This edited book provides an account of past, present, and future constraints in microalgae-based biorefineries, emphasizing cultivation and refining processes. The book offers an insight into the recent advancements in the technologies and methods developed microalgae-based biorefinery for bioenergy and biochemicals production. The fast depletion of fossil fuels has forced researchers to move out of reliance on fossil fuels for the industrial and energy sector's needs. Due to its rich protein and lipid content, microalgal biomass has been considered one of the suitable substrates for the biorefinery. Microalgal production and harvesting for biofuel and chemicals is a tedious task. Several technological advances have been observed in this area, thus systematically checking the viability of technology at laboratory scale and then moving to large scale production, harvesting, extraction, processing, and characterization is the main focus of the book. This book is equally beneficial for researchers and engineers in biomass-based biorefineries or the bachelors, master, or young budding graduate students as a textbook.

Based on the proceedings of the Federation of European Microbiological Societies Symposium held at the Cranfield Institute of Technology, this book serves to highlight a wide variety of areas of civil engineering where microbiological activity needs to be considered more thoroughly by engineers during the design, construction and operation phases of projects. Examples of where microbial processes are now known to have a significant affect include corrosion, deterioration of concrete and other construction materials, impairment of flow in groundwater abstraction systems in pipes and pumps, pressure relief and drainage systems in embankment dams, clogging of irrigation and drainage systems, alteration of soil and rock properties and the production of harmful gases. For a long time many of these "buried" problems have been thought of, purely in terms of physical and chemical processes. What is often happening, but going unnoticed, is some form of microbial activity, which initiates, enhances or is encouraged by other processes. When it is considered that the average bacteria cell is only a few microns in size, then it is hardly surprising if their activity does often go unnoticed. At

One of the most profound paradigms that have transformed our understanding about life over the last decades was the acknowledgement that microorganisms play a central role in shaping the past and present environments on Earth and the nature of all life forms. Each organism is the product of its history and all extant life traces back to common ancestors, which were microorganisms. Nowadays, microorganisms represent the vast majority of biodiversity on Earth and have survived nearly 4 billion years of evolutionary change. Microbial evolution occurred and continues to take place in a great variety of environmental conditions. However, we still know little about the processes of evolution as applied to microorganisms and microbial populations. In addition, the molecular mechanisms by which microorganisms communicate/interact with each other and with multicellular organisms remains poorly understood. Such patterns of microbe-host interaction are essential to understand the evolution of microbial symbiosis and pathogenesis.Recent advances in DNA sequencing, high-throughput technologies, and genetic manipulation systems have enabled studies that directly characterize the molecular and genomic bases of evolution, producing data that are making us change our view of the microbial world. The notion that mutations in the coding regions of genomes are, in combination with selective forces, the main contributors to biodiversity needs to be re-examined as evidence accumulates, indicating that many non-coding regions that contain regulatory signals show a high rate of variation even among closely related organisms. Comparative analyses of an increasing number of closely related microbial genomes have yielded exciting insight into the sources of microbial genome variability with respect to gene content, gene order and evolution of genes with unknown functions. Furthermore, laboratory studies (i.e. experimental microbial evolution) are providing fundamental biological insight through direct observation of the evolution process. They not only enable testing evolutionary theory and principles, but also have applications to metabolic engineering and human health. Overall, these studies ranging from viruses to Bacteria to microbial Eukaryotes are illuminating the mechanisms of evolution at a resolution that Darwin, Delbruck and Dobzhansky could barely have imagined. Consequently, it is timely to review and highlight the progress so far as well as discuss what remains unknown and requires future research. This book explores the current state of knowledge on the molecular mechanisms of microbial evolution with a collection of papers written by authors who are leading experts in the field.

Publisher's Note: Products purchased from Third Party sellers are not guaranteed by the publisher for quality, authenticity, or access to any online entitlements included with the product. Demystified is your vaccine for tricky subjects like microbiologyIf you don't know your prokaryotes from your protozoa, or learning about fungi puts you in a funk, look no further--Microbiology Demystified, Second Edition is your cure for learning this topic's fundamental concepts and theories at your own pace. This practical guide eases you into this field of science, starting at the cell level. As you progress, you will master microbiology essentials such as bacteria, algae, viruses, pasteurization, and more. You will understand the difference between friendly and unfriendly microorganisms as well as the microscope's role in shaping microbiology. Detailed examples make it easy to understand the material, and end-of-chapter quizzes and a final exam help reinforce key ideas. It's a no-brainer! You'll learn about: Classification of microorganisms Immunology Germ theory Recombinant DNA technology Pathogens E.coli Antiseptics Simple enough for a beginner, but challenging enough for an advanced student, Microbiology Demystified. Second Edition, helps you master this essential subject.

This protocol book includes common and advanced research protocols for Yersinia pestis research and for its identification, genotyping and source-tracing. This book includes protocols for genomic and transcriptomic analysis, small RNA study, protein-protein interaction, gene deletion. It will be helpful for graduate students, clinicians, and researchers in infectious diseases, systems biology, and evolution and numerous other relevant fields.

“The bard of biological weapons captures
the drama of the front lines.”
-Richard Danzig, former secretary of the navy


The first major bioterror event in the United States-the anthrax attacks in October 2001-was a clarion call for scientists who work with “hot” agents to find ways of protecting civilian populations against biological weapons. In The Demon in the Freezer, his first nonfiction book since The Hot Zone, a #1 New York Times bestseller, Richard Preston takes us into the heart of Usamriid, the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases at Fort Detrick, Maryland, once the headquarters of the U.S. biological weapons program and now the epicenter of national biodefense.

Peter Jahrling, the top scientist at Usamriid, a wry virologist who cut his teeth on Ebola, one of the world’s most lethal emerging viruses, has ORCON security clearance that gives him access to top secret information on bioweapons. His most urgent priority is to develop a drug that will take on smallpox-and win. Eradicated from the planet in 1979 in one of the great triumphs of modern science, the smallpox virus now resides, officially, in only two high-security freezers-at the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta and in Siberia, at a Russian virology institute called Vector. But the demon in the freezer has been set loose. It is almost certain that illegal stocks are in the possession of hostile states, including Iraq and North Korea. Jahrling is haunted by the thought that biologists in secret labs are using genetic engineering to create a new superpox virus, a smallpox resistant to all vaccines.

Usamriid went into a state of Delta Alert on September 11 and activated its emergency response teams when the first anthrax letters were opened in New York and Washington, D.C. Preston reports, in unprecedented detail, on the government’s response to the attacks and takes us into the ongoing FBI investigation. His story is based on interviews with top-level FBI agents and with Dr. Steven Hatfill.

Jahrling is leading a team of scientists doing controversial experiments with live smallpox virus at CDC. Preston takes us into the lab where Jahrling is reawakening smallpox and explains, with cool and devastating precision, what may be at stake if his last bold experiment fails.


From the Hardcover edition.

This book discusses the cross-talk between plants and microbes in the rhizosphere. The rhizosphere is the hotspot of microbial activities that influence plant growth and crop yield. The rhizosphere-residing microbes include the nitrogen-fixing rhizobia, mycorrhizal fungi, antibiotic-producing bacteria, antagonistic, plant-beneficial fungi, and entomopathogens. The three-way cross-talk among the plants, the pathogens and other microbes involves signaling molecules, metabolites, and physical interactions. The book also describes deleterious and beneficial aspects of this communication between plants and microbes. Plants program the local microbiome near their roots, and the microbial community has a profound influence on the functioning of the plant. This complex communication makes the collection of chapters a timely one, because the diverse subjects are linked by their focus on the molecular language of plant-microbe cross-talk. This timely and informative book is useful for students and researchers in the fields of microbiology, soil biology, and plant pathology.

This book discusses genetic engineering of both plants and microbes for making agricultural practices more productive and sustainable. It chapters explore the understanding of the interaction between plants and microbes, and genomic information to modify the metabolism of plants or microbes to further enhance the beneficial interaction. The book covers the development of commercial inoculants including selection of appropriate plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria/ phosphate solubilize bacteria based on target host plant, soil type, indigenous microbial communities, environmental conditions, inoculant density, suitability of carriers and compatibility with integrated crop management. This is a relevant content for scientists and researchers working on soil biology, sustainable agricultural and plant physiology. Also, this book is a useful read for graduate and post graduate students of agriculture, botany and microbiology.

Sustainable Horticulture: Microbial Inoculants and Stress Interaction gives insights into the applications and formulations of microbial inoculants. In recent years, the optimum yields of horticultural plants largely influenced by rising global temperature, biotic stress (attack of pathogens) and abiotic stresses has created extra pressure for the horticulturalist to meet the need of optimum yield production for the burgeoning global population. However, the challenges of biotic and abiotic stress factors mitigated by traditional physical or chemicals methods include high application cost and adverse impact on quality limit the frequent use, hence the solutions in this book create new avenues for progress. This book covers those challenges and how microbial based bio inoculants are broadly used in horticulture to mitigate the challenges of biotic and abiotic stresses. It provides an important contribution on how to apply efficient beneficial microbes (microbial inoculants) for a sustainable society.

Importance of Microbiology Teaching and Microbial Resource Management for Sustainable Futures brings experts together to highlight the importance of microbiology-discipline-based teaching with its unique skills-based approaches. The book discusses how microscope microbiology has received significant attention since microorganisms played a significant role in the advancement, as well as destruction of, mankind during incidences such as the black death. With the discovery of penicillin from a fungal culture, the beneficial role of microorganisms has been a major catalyst in the progress of biological sciences. Interestingly, there are fundamental aspects of microbiology that did not change since revelations of their identity dating back to the Pasteur era. This book details the progress made and milestones that have been set in the science.

North American Boletes is the first comprehensive guide to an extraordinary and highly prized group of mushrooms known for their beautiful colors, distinctive features, relative abundance, and edibility. The scope of this work goes beyond the identification of species. The authors consider the symbiotic relationship that boletes share with higher plants and trees, their geographical distribution, and new information regarding the macrochemical test reactions of the boletes; they also describe several new species. The book's combination of aesthetically appealing and scientifically accurate color photographs and extensive descriptions makes it a standard reference work for bolete identification in North America.

The field of industrial microbiology involves a thorough knowledge of the microbial physiology behind the processes in the large-scale, profit-oriented production of microbe-related goods which are the subject of the field. In recent times a paradigm shift has occurred, and a molecular understanding of the various processes by which plants, animals and microorganisms are manipulated is now central to industrial microbiology. Thus the various applications of industrial microbiology are covered broadly, with emphasis on the physiological and genomic principles behind these applications. Relevance of the new elements such as bioinformatics, genomics, proteomics, site-directed mutation and metabolic engineering, which have necessitated the paradigm shift in industrial microbiology are discussed.

Myxomycetes: Biology, Systematics, Biogeography and Ecology, Second Edition provides a complete collection of general and technical information on myxomycetes microorganisms. Its broad scope takes an integrated approach, considering a number of important aspects surrounding their genetics and molecular phylogeny. The book treats myxomycetes as a distinct group from fungi and includes molecular information that discusses systematics and evolutionary pathways. Written and developed by an international team of specialists, this second edition contains updated information on all aspects of myxomycetes. It incorporates relevant and new material on current barcoding developments, plasmodial network experimentation, and non-STEM disciplinary assimilation of myxomycete information. This book is a unique and authoritative resource for researchers in organismal biology and ecology disciplines, as well as students and academics in biology, ecology, microbiology, and similar subject areas.

Foundations in Microbiology is an allied health microbiology text with a taxonomic approach to the disease chapters. It offers an engaging and accessible writing style through the use of case studies and analogies to thoroughly explain difficult microbiology concepts.

From the remarkable minds of Sputnik Futures, this visually engaging exploration of the microbes that surround us and how these unseen powerhouses are shaping our future is perfect for readers of I Contain Multitudes and 10% Human. Let's face it, microbes rule the world! Bacteria, fungi, archaea, protozoa, algae, even viruses--these microorganisms may go unseen, but the impact they have on our lives is unmistakable. From panspermia (the bacteria dust from our galaxy) and the microbiomes of our homes and our environments, to emerging research on microbes' role in our social emotions of love and empathy, and the realization that we are a superorganism, made up of trillions of bacteria that may be what makes us "human," the authors take you through a fascinating revelation of how microbial populations play a crucial role in every aspect of our life. Breakthroughs in our understanding of microbes are shaping the frontier of medicine and health, technology, environmentalism, wellness, architecture, and more. Microbes are talking to us, and we are learning to speak to them in turn. For example, did you know: -That the mind and the gut talk to each other? -That your personality may be shaped by your microbiome? -That a lack of biodiversity can make you sick? -That microbes can reverse climate change and reduce plastic waste? -That our first microbes came from the universe, and we are taking our microorganisms back to space? In Thriving with Microbes, the brilliant minds of Sputnik Futures reveal cutting-edge discoveries from biologists, doctors, ecologists, technologists, and thought leaders as they explore the vast network of microorganisms around and within us. With expert voices, bold discoveries, and engaging visuals, this captivating addition to the Alice in Futureland(R) series is a must-read guide to the vibrant microbial world we inhabit, how it is shaping our individuality, and the miraculous future these microorganisms are showing us.

This monograph emphasizes the many facets of bacterial evolution as impacted by bacterial interactions with phages, as well as, to a lesser degree, the evolutionary impact of phages on other organisms, including other phages. The book starts with a general overview of bacteriophages. Topics discussed in detail include but are not limited to mutagenesis, migration, natural selection and genetic drift as the drivers of evolution as well as an extensive discussion from the author's unique perspective on phage ecology.

Considering the global emerging human pathogenic microbial diseases and trends, Human Pathogenic Microbes is framed to provide deep insights into the epidemic and emerging bacterial and fungal infections and diseases in humans. It presents novel, up-to-date, and cutting-edge knowledge regarding various human pathogenic microbes, their associated drug resistance mechanisms, and different diseases caused by them. Human Pathogenic Microbes reflects the current research and development on the evolution of bacterial and fungal drug resistance: different bacterial and fungal antimicrobial drug resistance mechanisms along with their biological and molecular aspects. In a nutshell, Human Pathogenic Microbes describes a various bacterial and fungal diseases caused by different human pathogenic microbes employing different drug resistance mechanisms and processes. It also highlights the novel emerging approaches (Immunological and combinatorial) that will aid to fight against such bacterial and fungal pathogens.

Prior to the advent of rapid DNA sequencing in the late 90s, students were taught in depth about the physiology and ecology of microorganisms. There was a generally good understanding about the biology of each organism and how it interacted with its environment. Since then, the focus of research has shifted towards an analysis of nucleic acid sequences to determine possible cellular biochemistry or phylogeny. A microbial genome can now be sequenced in a matter of hours, and with the help of a panoply of software programmes the inner workings of the organism can be probed in great detail. However, there is now so much detail that the student or researcher tends to lose any sense of the underlying biology of their study organism. Microbiology has almost become a branch of molecular biology, with the biology getting lost in the molecular detail. This novel text reverses that trend by cutting through the molecular information overload and placing the new sequence-derived information in the context of the natural history of the organism in question. Each concise chapter has a fascinating and different story to tell, focussing on one pathogen or group of closely related pathogens and highlighting a particularly interesting and/or unusual feature. The aim is to abstract the relevant molecular and genomic information, and then to show how it provides insights into the biology of the organism as a whole. Microbiology of Infectious Disease is aimed at undergraduates, graduates, and researchers in microbiology, microbial ecology, disease ecology, and related areas. It is intended as a supplemental text for students to provide them with a detailed overview of the biology and natural history of the microorganisms they will routinely encounter and the factors that influence their pathogenicity and infectivity.

This book provides an overview of the physiological basis of lactic acid bacteria and their applications in minimizing foodborne risks, such as pathogens, heavy metal pollution, biotoxin contamination and food-based allergies. While highlighting the mechanisms responsible for these biological effects, it also addresses the challenges and opportunities that lactic acid bacteria represent in food safety management. It offers a valuable resource for researchers, graduate students, nutritionists and product developers in the fields of food science and microbiology.

In the past decade there has been a rapid increase in waterborne outbreaks of disease associated with viral and protozoan agents, normally in drinking waters that were found to be microbially safe using the Coliform Index. For nearly a quarter of a century indicator organisms, in particular the coliform group, have been used to ensure the microbial quality of drinking water. Currently, world wide legislation to protect consumers is based on these outdated 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 book provides: * the first full account of the nature and applications of the Coliform Index * coverage of new and proposed water quality legislation: * details of emerging pathogens in water: * an evaluation of the role of the "coliform count" in future water quality analysis. It will be an essential tool for water companies at all levels, microbiologists, environmental health inspectors, environmental scientists and water engineers in industry whether working in developed countries or developing countries. Postgraduate students specialising in microbiology, civil and environmental engineering, environmental sciences and environmental health will find it a useful reference work as will undergraduates in these disciplines.

Presents the latest advances in the study of the intracellular fate and transport of metal ions in fungi, emphasizing the mechanisms that regulate cellular concentration. The book explains the expanding relationship between molecular genetics and inorganic biochemistry.

While evolving molecular diagnostic methods are being heralded for the role they will play in improving our ability to cultivate and identify bacteria, fungi, and viruses, the reality is that those new methods are still beyond the technical and financial reach of most clinical laboratories. Most clinical microbiology laboratories still rely upon culture methods for the identification of microorganisms of medical importance. The newest edition of the Handbook of Media for Clinical Microbiology addresses the needs of clinical microbiology laboratories and infectious disease researchers. Authored by Ronald Atlas and James Snyder, who over the years have built solid reputations among researchers for their exceptionally reliable media handbooks, this volume gives microbiologists in clinical and medical laboratories the reference they need to quickly and effectively deal with the modern challenges shaping the field. Organized for a fast-paced environment, this fully updated Second Edition provides clinical diagnostic laboratories with an easy-to-use reference for those routine and specialized media employed in the cultivation of pathogenic bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Almost 1,650 media are described in this edition, among them many newly developed media designed for the rapid detection and identification of disease-causing microorganisms, including those responsible for emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. Describes media designed to cultivate and identify Escherichia coli O157:H7, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and vancomycin-resistant enterococci Includes chromogenic or fluorogenic substrates that permit the rapid detection of specific pathogens critical to the diagnosis of individuals with specific infectious diseases The Handbook provides a compilation of the formulations, methods of preparation, and applications for media used in the clinical microbiology laboratory. Listings are alphabetical, and each inc

Offers comprehensive coverage of the latest developments in both biochemical and physiological approaches to fungal systematics. Incorporates recent advances in molecular biology into systematics methods that can revolutionize taxonomic schemes.

Handbook of Methods in Aquatic Microbial Ecology is the first comprehensive compilation of 85 fundamental methods in modern aquatic microbial ecology. Each method is presented in a detailed, step-by-step format that allows readers to adopt new methods with little difficulty. The methods represent the state of the art, and many have become standard procedures in microbial research and environmental assessment. The book also presents practical advice on how to apply the methods. It will be an indispensable reference for marine and freshwater research laboratories, environmental assessment laboratories, and industrial research labs concerned with microbial measurements in water.

Over the last three decades, interest in Infrared (IR) technology as a medium to convey information has grown considerably. This is reflected by the increasing number of devices such as laptops, PDAs, and mobile phones that incorporate optical wireless transceivers and also by the increasing number of optical wireless links available for indoor and outdoor use. The popularity of IR is based on the advantages it has over radio including unregulated bandwidth, immunity to radio interference, and inherent security. Optical Wireless Communications examines some of the most important features of optical wireless communication systems. It considers the benefits and limitations of IR as a medium conveying information wirelessly and compares the advantages and disadvantages of infrared to microwave and other radio systems. It also details the evolution of IR communication systems and describes atmospheric and other types of data transmission limitations. The book presents design fundamentals of optical concentrators, as well as a review of some of the most important receiver optical front-ends (containing imaging or non-imaging concentrators and optical filters), including an explanation of the different sources of infrared noise and an introduction to eye safety. It also describes optical wireless transmitter and receiver design issues, typical modulation, coding, and multiple access techniques, and introduces IrDA protocols and wireless IR networking.