure of chronic wounds to heal. This book discusses how the formulation of effective and inexpensive products will be useful to resolve infected chronic wounds with biofilm-producing bacteria.

To cope with the increasing problems created by agrochemicals such as plant fertilizers, pesticides and other plant protection agents, biological alternatives have been developed over the past years. These include biopesticides, such as bacteria for the control of plant diseases, and biofertilizer to improve crop productivity and quality. Especially plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are as effective as pure chemicals in terms of plant growth enhancement and disease control, in addition to their ability to manage abiotic and other stresses in plants. The various facets of these groups of bacteria are treated in this Microbiology Monograph, with emphasis on their emergence in agriculture. Further topics are Bacillus species that excrete peptides and lipopeptides with antifungal, antibacterial and surfactant activity, plant-bacteria-environment interactions, mineral-nutrient exchange, nitrogen assimilation, biofilm formation and cold-tolerant microorganisms.

This important book discusses the ethical code regarding possible introduction of exogenous bacterial species into the environment, as well as various other applications of bacteria in environmental biotechnology.

Salmonellae are important pathogens, responsible for an estimated one million deaths and 100 million human infections annually. Their genomes are mosaic puzzles, results of lateral transfer events that occur within a stable genetic background. Extraordinary diversity of host ranges and pathogenicity traits between different strains are the consequence of both specific genome insertions/deletions and minute changes in genome composition. Genomic information decoded from a multitude of different Salmonella strains and new dramatic insights into pathogenic processes emphasize the fact that Salmonella research is currently at a very exciting juncture. In addition to their fascinating resilience in both the environment and eukaryotic hosts, Salmonella prefer tumors over any other location within the human host (by a factor of 1000 or more). This ability could propel Salmonella into future use as a therapeutic delivery agent to control and/or cure cancers. In this book, internationally accla

Molecular Genetics of Mycobacteria is a comprehensive collection of perspectives written by leading experts in the field. Molecular Genetics of Mycobacteria covers the key areas of current research in mycobacterial genetics, including genomics and genetic exchange, gene expression and regulation, proteomics, metabolism, biosynthesis, and drug sensitivities of M. tuberculosis, and presents genetic approaches for manipulating M. tuberculosis. This book is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in the molecular genetics and biology of mycobacteria. This title is published by the American Society of Microbiology Press and distributed by Taylor and Francis in rest of world territories.

At last, here is a graduate-level textbook that focuses on the very latest information on the molecular and cellular mechanism of several major foodborne bacterial pathogens. For the first time in the field, this book makes the link between foodborne illness and immunology. It also covers virulence genes and their regulation in the host or the food environment, pathogenicity testing models, clinical symptoms and prevention and control strategies. Unlike other textbooks this one also covers the host/parasite interaction to a level where readers have a real appreciation of the disease mechanism. It is imperative that we acquire a better understanding of foodborne pathogens. And this is what this brilliant and timely contribution to the subject offers.

ISPP2009, the 13th International Symposium on Phototrophic Prokaryotes, was held in Montreal, Canada, from August 9 to August 14. This was only the second time that the ISPP series was in North America. ISPP2009 was well attended with about 280 registered participants from over 30 countries. A stimulating and inf- mative program showcased the recent developments in this ever-evolving eld. This is always one of my favourite conference series to attend because not only does it inform my speci c research passions, it broadly educates me in ways that improve my teaching and increase my breadth of understanding in a variety of outside areas. Indeed, the ISPP series brings together a broad spectrum of interests, techniques, and disciplines. Both established researchers and newcomers to this eld gave oral presentations in a large number (80) of plenary and parallel symposia sessions which proved to have active audience participation and lively discussions. A large number of excellent poster presentations supplemented the oral program. I think that the high quality of the scienti c presentations, as well as the enjoyable social events, was widely appreciated. Things ran very smoothly, from the original registration to the closing ceremony, thanks to Isabel Stengler and her team at IS Event Solutions.

The OHOLO conferences are sponsored by the Israel Institute for Biological Research and take their name from the site of the ?rst meeting on the shores of Lake Kinnereth. The purpose of these meetings is, as it was at their inception over 50 years ago, "to foster interdisciplinary communication between scientists in Israel, and to provide added stimulus by the participation of invited scientists from abroad". The core of the organizers of the OHOLO conferences are scientists from the Israel Institute for Biological Research. From time to time a particular OHOLO conference cooperates with an international scienti?c organization. The present 46th OHOLO Conference marks the resumption of the OHOLO tradition after 8 years of interruption caused by events beyond our control. It is my belief that our uncomp- mising commitment to excellence in research and development in the various areas of science in Israel is essential to our survival in this troubled region. The OHOLO conference tradition is a re?ection of this conviction. The present 46th OHOLO Conference entitled: The Challenge of Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms - Mechanisms of Virulence and Novel Medical Countermeasures intends to address the unique virulence features and ho- pathogen interactions of microorganisms constituting emerging biothreat with emphasis on Y. pestis, B. anthracis, F. tularensis and Orthopox viruses. Accordingly we selected classical microbiological as well as genomic, proteomic & transcr- tomic approaches towards developments of novel prophylactic and post-exposure treatment, as well as updated strategies of diagnostics and bioforensics.

Bacteria have evolved with extraordinary abilities to regulate aspects of their behavior (such as gene expression) in response to signals in the intracellular and extracellular environment. Key to this are the diverse macromolecules (proteins or RNA) that sense change through direct interactions with chemical or physical stimuli. In recent years, there have been tremendous advances in understanding the structure and function of these signal receptors, and how interaction with the signal triggers changes in their activity and downstream events. For some systems, this understanding extends to the atomic level. In this unique book, an international team of experts reviews a selection of important model systems, providing a timely snapshot of the current state of research in the field. Sensory Mechanisms in Bacteria opens with an introductory chapter that reviews the diversity of signal recognition mechanisms, illustrating the breadth of the field. Subsequent chapters include descriptions

Includes a revised taxonomic outline for the phyla Bacteroidetes, Planctomycetes, Chlamydiae, Spirochetes, Fibrobacteres, Fusobacteria, Acidobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, Dictyoglomi, and Gemmatimonadetes based upon the SILVA project as well as a description of more than 153 genera in 29 families. Includes many medically important taxa.