Linear plasmids of microbes represent a heterogenous group of extrachromosomal genetic elements initially assumed to be rare and peculiar. However, we now know that they are fairly frequently occurring plasmids in bacterial and eukaryotic species. Viral strategies to avoid shortening of the linear molecules during replication imply a common ancestry. Linear plasmids may be beneficial, neutral or detrimental for the respective host; functions include production of protein toxins, specific catabolic capabilities, antibiotic resistance, pathogenicity factors, and senescence induction.

Microbial Linear Plasmids constitutes the first attempt to comprehensively assemble current knowledge of different types of such elements, highlight recent developments in the field, and challenge the distinction between viruses and linear plasmids.

The new series "Microbiology Monographs" begins with two volumes on intracellular components in prokaryotes. In this second volume, "Complex Intracellular Structures in Prokaryotes," the components, labeled complex intracellular structures, encompass a multitude of important cellular functions. Continuing and newly initiated research will provide a clearer understanding of the complex intracellular structures known at present and will bring to light surprising new ones as well.

Novel Aspects of Insect-Plant Interactions Edited by Pedro Barbosa and Deborah K. Letourneau Focusing on three trophic levels, this study widens the current understanding of the ecological interactions between plants, herbivores, and their parasitoids and predators. Emphasized are the mediating effects of plant-derived allelochemicals on those interactions. The book also covers microorganisms as mediators of intertrophic and intratrophic interactions; theory and mechanisms: plant effects via allelochemicals on the third trophic level; and key roles of plant allelochemicals in survival strategies of herbivores. 1988 (0 471-83276-6) 362 pp. Plant-Animal Interactions Evolutionary Ecology in Tropical and Temperate Regions Edited by Peter W. Price, Thomas M. Lewinsohn, G. Wilson Fernandes and Woodruff W. Benson An outgrowth of an international symposium on Evolutionary Ecology of Tropical Herbivores held at UNICAMP, Brazil, this unique collaborative effort from leading scientists worldwide is the first comparative analysis of the existing ecological systems of temperate and tropical regions. In-depth and timely, the book's manifold analyses includes a discussion of tropical and temperate comparisons; mutualistic relationships between plants and animals; antagonistic relationships between plants and animals; plant-butterfly interactions; specificity in plant utilization; and community patterns in natural and agricultural systems. Amply illustrated with 150 detailed graphics, the book provides a fascinating visual tour of the flora and fauna described. 1991 (0 471-50937-X) 639 pp. Integrated Pest Management Systems and Cotton Production Edited by Raymond E. Frisbie, Kamal M. El-Zik and L. Ted Wilson This work sheds light on the link between the thriving U.S. cotton crop and integrated pest management. It offers a unique theoretical and conceptual framework for studying the cotton-IPM system. Other relevant issues such as the development and use of pest models, quantitative sampling principles in cotton IPM, economic injury levels and thresholds for cotton pests, and strategies and tactics for managing weeds, plant pathogens, nematodes, and insects are also described. Covering every facet of IPM technology, this is a significant contribution to the literature of pest management. 1989 (0 471-81782-1) 437 pp.

This book achieves an invaluable, contemporary picture of the phylum as a whole - Derek Wakelin - Parasitology

This text contains proceedings of the Federation of European Microbiological Societies Symposium, held at Copenhagen, Denmark, during 4-8 August 1985.

Applies an inductive experimental approach to recognize, control, and resolve the variables that effect the wine-making process and the qual ity of the final product{focusing on the grape variety-yeast interacti on controversy. Contains over 300 original drawings, photographs, and photomicrographs-unavailable in any other source-that illustrate the d iagnostic morphology of wine yeast and bacteria used to track wine spo ilage and related problems. Promotes a better understanding of the bio technological phenomena in the wine-making process in which yeast enzy mology plays a key role with plant physiology.

In this book we present ten chapters describing the synthesis and application of nanomaterials for health, food, agriculture and bioremediation. Nanomaterials, with unique properties are now being used to improve food and agricultural production. Research on nanomaterials is indeed revealing new applications that were once thought to be imaginary. Specifically, applications lead to higher crop productivity with nanofertilisers, better packaging, longer food shelf life and better sensing of aromas and contaminants. these applications are needed in particular in poor countries where food is scarce and the water quality bad. Nanotechnology also addresses the age old issue of water polluted by industrial, urban and agricultural pollutants. For instance, research produces nanomaterials that clean water more efficiently than classical methods, thus yielding water for drinking and irrigation. However, some nanomaterials have been found to be toxic. Therefore, nanomaterials should be engineered to be safe for the environment.

Extremophiles belong to members of all three domains of life, i.e., bacteria, archaea, and eukarya. However, a high proportion of extremophiles are archaea and bacteria. These microbes live under chemical and physical extremes that are usually lethal to cellular molecules, yet they not only manage to survive but even thrive in such conditions. Extremophiles have important practical and industrial uses. They are a valuable source of industrially important enzymes also known as extremozymes. Recent research has revealed that extremozymes have unique structural features essential for biocatalysis under extreme conditions. Extremozymes have great commercial values and are known for their potential use in biotechnology, biomining, and bioremediation. Extremozymes and their Industrial Applications highlights the current and topical areas of research in this rapidly growing field of extremophiles and their applications. Expert researchers from around the globe are trying to uncover the underlying mechanisms responsible for their specific adaptations under extreme environments. The topics covered include the ability of acidophiles to maintain a neutral intracellular pH, the way psychrophiles "loosen up" their proteins at low temperatures, and other equally ingenious adaptations and metabolic strategies that extremophiles use to survive and flourish under extreme conditions. Extremozymes and their Industrial Applications also covers the established biotechnological uses of extremophiles and the most recent and novel applications, including their exploitation for enzyme production. Potential use of extremophiles and their enzymes in the generation of sustainable energy, biomass conversion, agro-waste processing, and biocontrol of phytopathogens is also covered. The book will be very useful for researchers and students working in the area of industrial microbiology and biotechnology, and microbial ecologists. It is also recommended reference text for those interested in the biochemistry and microbiology of extremophiles, as well as for those interested in bioprospecting, biomining, biofuels, and biodegradation.

depth overview of the retrovirus family. I have greatly enjoyed and learned from this experience. Each chapter is an excellent introduction to the topic covered and provides a good foundation for further work in the field. Jay A. Levy University of California School of Medicine San Francisco, California REFERENCES Brown, E. W., Yuhki, N., Packer, C., and O'Brien, S. J., 1994, A lion lentivirus related to feline immunodeficiency virus: Epidemiologic and phylogenetic aspects, ,. Viral. 68:5953-5968. Merza, M., Larsson, E., Steen, M., and Morein, B., 1994, Association of a retrovirus with a wasting condition in the Swedish moose, Virology 202:956-961. Contents Chapter 1 The Human Immunodeficiency Viruses Edward Barker, Susan W Barnett, Leonidas Stamatatos, and Jay A. Levy I. Introduction .................................................... 1 TI. Description of Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 A. Virus Structure .............................................. 2 B. Genetic Organization and Gene Function ...................... 2 TIL Transmission.................................................... 7 A. General Observations ........................................ 7 B. HIV Transmission by Blood and Blood Products ................ 8 C. HIV Transmission by Genital Fluids ........................... 10 D. HIV Transmission by Other Body Fluids ....................... 12 E. Mother-to-Child Transmission ................................ 12 IV. HIV Infection of the Cell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . A. Introduction ................................................. 13 B. HIV-Cell Interaction............ ............... .............. 15 C. CD4-Induced gp120 Conformational Changes .................. 16 D. Soluble CD4-Induced gp120-gp41 Dissociation..... ............ 16 E. gp120 Proteolytic Cleavage ................................... 17 F. pH-Independent Membrane Fusion ............................ 19 G. Transmission of HIV by Cell-to-Cell Fusion.................... 19 H. Additional Cell Surface Receptors for HIV ..................... 20 I. The Envelope Region and Cell Tropism ........ . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 . . . .

This volume presents a critical analysis and timely synthesis of the past decade of intensive research, development, and demonstrations on the in situ bioremediation of perchlorate in groundwater. The intended audiences include the decision makers, practicing engineers and hydrogeologists who will select, design, and operate these remedial systems, as well as researchers seeking to improve the current state-of-the-art. Our hope is that this volume will serve as a useful resource to assist remediation professionals in applying and developing the technology as effectively as possible. An overview of the current state-of-understanding of perchlorate remediation is followed by a discussion of basic principles of microbial and abiotic processes, and of the engineering and implementation issues underlying the technologies described. Characterization of both anthropogenic and natural sources of perchlorate, including isotopic analysis to distinguish between differing sources, precedes discussions of the advantages, performance, and relative costs of applying a range of remedial technologies. Active, semi-passive, and passive in situ bioremediation are fully described and compared with emphasis on field application. Cost information for each technology, using case studies and analyses of several template sites, covers capital costs, as well as costs for laboratory testing, pilot-scale demonstration, design, system operation, monitoring and maintenance during operations, and demolition and restoration after remediation. In addition, analogous cost data are presented for pump-and-treat systems for each template site to illustrate the potential cost savings associated with the use of alternative approaches. Emerging technologies such as monitored natural attenuation, phytoremediation, and vadose zone bioremediation are described, and field demonstrations are used to illustrate the current stage of maturity and the potential applicability of these approaches for specific situations. Each chapter in this volume has been thoroughly reviewed for technical content by one or more experts in each subject area covered.

The third book in the Sustainable Well Series, Microbiology of Well Biofouling, is the second edition of Practical Manual of Groundwater Microbiology. It is concerned with solving production problems in all types of wells.

See what's new in the new edition:
· Addresses deleterious events in all types of wells in greater detail
· Discusses the generation of mass which interferes with the physical functioning of a well
· Covers the major innovations in the field
· Includes more field applicable material
· Completely revised and updated

The book is a useful reference guide for water well operators, hazardous waste site operators, consulting engineers, public health inspectors, microbiologists, and analytical chemists. It is written with a direct, straight forward approach based upon the advances in the technology over the last twenty years.

With this guide, you understand the phenomena of biofouling, corrosivity, biodegradation, and shifts in hydraulic transmissivity that can be linked to microbial events. Practical approaches to the evaluation of these effects are introduced, including standard and novel methodologies.

Advanced Mathematical Modelling of Biofilms and its Applications covers the concepts and fundamentals of biofilms, including sections on numerical discrete and numerical continuum models and different biofilms methods, e.g., the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) and cellular automata (CA) and integrated LBM and individual-based model (iBM). Other sections focus on design, problem-solving and state-of-the-art modelling methods. Addressing the needs to upgrade and update information and knowledge for students, researchers and engineers on biofilms in health care, medicine, food, aquaculture and industry, this book also covers areas of uncertainty and future needs for advancing the use of biofilm models. Over the past 25-30 years, there have been rapid advances in various areas of computer technologies, applications and methods (e.g. complex programming and algorithms, lattice Boltzmann method, high resolution visualization and high-performance computation). These new and emerging technologies are providing unprecedented opportunities to develop modeling frameworks of biofilms and their applications.

Dysfunction of nuclear-cytoplasmic transport systems has been associated with many human diseases. Thus, understanding of how functional this transport system maintains, or through dysfunction fails to maintain remains the core question in cell biology. In eukaryotic cells, the nuclear envelope (NE) separates the genetic transcription in the nucleus from the translational machinery in the cytoplasm. Thousands of nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) embedded on the NE selectively mediate the bidirectional trafficking of macromolecules such as RNAs and proteins between these two cellular compartments. In this book, the authors integrate recent progress on the structure of NPC and the mechanism of nuclear-cytoplasmic transport system in vitro and in vivo.

Research on the interactions of plants and phytopathogenic fungi has become one of the most interesting and rapidly moving fields in the plant sciences, the findings of which have contributed tremendously to the development of new strategies of plant protection. This book offers insight into the state of present knowledge. Special emphasis is placed on recognition phenomena between plants and fungi, parasitization strategies employed by the phytopathogenic fungi, the action of phytotoxins, the compatibility of pathogens with host plants and the basic resistance of non-host plants as well as cultivar-specific resistance of host plants. Special attention is paid to the gene-for-gene hypothesis for the determination of race-specific resistance, its molecular models and to the nature of race non-specific resistance as well as the population dynamics of plants and the evolution of their basic resistance.

This book provides a comprehensive and up-to-date collection of review articles focusing on RNA-mediated regulation in prokaryotes. The various modes of action include the direct interaction with proteins, direct sensing of metabolites or of physical parameters, and the interaction with RNAs to stimulate or prevent binding of ribosomes or to stimulate degradation. Written by leading experts in the field, the book covers small RNA functions, RNA thermometers, riboswitches, the diversity of small RNA-guided CRISPR-Cas defense systems and selected RNA chaperons in both prokaryotic domains, bacteria and archaea. Recent advances towards the computational identification of regulatory RNAs and their targets are included and particular attention is paid to small RNA in pathogenic bacteria. This volume is the only one exclusively covering regulatory RNAs in the prokaryotic domains to date, making it essential literature for anyone interested in RNA function and gene regulation and a valuable resource for teaching these concepts.

This volume provides up-to-date and novel techniques for various screening technologies currently used in metagenomics and related areas. Starting with DNA/RNA isolation from environmental samples, the book continues by delving into areas such as current methods used to isolate DNA and construct metagenomic libraries, establishment of metagenome libraries in non-E. coli hosts, and topics like function-driven mining of metagenomic DNA, screening and analyzing protocols for a wide array of different genes encoding enzymes, bacterial viruses and much more. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step and readily reproducible protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Metagenomics: Methods and Protocols, Third Edition provides a comprehensive collection of up-to-date metagenome protocols and tools for the recovery of many major types of biocatalysts and allows for the easy setup of these screens in microbiology laboratories.

The incidence of food poisoning continues to rise and now there is even greater interest in the subject of microbial food poisoning and food safety, than when the first edition of this popular book was published. As in the first edition of his book, Adrian Eley summarizes information on the principal agents that cause food poisoning and emphasizes their mode of action. Also discussed in chapters written by specially selected expert in the area are epidemilogical features of food poisoning, microbiological control of food production, mycoticoxic fungi and food safety legislation. Each chapter has been comprehensively updated to include any changes in for example laboratory practice, legislation, etc. Also included in this edition is a new chapter on food hygiene. Microbial Food Poisoning, Second Edition, appeals to students studying a wide range of courses, including medical microbiology, food science, and technology, nutrition, general microbiology and environmental health. This book will also be of use to professionals in a range of disciplines including food science, medicine, health sciences and environmental and public health.

This text provides an account of the nature and applications of the Coliform Index. Since the beginning of the 20th century, indicator organisms, in particular the coliform group, have been used to ensure the microbial quality of drinking water. World-wide legislation to protect consumers is based on these out-dated and unreliable tests and while there is considerable concern among scientists over their use, the water industry and regulators continue to place near total reliance on the Coliform Index. This has serious implications for public health and necessitates the debate which this book enters.

Microbial Growth Kinetics opens with a critical review of the history of microbial kinetics from the 19th century to the present day. The results of original investigations into the growth of soil microbes in both laboratory and natural environments are summarised. The book emphasises the analysis of complex dynamic behaviour of microorganism populations. Non-steady states and unbalanced growth, multiple limitation, survival under starvation, differentiation, morphological variability, colony and biofilm growth, mixed cultures and microbial population dynamics in soil are all examined. Mathematical models are proposed which give mechanistic explanations to many features of microbial growth. The book takes general kinetic principles and their ecological applications and presents them in a way specifically designed for the microbiologist. This in itself is unusual but taken with the book's fascinating historical overview and the many fresh and sometimes controversial ideas expressed, this book is a must for all advanced students of microbiology and researchers in microbial ecology and growth.

Most plants rely on the co-existence with microorganisms: both groups benefit from these symbioses. It has been shown that a large number of specific genes in plants and microorganisms are only activated during these interactions. Of course, various microbes also act as pathogens.

Interactions between plants and microorganisms are often located on plant surfaces, such as leaf cuticles, seeds and mainly on the roots. The communication between plants and microbes is the main topic treated in "Plant Surface Microbiology," such as the signaling within a symbiosis, the molecular differences between symbiotic and pathogenic microorganisms, the role of microorganisms in the development of plants or in plant protection against deleterious agents. Further contributions are devoted to: the analysis of bacterial communities in the rhizosphere; microbial population genetics; aspects of mycorrhizal symbiosis; functional genomic approaches and the use of microorganisms as bio-indicator of soil disturbance.

The development of ocean sensors remains a ripe area for future investigation from science, policy and systemsengineering standpoints. Clearly, there are many options forrealizing integrated molecular analytical sensing systems. The definition of key target molecules, detection methodsand signal transduction models largely remain to be determined.Moreover, there remains ahuge challenge of merging this new class of instrument with different deployment platforms, and supplying necessarypower and data telemetry infrastructure for their operation. Molecular Biological Technologies for Ocean Sensing features methods papers on the application of ecogenomic sensors on autonomous platforms in the ocean. Topics include the use of ecogenomic sensors as a tool in whole-cell and cell-free based detection and monitoring a suite of pathogens and biotoxins that are of public health concern; documenting species diversity, evolution and metabolic function; identification and quantification of aquatic organisms; and inferring metabolic potential and activities of microorganisms in the ocean. Each contribution focuses on the (1) functional requirements for detecting specific microorganisms and the genes that they harbor and express;(2) examples of research activities that take advantage of molecular detection technologies;(3) some of the challenges faced when projecting development and use of novel instruments that will utilize molecular techniques onboard autonomous platforms;and future directions. Bringing these advancements on autonomous platforms, monitoring required sample collection and processing schemes will differ from those currently used (i.e. biomedical diagnostics). This book is the first of its kind to compile current technologies for studying organisms in situ. It will aid in transfer technology to oceanographers, ecologists, microbiologists, and environmental scientists with needs for a remote, in-water sensing capability and for integration with larger scale observatory operations. With this network in place, there is a potential to bridge the gap among regulatory agencies and academics about how this kind of technology can be used for research and monitoring purposes.

This Volume presents applications of hydrocarbon microbiology in the context of environmental pollutant degradation, covering pollutants such as petroleum and related wastes (i.e. oil sludge), biofuels, lipid-rich wastes, chlorinated solvents and BTEX, in several environments (marine, soil, groundwater). The approaches presented range from laboratory experiments and treatment in reactors to field applications. Two chapters highlight innovative approaches to address relevant questions in pollutant degradation, such as low environmental concentrations of pollutants, and the biodegradation of complex pollutant mixtures using biofilms. Rather than presenting the applications in the form of protocols, some of the chapters in this Volume include detailed practical information on the opportunities offered by and limitations of the different approaches, providing valuable information for researchers planning to perform bioremediation experiments. Hydrocarbon and Lipid Microbiology Protocols There 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.