Algae, generally held as the principal primary producers of aquatic systems, inhabit all conceivable habitats. They have great ability to cope with a harsh environment, e.g. extremely high and low temperatures, suboptimal and supraoptimal light intensities, low availability of essential nutrients and other resources, and high concentrations of toxic chemicals, etc. A multitude of physiological, biochemical, and molecular strategies enable them to survive and grow in stressful habitats. This book presents a critical account of various mechanisms of stress tolerance in algae, many of which may occur in microbes and plants as well.

Worldwide concern in scientific, industrial, and governmental com munities over traces of toxic chemicals in foodstuffs and in both abiotic and biotic environments has justified the present triumvirate of specialized publications in this field: comprehensive reviews, rapidly published progress reports, and archival documentations. These three publications are integrated and scheduled to provide in international communication the coherency essential for nonduplicative and current progress in a field as dynamic and complex as environmental contamination and toxicology. Until now there has been no journal or other publication series reserved exclusively for the diversified literature on "toxic" chemicals in our foods, our feeds, our geographical surroundings, our domestic animals, our wild life, and ourselves. Around the world immense efforts and many talents have been mobilized to technical and other evaluations of natures, locales, magnitudes, fates, and toxicology of the persisting residues of these chemicals loosed upon the world. Among the sequelae of this broad new emphasis has been an inescapable need for an articulated set of authorita tive publications where one could expect to find the latest important world literature produced by this emerging area of science together with documentation of pertinent ancillary legislation."

The papers published herein comprise the presentations given at the eighteenth of an annual series of clinical symposia arranged under the auspices of the Eastern Pennsylvania Branch of the American Society for Microbiology. This symposium allowed approximately 200 persons to gather and exchange ideas on the rapid laboratory diagnosis of infectious diseases. The institution of the Diagnosis Related Group (DRG) method for reimbursement by both government agencies and private insurance carriers has provided a financial aspect to the established clinical reasons for rapid laboratory diagnosis. Now the health of the institution, as well as the patient, is dependent on a timely diagnosis and, hopefully, cure. Accordingly, the goal of this symposium was to present the latest developments in "same-day microbiology." In the face of stable or diminishing resources, the laboratory director is presented with many choices. Do nucleic acid probes, non instrumental ELISA techniques, or time-resolved fluorometry have a place in his or her laboratory? Should the laboratory test for newly described human pathogens such as human immunodeficiency virus or human papilloma virus? Can rapid techniques supplant conventional methods? Or are they merely adjunctive? This symposium attempted to assist in the formulation of informed decisions. Bruce Kleger Donald Jungkind Eileen Rinks Linda A. Miller vii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We would like to thank the Eastern Pennsylvania Branch of t e American Society for Microbiology for sponsoring this symposium and for making this publication possible. We especially thank the Symposium Committee for their diligent work in organizing an informative and successful symposium."

The chapters making up this volume are based on the presentations given by their authors at the NATO Advanced Research Workshop (ARW) , also entitled "The Microbiology of Atmospheric Trace Gases: Sources, Sinks and Global Change Processes", held between 13-18 May 1995 at II Ciocco, Castelvecchio Pascoli, Tuscany, Italy. Four reports of Working Group discussions on aspects of trace gas microbiology and climate change are also included in the volume, prepared by rapporteurs designated at the ARW. All the papers here presented have been subjected to peer review by at least two referees and corrections and amendments made where necessary before their acceptance for pUblication in this volume. The ARW was set up to address a wide range of issues relating to atmospheric trace gas microbiology and the organizing group was aware of the burgeoning of studies on gas metabolism and on global effects of atmospheric trace gases over the past two decades. This research effort has led to a number of specialist and generalist meetings including the triennial series of symposia on the metabolism of one-carbon compounds, colloquia concerned with dimethyl sulfide and its precursor, DMSP, through to the Intergovernmental Panels on Climate Change, which have addressed the impact of increasing levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and chlorofluorocarbons on global climate. Over recent years methane and nitrous oxide showed rates of increase in the atmosphere of 40-48 and 3-4. 5 Tg/year, respectively.

Organic matter in aquatic environments consists mostly of large compounds which cannot be taken up and utilized directly by microbial cells. Prior to incorporation, polymeric materials undergo degradation by cell-bound and extracellular enzymes produced by these microbes; in fact, such enzymatic mobilization and transformation is the key process which regulates the turnover of organic as well as inorganic compounds in aquatic environments. This volume brings together studies on enzymatic degradation processes from disciplines as diverse as water and sediment research, bacterial and algal aquatic ecophysiology, eutrophication, and nutrient cycling and biogeochemistry, in both freshwater and marine ecosystems. Its scope extends from fundamental research exploring the contribution of microbial enzymatic processes to whole ecosystem functioning to practical applications in water biotechnology. The first comprehensive publication providing an overview of this emerging field of enzymology, Microbial Enzymes in Aquatic Environments will be of great interest to ecologists and microbiologists alike.

Research on decomposer communities of terrestrial ecosystems for a long time has focussed on microbial biomass and gross turnover parameters. Recently, more and more attempts are made to look beyond the biomass, and more specifically determine functions and populations on a smaller scale-in time and space. A multitude of techniques is being improved and developed. Garland and Mills (1991) triggered a series of publications on substrate utilization tests in the field of microbial ecology. Despite several promising results for different applications in different laboratories, many problems concerning the assay and the interpretation of results became evident. After individual discussions on the approach with colleagues from various laboratories we started to plan a workshop on the matter. The response on our first circular was extraordinary, and instead of a small workshop it became a meeting with almost 150 participants. The meeting was named 'Substrate use for characterization of microbial communities in terrestrial ecosystems' (SUBMECO) and was held in Innsbruck, Austria, from Oct. 16-18, 1996. The very focussed scope attracted enthusiastic advocates of the approach, and also serious critics. Some of the topics concerned improvements of current inoculation and incubation techniques, ranging from sample pre-treatment, inoculum density and incubation temperature to statistical data handling. New methods for calculating microbial diversity were proposed, as well as bootstrap methods that allow statistics with many variables on a relatively low number of replicates.

In our contemporary world, scientific heritage is cal Mycology infrastructure are recognized for their often forgotten. Many important contributions dur- scholarly and authoritative contributions. This book ing the past 100 years in research, teaching, and is truly a landmark publication towards ensuring diagnosis have had a profound impact upon the that the past, present, and future are connected to evolution of Medical Mycology in the United States. each other. This book, written by Dr Espinel-Ingroff, makes a Libero Aje/lo, Ph. D significant contribution towards ensuring that those who have laid the foundation for our current Medi- Michael R. McGinnis, Ph. D vii Acknowledgments The invaluable editorial assistance and creative I owe a debt of appreciation to the following reinforcement of my husband, David Ingroff, was individuals for their assistance during the gathering especially important during the preparation of this of the data including the mailing of the question- book. Special thanks go to Drs Libero Ajello, naires: Drs Michael Rinaldi and William Merz, Michael McGinnis, and William Blake for their President and Treasurer, respectively, of the Medical Mycological Society support, guidance, encouragement, and continuous of the Americas in 1994; the Medical College of Virginia Tompkins McCaw's editorial assistance. I would like to thank the numer- ous medical mycologists who responded to the Library week-end staff and the Library Interloan questionnaire and/ or made themselves available for Service; J. Kerr, Archivist of the American Society interviews. Also, Drs Glenn Bulmer, Timothy for Microbiology; Drs W. Dismukes and M.

I think the reader will agree that we have attained a good balance in Volume 6 between human-or animal-host and plant-host-related topics from outstanding research scientists. In Chapter 1, Frank Collins, Susan Paskewitz, and Victoria Finnerty explore the potential of recombinant DNA technology to distinguish indi vidual species and to establish phylogenetic relationships among member species in the Anopheles gambiae species complex, which includes the principal malaria vectors. Currently, relatively little is known about these morphologically identical species that are sympatric over most of their range but are not always equally involved in malaria transmission. With respect to individual species identification, the researchers have thus far described two DNA fragments, derived from the ribosomal DNA interge nic spacer region, that reliably distinguish five species in the complex by means of an RFLP visualized on a Southern blot. They have also described other species-specific fragments derived from a ribosomal DNA intron that could form the basis for a rapid dot blot assay. With respect to the phylogenetic relationships among member species in the complex, Collins, Paskewitz, and Finnerty focus on a comparison at the level of restriction site mapping and Southern analysis of the rDNA intergenic spacer regions. As expected, the two spacer regions near the coding region junctions are well conserved among the species, whereas the central regions tend to be highly variable among member species in the complex."

Toxic cyanobacteria are increasingly recognised as a potential hazard in water for human use. The recent availability of methods for quantitative screening is leading to a surge of research on their occurrence. This book presents a novel compilation of extensive screening results showing the cyanotoxin levels that may be expected when certain taxa dominate. These results indicate cyanotoxins to be the most widespread among the chemicals of concern in water used for drinking and recreation. It further combines field data with results from laboratory culture experiments to suggest a unifying view of how environmental factors control the cyanotoxin levels in natural waters. A practical section is dedicated to the exposure of humans through drinking-water and recreation.

This volume gives an overview of pro tea some-mediated protein degradation and the regulatory role of the ubiquitin system in cellular proteolysis. The first chapter describes the molecular evolution of the proteasome and its associated activators, i. e., the 20S core, the base and the lid of the 19S cap, and the 11 S regulator. The ensuing chapter gives an overview of the structure and assembly of the 20S proteasome and the regulation of the archaeal proteasome by PAN. The third contribution summarizes our knowledge on the eukaryotic 26S proteasome and its regulation by the 19S regu lator, followed by a chapter devoted to the llS regulator, which elucidates the structural basis for the 11 S-mediated activation of the 20S proteasome. The fifth chapter reviews in detail the role of the proteasome in the immune response. The subsequent chapter of the natural substrates of the gives a comprehensive description proteasome and their recognition by the enzymes of the ubiqui tination machinery. The penultimate chapter rounds up the in formation on intracellular distribution of proteasomes in yeast and mammalian cells, while the last contribution highlights proteasome inhibitors, tools which proved to be very valuable for dissecting the cellular roles of the proteasome and which might turn out to be of pharmacological importance."

At present, there is growing interest in high pressure bioscience and biotechnology. The activities are nearly equally distributed between fundamental research and applications. With original work on marine and terrestrial microbiology, biochemicstry, molecular biology, deep-sea diving, food science and other industrial applications, this book covers the whole range of current high pressure bioscience. Advances in High Pressure Bioscience and Biotechnology will be welcomed by all industrial and academic researchers who are working in this field.

Cell signalling lies at the heart of many biological processes and currently is the focus of intense research interest. In multicellular organisms, it is central to how different types of cell communicate with each other and how they detect and respond to extracellular signals. Intercellular communication is vital to single-celled organisms as well, allowing them to respond to environmental cues and signals.

To date, much of the understanding of signalling mechanisms has come from research on specific cell types (eg mouse lymphocyte and cardiomyocyte) or on organisms in which communication systems such as nervous and endocrine systems are well established. This volume therefore aims to 'fill the gap' by concentrating on 'simple organisms' where the elements of those signalling systems first evolved. Many of the groups covered contain important pathogens or parasites, and the potential for manipulating signalling pathways for therapeutic intervention will be highlighted.

Mycoplasmas are placed in a separate class, Mollicutes, which removes them from bacteria. Their main characteristics are lack of a cellular wall and inability to synthesize the peptidoglycan polymer. The lack of a cell wall accounts for the pleomorphism, osmotic sensitivity, sensitivity to antibiotics that inhibit pep tidoglycan polymerization and synthesis, susceptibility to lysis by alcohol and detergents, and the ability to grow on agar gel. At present, three families are placed in the class Mollicutes: Mycotaceae, Acholetaceae, and Spiroplasmataceae. The first pathogenic mycoplasmas were discovered in Pasteur's laboratory nearly 90 years ago as the causative agents of a sheep disease. They were first named PPLO, pleuropneumonia-like organisms. In 1928, Nocard in France coined the name mycoplasma for PPLO, but his publication and the new name remained practically unnoticed until Leonard Hayflick and Robert Channock succeeded in culturing the "PPLO" of human "atypical virus pneumonia" in the United States in 1960. Hayflick resurrected the name given by Nocard and since then, the causative agent of human "atypical virus pneumonia" is known as Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Other mycoplasmas cause diseases in dogs, sheep, birds, cattle, pigs, etc."

The development of sustainable and renewable biofuels is attracting growing interest. It is vital to develop robust microbial strains for biocatalysts that are able to function under multiple stress conditions. This Microbiology Monograph provides an overview of methods for studying microbial stress tolerance for biofuels applications using a systems biology approach. Topics covered range from mechanisms to methodology for yeast and bacteria, including the genomics of yeast tolerance and detoxification; genetics and regulation of glycogen and trehalose metabolism; programmed cell death; high gravity fermentations; ethanol tolerance; improving biomass sugar utilization by engineered Saccharomyces; the genomics on tolerance of Zymomonas mobilis; microbial solvent tolerance; control of stress tolerance in bacterial host organisms; metabolomics for ethanologenic yeast; automated proteomics work cell systems for strain improvement; and unification of gene expression data for comparable analyses under stress conditions.

Systems Biology aims at deciphering the genotype-phenotype relationships at the levels of genes, transcripts (RNAs), peptides, proteins, metabolites, and environmental factors participating in complex cellular networks in order to reveal the mechanisms and principles governing the behavior of complex biological systems. Yeast Systems Biology: Methods and Protocols presents an up-to-date view of the optimal characteristics of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model eukaryote, perspective on the latest experimental and computational techniques for systems biology studies, most of which were first designed for and validated in yeast, and selected examples of yeast systems biology studies and their applications in biotechnology and medicine. These experiments under controlled conditions can uncover the complexity and interplay of biological networks with their dynamics, basic principles of internal organization, and balanced orchestrated functions between organelles in direct interaction with the environment as well as the characterization of short and long-term effects of perturbations and dysregulation of networks that may illuminate the origin of complex human diseases. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series, this volume contains the kind of detailed description and implementation advice that is crucial for getting optimal results. Practical and cutting-edge, Yeast Systems Biology: Methods and Protocols serves researchers interested in comprehensive systems biology strategies in well-defined model systems with specific objectives as well as a better knowledge of the latest post-genomic strategies at all 'omic levels and computational approaches towards analysis, integration, and modeling of biological systems, from single-celled organisms to higher eukaryotes.

The use of renewable bioenergy is increasing, and so is the production of associated wastes: biomass ashes. This book presents eleven chapters on the options for recycling such biomass ashes, ranging from their use as fertilizer in agriculture and forestry to their application as a supplement for the production of cement-based materials or bricks. The book also examines the pros and cons for each of the different uses of biomass ashes.

The bacterial lipopolysaccharide also known as endotoxin is exhaustively covered in the present work. Central emphasis is placed upon the fine chemical structure of the lipopolysaccharide and its significance for understanding their activity and function. In particular, the role it plays in the interaction of bacteria with other biological systems is examined. New aspects of their physicochemical biology are introduced and updates to the current knowledge concerning the lipopolysaccharide are provided. This important class of biomolecules has recently attracted the attention of many investigators, in particular for understanding its involvement in innate immunity, toll-like receptor recognition and intracellular signaling.

Bioaugmentation, biostimulation and biocontrol approaches using microbial inoculants, biofertilizers, biochemicals and organic amendments improve soil biology, fertility and crop productivity by providing plant growth-promoting nutrients and suppressing soil-borne diseases and plant-parasitic nematodes. Our knowledge of microbial diversity and its function in soils has been increased tremendously due to the availability of a wealth of data gained through recent advances in the development of molecular methods and metagenomics for the evaluation of microbial diversity and functions in the rhizosphere environment of soil. Chapters dealing with the application of biofertilizers and organic amendments are contributed by experts - authorities in the area of soil science including microbiology and molecular biology - from academic institutions and the industry.

This book presents the latest results in the exploration of halophilic bacteria, archaea, fungi and viruses. Basic and molecular aspects as well as possible biotechnological applications of halophiles are highlighted by leading scientists. Topics include: the family "Halomonadaceae"; the hypersaline lakes of Inner Mongolia; "Salinibacter ruber" - from genomics to microevolution and ecology"; "the" "impact of lipidomics on the microbial world of hypersaline environments; molecular mechanisms of adaptation to high salt concentration in the black yeast "Hortaea werneckii"; viruses in hypersaline environments; initiation and regulation of translation in halophilic Archaea; protein transport into and across haloarchaeal cytoplasmic membranes; protein glycosylation in "Haloferax volcanii"; the effect of anoxic conditions and temperature on gas vesicle formation in "Halobacterium salinarum"; halophiles exposed to multiple stressors; cellular adjustments of "Bacillus subtilis" to fluctuating salinities; the nature and function of carotenoids in "Halobacillus halophilus"; xanthorhodopsin; enzymatic biomass degradation by halophilic microorganisms; and enzymes from halophilic Archaea.

Understanding the origin of fecal pollution is essential in assessing potential health risks as well as for determining the actions necessary to remediate the quality of waters contaminated by fecal matter. As a result, microbial source tracking (MST) has emerged as a field that has evolved and diversified rapidly since the first approaches were described only a decade ago. In response to the emergence of MST, there have been three large multi-laboratory method comparison studies (two in the US and one in Europe), plus numerous workshops, book chapters, and review articles dedicated to synthesizing information on the topic. Furthermore, a federal (USEPA) guide document describing the uses and limitations of MST methods was published in 2005, and a book dedicated to MST as an emerging issue in food safety was published in 2007. These documents provide a collective body of literature on MST that is both conflicting and complementary, often repetitious, and difficult to condense and interpret. In addition, it does not reflect the current diversity of MST approaches with different organisms, newer methodologies such as quantitative PCR, and anthropogenic chemicals, nor does it embrace the scope of MST research being conducted around the world.

The three editors of the book, all with extensive MST expertise, have developed chapters and invited authors who reflect the rich diversity and truly international scope of MST. The unifying theme throughout the book is the design of more standardized approaches to MST that include performance criteria (regardless of method or organism), plus recommendations for field study design and MST implementation. The editors intend that this book will serve as a valuable reference for all those who are involved with

"Microorganisms in Foods 8: Use of Data for Assessing Process Control and Product Acceptance" is written by the International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods with assistance from a limited number of consultants. The purpose of this book is to provide guidance on appropriate testing of food processing environments, processing lines, and finished product to enhance the safety and microbiological quality of the food supply. Microorganisms in Foods 8 consists of two parts. Part I, Principles of Using Data in Microbial Control, builds on the principles of "Microorganisms in Foods 7: Microbiological Testing in Food Safety Management" (2002), which illustrates how HACCP and Good Hygienic Practices (GHP) provide greater assurance of safety than microbiological testing, but also identifies circumstances where microbiological testing may play a useful role. Part II, Specific Applications to Commodities, provides practical examples of criteria and other tests and is an updated and expanded version of Part II of "Microorganisms in Foods 2: Sampling for Microbiological Analysis: Principles and Specific Applications" (2nd ed. 1986). Part II also builds on the 2nd edition of "Microorganisms in Foods 6: Microbial Ecology of Food Commodities" (2005) by identifying appropriate tests to evaluation the effectiveness of controls.

Advanced Microbial Techniques in Agriculture, Environment, and Health Management provides current perspectives on the fields of agriculture, the environment and health. This important reference presents recent advancements in applied microbial technology, compiling it in a comprehensive manner and transferring applied microbial technology from laboratory conditions to field level. In 20 chapters, the book focuses on microbial interventions for all-inclusive, cost-effective environmental management tactics while also linking the cumulative microbial services involved in the up-gradation of agriculture, environment and health. In addition, the book offers detailed information on emerging environmental issues and proposes ways of controlling their consequences using different approaches to treatment.

Problem-based Learning Approach in Microbiology, is an organ-based study of microbiology and infectious diseases using real patient problems (cases) and cases edited for educational purposes. This approach uses case studies to stimulate interactive learning and to facilitate basic knowledge for clinical training. In seven sections, each problem in each section begins with a clinical case scenario and is followed by the learning objectives of the case. The "Question-and-answer" section facilitates student-tutor interaction, thereby resulting in a problem-solving approach. The etiological agent is then described in complete detail comprising the epidemiology and pathogenicity of the agent, and the host immune response, clinical manifestations, diagnostic, and therapeutic measures. This book includes a wide-spectrum of commonly encountered infectious diseases, emerging infectious diseases, and immunological diseases. This book caters to the need for fundamental knowledge through an alternative approach achieved by dividing the book into sections. This book facilitates a more effective learning process thereby ensuring better information retention, correlation with real-life scenarios, and better applicability of the concepts.

Aeromicrobiology provides a detailed and systematic analysis of the microbial communities and toxins collectively called bioaerosols that can be found in air. It provides information on the basics of Aeromicrobiology, the fate and transport of microorganisms in air, and the fundamental differences between intramural and extramural Aeromicrobiology. Leaning heavily on the current state of science, detailed information on the sampling and analysis of bioaerosol samples is provided. Subsequent chapters comprehensively discuss various airborne microbial groups and toxins, while the final chapter is dedicated to bioaerosol control strategies, biosafety, and biosecurity. There are limited resources on Aeromicrobiology. In rare instances where there are resources on Aeromicrobiology, they are often restricted to chapters in books or even supplementary materials. The emergence of new airborne pathogens, the aerosolization of microorganisms hitherto believed not to be airborne, and the proliferation of technologies for sampling, analysis, and control of bioaerosols makes it imperative for this title, which streamlines and succinctly presents the new body of knowledge in the field.

Having experienced unprecedented growth since the turn of the millennium, the dramatic expansion of resources and techniques in fungal genomics is poised to fundamentally redefine the study of fungal biology. In "Fungal Genomics: Methods and Protocols," expert researchers explore the three most likely fronts upon which the field will advance: the sequencing of more and more fungal genomes, the mining of sequenced genomes for useful information, and most importantly, the use of genomics sequences to provide a foundation for powerful techniques to explain biological processes. Much of the book is dedicated to explaining established and emerging genomics-based technologies in filamentous fungi, including gene expression profiling techniques, techniques for fungal proteomics as well as various case studies that could be adapted to a wide range of fungi. Written in the highly successful "Methods in Molecular Biology " series format, protocol chapters include brief introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step laboratory protocols, and key unpublished tips, potential pitfalls, common mistakes, and special considerations based on the unique experiences of the contributors.

Authoritative and cutting-edge, "Fungal Genomics: Methods and Protocols" provides fungal biologists at any stage of their careers a user-friendly resource for fungal genomics, especially as readers branch out into unfamiliar but exciting new areas of study."