Reflecting the development of powerful new tools and high-throughput methods to analyze adenoviral particles and their interactions with host cells, the third edition of Adenovirus Methods and Protocols calls upon experts in the field to convey advances in molecular biology, genomics and proteomics, imaging, and bioinformatics. Beginning with cryo-electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and mass spectrometry for a high resolution image and characterization of the virion, this detailed book then continues with capsid modifications and viral-like particles as promising alternatives to classical adenovirus vectors, and the study of adenovirus in host interactions in vitro at the cellular level as well as in vivo in animal models. Finally, the volume concludes with an extensive update of the most efficient protocols to generate, amplify, and/or purify, at small and large scale, standard human Ad5 as well as non-human, chimeric, and helper-dependent adenovirus vectors. Written in the greatly 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 tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Comprehensive and cutting-edge, Adenovirus Methods and Protocols, Third Edition serves as an ideal guide for scientists continuing to research this highly valuable viral tool.

This unique book summarizes current knowledge on co-development of infectious diseases and cancer. It provides an overview of the complex and unique role of the immune system, inflammation, tumor-mediated immunosuppression and infection-induced immunomodulation in cancer and infection progression. Chapters are organized into themed parts, beginning with a look at the historical perspective of human tumor viruses, then aspects and examples of infection-related cancers and cancer-associated infections. The work discusses how cancer- and infection-associated immune responses interact in a bi-directorial fashion and how these interactions may evolve during both disease progression and in response to therapy. The phenomenon of independent development of cancer and infection in the same host, known as comorbid cancer-infection progression, is explored. Understanding the complex pathways involved in the progression of infection and cancer will allow the prevention of the development of certain types of cancer, as well as advancing prophylactic anti-cancer vaccines. Readers of this work will discover innovative approaches for multidisciplinary projects, focusing on the design of original therapeutic modalities for cancer therapy. The book will therefore be particularly valuable to scholars interested in cancer immunology and researchers and clinicians in the field of basic and applied immunobiology and microbiology.

The book is a comprehensive, self-contained introduction to the mathematical modeling and analysis of infectious diseases. It includes model building, fitting to data, local and global analysis techniques. Various types of deterministic dynamical models are considered: ordinary differential equation models, delay-differential equation models, difference equation models, age-structured PDE models and diffusion models. It includes various techniques for the computation of the basic reproduction number as well as approaches to the epidemiological interpretation of the reproduction number. MATLAB code is included to facilitate the data fitting and the simulation with age-structured models.

This volume presents a collection of reviews derived from work presented at the Aegean Conference: "4th Crossroads between innate and adaptive immunity". This meeting was the fourth in a series, and assembled a team of scientists working on mechanisms by which the innate immune system of the host senses pathogens, the cellular and signaling networks that orchestrate the innate response and antigen presentation and adaptive immunity. The importance of the crosstalk between innate immunity and the adaptive immune response has only recently started to be appreciated. Although it is well recognized that dendritic cells, NK cells, NK-T cells and T cells are all critical for the host response to pathogens, the respective fields that study the biology of these immune cells tend to exist in parallel worlds with minimum exchange of information and ideas. This fragmentation hinders the integration of these fields towards a unified theory of host response. The Aegean Conference "Crossroads between Innate and Adaptive Immunity" brought together leading international scientists and experts to address critical areas of Innate and Adaptive immunity something necessary for the development of more efficient scientific exchange and crosspollination between these fields. This conference attracted scientists from all over the world to discuss their latest findings on the various aspects of Innate and Adaptive immunity. The conference had limited participation and a scientific and social program that maximized scientific interchange through lecture presentations, poster sessions and informal discussions.

This book provides a comprehensive description of phosphate solubilizing microorganisms and highlights methods for the use of microphos in different crop production systems. The focus is on understanding both the basic and applied aspects of phosphate solubilizing microorganisms and how phosphorus-deficient soils can be transformed into phosphorus-rich ones by applying phosphate solubilizing microorganisms. The interaction of rhizosphere phosphate solubilizing microorganisms and environmental variables, as well as their importance in the production of crops such as legumes, cereals, vegetables etc. are discussed and considered. The use of cold-tolerant phosphate solubilizing microorganisms to enhance crop productivity in mountainous regions is examined, as are the ecological diversity and biotechnological implications of phosphate solubilizing microorganisms. Lastly, the role of phosphate solubilizing microorganisms in aerobic rice cultivation is highlighted. This volume offers a broad overview of plant disease management using phosphate solubilizing microbes and presents strategies for the management of cultivated crops. It will therefore be of special interest to both academics and professionals working in the fields of microbiology, soil microbiology, biotechnology and agronomy, as well as the plant protection sciences. This timely reference book provides an essential and comprehensive source of material, as it includes recent findings on phosphate solubilizing microorganisms and their role in crop production.

Microbiologists, medical mycologists, immunologists, and biochemists are increasingly working together to focus on the processes involved in the progression and treatment of fungal disease. Host-Fungus Interactions: Methods and Protocols is designed for research scientists who are involved in this work and interested in undertaking new or comparative studies of interactions between the mammalian host and clinically important fungal pathogens. Aiming to combine approaches for reverse genetics in pathogenic fungi with methods for their application in in vitro and in vivo models of disease, the book includes methods for the culture and genetic manipulation of the primary fungal pathogens and the opportunistic pathogens, as well as methods for investigating host-fungus interactions in model systems. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Comprehensive and practical, Host-Fungus Interactions: Methods and Protocols describes available molecular methods and fungal infection models in great detail in order to encourage researchers to try new approaches to investigating host-fungus interactions with added levels of confidence.

Use of Microbes for the Alleviation of Soil Stresses, Volume 1 describes the most important details and advances related to the alleviation of soil stresses by soil microbes. Comprised of seven chapters, the book reviews the mechanisms by which plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) alleviate plant growth under stress; the role of mycorrhizal fungi on the alleviation of drought stress in host plants; how PGPR may alleviate salinity stress on the growth of host plants; and the role of PGPR on the growth of the host plant under the stress of sub optimal root zone temperature. Written by experts in their respective fields, Use of Microbes for the Alleviation of Soil Stresses, Volume 1 is a comprehensive and valuable resource for researchers and students interested in the field of microbiology and soil stresses.

Plants are endowed with innate immune system, which acts as a surveillance system against possible attack by pathogens. Plant innate immune systems have high potential to fight against viral, bacterial, oomycete and fungal pathogens and protect the crop plants against wide range of diseases. However, the innate immune system is a sleeping system in unstressed healthy plants. Fast and strong activation of the plant immune responses aids the host plants to win the war against the pathogens. Plant hormone signaling systems including salicylate (SA), jasmonate (JA), ethylene (ET), abscisic acid (ABA), auxins, cytokinins, gibberellins and brassinosteroids signaling systems play a key role in activation of the sleeping immune systems. Suppression or induction of specific hormone signaling systems may result in disease development or disease resistance. Specific signaling pathway has to be activated to confer resistance against specific pathogen in a particular host. Two forms of induced resistance, systemic acquired resistance (SAR) and induced systemic resistance (ISR), have been recognized based on the induction of specific hormone signaling systems. Specific hormone signaling system determines the outcome of plant-pathogen interactions, culminating in disease development or disease resistance. Susceptibility or resistance against a particular pathogen is determined by the action of the signaling network. The disease outcome is often determined by complex network of interactions among multiple hormone signaling pathways. Manipulation of the complex hormone signaling systems and fine tuning the hormone signaling events would help in management of various crop diseases. The purpose of the book is to critically examine the potential methods to manipulate the multiple plant hormone signaling systems to aid the host plants to win the battle against pathogens.

Metabolic engineering is the practice of genetically optimizing metabolic and regulatory networks within cells to increase production and/or recovery of certain substance from cells. In Microbial Metabolic Engineering: Methods and Protocols expert researchers in the field detail many of the methods which are now commonly used to study metabolic engineering. These include methods and techniques to engineer genes and pathways, use of modern biotechnology tools in microbial metabolic engineering, and examples of metabolic engineering for real world applications such as whole cell biosensors and acetate control in large scale fermentation. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) 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, Microbial Metabolic Engineering: Methods and Protocols seeks to provide researchers with an overview of key topics on microbial metabolic engineering.

Invasive fungal infections are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Over the past decade there has been a concerted effort to develop reliable methods for the detection of such infections. In Fungal Diagnostics: Methods and Protocols, expert researchers in the field detail the introduction of new technology into a diagnostic setting include ease of use, and rapid turnaround time without compromising sensitivity and specificity. Focusing specifically on fungal detection in clinical settings, fungal diagnostics including, environmental testing, agriculture and food production and veterinary diagnostics. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) 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, Fungal Diagnostics: Methods and Protocols seeks to aid scientists into the further study of diagnostic and detection of fungi.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is one of the most notorious pathogens on earth, causing the death of approximately 1.5 million people annually. A major problem in the fight against tuberculosis is the emergence of strains that have acquired resistance to all available antibiotics. One key to the success of M. tuberculosis as a pathogen is its ability to circumvent host immune responses at different levels. This is not only a result of the special makeup of M. tuberculosis in terms of genetic diversity and DNA metabolism and its possession of specialized secretion systems, but also of its ability to hijack the host's innate immune defence mechanisms. In this volume, researchers from different disciplines provide a topical overview of the diverse mechanisms that contribute to the virulence of M. tuberculosis, ranging from their genetic, metabolic and molecular makeup, as well as the complex strategies these bacteria utilize to escape immune destruction within infected hosts.

Dictyostelium discoideum is a well-establish eukaryotic model organism that offers unique advantages for studying fundamental cellular processes, including signal transduction, random and directed cell motility, cytokinesis, endocytosis and vesicle transport and development. Dictyostelium is also increasingly used for the investigation of human disease genes and the crosstalk between host and pathogen. The availability of the genome sequence at a mouse click together with a whole range of supporting information and resources along with a powerful armoury of molecular genetics techniques have considerably enhanced the experimental attractiveness of D. discoideum in recent years. The second edition of Dictyostelium discoideum Protocols incorporates the most recent developments in a number of fields. The book is divided into four parts. The first part provides an introduction to the amoebozoa and community resources. The second part presents large-scale analysis methods made possible by the completion of the Dictyostelium genome sequence. The third part is dedicated to molecular genetics techniques, cell biological, biochemical and biophysical methods. The chapters in the fourth part describe the use of Dictyostelium as a model system to study vesicle formation, trafficking and infection by bacterial pathogens. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) 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, Dictyostelium discoideum Protocols, Second Edition seeks to aid scientists in the application of innovating techniques to study a range of fundamental biological processes in this attractive model organism.

This collection of essays is devoted to algae that are unexpectedly found in harsh habitats. The authors explain how these algae thrive in various temperature ranges, extreme pH values, salt solutions, UV radiation, dryness, heavy metals, anaerobic niches, various levels of illumination, and hydrostatic pressure. Not only do the essays provide clues about life on the edges of the Earth, but possibly elsewhere in the universe as well.

"Water and Health" strengthens the dynamic relationship between human health and water. The book has the potential to ignite our minds about several water-related diseases due to biological and chemical contamination, and to their high-end solutions. The contents are original, comprehensive and highly informative, and gradually take the reader around the component most important to his or her quality life, and not just existence. The book is set in social, scientific and economic dimensions, and is a must read for all those who cherish and celebrate human life and dignity.

Microbes and their biosynthetic capabilities have been invaluable in finding solutions for several intractable problems mankind has encountered in maintaining the quality of the environment. They have, for example, been used to positive effect in human and animal health, genetic engineering, environmental protection, and municipal and industrial waste treatment. Microorganisms have enabled feasible and cost-effective responses which would have been impossible via straightforward chemical or physical engineering methods. Microbial technologies have of late been applied to a range of environmental problems, with considerable success. This survey of recent scientific progress in usefully applying microbes to both environmental management and biotechnology is informed by acknowledgement of the polluting effects on the world around us of soil erosion, the unwanted migration of sediments, chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and the improper treatment of human and animal wastes. These harmful phenomena have resulted in serious environmental and social problems around the world, problems which require us to look for solutions elsewhere than in established physical and chemical technologies. Often the answer lies in hybrid applications in which microbial methods are combined with physical and chemical ones. When we remember that these highly effective microorganisms, cultured for a variety of applications, are but a tiny fraction of those to be found in the world around us, we realize the vastness of the untapped and beneficial potential of microorganisms. At present, comprehending the diversity of hitherto uncultured microbes involves the application of metagenomics, with several novel microbial species having been discovered using culture-independent approaches. Edited by recognized leaders in the field, this penetrating assessment of our progress to date in deploying microorganisms to the advantage of environmental management and biotechnology will be widely welcomed.

Researchers in the field of ecological genomics aim to determine how a genome or a population of genomes interacts with its environment across ecological and evolutionary timescales. Ecological genomics is trans-disciplinary by nature. Ecologists have turned to genomics to be able to elucidate the mechanistic bases of the biodiversity their research tries to understand. Genomicists have turned to ecology in order to better explain the functional cellular and molecular variation they observed in their model organisms. We provide an advanced-level book that covers this recent research and proposes future development for this field. A synthesis of the field of ecological genomics emerges from this volume. Ecological Genomics covers a wide array of organisms (microbes, plants and animals) in order to be able to identify central concepts that motivate and derive from recent investigations in different branches of the tree of life. Ecological Genomics covers 3 fields of research that have most benefited from the recent technological and conceptual developments in the field of ecological genomics: the study of life-history evolution and its impact of genome architectures; the study of the genomic bases of phenotypic plasticity and the study of the genomic bases of adaptation and speciation.

This Soil Biology volume examines our current understanding of the mechanisms involved in the beneficial effects transferred to plants by endophytes such as rhizobial, actinorhizal, arbuscular mycorrhizal symbionts and yeasts. Topics presented include how symbiosis starts on the molecular level; chemical signaling in mycorrhizal symbiosis; genomic and functional diversity of endophytes; nitrogen fixation; nutrient uptake and cycling; as well as plant protection against various stress conditions. Further, the use of beneficial microorganisms as biopesticides is discussed, particularly the application of Plant Growth Promoter Rhizobacteria (PGPR) in agriculture with the aim to increase yields.

The discovery of wide-spread RNA-based regulation in bacteria has led to new evaluations of the importance of bacterial regulatory RNA in every aspect of bacterial physiology. In Bacteria Regulatory RNA: Methods and Protocols, expert researchers in the field detail many of the methods which are now commonly used to study bacterial regulatory RNA. These include methods and techniques to identify regulatory RNAs, characterizing the function and expression of regulatory RNAs in bacterial cells, RNA structure prediction, and interactions between regulatory RNAs and proteins. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) 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, Bacteria Regulatory RNA: Methods and Protocols seeks to aid scientists in the further study of bacterial regulatory RNA.

This book covers the state-of-the-art of modern MALDI (matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization) and its applications. New applications and improvements in the MALDI field such as biotyping, clinical diagnosis, forensic imaging, and ESI-like ion production are covered in detail. Additional topics include MS imaging, biotyping/speciation and large-scale, high-speed MS sample profiling, new methods based on MALDI or MALDI-like sample preparations, and the advantages of ESI to MALDI MS analysis. This is an ideal book for graduate students and researchers in the field of bioanalytical sciences. This book also: * Showcases new techniques and applications in MALDI MS * Demonstrates how MALDI is preferable to ESI (electrospray ionization) * Illustrates the pros and cons associated with biomarker discovery studies in clinical proteomics and the various application areas, such as cancer proteomics

The kingdom Fungi constitutes an independent group equal in rank to that of plants and animals. It is a diverse clade of heterotrophic eukaryotic organisms that shares some ch- acteristics with animals and includes mushrooms, molds, yeasts as well as many other types of less well known organisms. Approximately 100,000 species have been described, which comprise less than 10% of the estimated number of fungal species in nature. Fungi can be found in every place wherever adequate moisture, temperature, and organic substrates are available; however, they also occupy extreme habitats, from hot volcanoes to arctic zones, arid deserts, and deep oceans. The importance of fungi as a group is tremendous; most species are saprobes and play prime roles in decomposition and the recycling of organic matter and nutrients, and many of them produce enzymes and metabolites with important applications in pharmacology, biotechnology, and other industries. Alongside the positive aspects, fungi also cause huge damage, primarily as plant pathogens. Fungi are highly amenable to molecular work, and a few fungal species serve as model systems to study basic processes with results that are applicable to many organisms, including humans.

The book compiles an update information about the state of bioremediation in emerging Latin American countries. Some of the studied regions are sites that suffered decades of pollution by agrochemicals, heavy metals and industrial waste due to the lack of control by government regulations. Such is the case of Northern Argentina, where were illegally deposited over 30 tn of obsolete organochlorine pesticides in 1994. The content has focused in the use of native organisms (from bacteria to plants) as a viable solution to the problem of pollution, using low-cost and powerful techniques, socially well accepted and appropriate from the environmental point of view. In this context, levels of pesticide found in the Latin American population are informed. It was also displayed as a multidisciplinary approach based on concerns of a diverse group of researchers (biochemists, biologists, chemical engineers and geneticists) about a global problem, dealing with specific cases of study, with a view to project their findings to worldwide. In this regard, researchers provide their findings to regulatory sectors, whom could make appropriate decisions.

Book covers course with topics in infectious diseases in children and is intended for Pediatric Infectious disease clinical researchers, trainees, trainers, and all those who manage the research of children with infections and the children themselves. The conference is being supported by several societies and is sponsored by several pharmaceutical companies, such as Aventis, Baxter, Chiron Vaccines, Wyeth, etc. ToC reflects the scientific program found here: http://www.oxfordiic.org/#course

Professor Fox's multi-volume Advanced Dairy Chemistry set was first published in four volumes in the early 1980s. A second edition came out in the early 1990s, and an updated third edition was published a decade later. The set is the leading major reference on dairy chemistry, providing in-depth coverage of milk proteins, lipids, and lactose. The editors propose beginning the revision cycle again, with a revised first volume on proteins, to be divided and published separately as Volume 1A - Proteins: Basics Aspects, and Volume 1B - Applied Aspects. Fox and his co-editor, Paul McSweeney, have created an extensively revised the Table of Contents for Volume 1A, which details the novel and updated chapters to be included in this upcoming fourth edition. New contributors include highly regarded dairy scientists and scholars from around the world.

This book explores the links between food and human cultural and physical evolution. Each chapter begins by summarizing the basic knowledge in the field, discusses recent research results, and confirms or challenges established concepts, inviting new insight and provoking new questions. This book catalyzes discussion between scientists working on one side in food science and on the other side in biological and biomedical research.

Microbial production: From genome design to cell surface engineering affords a comprehensive review of novel technology and approaches being implemented for manufacturing microorganisms, written by specialists in both academia and industry. This book is divided into three sections: the first includes technology for improvement of fermentation strains and many supporting technologies and information; the second examines novel technology useful for analysis of cell activities, analyzing gene function, and designing genomes of producer strains; and finally, a discussion of the practical application of the techniques and success case studies in many fields of bio-production, such as microbiological production, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, foods and cosmetics.