Topics covered in this book include RNA silencing and its suppression in plant virus infection, virus replication mechanisms, the association of cellular membranes with virus replication and movement, plant genetic resistance to viruses, viral cell-to-cell spread, long distance movement in plants, virus induced ER stress, virus diversity and evolution, virus-vector interactions, cross protection, geminiviruses, negative strand RNA viruses, viroids, and the diagnosis of plant viral diseases using next generation sequencing. This book was anticipated to help plant pathologists, scholars, professors, teachers and advanced students in the field with a comprehensive state-of-the-art knowledge of the subject.

This book offers an overview of our current understanding of host defense peptides and their potential for clinical applications as well as some of the obstacles to this. The chapters, written by leading experts in the field, detail the number and diversity of host defense peptides, and discuss the therapeutic potential not only of antibacterial, but also of antifungal, antiviral, plant antimicrobial and anticancer host defense peptides. The authors provide new insights into their mechanisms of action and their immunomodulatory properties, and review recent advances in the design of novel therapeutic molecules. Lastly, their potential to prevent preterm births and Staphylococcus aureus infections is highlighted. The book is of interest to researchers, industry and clinicians alike.

This new edition provides a comprehensive look at the molecular genetics and biochemical basis of fungal biology, covering important model organisms such as Aspergilli while also integrating advances made with zygomycetes and basidiomycetes. This book groups a total of 15 chapters authored by expert scholars in their respective fields into four sections. Five chapters cover various aspects of gene expression regulation. These range from regulation in organismal interactions between parasitic fungi and their host plant, heavy metal stress and global control of natural product genes to conidiation and regulation through RNA interference. Two chapters are dedicated to signal transduction, highlighting MAP-kinase-dependent signaling and heterotrimeric G-proteins. Fungal carbohydrates are the subject of the third section, which addresses both polymeric cell wall carbohydrates and trehalose as an important, low molecular weight carbohydrate. The fourth section emphasizes the metabolism of major elements (carbon, nitrogen, sulfur) and critical cellular pathways for primary and secondary products.

The interactions between the plant, soil and microbes are complex in nature. Events may be antagonistic, mutualistic or synergistic, depending upon the types of microorganisms and their association with the plant and soil in question. Multi-trophic tactics can therefore be employed to nourish plants in various habitats and growth conditions. Understanding the mechanisms of these interactions is thus highly desired in order to utilize the knowledge in an ecofriendly and sustainable way. This holistic approach to crop improvement may not only resolve the upcoming food security issues, but also make the environment greener by reducing the chemical inputs. Plant, soil and microbe, Volume 1: Implications in Crop Science, along with the forthcoming Volume 2: Mechanisms and Molecular Interactions, provide detailed accounts of the exquisite and delicate balance between the three critical components of agronomy. Specifically, these two titles focus on the basis of nutrient exchange between the microorganisms and the host plants, the mechanism of disease protection and the recent molecular details emerged from studying this multi-tropic interaction. Together they aim to provide a solid foundation for the students, teachers, and researchers interested in soil microbiology, plant pathology, ecology and agronomy.

This book describes how microbes can be used as effective and sustainable resources to meet the current challenge of finding suitable and economical solutions for biopharmaceuticals, enzymes, food additives, nutraceuticals, value added biochemicals and microbial fuels, and discusses various aspects of microbial regulatory activity and its applications. It particularly focuses on the design, layout and other relevant issues in industrial microbe applications. Moreover, it discusses the entire microbial-product supply chain, from manufacturing sites to end users, both in domestic and international markets, providing insights into the global marketing of microbes and microbial biomass-derived products. Further, it includes topics concerning the effective production and utilization of eco-friendly biotechnology industries. It offers a valuable, ready-to-use guide for technologists and policymakers developing new biotechnologies.

This book intends to provide information about detection and health effects due to bacteria, fungi and viruses in indoor environments. The book will cover also information about preventive and protective measures to avoid health-hazardous. Case studies will be also addressed to enrich the book with the expertise of each invited author. The book also intends to fill a gap regarding information about all biologic agents, since most of the books available are dedicated to only one type of microorganisms. For various different biologic agents and metabolites this book will compile information about indoors presence, detection methods, exposure assessment and health effects. Several problems regarding the exposure of biologic agents will be presented through case studies, and also the implementation of preventive and protective measures to avoid/minimize exposure. Besides, all the book will focus on occupational health and/or public health point of view.

This book review series presents current trends in modern biotechnology. The aim is to cover all aspects of this interdisciplinary technology where knowledge, methods and expertise are required from chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, genetics, chemical engineering and computer science. Volumes are organized topically and provide a comprehensive discussion of developments in the respective field over the past 3-5 years. The series also discusses new discoveries and applications. Special volumes are dedicated to selected topics which focus on new biotechnological products and new processes for their synthesis and purification. In general, special volumes are edited by well-known guest editors. The series editor and publisher will however always be pleased to receive suggestions and supplementary information. Manuscripts are accepted in English.

This book reflects the use of cyanobacteria for the bioremediation of wastewater through different mechanisms and pathways of transformation and transfer of hazardous substances from one medium to another. The application of microorganisms for bioremediation is determined by their ubiquity, small size, high rate of reproduction and large surface-to-volume cell ratio. Mechanisms of interaction of cyanobacteria with inorganic pollutants include biosorption, bioaccumulation with an opportunity to obtain metal nanoparticles both on the cell surface and inside the cells as well as chelation and inclusion of metals in the composition of certain organic structures. Data presented in the book provides specialists in the field with useful information for bioremediation technologies as well as for obtaining valuable preparations using cyanobacteria.

The third edition of this volume expands upon the previous two editions with new and up-to-date methods and protocols. Chapters include step-by-step procedures involved in quantifying cell growth, baculovirus infection and cell metabolism, methods to isolate new cell lines and develop your own serum-free medium, and routine maintenance and storage of insect cell lines and baculoviruses, small- and large-scale recombinant protein production with the BEVS in both insect and mammalian cell culture and in insect larvae, production and characterization of baculoviruses, green fluorescent protein, tubular reactors and RNAi, and baculovirus/insect cell system to study apoptosis and generating envelop-modified baculovirus for gene delivery into mammalian cells. 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 key tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Baculovirus and Insect Cell Expression Protocols, Third Edition aims to not only aid the user in successfully completing the tasks described, but also stimulate the development of improved techniques and new applications of baculoviruses and insect cell culture.

Every time a cell divides, a copy of its genomic DNA has to be faithfully copied to generate new genomic DNA for the daughter cells. The process of DNA replication needs to be precisely regulated to ensure that replication of the genome is complete and accurate, but that re-replication does not occur. Errors in DNA replication can lead to genome instability and cancer. The process of replication initiation is of paramount importance, because once the cell is committed to replicate DNA, it must finish this process. A great deal of progress has been made in understanding how DNA replication is initiated in eukaryotic cells in the past ten years, but this is the first one-source book on these findings. The Initiation of DNA Replication in Eukaryotes will focus on how DNA replication is initiated in eukaryotic cells. While the concept of replication initiation is simple, its elaborate regulation and integration with other cell processes results in a high level of complexity. This book will cover how the position of replication initiation is chosen, how replication initiation is integrated with the phases of the cell cycle, and how it is regulated in the case of damage to DNA. It is the cellular protein machinery that enables replication initiation to be activated and regulated. We now have an in-depth understanding of how cellular proteins work together to start DNA replication, and this new resource will reveal a mechanistic description of DNA replication initiation as well.

This new edition offers detailed overviews covering a wide area of fungal growth and reproduction on the mechanistic and molecular level. It includes 18 chapters by eminent scientists in the field and is - like the previous edition - divided into the three sections: Vegetative Processes and Growth, Signals in Growth and Development, and Reproductive Processes. Major topics of the first section include dynamic intracellular processes, apical growth, hyphal fusion, and aging. The second section analyses autoregulatory signals, pheromone action, and photomorphogenesis and gravitropism abiotic signals. The third section reveals details of asexual and sexual development in various fungal model systems, culminating in fruit body formation in basidiomycetes, which is a sector of growing economic potential. Since the publication of the first edition of this volume in 1994 and the second edition in 2006, the field of fungal biology has continued to expand thanks to improvements in omics technologies and the application of genetic tools to an increasing variety of fungal models. Several additional chapters by a new generation of fungal biologists discuss this diversity and guarantee lively reading.

This book covers the applications of fungi used in biorefinery technology. As a great many different varieties of fungal species are available, the text focuses on the various applications of fungi for production of useful products including organic acids (lactic, citric, fumaric); hydrolytic enzymes (amylase, cellulases, xylanases, ligninases, lipases, pectinases, proteases); advanced biofuels (ethanol, single cell oils); polyols (xylitol); single cell protein (animal feed); secondary metabolites; and much more.

Fungal nanobiotechnology has emerged as one of the key technologies, and an eco-friendly, as a source of food and harnessed to ferment and preserve foods and beverages, as well as applications in human health (antibiotics, anti-cholesterol statins, and immunosuppressive agents), while industry has used fungi for large-scale production of enzymes, acids, biosurfactants, and to manage fungal disease in crops and pest control. With the harnessing of nanotechnology, fungi have grown increasingly important by providing a greener alternative to chemically synthesized nanoparticles.

This Volume presents protocols for investigating the genetic, metabolic and ecological potential and functional analysis of microbial communities. Methods are described for the creation and bioinformatic assessment of metagenomic and metatranscriptomic libraries, and for metaproteomic analyses, which provide important insights into the metabolic potential and interactions of community members. These in turn lead to specific hypotheses concerning the functional contributions of individual populations in the community, which may be investigated by the stable isotope probing approaches described in this Volume, making it possible to identify those community members primarily responsible for particular functions. Methods for the direct extraction of proteins from environmental samples for sequencing and activity tests are presented, providing a broad overview of prevailing metabolic activities and of the types of microbe involved in them. Protocols for the analysis of nutrient flow through microbial communities and for the modelling of dynamic physiological interactions in communities are also provided. Lastly, the book presents a protocol for the quantitative assessment of permissiveness for the transfer of conjugative plasmids, important agents of physiological change and evolution in microbial communities. Hydrocarbon and Lipid Microbiology ProtocolsThere are tens of thousands of structurally different hydrocarbons, hydrocarbon derivatives and lipids, and a wide array of these molecules are required for cells to function. The global hydrocarbon cycle, which is largely driven by microorganisms, has a major impact on our environment and climate. Microbes are responsible for cleaning up the environmental pollution caused by the exploitation of hydrocarbon reservoirs and will also be pivotal in reducing our reliance on fossil fuels by providing biofuels, plastics and industrial chemicals. Gaining an understanding of the relevant functions of the wide range of microbes that produce, consume and modify hydrocarbons and related compounds will be key to responding to these challenges. This comprehensive collection of current and emerging protocols will facilitate acquisition of this understanding and exploitation of useful activities of such microbes.

Significantly extended from the first edition, this book presents the basics of microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) in an accessible and concise manner. It explores strategies for recognizing, understanding, mitigating and preventing this type of corrosion, and investigates this topic from the point of view of an engineer. Chapters cover issues including stress corrosion cracking and microbial corrosion, the pros and cons of biocides, the involvement of magnetic bacteria in microbial corrosion, and cathodic protection based on recent research in microbial environments. The 2nd Edition provides new material examining the following topics: *The corrosion-related bacteria clostridia *Mathematical modelling of MIC, in particular fuzzy logic *A comparison of culture-independent methods with culture-dependent methods *Further practical strategies for dealing with MIC *Natural biocidesThis book has provided course material for the author's microbial corrosion workshops around the world, and it presents an invaluable resource to corrosion and integrity professionals working in a wide range of industries including power generation, oil and gas, marine, and mining. It is also intended for students and academics of corrosion engineering, materials science, microbiology, chemical engineering and welding.

This book covers broad areas in the conservation of microorganisms. It addresses the short, medium and long-term preservation of agriculturally important microorganisms, as well as culture collections and their roles. The respective chapters address topics such as conventional approaches to bacterial, fungal and algal preservation, as well as methods and strategies for preserving recalcitrant microorganisms. Readers will also find the latest insights into the preservation of vesicular-arbuscular (VA) fungi and ecology, diversity and conservation of endophytes, and entamopathogenic fungi. Microbes of animal and dairy origin, their preservation and biosafety issues are also explored. Microorganisms are the silent and unseen majority of life on Earth, and are characterized by a high degree of genetic and metabolic diversity. It is well documented that no branch of science or society is unaffected by microbial interventions. Researchers have documented microorganisms from such extreme and unique environments as deserts and hydrothermal vents, and with specific traits that are currently being exploited in agriculture, industry, medicine and biotechnological applications. Such great potential can only be found in microorganisms. The aim of this book - the first entirely devoted to the conservation of microorganisms, and to regulatory mechanisms for access and benefits sharing as per Biological Diversity (BD) Act 2002 - is to promote awareness of our world's microbial wealth, and to introduce readers to strategies and methodologies for the conservation of microorganisms, which could ultimately save human life on Earth.

This reference book includes 24 chapters written by a group of experts in the different fields of microfungi and cover a broad range of topics on microfungi. It provides the most updated information on the latest development in systematics and taxonomy of microfungi, new techniques which were developed in the last ten years and their application in microfungal research. After the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (Melbourne Code) was adopted by the Eighteenth International Botanical Congress Melbourne, Australia, July 2011, it has had a profound impact on mycology and its research. Fungal nomenclature changes and its significance to fungal taxonomy and naming of microfungi in the future is discussed in detail. Since dual names system for fungi developing both sexual and asexual states, and fungi developing only asexual state is no longer available, the first five chapters will clarify some confusion and provides perspective views on the direction for future research. The next nine chapters cover microfungi and their ecological roles or functions in the different habitats (air, indoor, aquatic, marine, plants, soils, etc). The remaining 13 chapters cover the relationship of microfungi and humans (good and bad) and usage or application microfungi in different industries, such as food, agriculture, forestry, green technology, pharmaceutics, and medicine, as well as in our daily life. The book bridges the gap between basic mycological research and applied mycology and provide readers a unique set of information and knowledge of microfungi generated from multiple angles in different fields of mycology.

This book discusses the practical applications of quorum sensing inhibitors for both human and plant health. Quorum sensing inhibitors that disrupt microbial biofilms can be employed to treat bacterial infections. The book describes the various bioactive molecules that can serve as quorum sensing inhibitors to combat deadly bacterial infections, in addition to several synthetic quorum sensing inhibitors. Quorum sensing is the mechanism through which bacteria develop antibiotic resistance. Intended to provide a clearer understanding of the practical applications of quorum sensing inhibitors, the book details how the problem of antibiotic resistance can be countered through the intelligent application of quorum sensing inhibitors.

This second edition provides a cutting-edge overview of physical, technical and scientific aspects related to the widely used analytical method of confocal Raman microscopy. The book includes expanded background information and adds insights into how confocal Raman microscopy, especially 3D Raman imaging, can be integrated with other methods to produce a variety of correlative microscopy combinations. The benefits are then demonstrated and supported by numerous examples from the fields of materials science, 2D materials, the life sciences, pharmaceutical research and development, as well as the geosciences.

This first volume of the Trilogy of Traditional Foods, part of the ISEKI Food Series, covers general and consumer aspects of traditional foods. It offers numerous recipes of traditional foods from across the world, with some chapters providing detailed descriptions on how to mix, cook, bake or store a particular food item in order to produce the desired effect. Traditional Foods; General and Consumer Aspects is divided into six sections. The first section focuses on general aspects of traditional foods and covers the perception of traditional foods and some general descriptions of traditional foods in different countries. This is followed by sections on Traditional Dairy Products, Traditional Cereal Based Products, Traditional Meat and Fish Products, Traditional Beverages and Traditional Deserts, Side Dishes and Oil products from various countries. The international List of Contributors, which includes authors from China, Bulgaria, Portugal, France, Norway, Romania, Slovakia, and Brazil, to name a few, shows its truly international perspective. The volume caters to the practicing food professional as well as the interested reader.

This book examines the utilization of algae for the development of useful products and processes with the emphasis towards green technologies and processes, and the requirements to make these viable. Serving as a complete reference guide to the production of biofuels and other value added products from micro and macro algae, it covers various aspects of algal biotechnology from the basics to large scale cultivation, harvesting and processing for a variety of products. It is authored and edited by respected world experts in the field of algal biotechnology and provides the most up to date and cutting edge information on developments in the field. Over the past decade there has been substantial focus and related literature on the application of algal biomass for the generation of novel processes and products. 'Algae Biotechnology: Products and Processes' encompasses a holistic approach to critically evaluating developments in the field of algal biotechnology whilst taking into account recent advances and building on the body of knowledge. Aspects of the effects of harmful algae are also discussed, as well as the potential commercial application of algal biotechnology, the techno-economic feasibility of algal biodiesel production and the use of genetic and metabolic engineering for the improvement of yield. Other bioenergy sources such as alcohol fuels, aviation fuels, biohydrogen and biogas are also covered. This book is intended for postgraduates and researchers working in the biofuels and algal industry; it constitutes ideal reference material for both early stage and established researchers.

In recent decades we have come to realize that the microbial world is hugely diverse, and can be found in the most extreme environments. Fungi, single-celled protists, bacteria, archaea, and the vast array of viruses and sub-viral particles far outnumber plants and animals. Microbes, we now know, play a critical role in ecosystems, in the chemistry of atmosphere and oceans, and within our bodies. The field of microbiology, armed with new techniques from molecular biology, is now one of the most vibrant in the life sciences. In this Very Short Introduction Nicholas P. Money explores not only the traditional methods of microscopy and laboratory culture but also the modern techniques of genetic detection and DNA sequencing, genomic analysis, and genetic manipulation. In turn he demonstrates how advances in microbiology have had a tremendous impact on the areas of medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

This volume presents a comprehensive perspective of the biopesticides Bacillus thuringiensis and Lysinibacillus sphaericus, from their basic biology to agriculture, forestry and public-health applications. It covers their ecology, virulence factors, and genetic characterization. The topics related to agriculture and forestry include mode of action, receptors of insect pests, and heterologous expression of toxins in insect cells and plants. Public-health researchers will find information on vector control programs with an emphasis on the Neotropical region. The book also discusses new products and the global market.

Volume II of the definitive series on the microbiology of wastewater treatment

The activated sludge process is the most versatile, commonly used wastewater treatment system in North America; however, many activated sludge processes frequently experience operational problems related to poor compaction or settleability of secondary solids and loss of secondary solids from the clarifier. Eschewing the technical jargon and copious chemical equations found in the majority of wastewater studies, Settleability Problems and Loss of Solids in the Activated Sludge Process speaks directly to plant operators, showing them how to identify and solve common problems and achieve maximum efficiency.

Michael H. Gerardi’s hands-on guide addresses the most common plant operational problems, such as increased costs, loss of treatment efficiency, and permit violations. Using numerous tables and illustrations, Settleability Problems provides microscopic and analytical techniques for troubleshooting and identifying the conditions responsible for settleability problems and loss of solids. It includes pictures of wet mounts and smears of acceptable and unacceptable microscopic conditions of the activated sludge and presents corrective measures for operational problems. Chapters include:

• Undesired Filamentous Growth
• Nutrient-Deficient Floc Particles
• Denitrification
• Slug Discharge of Soluble cBOD
• Viscous Bulking or Zoogloeal Growth
• Production and Accumulation of Foam and Scum

The Wastewater Microbiology Series tackles the critical topics of cost-effective operation, permit compliance, process control, and troubleshooting through a microbiological perspective. Volume II in the series, Settleability Problems will prove to be of unparalleled value to wastewater treatment plant operators as well as students of wastewater microbiology.