It is necessary to realize that the term "photosynthetic prokaryotes" encom- passes the widest and most diverse grouping of bacteria, but in itself has no taxonomic or phylogenetic significance. It means those organisms, other than eukaryotes, which require, obligately or facultatively, light for growth. The re cent application 16S rRNA sequencing to microbial phylogeny, asso- ciated mainly with the work of Woese, emphasizes the evolutionarily dis- persed nature of purpIe and green photosynthetic bacteria as weIl as the rather coherent phylogenetic connections of the cyanobacteria. It is not surprising, therefore, that a volume such as this which seeks to give an introduction to this collection of organisms must be highly selective; ac- cordingly, several important features are discussed only superficiaIly, e. g. , differentiation, life cycles, and biochemical aspects of nutrition. Rather, we have attempted to provide adescription of the essential features which are common and those which are characteristic, e. g. , the physiology of photo- synthesis and ecological distribution. Bearing in mind the aim of the series, we have asked our authors to emphasize aspects of the importance of these organisms in nature and their industrial applications. As will be seen from the text, these organisms have an ancient history in "biotechnology," having been used as foodstuffs by several cultures, but their exploitation has been limited to their natural patterns and products of growth.

New interest in light microscopy of the last few years has not been backed up by adequate general literature. This book intends to fill the gap between specialized texts on detailed topics and general introductory booklets, mostly dealing with the use of the conventional light microscope only. In this short textbook both new developments in microscopy and basic facts of image formation will be treated, including often neglected topics such as axial resolving power, lens construction, photomicrography and correct use of phase-en interference contrast systems. Theoretical background will be dealt with as far as necessary for a well-considered application of these techniques enabling a deliberate choice for the approach of a certain problem. Over 150 illustrations (photomicrographs and diagrams) complete the information on microscopy of the nineties in the biomedical field, intended for scientists, doctors, technicians and research students. Many drawings have been contributed by the illustrator R. Kreuger; the photographic work has been executed by J. Peeterse. Secretarial assistance in preparing the manuscript was given by Ms T. M. S. Pierik. Dr M. J. Pearson has corrected the English of the final text.

The field of DNA repair is vast and advancing rapidly. Recent investigations have begun to focus on the involvement of chromatin in the repair of broken DNA. Although I have no doubt that many breakthroughs in our understanding of chromatin, chromatin regulation, and DNA repair lie in our future, presently this is a new line in inquiry. As such there are many, many unanswered questions. Indeed, most of the correct questions have probably not even been asked yet. Here I have attempted to present a review of some of the current body of knowledge that may prove relevant to understanding the role of chromatin in DNA repair. Because the volume of research, and the relevant findings, come from a staggering array of labs, systems, and ideas I have focused primarily on findings developed from the study of the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Unfortunately, this means that I have left out a great deal of information. It is my hope, however, that the information I do detail, particularly in Chapter 1, will give a flavor for the scope of the problem and perhaps highlight some of the interesting directions this field is taking, or may one day take. I would also point out that the primary research that is presented herein is not in any way meant to represent the comprehensive scope of research being performed. To understand DNA repair will require investigation from innumerable labs, performed by innumerable researchers, moving in unexpected directions.

The filamentous fungi are perhaps unique in the diversity of their metabolic activities. This includes biosynthetic as well as degradative activities, many is to provide an of which are of industrial interest. The objective of this text up-to-date and broad review which emphasizes the genetic and molecular biological contribution in the field of fungal biotechnology. This text begins with an overview of the tools and methodologies involved which, to a large extent, have been developed in the model filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans and subsequently have been extended to commercially important fungi. This is followed by a chapter which provides a compilation of genes isolated from commercial fungi and their present status with respect to structure, function and regulation. Chapters 3 and 4 highlight the degradative powers of filamentous fungi. First, a discussion of what is known regarding the molecular genetics of fungi and the genes and enzymes involved in the beverage and food industries. This has an oriental flavour, reflecting the tremendous importance of fungi in traditional Chinese and Japanese food production. An account of lignocellulose degradation by filamentous fungi follows, illustrating the potential of fungi to utilize this substance as a renewable energy source. The ability of fungi to produce high-value foreign proteins is reviewed in chapters 5 and 6. Chymosin production, in particular, represents a good example of high-level yields being obtained, such as to warrant commercial production.

A prime reference volume for geneticists, food technologists and biotechnologists in the academic and industrial sectors. Fermentations with lactic acid bacteria determine important qualities such as taste, shelf-life, and food values. New methods of food production require fast and reliable manufacture, which has led to a dramatic surge of interest in the genetic, microbiological and biochemical properties of lactic acid bacteria.

"De la vaporisation et de la centralisation du Moi. Tout est la. " Charles Baudelaire (journal entry) This anthology is my visit to Oz. On sabbatical in 1988, I chose to reeducate myself in general biology, first broadening my erudition as an immunologist, and then extending that horizon into evolutionary biology and embryology. I was particularly attracted to reflections on the nature of the self as an organ ismic concept. I went in search of reorientation as a confused physician scientist, and came back with this book. Baum's Wizard of Oz presented opportunities for growth, and herein lies the purpose of this volume: in providing updated statements concerning the nature of the organism from both scientific and metaphysical perspectives, we might ponder the philo sophical basis of our research in the hope of gaining insight into our endeavor, not to mention the possibility of its enrichment; it is this contem plative view of our research which offers a unique dimension to this anthology. To that end, the project follows my idiosyncratic prejudices. The anthology derives in large measure from the symposium, "Organism and the Origin of Self' held at Boston University, April 3-4, 1990, under the auspices of the Boston University Center for the Philosophy and History of Science, with generous support of Robert Cohen and Jon Westling, and the organizational skills of Deborah Wilkes. The Symposium presented three ver sions of the Self from the vantages of embryology, evolution and medicine."

Phylogenetic analysis and morphometrics have been developed by biologists into rigorous analytic tools for testing hypotheses about the relationships between groups of species. This book applies these tools to paleontological data. The fossil record is our one true chronicle of the history of life, preserving a set of macroevolutionary patterns; thus various hypotheses about evolutionary processes can be tested in the fossil record using phylogentic analysis and morphometrics. The first book of its type, Fossils, Phylogeny, and Form will be useful in evolutionary biology, paleontology, systematics, evolutionary development, theoretical biology, biogeography, and zoology. It will also provide a practical, researcher-friendly gateway into computer-based phylogenetics and morphometrics.

In the summer of 1976 a successful workshop on nucleic acids and protein synthesis in plant systems was organised in Strasbourg by Jacques Weil and Lawrence Bogorad. The participants in the workshop, were, without exception, excited both by the quality of the work discussed and by the rapid progress being made in several areas of genomic analysis and expression in plants. It also became apparent that there was a need for an international assembly of this sort at regular intervals. These workshops not only encourage stim ulating discussion and constructive thinking but also result in increased collaboration and productive liaison between laboratories with common interests. Hence a ten-day advanced studies institute course was organised in Edinburgh from 11-21 July 1979, and in this volume we have published the contributions given by the invited speakers. The subjects discussed covered most areas of plant molecular biology and the lecturers were asked to balance a review of their chosen subject with the results of their own recent research and likely future advances. Probably the most important technical advance since the previous meeting of this group in Strasbourg, was the application of restriction enzyme analysis and cloning techniques. This is illustrated in many of the published lectures and was the basis for many of the more informal discussion sessions."

After 40 years of research, scientists have confirmed that persistent neurogenesis occurs in the adult mammalian brain. The obvious next question is: "Are the newly generated neurons functional?" If so, "What are the functions of these new neurons?" This volume intends to clarify both questions by providing the latest data available.

Biogeography relates the evolution of the Earth's biota to major episodes in the Earth's history such as climatic changes and plate tectonic events. Furthermore, biogeographic patterns have played a prominent role in the development of the theory of evolution. Thus biogeography has the potential to make important contributions to the field of geobiology. Paleobiogeography emphasizes how analytical techniques from phylogenetic biogeography can be applied to the study of patterns in the fossil record. In doing this, it considers the strengths and weaknesses of paleobiogeographic data, the effects of plate tectonic processes (specifically continental rifting and collision) and changes in relative sea levels in terms of how they influence the evolution and distribution of organisms.

The Monograph deals with the conception, planning, implementation, results and conclusions of the International Witches' Broom Project (IWBP), which was set up in 1985 with the aim of producing an economic management system for witches' broom disease of cocoa. The contributions of the various sponsors, and the roles played by the participating organizations and scientists are described in the introductory chapter. Chapter 2 provides a review of what was, and what was not known from published literature about the cocoa witches' broom pathosystem in 1989. The scope of the project and the approaches used are covered in Chapter 3, while Chapters 4 to 13 report on the field studies themselves in detail. The recent appearance of witches' broom in the important cocoa area of Bahia in Brazil is described in Chapter 14, before disease management recommendations are summarised and future prospects considered in the closing chapters. The many man-years of field research in the IWBP in a total of six countries generated much useful information which was analyzed both in the individual countries and collectively. Even with a document of this size, certain information and analyses with less direct relevance to disease management had to be omitted. It is expected that more detailed treatments of certain aspects will emerge in scientific papers, and further analyses will be undertaken."

This volume represents a collection of lectures delivered by outstanding specialists in the fields of biophysics and of related scientific disciplines th during the 7 International Summer School on Biophysics held in Rovinj, Croatia from 14 to 25 September 2000 under the title "Super molecular Structure and Function ." This scientific-educational event was organized by the Ruder Boskovic Institute ofZagreb, Croatia with substantial material and intellectual support of a number of national and international institutions including the Croatian Biophysical Society (CBS), the International Union of Pure and Applied Biophysics (IUPAB), the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) and the UNESCO Venice Office - Regional Office for Science and Technology for Europe (UVO-ROSTE). The seventh edition of the series of International Summer Schools on Biophysics, which was started in 198I, attracted more than 120 young researchers and post-graduate students coming from 27 countries of Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America. Twenty-five outstanding experts in pure and applied biophysics presented the most advanced knowledge ofthis very interdisciplinary area of science during their lectures and round tables. It was commonly acknowledge that the Summer School achieved great success and fully reached its objectives. The success of the Rovinj Summer School was also due to the constantly growing attention being paid by scientific communities to younger generations of scientists, thanks also to the major outcomes of the World Conference on Science "Science for the Twenty-first Century: A New Commitment" held by UNESCO and ICSU in Budapest, Hungary in June 1999.

This volume focuses on recent developments in our understanding of selected adhesion processes that may offer new approaches to developing therapeutics for a variety ofdiseases. The volume first introduces the molecules involved in key adhesive processes, then describes the biological consequences of several adhe- sive interactions, and closes with a description of the initial therapeutic ap- proaches to antagonizing. adhesion. These papers were originally presented at the SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals Seventh U. S. Research Symposium held in Philadelphia in October of 1992. ofacell to asurface. In its simplestsense, cellularadhesion is the adherence The cells of interest in the context of this volume are bacterial and mammalian, with an emphasis on leukocytes; surfaces can be other cells and tissues (such as bone), matrix proteins, or inanimate objects such as in-dwelling medical devices and catheters. Interaction between adhesion molecules usually results in a spe- cific biological response. Adhesion is a form ofcellularcommunication, and represents the way a cell senses its environment through contact. Like hormones and cytokines, the sol- uble mediators used by cells for communication, adhesion molecules are defined molecular entities that recognize specific receptor structures on the surface to which they adhere. Recent activity has focused on defining the structure of the individual molecules responsible for many types ofcellularadhesion. New adhe- sion proteins are being cloned with the help of specific antibodies and precise functional assays.

Success in meeting the challenge to produce the commercial products anticipated by the exploitation of biological processes depends upon provid ing effective separation protocols. Effectiveness can be measured in terms of selectivity, purity, resolution and validatory success. The major processing problems are associated with either the selective recovery of molecules which are present in low concentrations from complex mixtures or the selective removal of contaminants from the desired molecule. Central to the evolution of processes satisfying this demand are the regulatory requirements being imposed by governments on the purity of a product, especially in the health care market. Synthetic organic chemists are increasingly finding it advantageous to conduct one or more steps using either enzymic biotransformations where molecules with a single and consistent stereochemistry or chirality are required. The underlying princi ples behind the methods, techniques and processes currently being used and developed commercially rely upon the biospecific nature and properties of the desired molecule. When these factors are married to the more traditional techniques of precipitation, chromatography, liquid-liquid extraction and membrane processes, powerful tools emerge, allowing highly selective separations to be designed. The logical extension of these combinations is to apply genetic engineering techniques to influence the separations at a more fundamental and structural level by modifying the target protein at source, during its synthesis, to facilitate its separation in a given, selective manner, leading to the distinct possibility of producing 'designer' separation programmes."

Now in its second year, Progress in Cell Cycle Research was conceived to serve as an up to date introduction to various aspects of the cell division cycle. Although an annual review in any field of scientific investigation can never be as current as desired, especially in the cell cycle field, we hope that this volume will be helpful to students, to recent graduates considering a de1liation in subject and to investigators at the fringe of the cell cycle field wishing to bridge frontiers. An instructive approach to many subjects in biology is often to make comparisons between evolutionary distant organisms. If one is willing to accept that yeast represent a model primitive eukaryote, then it is possible to make some interesting comparisons of cell cycle control mechanisms between mammals and our little unicellular cousins. By and large unicellular organisms have no need for intracellular communication. With the exception of the mating phenomenon in S. cerevisiae and perhaps some nutritional sensing mechanisms, cellular division of yeast proceeds with complete disregard for neighbourly communication. Multicellular organisms on the other hand, depend entirely on intracellular communication to maintain structural integrity. Consequently, elaborate networks have evolved to either prevent or promote appropriate cell division in multicellular organisms. Yet, as described in chapter two the rudimentary mechanisms for fine tuning the cell division cycle in higher eukaryotes are already apparent in yeast.

Many mites possess extremely intricate life styles in close association with plant and animal hosts. Their polymorphism has made classification a challenge, and their ability to reproduce both sexually and asexually has made efforts to control their populations difficult. This, however, has given rise to theories to explain the origin and function of sexual reproduction in general. In numbers of species and geographic distribution, mites may even surpass the insects. In soils, they are a major component in the system for cycling nutrients. Unlike insects, they have invaded the marine environment. These and a number of other topics are explored in Mites. Because of their extremely small size, mites have been ignored during the development of major evolutionary and ecological theories. Yet mites routinely violate fundamental concepts such as heterochrony, sexual selection, the evolution of sex ratio, and ontogeny. Recent research methodologies have made it practical for the first time to perform experimental work with mites, and since they offer short generation times and rapid research results, they are excellent model systems. Mites announces these results and should appeal to professionals in entomology, acarology, ecology, population genetics, and evolutionary biology.

Plant-Microbe Interactions, Volume 2 Volume 1 of this series has made its appearance and dealt forcefully with impor tant current topics in the field of plant-microbe interactions. We believe that the quality of those chapters was high and should serve as a focal point for the state of the art as well as an enduring reference. Volume 2 builds upon these accom plishments. Chapter 1 discusses the fascinating lipo-chitin signal molecules from Rhizo bium, aspects regarding their biosynthesis, and the basis for host specificity. These molecules are a cardinal example of how microorganisms influence plant development and stimulate speculation that they have identified a previously un known aspect of plant hormone activity. Chapter 2 continues the discussion of Rhizobium by considering the trafficking of carbon and nitrogen in nodules. Al though the ostensible advantage of nodules to plants is the fixation of atmos pheric nitrogen, the actual process involved in supplying reduced nitrogen to the plant host is complex."

A representative cross-section of elastic biomolecules is covered in this volume, which combines seventeen contributions from leading research groups. State-of-the-art molecular mechanics experiments are described dealing with the elasticity of DNA and nucleoprotein complexes, titin and titin-like proteins in muscle, as well as proteins of the cytoskeleton and the extracellular matrix.
The book speaks particularly to cell biologists, biophysicists, or bioengineers, and to senior researchers and graduate students alike, who are interested in recent advances in single-molecule technology (optical tweezers technique, atomic force microscopy), EM imaging, and computer simulation approaches to study nanobiomechanics. The findings discussed here have redefined our view of the role mechanical signals play in cellular functions and have greatly helped improve our understanding of biological elasticity in general.

Principles of Insect Pathology, a text written from a pathological viewpoint, is intended for graduate-level students and researchers with a limited background in microbiology and in insect diseases. The book explains the importance of insect diseases and illuminates the complexity and diversity of insect-microbe relationships. Separate sections are devoted to * the major insect pathogens, their characteristics, and their life cycles * the homology that exists among invertebrate, vertebrate, and plant pathogens * the humoral and cellular defense systems of the host insect as well as the evasive and suppressive activities of insect disease agents * the structure and function of passive barriers * the heterogeneity in host susceptibility to insect diseases and associated toxins * the mechanisms regulating the spread and persistence of diseases in insects. Principles of Insect Pathology combines the disciplines of microbiology (virology, bacteriology, mycology, protozoology), pathology, and immunology within the context of the insect host, providing a format which is understandable to entomologists, microbiologists, and comparative pathologists.

The dipteran family Chironomidae is the most widely distributed and frequently the most abundant group of insects in freshwater, with rep resentatives in both terrestrial and marine environments. A very wide range of gradients of temperature, pH, oxygen concentration, salinity, current velocity, depth, productivity, altitude and latitude have been exploited, by at least some chironomid species, and in grossly polluted environments chironomids may be the only insects present. The ability to exist in such a wide range of conditions has been achieved largely by behavioural and physiological adaptations with relatively slight morphological changes. It has been estimated that the number of species world-wide may be as high as 15000. This high species diversity has been attributed to the antiquity of the family, relatively low vagility leading to isolation, and evolutionary plasticity. In many aquatic ecosystems the number of chironomid species present may account for at least 50% of the total macroinvertebrate species recorded. This species richness, wide distribution and tolerance to adverse conditions has meant that the group is frequently recorded in ecological studies but taxonomic difficulties have in the past prevented non-specialist identification beyond family or subfamily level. Recent works, including genetic studies, have meant that the family is receiving much more attention globally."

This volume reflects the present state of the study of the Mediterranean as carried out by the Italian scientific community. The multidisciplinary character of the papers creates different "transversal" reading and clustering possibilities that the informed reader is free to design and undertake autonomously.

Experts investigate the biochemical and biomedical aspects of cholesterol, addressing its metabolism in normal and disease states. They discuss a broad range of topics, including key steps in the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway, and the role of cholesterol in cancer, atherosclerosis, and diseases of the nervous system. The book's comprehensive coverage also includes the pathological consequences and potential therapies for various disease states, and the development of new anti-atherogenic drugs.

Proceedings of an international workshop held in Hamburg, Germany, May 19-23, 1996

Since the advent of the Human Genome Project, an increasing number of disease-causing genes have been discovered and, in some cases, genetic tests developed. However, this is only the first step. The second, much larger phase is the analysis of the total sequence. What does the rest of the DNA do? The answer to this question will be determined by computer prediction, expression profiling, and comparative genome analysis. Comparative Genomics covers such topics as identifying novel genes, determining gene function, control sequences, and developmental switches. The book aims to demonstrate how different approaches taken with model organisms, such as mutation studies, expression profiling of cDNAs, in situ localization of message and comparative genome analysis (both at the gene and nucleotide level) will aid in our understanding of the results coming out of the Human Genome Project and contribute significantly to our understanding of how genes function.

People have relied on medicinal products derived from natural sources for millennia, and animals have long been an important part of that repertoire; nearly all cultures, from ancient times to the present, have used animals as a source of medicine. Ingredients derived from wild animals are not only widely used in traditional remedies, but are also increasingly valued as raw materials in the preparation of modern medicines. Regrettably, the unsustainable use of plants and animals in traditional medicine is recognized as a threat to wildlife conservation, as a result of which discussions concerning the links between traditional medicine and biodiversity are becoming increasingly imperative, particularly in view of the fact that folk medicine is the primary source of health care for 80% of the world's population. This book discusses the role of animals in traditional folk medicine and its meaning for wildlife conservation. We hope to further stimulate further discussions about the use of biodiversity and its implications for wildlife conservation strategies.