I assume that you already know a good deal of microbiology. In this book, I frequently use the word "we" by which I mean "you and I." Together we are going to consider bacteriology from a broader perspective and we will think our way through the important biological problems that are frequently just skipped over in every microbiology course. My most important reason for writing this book is to make accessible the relevant thinking from fields of science other than microbiology that are important to microbiology. The book is written for people that have already have a fascination with bacteria, but can see that their background for understanding is far complete. This book consists of topics that are largely omitted from microbiology textbooks and includes some mathematics, physics, chemistry, and evolutionary biology. It contains a good deal of my own work, both experimental and theoretical, together with a lot of speculation. If ten times bigger, it would be a full text book on microbial physiology. A third of the microbial physiology is covered by the recent is no longer treated even in textbook by White (2000). Another third current specialized tests and is greatly underrepresented in text books.

Plant Pathogenic Bacteria includes symposia and research papers presented at the 10th International Conference on Plant Pathogenic Bacteria. The book provides the complete text of 22 symposia papers that summarize the state-of-the-art of the many facets of phytobacteriology including disease control, taxonomy, genetics of pathogenicity, virulence factors, as well as detection and diagnosis. These topics are also included among research papers, presented orally or as posters at the conference, and here presented in research paper format, conveniently separated in different sections by subject matter. This book will be an essential resource for scientists and students with an interest in plant pathogenic bacteria for it provides much new data and summarizes current thinking in almost all areas of the science. Nowhere else can one find so much information on plant pathogenic bacteria in a single resource.

Detailed information dealing with the ecology of mycobacteria is derived from a variety of different scientific fields such as botany, biochemistry, genetics, immunology, microbiology and epidemiology. This text attempts to evaluate this information from an ecological point of view and to develop a strategy for the prevention of tuberculosis and other mycobacterioses based on the ecological behaviour of mycobacteria, especially the potentially pathogenic species capable of either growth in the environment or provoking disease. Regarding the interests of the developing countries, special attention is paid to the ecology of Mycobacterium leprae and to the supporting effect of accompanying mycobacteria in its pathogenicity. On a more positive side, environmental mycobacteria play an important role in the ecology of moorland dragonflies.

Entomopathogenic bacteria (Bacillus thuringiensis and B. sphaericus) are increasingly used as biopesticides to control larval insect populations which are either agricultural or forestry pests and to reduce those which as adults are vectors of severe human diseases. This new book, the first since 1993 to address all aspects of entomopathogenic bacteria, provides undergraduate and graduate students as well as research scientists with a complete, modern view of this important group of bacteria. The authors, chosen for their sustained contributions to the field, cover both fundamental and applied research in this area. The main topics include bacterial ecology and taxonomy, toxin diversity, activity and mode of action, regulation and environment of the genes, safety and ecotoxicology, production and field application of the bacteria, and outbreaks of resistant populations. The book concludes with the most recent data obtained on transgenic biotechnology and addresses environmental impact issues.

Cyanobacteria make a major contribution to world photosynthesis and nitrogen fixation, but are also notorious for causing nuisances such as dense and often toxic blooms' in lakes and the ocean. The Ecology of Cyanobacteria: Their Diversity in Time and Space is the first book to focus solely on ecological aspects of these organisms. Its twenty-two chapters are written by some thirty authors, who are leading experts in their particular subject. The book begins with an overview of the cyanobacteria - or blue-green algae, for those who are not specialists - then looks at their diversity in the geological record and goes on to describe their ecology in present environments where they play important roles. Why is one of the key groups of organisms in the Precambrian still one of the most important groups of phototrophs today? The importance of ecological information for rational management and exploitation of these organisms for commercial and other practical purposes is also assessed. Accounts are provided of nuisances as well as the ecology of the commercially successful Spirulina and the role of cyanobacteria in ecosystem recovery from oil pollution. Many chapters include aspects of physiology, biochemistry, geochemistry and molecular biology where these help general understanding of the subject. In addition there are three chapters dealing specifically with molecular ecology. Thirty-two pages of colour photos incorporate about seventy views and light micrographs. These features make the book valuable to a wide readership, including biologists, microbiologists, geologists, water managers and environmental consultants. The book complements the highly successful The Molecular Biology of Cyanobacteria already published by Kluwer.

Creating bacteria with modified genetic properties allows the specific investigation of these microorganisms. Electrotransformation is a highly efficient and easy to apply technique to introduce genetic material into bacterial cells. A strong electric field is used for this purpose.
In the present manual, protocols for the transformation of about 40 strains of bacteria are described. Emphasis is placed on the individual critical procedural steps, since the practical details mainly depend on the bacterial strain under investigation. This presentation together with the theoretical introductionary chapters, allows the user to modify and adapt each protocol to his/her own experiments. Bacterial strains with relevance in the food industry, biotechnology, medical and veterinary fields, agroindustry and environmental sciences are covered.

Strategies of Bacterial Interaction with Eukaryotic Cells *Tobias A. Oelschlaeger and Jorg Hacker 1. BENEFICIAL BACTERIAL-HOST INTERACTIONS Already during birth and soon thereafter mammals are colonized by bacte- ria belonging to the resident microbial flora. Cutaneous and mucosal sur- faces and the gastrointestinal tract are the areas which become colonized. These indigenous or autochthonous bacteria have a variety of beneficial effects on their hosts. They play a protective role by bacterial antagonism in fighting infections (Hoszowski and Truszczynski, 1997; Hentges, 1979). Pro- duction of vitamin K is another essential contribution of the resident microbial flora to the health of the host (Hill, 1997). Even more important, studies with germ-free animals demonstrated the involvement of the microbial flora on the development of the immune system. Such animals have underdeveloped and relatively undifferentiated lymphoid tissues and low concentrations of serum immune globulins ( Cebra et at., 1998). They TOBIAS A. OELSCHLAEGER and JORG HACKER Institut filr Molekulare lnfektionsbiologie, Universitiit Wiirzburg, 97070 Wiirzburg, Germany. *Corresponding author; Phone: (0)931-312150; FAX: (0)931-312578; E-mail: [email protected] xxix Tobias A. Oelschlaeger and Jorg Hacker also show defects in specific immune responsiveness and in nonspecific resistance induced by endotoxin, which may account for their lowered resis- tance. A more typical example of symbiotic interaction of bacteria with a host are bacteria like Ruminococcus in the gut of ruminants, essential for degradation of cellulose (Hobson, 1988). The closest benefical bacterial-host interactions are those of intracellular symbiotic bacteria and their host cells.

Detailed information dealing with the ecology of mycobacteria is derived from a variety of different scientific fields such as botany, biochemistry, genetics, immunology, microbiology and epidemiology. This is the first attempt to evaluate this information from an ecological point of view and to develop a strategy for the prevention of tuberculosis and other mycobacterioses based on the ecological behavior of mycobacteria, especially the potentially pathogenic species capable of either growth in the environment or provoking disease. Regarding the interests of the developing countries, special attention is paid to the ecology of Mycobacterium leprae and to the supporting effect of accompanying mycobacteria in its pathogenicity. On a more positive side, environmental mycobacteria play an important role in the ecology of moorland dragonflies. Such a book is needed for specialists working in the field of mycobacterial research, clinical laboratories, the public health service, food hygiene, the water industry and in general ecology.

Research on bacterial adhesion and its significance is a major field involving many different aspects of nature and human life, such as marine science, soil and plant ecology, most importantly, the biomedical field. The adhesion ofbacteria to the food industry, and human tissue surfaces and implanted biomaterial surfaces is an important step in the patho genesis of infection. Handbook 0/ Bacterial Adhesion: Principles, Methods, and Applications is an outgrowth of the editors' own quest for information on laboratory techniques for studying bacte rial adhesion to biomaterials, bone, and other tissues and, more importantly, a response to significant needs in the research community. This book is designed to be an experimental guide for biomedical scientists, biomaterials scientists, students, laboratory technicians, or anyone who plans to conduct bacterial adhesion studies. More specifically, it is intended for all those researchers facing the chal lenge of implant infections in such devices as orthopedic prostheses, cardiovascular devices or catheters, cerebrospinal fluid shunts or extradural catheters, thoracic or abdominal catheters, portosystemic shunts or bile stents, urological catheters or stents, plastic surgical implants, oral or maxillofacial implants, contraceptive implants, or even contact lenses. It also covers research methods for the study of bacterial adhesion to tis sues such as teeth, respiratory mucosa, intestinal mucosa, and the urinary tract. In short, it constitutes a handbook for biomechanical and bioengineering researchers and students at all levels."

The Lactic Acid Bacteria is planned as a series in a number of volumes, and the interest shown in it appears to justify a cautious optimism that a series comprising at least five volumes will appear in the fullness of time. This being so, I feel that it is desirable to introduce the series by providing a little of the history of the events which culminated in the decision to produce such a series. I also wish to indicate the boundaries of the group 'The Lactic Acid Bacteria' as I have defined them for the present purposes, and to outline my hopes for future topics in the series. Historical background lowe my interest in the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) to the late Dr Cyril Rainbow, who introduced me to their fascinating world when he offered me a place with him to work for a PhD on the carbohydrate metabolism of some lactic rods isolated from English beer breweries by himself and others, notably Dr Dora Kulka. He was particularly interested in their preference for maltose over glucose as a source of carbohydrate for growth, expressed in most cases as a more rapid growth on the disaccharide; but one isolate would grow only on maltose. Eventually we showed that maltose was being utilised by 'direct fermentation' as the older texts called it, specifically by the phosphorolysis which had first been demonstrated for maltose by Doudoroff and his associates in their work on maltose metabolism by a strain of Neisseria meningitidis.

In ancient times foods fermented with lactic acid bacteria already constituted an important part of the human diet. From then on, lactic acid bacteria have played an essential role in the preservation of food raw materials and have contributed to the nutritional, organoleptic and health properties of human food products and animal feed. The important function that lactic acid bacteria still have in the production of foods all over the world has resulted in a growing scientific interest in these micro-organisms by academic research groups as well as by industry. During the last 15 years, this research has been stimulated by major internationally coordinated funding efforts that have resulted in a variety of important scientific breakthroughs and have led to new applications. Written by international experts in the field, this issue of Antonie van Leeuwenhoek documents these developments with respect to genetics, metabolism and the application of lactic acid bacteria for industrial and potential medical applications. In this book the first complete genome of a lactic acid bacterium is presented. The book will serve as a reference source and also as an indispensable source of information for further development and exploration of the field.

In a sense, propionic acid bacteria are domesticated bacteria. They might have been used for cheese making as early as 9000 years Be. In the last 40 years their pmctical uses have expanded to include vitamin B12 and propionic acid production, bread baking, starters for ensilage and some pharmaceutical prepamtions. New prospects for their future uses are also emerging, based on the useful properties recently discovered. This monograph is the result of many years of investigating propioni bacteria by the faculty, staff and postgraduate students in the Department of Microbiology at the Moscow State University, as well as a number of scientists in other countries. The encouragement and various contributions of my colleagues has made this book possible, which might as well be entitled "My life with propionic acid bacteria," since these bacteria were the subject of our investigations for more than 40 years. I hope that this book will be of interest not only to scientists of biological specialties, but also to those associated with industrial firms and medical institutions. L.l. Vorobjeva IX Acknowledgements Writing a monograph is impossible without the cooperation of many people I am very grateful to all my postgraduate students - thirty of them - who work at present not only in Russia, but also in various other countries, including Canada, Cuba, Egypt, India, Iran and Vietnam. Many thanks are due to my colleagues who shared my scientific interests and enthusiasm in experimental research. Special thanks are to N. Baranova, E. lordan, N."

The Archaea, or archaebacteria, constitute the fifth kingdom of living organisms, as distinct from true bacteria as from fungi, animals, and plants. They were very likely the first life forms, from which all other living things evolved, because they are naturally adapted to thrive in the anoxic extreme environments that prevailed when life originated on the earth. Less than 20 years ago they were discovered inhabiting hot springs, salt pans, animal rumens, deep sea vents, soils, and deeply buried sediments in environments in which other life forms could not survive. Their discovery has given a unique vantage on the principles of life, because they present unique life histories and metabolisms, in effect a novel, previously unrecognized type of life. Many of the Archaea are of significant commercial importance; for instance, PCR, which has revolutionized molecular biology, is based on enzymes found in a member of the Archaea that was originally found in a hot geyser pool in Yellowstone National Park.

This book contains the Proceedings of the Ninth International Symposium on Pho- totrophic Prokaryotes (IXth ISPP) which was held in Vienna, Austria, from September 6-12,1997. In 1973, the far-sighted efforts of Gerhart Drews, Roger Y. Stanier, and Nor- bert Pfennig launched the first ISPP as a joint forum for scientific discussion of all aspects of research on phototrophic prokaryotes, both anoxygenic and oxygenic (cyanobacteria or blue-green algae). The ISPP International Scientific Committee, a rather loose community of scientists (see page vii for a list of current members), has since been responsible for the organization of the ISPPs on a triennial basis, without any dedicated financial support from a society, membership fees, or similar. The success of the ISPPs is therefore due to the continued enthusiasm of the scientific community for such a forum, as exemplified by the rise in attendance from 79 (1 st ISPP) to more than 400 active scientists (plus depen- dants) from all five continents in Vienna. Comparing the Book of Abstracts of 1973 with that of 1997 reflects the tremendous change that has occurred in the last 25 years in scien- tific research on phototrophic prokaryotes. Two noteworthy examples of such change are the significant shift in emphasis from anoxyphototrophs to cyanobacteria and the advent of molecular genetics, culminating at the 9th ISPP in the first complete genomic DNA se- quence of a phototrophic prokaryote, viz. the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC6803.

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The genus Pseudomonas represents a large group of medically and envi ronmentally important bacteria. Interest in these bacteria is reflected in the extensive number of publications devoted to original research, re views, and books on this subject. In this volume selected areas of Pseu domonas research are presented in depth by persons who have been active in their fields over many years. The extensive reviews presented are an effort to provide a balanced perspective in a number of areas not readily available in the current literature. In the style of the previous Biotechnology Handbooks most of these topics have not been reviewed at all, and several are also presented from a new direction. For example, in addition to structural and compositional aspects, the chapter on lipids provides shifts in lipid parameters that result from environmental changes. This information will be invaluable to a cross section of Pseu domonas researchers in pathogenesis and bioremediation. The chapters presented include basic aspects of plasmid biology and carbohydrate metabolism and regulation. A major emphasis is placed on the Pseudomonas aeruginosa cell surface. Chapters cover lipo polysaccharide, capsular polysaccharide and alginate, the outer mem brane, transport systems, and the flagellum. Uptake of iron is also neces sarily an important portion of the chapter on iron metabolism."

Over the last decade, interest in mycoplasmas has been greatly sti- lated by the spread of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP), caused by Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides SC, in Europe and Africa and the discovery of a possible association between mycoplasmas and AIDS. During this period there has also been a recognition by control authorities and int- national organizations, including the Office International des Epizooties, that mycoplasmas are major causes of economic loss in livestock and continue to be a problem in humans as a result of a range of chronic respiratory and urogenital diseases. However, it is likely that the true significance of my- plasmas is still underestimated because of the difficulties in working with these extremely fastidious microorganisms. Advances in such laboratory technology as DNA amplification has enabled the detection of unrecoverable mycoplasmas in tissue samples and this will provide us with a better understanding of their role in disease. Important developments have also been seen in more conv- tional areas such as serological tests and media formulation enabling improved recovery and identification. Mycoplasma Protocols provides in a single volume up-to-date and easy-- follow methods for the detection, isolation, identification, and characterization of mycoplasmas, with a major emphasis on those of medical and veterinary significance. It also includes biochemical, genetic, and molecular techniques that will form the basis of understanding pathogenicity and, particularly, - hesion to host cells.

As this book. Antibacterial Peptide Protocols, will attest, my enthusi asm for the field of antibacterial peptides is based on a conviction (and I am unashamed to say, prejudice) that these substances are in essence antibiotics produced by the host that then participate in host defense against infectious agents. Because of their capacity to exert antibiotic-like action against patho genic microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses), there is reason to believe that these agents will soon be used clinically to treat infectious diseases. In fact, in recent years, biotechnology companies have been formed for the sole purpose of developing antibacterial peptides for clinical use. It should be emphasized that antibacterial peptides will likely play a major role in the treatment of infectious diseases, particularly with the increasing prob lem of multidrug-resistant microbes and the relative dearth of new antibiotics being provided by pharmaceutical companies. The topic of this volume of Methods in Molecular Biology, the diverse methods used in research on antibacterial peptides, is thus quite timely. As the subject of antibacterial peptides develops into its own discipline (something strongly suggested by the explosion in the number of papers published over the past decade), it is essential that reliable techniques and strategies be made available not only to those of us in the field, but also to the newcomers and researchers in complementary disciplines."

During the last decade, research on Pseudomonas syringae pathovars and related pathogens has progressed rapidly, opening up many new avenues. The application of molecular genetics has provided new insights into determinants of pathogenicity and virulence. Progress has also been made in elucidating the chemical structures and modes of action of phytotoxins from Pseudomonas syringae; by establishing novel strategies for disease control; in biotechnological applications; by studying the resistant reaction of the plant with a combined biochemical and genetic approach; and in the development of new detection and identification methodologies as tools in epidemiological studies. With such rapid advances it becomes more and more difficult to keep abreast of the developments and concepts within disciplines, all involving research on pathovars of P. syringae. In an attempt to provide a balanced overview, recent developments in these rapidly expanding fields have been critically reviewed at the beginning of each chapter by internationally renowned experts. Our comprehensive coverage has been made possible because all the contributors to this volume presented their latest findings at the `5th International Conference on Pseudomonas syringae Pathovars and Related Pathogens' in Berlin, September 3-8, 1995. In this way, it was possible to bring together contributions from a wide range of fields including phytopathology, genetics, bacteriology, plant breeding, plant protection, and taxonomy. This book is not intended simply as a record of the proceedings of the Berlin Conference, but as an extension of recent findings and hypotheses put forward at the meeting. All papers published in this volume have been reviewed by the Editors.

This is the first book which deals with cyanobacterial nitrogen metabolism exclusively. It combines both environmental and biotechnological aspects. The chapters are contributed by leading researchers of the subject area.

The last decade has seen an explosive increase in the volume of research on and knowledge of lactic acid bacteria, organisms of prime importance for the production of dairy products and the fermentation of various vegetables. This issue of Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, written by international experts in the field, documents these recent exciting developments with respect to genetics, metabolism and application of lactic acid bacteria for industrial and potential medical applications. This book is essential for all researchers with an interest in the fundamental biology of Gram-positive bacteria, in particular in lactic acid bacteria and their applications, not only as a source of reference but also as an indispensable source of information for further development and exploration of this field.

For a long time, lactic acid bacteria have played an indispensable role in food production.
This book provides an overview and recent findings on their genetics and biochemistry as well as possible applications. The development and use of non-pathogenic lactic acid bacteria in vaccine delivery systems for mucosal immunizations are discussed. Their role in food fermentation, their use in carbohydrate modification and key systems for proteolysis and lantibiotic production are treated in detail. Further, the transformation of organic wastes into food and fertilizers is covered. The volume contains a wealth of useful information and can serve both as an introduction to the field for beginners and as a reference book.

BACTERIAL ADHESION Molecular and Ecological Diversity Edited by Madilyn Fletcher

Over the last twenty years, research has revealed the enormous complexity underlying the phenomenon of bacterial adhesion. The initial research goal was to understand the mechanism of attachment and its effects on the bacteria as well as the host. As research progressed, however, it became evident that many different attachment mechanisms exist. These diverse forms of adhesion are the results of numerous evolutionary pressures, and each may be part of a larger behavioral strategy.

This comprehensive overview details how diversity in habitat and ecological requirements has led to enormous variety in adhesive cell components, underlying genetic determinants, and behavioral strategies. It presents the latest research on adhesion mechanisms and strategies found in diverse environments and microorganisms, including the new environment of biomaterials.

Bacterial Adhesion: Molecular and Ecological Diversity examines adhesion as a strategy for nutrient access and as a phase in the complex behavior of life cycle processes. It covers the latest research and innovative approaches in the field, including:

• Conceptual advances in research on the adhesion of bacteria to oral surfaces
• Enhancing colonization in a fluctuating environment
• The cellulosome: a cell-surface organelle for the adhesion to and degradation of cellulose
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa—versatile attachment mechanisms
• Sensing, response, and adaptation to surfaces
• Myxococcus coadhesion and role in the life cycle

Edited by a leading authority on bacterial adhesion and featuring contributions from the field's leading experts, this book speaks to researchers in all areas of microbiology, biotechnology, environmental technology, and environmental science, as well as urology, immunology, and infectious diseases.

Bacterial Adhesion: Molecular and Ecological Diversity is the latest addition to the Wiley Series in Ecological and Applied Microbiology. Recent books in the series include:

• Microbial Transformation and Degradation of Toxic Organic Chemicals edited by Lily Y. Young and Carl E. Cerniglia
• Wastewater Microbiology by Gabriel Bitton
• Environmental Microbiology edited by Ralph Mitchell
• Biotechnology in Plant Disease Control edited by Ilan Chet
• Antarctic Microbiology edited by E. Imre Friedmann
• Effects of Acid Rain on Forest Processes edited by Douglas L. Godbold and Aloys Hüttermann

Based on the author's more than 40 years experience, Bacterial Growth and Form examines such important questions as what bacteria were, what they are, and what they do. Particular emphasis is placed on the ability of bacteria to establish their shapes as they grow and divide. By developing an understanding of the properties of these simple and early life forms, especially at the levels of physics and mathematics, the book provides insight into the mechanism used by bacteria to subvert physical forces to their own ends. A major consideration of this work is that prokaryotes do many of the same things that eukaryotes do, but with simpler equipment employed in an extremely sophisticated way. The book illustrates this point by closely examining the basic mechanismof hydrostatic or turgor pressure: how it functions for many of the mechanical purposes in the prokaryote, how it leads to mechanisms for resisting turgor pressure, and how it ultimately led to the development of exoskeletons and endoskeletons, and to the refinement of bacteria. Bacterial Growth and Form brings together biochemical, biophysical, and physiological principles in an authoritative, single-source volume. It provides researchers, and students in biophysics and microbiology with an indispensible reference and a new perspective into the biology of life.

Nitrogen fixation research is presented as a rapidly developing, synergistic area of modern science, using the methods of, and accumulating data from, many fundamental branches of biology and chemistry. These include catalytic mechanisms, protein structure and function, molecular organization of genes and the regulation of their activities, biochemistry of plants and microorganisms, the signalling and surface interactions between organisms, microbial taxonomy and evolution, formal and population genetics, and ecology. The relationships between biological nitrogen fixation research and different branches of applied biology are addressed and analyzed, such as: the monitoring of genetically engineered microorganisms, selection of plant-associated microbes, plant breeding, increasing the protein content of crops, providing ecologically safe food production, and diminishing the chemical pollution of the environment. Immediate impacts and long-term prospects for nitrogen fixation research are presented: both fundamentals and applications.