An identification handbook containing descriptions of 974 species of non-gilled fungi in 277 genera and figures of 543 of them. There are two major keys to genera and a key to the species in each genus that contains more than one species. The fungi described and illustrated can nearly all be found in Great Britain. The book aims to stimulate interest in groups of fungi which have hitherto attracted relatively few workers. Resupinate fungi, club fungi, jelly fungi, brackets, earth stars, puffballs and so on are not difficult to identify with a little practice and many of them flourish and sporulate freely during the winter months and thus it is possible to study mycology all year round if all groups are studied. In this book measurements, except where otherwise stated, are in thousandths of a millimetre. Terms which may be unfamiliar are explained in the glossary and for quick reference genera in the two main sections are arranged in alphabetical order.

In this book, a panel of experts discuss the molecular biology of micro-organisms involved in the two major dental diseases: caries and periodontal disease. Research has focused on factors which might modulate the interaction between the resident oral bacteria and the host. Chapters deal with the interactions of oral micro-organisms with one another and with the host; the innate defense mechanisms of the host; and the development of vaccines against oral diseases. Topics include oral microbial taxonomy, identification and typing, applied genomics, horizontal gene transfer, cell-cell communication, cariogenic bacteria, aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, porphyromonas gingivalis, treponema denticola, host-pathogen interaction, host defense mechanisms, and vaccination against oral infections. Essential reading for students and researchers in the field of oral biology and oral microbiology and a recommended book for all microbiology laboratories.

Methods in Microbiology serial highlights new advances in the field with this new volume presenting interesting chapters. Each chapter is written by an international board of authors.

This volume details the exploration, collection, characterization, evaluation and conservation of microbes for sustainable utilization in the development of the global as well as national economies, e.g. in agriculture, ecosystems, environments, industry and medicine.Many research institutes and universities all over the world carry out microbiological and biotechnological research, which generates substantial genomic resources such as cDNA libraries, gene constructs, promoter regions, transgenes and more valuable assets for gene discovery and transgenic product development. This work provides up-to-date information on the management of microbial resources in the environment. It also covers the ecology of microorganisms in natural and engineered environments. In trying to understand microbial interactions it further focuses on genomic, metagenomic and molecular advances, as well as on microbial diversity and phylogeny; ecological studies of human, animal and plant microbiology and disease; microbial processes and interactions in the environment; and key technological advances. Though not intended to serve as an encyclopedic review of the subject, the various chapters investigate both theoretical and practical aspects and provide essential basic information for future research to support continued development. "

The complexity of the microbial population of the animal gastro-intestinal trac has been recognised long ago. However, thus far, investigations have been limited to a few major groups, considered to be dominating, and pathogens that are detrimental and may case diseases and concomitant financial losses in the production animal. Thanks to the latest developments, including improved micriological detection and sampling techniques, and the application of molecular tools to monitor the presence of specific strains in the intestine, our knowlede has increased rapidly in recent years. In addition, new approaches towards improving and/or stabilising animal health, are addressed, with special emphasis on probiotics, and also with regard to the use selected bacterial strains as vehicles for delivery of pharmaceutically active compounds to the muscosa. The book is unique in several respects, not only by its coverage of an extremely wide area in animal gut microbiology, but also by the fact that production animals such as fish and reindeer are included. Scope and treatment of the subject matter and the kind of information that can be found in the volume: Colonisation and development (succession), and mucosal surface composition of the normal microbial population flora in the healthy animal are addressed, whilst estensive information is given on diverse and dominating bacterial populations of different animal types. Reference is also made to those microbial groups considered to be of special benefit to the health and immune protection of the (young) animal bacteria. The development and application of models of the Gastro-Intestinal tract provides a solid basis for studying gut microbial interactions, whilst molecular approaches and the us of molecular tools to monitor the presence of specific strains in the intestine is treated in a comprehensive manner. Wide coverage of different animal types and their gut microbial ecology Extensive and partly new information on the major microbial groups associated with the animal gastro-intestinal tract The book is unique and partly new information and up-to-date information proved in the chapters as a whole

Morphological, physiological and pathological evidence demonstrates that ner- vous and immune systems interact not only in maintaining brain homeostasis, but also in causing neurological diseases. The studyofthese interactions repre- sents the basis on which neuroimmunologyhas grown during the years. At pre- sent, several neurological diseases are recognized to be caused by a derange- ment of the immune system in either its regulatory or effector functions. The main scope ofthis book, to discuss how an unbalanced immune system maylead to immune-mediated neurological diseases, is achieved in three parts. The first part provides an overview on how the immune system works. This is propaedeutical to understanding interactions between the immune and ner- vous systems, which are discussed in the second part. The third part of the book focuses on one particular area of neuroimmunology, the immune disor- ders leading to the damage of central and peripheral myelin. Given the opportunity to review first the immune system in itself and then how it operates during immune-mediated demyelinating disorders, we have tried to provide the reader with a basis for clearly understanding how interac- tions between the immune and nervous systems can be protective or pathoge- nic. This knowledge is a prerequisite for a rationale immune intervention tar- geting these disorders.

This book brings together and updates the latest information on the diversity of yeasts, their molecular features and their applications in the welfare of mankind. Yeasts are eukaryotic microfungi widely found in natural environments, including those with extreme conditions such as low temperatures, low oxygen levels and low water availability. To date, approximately 2,000 of the estimated 30,000 to 45,000 species of yeast on Earth, belonging to around 200 genera have been described. Although there are a few that are opportunistic human and animal pathogens, the vast majority of yeasts are beneficial, playing an important role in the food chain and in the carbon, nitrogen and sulphur cycles. In addition, yeasts such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Hansenula polymorpha and Pichia pastoris are used in expressing foreign genes to produce proteins of pharmaceutical interest. A landmark in biotechnology was reached in 1996 with the completion of sequencing of the entire S. cerevisiae genome, and it has now become a central player in the development of an entirely new approach to biological research and synthetic biology. The sequencing of genomes of several yeasts including Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neofromans has also recently been completed.

Morphological, biological, biochemical and physiological characteristics have been used for the detection, identification and differentiation of fungal pathogens up to species level. Tests based on biological characteristics are less consistent. Immunoassays have been shown to be effective in detecting fungal pathogens present in plants and environmental samples. Development of monoclonal antibody technology has greatly enhanced the sensitivity and specificity of detection, identification and differentiation of fungal species and varieties/strains. Nucleic acid-based techniques involving hybridization with or amplification of unique DNA have provided results rapidly and reliably. Presentation of a large number of protocols is a unique feature of this volume.

"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.

This book discusses microbial diversity in various habitats and environments, its role in ecosystem maintenance, and its potential applications (e.g. biofertilizers, biocatalysts, antibiotics, other bioactive compounds, exopolysaccharides etc.). The respective chapters, all contributed by renowned experts, offer cutting-edge information in the fields of microbial ecology and biogeography. The book explains the reasons behind the occurrence of various biogeographies and highlights recent tools (e.g. metagenomics) that can aid in biogeography studies by providing information on nucleic acid sequence data, thereby directly identifying microorganisms in various habitats and environments. In turn, the book describes how human intervention results in depletion of biodiversity, and how numerous hotspots are now losing their endemic biodiversity, resulting in the loss of many ecologically important microorganisms. In closing, the book underscores the importance of microbial diversity for sustainable ecosystems.

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

Plants produce more than 30,000 types of chemicals, including pharmaceuticals, pigments and other fine chemicals, which is four times more than those obtain ed from microbes. Plant cell culture has been receiving great attention as an alternative for the production of valuable plant derived secondary metabolites, since it has many advantages over whole plant cultivation. However, much more research is required to enhance the culture productivity and reduce the pro cessing costs, which is the key to the commercialization of plant cell culture pro cesses. The recent achievements in related biochemical engineering studies are reviewed in Chapter 1. The effect of gaseous compounds on plant cell behavior has been little studied, and Chapter 2 focuses on these gas concentration effects (including oxygen, carbon dioxide, ethylene and others, such as volatile hor mones like methyl jasmonate) on secondary metabolite production by plant cell cultures. Two metabolites of current interest, i. e. , the antimalarial artemisinin (known as "qing hao su" in China) that is produced by Artemisia annua (sweet wormwood) and taxanes used for anticancer therapy that are produced by species of Taxus, are taken as examples. Bioprocess integration is another hot topic in plant cell culture technology. Because most of the plant secondary meta bolites are toxic to the cells at high concentrations during the culture, removal of the product in situ during the culture can lead to the enhanced productivity. Various integrated bioprocessing techniques are discussed in Chapter 3.

In the first edition of Calcium Signaling Protocols I began by writing "The regula- 2+ tion of intracellular Ca is a common theme presented in many papers over the last 20 2+ or so years and the description of the Ca -sensitive indicator dye fura-2 in 1985 resulted in a massive increase in these types of studies. " This statement is as true in 2005 as it was in 1999, but 20 or so years is now 30 years! There has been some reorganization of the volume such that there are now 22 ch- ters including five new ones, all written by experts in their field. These new chapters 2+ include use of the FlexStation and electrophysiological measurement of Ca channel activity. The book is broken into six parts. Part I is a general coverage of basic theory and the simplest use of fluorescent indicators. Part II covers specialist measurement 2+ systems and Part III covers measurement of Ca channel activity. Assessment of 2+ release of stored Ca is covered in some detail in Part IV, with Parts V and VI cover- 2+ ing specialist measurement techniques and Ca -sensitive targets. Putting a book like this together, even as a second edition, takes time and I am, again, indebted to the individual authors for their help and patience. I am also very grateful to Professor John M. Walker, the series editor, for his continued help and advice over the course of this project.

Grain legume crops, e.g. common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), and soyabeans (Glycine max L.) are amongst the main sources of protein in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Their high protein content derive from their ability, in symbiosis with Rhizobium bacteria, to fix atmospheric nitrogen. Incorporating contributions from molecular biologists, microbiologists, plant breeders and soil scientists, this volume reports the results of an FAO/IAEA Co-ordinated Research Programme (1992-1996), whose main objective was to develop molecular biological methods to study rhizobial ecology. Use of better tracking methods will help enhance biological nitrogen fixation and thus grain legume yields, while reducing their reliance on soil- and/or fertilizer-nitrogen. This volume will be invaluable to scientists working on biological nitrogen fixation, soil microbial ecology and legume production.

From Fossils to Astrobiology reviews developments in paleontology and geobiology that relate to the rapidly-developing field of Astrobiology, the study of life in the Universe. Many traditional areas of scientific study, including astronomy, chemistry and planetary science, contribute to Astrobiology, but the study of the record of life on planet Earth is critical in guiding investigations in the rest of the cosmos. In this varied book, expert scientists from 15 countries present peer-reviewed, stimulating reviews of paleontological and astrobiological studies. The overviews of established and emerging techniques for studying modern and ancient microorganisms on Earth and beyond, will be valuable guides to evaluating biosignatures which could be found in the extraterrestrial surface or subsurface within the Solar System and beyond. This volume also provides discussion on the controversial reports of "nanobacteria" in the Martian meteorite ALH84001. It is a unique volume among Astrobiology monographs in focusing on fossil evidence from the geological record and will be valuable to students and researchers alike.

This title discusses various effects of heavy metal exposure to legumes as well as the bioremediation potential of rhizosphere microbes. Availability of heavy metals, their uptake and the effects of metals on various signaling pathways within legumes are presented. Furthermore, the effects of heavy metals to nitrogen fixing microorganisms and how microsymbionts can overcome metal stress is presented in detail. The role of nitrogen fixers in decontamination of heavy metal toxicity, mycoremediation of metal contaminated soils, microbially mediated transformation of heavy metals and action of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria and nitrogen fixers together in detoxifying heavy metals are broadly explained. This volume is a useful tool for scientists, policy makers and progressive legume growers intending to develop safe and healthy legumes for future generations.

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.

Nanoscience and nanotechnologies are leading to a major point to our understanding of nature. Nanotechnology can be generally defined as creation and use of nano-sized systems, devices, and structures which have special functions or properties because of their small size. This volume on Nanotechnology Applications in Health and Environmental Sciences focuses on biotechnological and environmental applications of nanomaterials. It covers popular and various nanomedical topics such as oncology, genetics, and reconstructive medicine. Additionally, many chapters give leading-edge information on nano-sensor applications and usage in specific disciplines. Also, two chapters on novel subjects have been included on Lantibiotics and microbiota. This book should be useful for nanotechnologists, microbiologists, and researchers interested in nanomedicine and nano-biotechnology, as well as environmental nanotechnology.

The microbiology of drinking water remains an important worldwide concern despite modem progress in science and engineering. Countries that are more technologically advanced have experienced a significant reduction in water borne morbidity within the last 100 years: This reduction has been achieved through the application of effective technologies for the treatment, disinfec tion, and distribution of potable water. However, morbidity resulting from the ingestion of contaminated water persists globally, and the available ep idemiological evidence (Waterborne Diseases in the United States, G. F. Craun, ed. , 1986, CRC Press) demonstrates a dramatic increase in the number of waterborne outbreaks and individual cases within the United States since the mid-1960s. In addition, it should also be noted that the incidence of water borne outbreaks of unknown etiology and those caused by "new" pathogens, such as Campylobaeter sp. , is also increasing in the United States. Although it might be debated whether these increases are real or an artifact resulting from more efficient reporting, it is clear that waterborne morbidity cannot be ignored in the industrialized world. More significantly, it represents one of the most important causes of illness within developing countries. Approxi mately one-half the world's population experiences diseases that are the direct consequence of drinking polluted water. Such illnesses are the primary cause of infant mortality in many Third World countries.

Dr. Hilary Koprowski is the pioneer of live polio vaccine, the first researcher to advance the diagnostic and therapeutic use of monoclonal antibodies, and the developer of the "gold standard" rabies vaccine. A world-reknowned maverick in biomedical research, Koprowski's research methods were often considered controversial and even radical. Nonetheless, he acquired key positions in many research organizations, such as the Rockefeller Foundation, Lederle Labs, and Wistar Institute, initiating landmark studies from cancer research to multiple sclerosis. One of his crowning achievements, the successful crusade for monoclonal antibodies, resulted in his founding of Centocor, a forerunner in the corporate world of biomedicine. This account of Koprowski's life history is a mixture of personal interviews, anecdotes, and legends of the art and science behind the man.

This book series focuses on current progress in the broad field of medical microbiology, and covers both basic and applied topics related to the study of microbes, their interactions with human and animals, and emerging issues relevant for public health. Original research and review articles present and discuss multidisciplinary findings and developments on various aspects of microbiology, infectious diseases, and their diagnosis, treatment and prevention. Advances in Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Public Health is a subseries of Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, which has been publishing significant contributions in the field for over 30 years and is indexed in Medline, Scopus, EMBASE, BIOSIS, Biological Abstracts, CSA, Biological Sciences and Living Resources (ASFA-1), and Biological Sciences. 2016 Impact Factor: 1.881.

Plant innate immunity is a potential surveillance system of plants and is the first line of defense against invading pathogens. The immune system is a sleeping system in unstressed healthy plants and is activated on perception of the pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMP; the pathogen s signature) of invading pathogens. The PAMP alarm/danger signals are perceived by plant pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs). The plant immune system uses several second messengers to encode information generated by the PAMPs and deliver the information downstream of PRRs to proteins which decode/interpret signals and initiate defense gene expression. This book describes the most fascinating PAMP-PRR signaling complex and signal transduction systems. It also discusses the highly complex networks of signaling pathways involved in transmission of the signals to induce distinctly different defense-related genes to mount offence against pathogens."

Mycobacteria is divided into two volumes. The first volume deals with the basic biology of mycobacteria. With its emphasis on the state of the art outlook, this volume includes taxonomy and molecular biology of mycobacteria, modern approaches for detection of mycobacteria, and immunology and immunization against tuberculosis. The second volume covers drug trestments for mycobacteria anad tuberculosis. It outlines trends of discovery and development of chemotherapy, starting from the mid-50's to present day uses of chemotherapy in treating AIDS, drug-resistant tuberculosis, and other non-tuberculosis mycobacterial diseases.

This text contains the Proceedings of the Federation of European Microbiological Societies Symposium held in Troia, Portugal, during 18-23 September 1988.

This book provides an up-to-date overview of the various wood and tree fungi that damage trees, lumber, and timber. Special focus is given to identification, prevention, and remediation techniques, and the book bridges the gap between research and application. It covers the fundamentals of cytology and morphology.

There is a more practical section describing damage by viruses and bacteria on trees. The habitats of wood fungi are described as well as tree care. Important tree pathogens and wood decay fungi are characterized for prevention and identification. The final section focuses on the positive effects of wood-inhabiting microorganisms.