Mycorrhiza - the symbiosis between plants and fungi - plays a key role in plant life. This book reviews for the first time the current knowledge of 15 individual genera of ectomycorrhizal fungi. It is unique in that each chapter is dedicated to a single fungal genus, each written by internationally recognized experts on the respective fungal genera. It is thus an invaluable reference source for researchers, students and practitioners in the fields of mycorrhizal biology, mycology, forestry, plant sciences and soil biology.

All important aspects of thermophilic moulds such as systematics, ecology, physiology and biochemistry, production of extracellular and intracellular enzymes, their role in spoilage of stores products and solid and liquid waste management, and general and molecular genetics have been dealt with comprehensively by experts in this book which covers progress in the field over the last 30 years since the seminal book Thermophilic Fungi published by Cooney and Emerson in 1964. The experts have reviewed extensive literature on all aspects of thermophilic moulds in a very comprehensive manner. This book will be useful for graduates as well as post-graduate students of life sciences, mycology, microbiology and biotechnology, and as a reference book for researchers.

The environmental clean up industry has been estimated as having an annual turnover of $50 billion globally. With new regulations being written on addi tional chemicals that are just, now, becoming understood from a toxicological and environmental risk standpoint, this industry could expand even further. This is particularly true as more nations become industrialized. Typical conta minants that are of concern include agricultural byproducts, municipal wastes, industrial solvents, petroleum hydrocarbons, heavy metals, pesticides, radioac tive wastes, munitions, and other man made products. In order to treat and remediate these contaminants, practioners have several "tools" in the remediation "toolbox" including physical, chemical, and biological methods. One relatively new biological method that has been applied to address various environmental concerns is phytotechnologies. The method is defined as the use of vegetation to contain, sequester, remove, or degrade inorganic and organic contaminants in soils, sediments, surface waters, and groundwater. Although its roots were developed from other disciplines such as agronomy, agricultural engineering, chemical engineering, forestry, horticulture, hydroge ology, and microbiology, this set of technologies has grown substantially on its own in understanding of and application in the environmental clean up indus try around the world.

This book examines aspects of paediatric infectious diseases written by leading authorities in the field. It is based on a lecture given at the seventh Infection and Immunity in Children (IIC) course held at the end of June 2009 at Keble College, Oxford.

In 2002, sixty international specialists met to discuss problems of high P-unavailability as a soil nutrient for crops, and the hazards of increased phosphate input to aquatic habitats from industrial and mining activities, sewage disposal, detergents, and other sources. Among the presentations were updated solutions to enhance P-uptake by plants, bioremediation potential in the rehabilitation of ecosystems, taxonomic characterization interactions with mycorrizae, the physiological and molecular basis of PSM, and more.

Composting is increasingly used as a recycling technology for organic wastes. Knowledge on the composition and activities of compost microbial communities has so far been based on traditional methods. New molecular and physiological tools now offer new insights into the "black box" of decaying material. An unforeseen diversity of microorganisms are involved in composting, opening up an enormous potential for future process and product improvements. In this book, the views of scientists, engineers and end-users on compost production, process optimisation, standardisation and product application are presented.

The term Mycotoxin literally means poison from fungi. Mycotoxins are substances produced from fungal secondary metabolic processes, which impair animal health thereby causing great economic losses of livestock through disease. This book gives an overview of mycotoxins in feedstuff and ingredients. It lists the degree of contamination, concentration and country of origin/detection for each case of mycotoxin contamination. In addition, the book shows whether a feedstuff/ingredient is predisposed for a mycotoxin contamination, detailing the number of mycotoxins as well as number of citations concerning one feedstuff.

1 2 MARCEL B. ROBERFROID AND GLENN R. GIBSON 1 Universite Catholique de Louvain, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Avenue Mounier 73, B-1200 Brussels, BELGIUM 2 Food Microbial Sciences Unit, Department of Food Science and Technology, The University of Reading, Reading, UK It is clear that diet fulfils a number of important human requirements. These include the provision of sufficient nutrients to meet the requirements of essential metabolic pathways, as well as the sensory (and social) values associated with eating. It is also evident that diet may control and modulate various body functions in a manner that can reduce the risk of certain diseases. This very broad view of nutrition has led to the development of foodstuffs with added "functionality." Many different definitions of functional foods have arisen. Most of these complicate the simple issue that a functional food is merely a dietary ingredient(s) that can have positive properties above its normal nutritional value. Other terms used to describe such foods include vitafoods, nutraceuticals, pharmafoods, foods for specified health use, health foods, designer foods, etc. Despite some trepidation, the concept has recently attracted much interest through a vast number of articles in both the popular and scientific media.

Process integration has been one of the most active research fields in Biochemical Engineering over the last decade and it will continue to be so if bioprocessing is to become more rational, efficient and productive. This volume outlines what has been achieved in recent years. Written by experts who have made important contributions to the European Science, Foundation Program on Process Integration in Biochemical Engineering, the volume focuses on the progress made and the major opportunities, and in addition on the limitations and the challenges in bioprocess integration that lie ahead. The concept of bioprocess integration is treated at various levels, including integration at the molecular, biological, bioreactor and plant levels, but also accounting for the integration of separation and mass transfer operations and biology, fluid dynamics and physiology, as well as basic science and process technology.

This volume describes recent advances in the bioconversion of lignocellulosics. It starts with two articles on genetics and properties of cellulases and their re- tion kinetics and mechanisms. The cost of cellulases has been a hindrance to large scale use of enzymatic hydrolysis. Two articles on cellulase production by submerged fermentation and by solid state fementation are included to describe the state of the art in this area. Dilute acid hydrolysis of cellulose continues to be of interest as well as potentially useful. The most recent advances in this area is also covered. A great deal of progress has been made in genetic engineering for improved regulation of xylose fermentation by yeasts. An article on genetically engineered Saccharomyces for simulteaneous fermentation of glucose and xylose describes the importance advances made in production of fuel ethanol from lignocellulosic biomass. In recent years, there has been increasing interests in recycling and the reuse of scrap paper as well as environment considerations. A contribution is presented which describes the research perspectives in that area. Finally, recent advances in the use of lignocellulosic biomass for the p- duction of ethanol and organic acids are presented in two articles. Renewable resources are inevitably of great importance in the years to come. There is a never-ending search for better living conditions for human beings. The more resource materials can be recycled, the richer we will be.

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, biochemistry, 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.

In response to low iron availability in the environment most microorganisms synthesize iron chelators, called siderophores. Bacteria and fungi produce a broad range of structurally diverse siderophores, which all show a very high affinity for ferric ions.

"Microbial Siderophores" presents an up-to-date overview of the chemistry, biology and biotechnology of these iron chelators. Following an introduction to the structure, functions and regulation of fungal siderophores, several chapters focus on siderophores of pseudomonads. Here, the technique of siderotyping, which has proved to be a rapid, accurate and inexpensive tool for pseudomonad characterization and identification, is described. Further, the biological significance of siderophores of symbiotic fungi and the possible role of siderophores in pathogenesis are discussed. In addition to methodological approaches, chapters on the biotechnological production of siderophores and their application in promoting human and plant health are included.

The Springer Handbook of Auditory Research presents a series of compreh- sive and synthetic reviews of the fundamental topics in modern auditory - search. The volumes are aimed at all individuals with interests in hearing research including advanced graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and clinical investigators. The volumes are intended to introduce new investigators to important aspects of hearing science and to help established investigators to betterunderstandthefundamentaltheoriesanddatain?eldsofhearingthatthey may not normally follow closely. Each volume presents a particular topic comprehensively, and each servesas a synthetic overview and guide to the literature. As such, the chapters present neither exhaustive data reviews nor original research that has not yet appeared in peer-reviewed journals. The volumes focus on topics that have developed a solid data and conceptual foundation rather than on those for which a literature is only beginning to develop. New research areas will be covered on a timely basis in the series as they begin to mature. Eachvolumeintheseriesconsistsofafewsubstantialchaptersonaparticular topic. In some cases, the topics will be ones of traditional interest for which there is a substantial body of data and theory, such as auditory neuroanatomy (Vol. 1) and neurophysiology (Vol. 2). Other volumes in the series deal with topics that have begun to mature more recently, suchasdevelopment, plasticity, and computational models of neural processing. In many cases, the series - itorsarejoinedbyaco-editorhavingspecialexpertiseinthetopicofthevolume

Molecular Mechanisms of Plant and Microbe Coexistence presents studies on the complex and manifold interactions of plants and microbes at the population, genomics and proteomics level. The role of soil microbial diversity in enhancing plant health and plant microbe beneficial symbioses is discussed. Microbial communities are shown in the light of evolution. Main topics include genome coexistence and the functional genomics and proteomics of plant-associated microbes, which could form the basis for new environmentally benign strategies to combat infectious plant diseases and regulate plant growth. Further chapters focus on the role of signaling during the different stages of plant microbe coexistence, in symbiotic or pathogenic relationships, in quorum sensing and plant viral infections. Methods for studying the interactions in the root zone complement the book, which will certainly be of relevance in the practical application to agriculture, food security and for maintaining the balance of our ecosystems.

It was in 1908, when Prof. Kinue Ikeda, grandfather of Dr. T. Ikeda, a Japanese chemist discovered glutamic acid as a flavoring component in seaweed ("Kon bu") and soy hydrolysates. After neutralization with caustic soda, he isolated Mono Sodium Glutamate (MSG), a flavor enhancer that represented the initial product for the company Ajinomoto. The company's name is synonymous with its first product and MSG was setting the stage for large scale production of amino acids. MSG is still today's most important amino acid and flavor enhancer. This was not only the birth of the first industrial scale amino acid production from natural raw material hydrolysates but also the fundamental process for the isolation of other amino acids. Several proteins derived from soy, corn or wheat contain only approximately 10 20% glutamic acid and glutamine whereas the residues contain many other amino acids, such as the essential ones (leucine, isoleucine, valine, threonine, methionine, lysine, phenylalanine and tryptophan) and the semi essential ones (arginine, cyst(e)ine, histidine and tyrosine). It is, however, very difficult to separate and purify all these components from the crude initial hydrolysate and therefore not surprising that the market price for those amino acids was comparably high.

A Guide to the World of the Yeasts J. F. T. Spencer and D. M. Spencert As the well-known authority on yeasts, the late Professor Rose, frequently pointed out, it is impossible for one person to present, in a single volume, the details of the life, composiotion, habitats, relationships, and actual and potential uses to man kind of the 500 (at last count) known species of yeasts. This book confirms the truth of this statement. However, our aim is actually more modest than that, and this book is an attempt to introduce the general reader, and possibly some inter ested specialists, to the lives of the yeasts in their natural and more artificial habitats, their use by human beings, and to give some idea of the wonderfully complex activities within the yeast cell, the characteristics of the metabolism and molecular biology of yeasts, and the applications of these characteristics to life in the present-dayworld ofhuman existence. The book proceeds from a brief chapter on what is and is not known of the origins and early history of the yeasts, through a description of their classification, relationships, habitats and general life style, their external morphology and internal structures and mechanisms within their cells, the regulatory mechanisms controlling processes such as signal transmis sion, mating, cell fusion, and many others."

Most genetics textbooks deal adequately with plant and animal genetics, but tend to neglect fungi. The authors have produced a book that will compensate for this imbalance. This book discusses the genetics of fungi in a way that is attractive and challenging, succinct yet comprehensive, sensitive to commercial and applied aspects, yet also theoretical, dealing with their genetics from molecules to individuals to population. This short text will be an ideal supplement to the established basic genetics texts or can be used as the sole text for an advanced course devoted to fungal genetics.

Innate Immunity has long been regarded as the non-specific arm of immune response, acting immediately and in a generic way, to defend the host from infections. In the post genomic era, our knowledge of the innate immune system is enriched by findings on the specificity of innate immune reactions as well as to novel functions that do not strictly correlate with immunological defense and surveillance, immune modulation or inflammation. Several studies indicate that molecules involved in innate immunity exert functions that are either more complex than previously thought, or go well beyond the innate immune character of the system.

The advent of high-throughput platforms for genome and proteome-wide profiling, together with the enormous amount of raw genetic information that has accumulated in the databases, have stirred new expectations in biomedical research. They have led scientists to revisit established biological systems from a global and integrative perspective. Innate Immunity research is now faced with the challenge of trying to integrate isolated biochemical pathways into complex gene and protein regulatory circuits. In this respect, scientists from around the world convened at the 4th International Conference on Innate Immunity (June 4 - 9, 2006), in Corfu, Greece to discuss recent advances in this fast evolving field.

This volume represents a collection of topics on natural killer cells, mast cells, phagocytes, toll like receptors, complement, host defense in plants and invertebrates, evasion strategies of microorganisms, pathophysiology, protein structures, design of therapeutics, and experimental approaches discussed during the conference.

Mitochondrial diseases are often hard to diagnose. From the time they were first researched without animal models, patients of mitochondrial diseases were of equal interest to both clinical and basic scientists. With the new research done, this book includes updates on the normal structure, function, and molecular biology of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, information on traditional diagnostical methodologies, and an overview of the diagnostic promise of new technologies. The hypermetabolism of Luft disease, although only seen twice, is also studied. There are critical reviews of symptoms and signs associated with syndromes, as well as updates on the genetic defects of either the mitochondrial or the nuclear genome responsible for many disorders.

This volume covers topics in infectious diseases in children and is intended for Pediatric Infectious Disease trainees, trainers, and all those who manage children with infections. There is a balance of clinical basic science. In response to numerous requests, additional tropical topics are covered in some depth. As in previous volumes, the emphasis is on hot topics of clinical relevance delivered by world class speakers.

This book surveys the current knowledge concerning the expression and function of stress proteins in different organisms, ranging from prokaryotes to humans. It provides an overview of the diversity and complex evolutionary history of cell stress proteins and describes their function and expression in different eukaryote models. The book will appeal to researchers and scientists in biochemistry, cell biology, microbiology, immunology, and genetics.

Predatory Prokaryotes examines the ecology of predation at the microbial level. It aims to increase the awareness of the great possibilities that predation between microbes offer for studying and discussing basic ecological and general biological concepts.

Humans suffer from numerous parasitic foodborne zoonoses, many of which are caused by helminths. The helminth zoonoses of concern in this book are normally limited to diseases of animals which have now become transmissible to humans. In the past these diseases were limited to populations living in low- and middle-income countries, but the geographical limits and populations at risk are expanding and changing because of growing international markets, improved transportation systems, and demographic changes (such as population movements). The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that the number of people currently infected with food borne trematodes alone exceeds 41 million, but worldwide the number of people at risk, including those in developed countries, is 750 million. The increasing recognition of the public health significance of these zoonoses, especially their complicated epidemiologies, and their links to poverty, intensification of agriculture, environmental degradation, and lack of tools for control- has been welcome. However, the development of priorities for a national public health system is often a competitive exercise, and the argument for devoting appropriate attention and resources to foodborne parasitic zoonoses is generally handicapped by the lack of good health and economic impact data. The genesis of this book was a desire to draw attention to the problem of these zoonoses and to hopefully, inspire greater efforts to acquire a reliable global impact assessment and therefore a basis for improved prevention and control actions for these zoonoses.

This book reviews not only the prevalence and distribution of these zoonoses, including available health and economic impact data, but will highlight gaps in knowledge that must be filled in order to gain the assessment needed to depict the overall importance of a particular zoonosis. This is critical for comparisons to other pressing public health and development needs in resource allocations. The topics on epidemiology, diagnosis, and clinical aspects emphasize the knowledge gaps that limit a full understanding of these zoonoses, and target where greater research investments on these parasitic diseases should be focused.

Fast becoming a key text for pediatricians, this fourth outing for the Hot Topics series is once again culled from lectures given at the annual course on the subject at Keble College, Oxford. This is the first port of call for those who need to keep on top of the subject. With world-leading researchers as editors, the series has become a valuable addition to the sum of knowledge in this specialism and a resource for anyone dealing with infectious diseases in children.