Vaccines represent the greatest achievements of one area of science for increasing our health and well-being. This collection of papers represents the latest advances in bacterial vaccine research. The papers presented at this symposium illustrate the increasing potential and need for continuing research into disease pathogenesis, host resistance mechanisms, and vaccine development. Further, the study of bacterial vaccines provides an important method for characterizing pathogenic mechanisms and natural and induced host resistance mechanisms.

The term "muscular dystrophy" (MD) describes a group of primary genetic disorders of muscle that often have a distinctive and recognizable clinical p- notype, accompanied by characteristic, but frequently not pathognomonic, pathological features. Research into the molecular basis of the MDs by a c- bination of positional cloning and candidate gene analysis has provided the basis for a reclassification of these disorders, with genetic and protein data augmenting traditional clinically based nomenclature. These findings have brought insights into the molecular pathogenesis of MD, with an increasing number of potential pathways involved in arriving at a dystrophic phenotype. Some common themes can be recognized, however, including the involvement of five members of the dystrophin-associated complex (dystrophin and four sarcoglycans) in different types of MD, and the involvement of two nuclear envelope proteins in producing an Emery-Dreifuss MD phenotype. Other d- ease-associated genes appear to cause MD in a completely unrelated way, such as the involvement of calpain 3 in a form of limb-girdle muscular dystrophy. Section 1 of Muscular Dystrophy: Methods and Protocols reviews tra- tional strategies used to identify MDs. Meantime, techniques developed as a result of the research strategies described previously have become an integral part of the management of many patients with MD and their families, and these techniques are addressed in Sections 2 (DNA-based tests) and 3 (p- tein-based analyses). The continued effort to translate this enhanced und- standing into a molecular cure or treatment for MD is reviewed in Section 4.

The aberrant replication pathway of foamy viruses distinguishes them from all other retroviruses. Many details have been accumulated over the past ten or so years. Most of the findings on foamy viruses were obtained by research on a single virus isolate previously called "human foamy virus", which appeared to be the first to be investigated on a molecular level. However, to the editor's knowledge, genuine human foamy viruses do not exist, but several trans-species transmissions of different simian foamy viruses from monkeys and apes to human hosts.

One of the most exciting developments in the field of bacterial pathogenesis in recent years is the discovery that many pathogens utilize complex nanomachines to deliver bacterially encoded effector proteins into eukaryotic and prokaryotic target cells to modulate a variety of cellular functions for the pathogen's benefit. These protein-delivery machines include the type III secretion system (T3SS), which is widespread in nature and encoded not only by bacteria pathogenic to vertebrates or plants, but also by bacteria that are symbiotic to plants or insects. Because they are essential virulence factors for many important human pathogens, these systems are emerging as a prime target for the development of new-generation, anti-infective drugs. This book reviews our current understanding of these intriguing injection machines as well as of the closely related T3SS that serves in flagella assembly. Individual chapters focus on regulation, assembly, structure, and function of the type III secretion machine and on the evolution of the secreted effector proteins. Given its scope, this book will appeal to a broad readership, including researchers and teachers in the fields of infectious diseases, host pathogen interactions, plant and animal pathogenesis, and symbiosis.

The third edition of this volume expands upon the previous two editions with new and up-to-date methods and protocols. Chapters include step-by-step procedures involved in quantifying cell growth, baculovirus infection and cell metabolism, methods to isolate new cell lines and develop your own serum-free medium, and routine maintenance and storage of insect cell lines and baculoviruses, small- and large-scale recombinant protein production with the BEVS in both insect and mammalian cell culture and in insect larvae, production and characterization of baculoviruses, green fluorescent protein, tubular reactors and RNAi, and baculovirus/insect cell system to study apoptosis and generating envelop-modified baculovirus for gene delivery into mammalian cells. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and key tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Baculovirus and Insect Cell Expression Protocols, Third Edition aims to not only aid the user in successfully completing the tasks described, but also stimulate the development of improved techniques and new applications of baculoviruses and insect cell culture.

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is the most common leukaemia in the Western world. It is also the prototype of B-cell chronic lymphoid malignancies and of their ramifications within the fields of hematology, immunology and oncology. For a long time the Cinderella of lymphoid malignancies CLL has now become the focus of major interest and an increasing number of investigators from different areas, including genetics, molecular biology, basic and applied immunology are becoming actively engaged in the investigation of CLL. Clinicians are considering CLL as a very interesting target of many projects which aim at translating the new and exciting developments of basic science into effective new approaches to the patient.

Staphylococcus aureus is now acknowledged as being the most important bacterial pathogen of humans. It usually produces localized disease but can be rapidly invasive, spreading through the tissues, invading bone, and seeding the bloodstream to produce a fulminant picture of septic shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and rapid death. Moreover, most strains of staph infections are becoming resistant to most antibiotics, thus posing a significant problem for hospitals and health care facilities. This book, a volume in the Infectious Agents and Pathogenesis series, presents chapters by the major researchers in the field.

This first volume in a two-volume work enhances readers' understanding of antimicrobial resistance mechanisms in selected bacterial species that cause diseases in major food producing animals. It provides an overview of the current legislation and policies seeking to regulate the authorisation, manufacturing, distribution and use of veterinary antimicrobials in practice in a way that helps to contain the spread of antimicrobial resistance. The focus is put on Europe, without neglecting the global context. Moreover, attention is paid to various uses of antimicrobials in livestock, considering both their risks and benefits, from the distant past to the present. Growth promotion, prophylaxis, metaphylaxis, diagnostics and treatment are discussed not only with regard to food production and animal health, but also considering the One Health concept, which combines public and animal health with environmental aspects. A summary of various systems for monitoring the use of antimicrobials is provided, as well as an overview of the diseases that European veterinarians most often treat with antimicrobials. In closing, the book addresses the complexity of recent measures that are of key importance for antimicrobial stewardship, e.g. biosecurity, vaccination and other preventive tools including the newest technologies like smart farming. The complete two-volume work provides an extensive review of various aspects related to the use of antimicrobials in veterinary medicine, especially considering major food producing species, their most common infectious diseases and causative pathogens, and mainly focusing on the situation in Europe, without ignoring the global context. While Volume I discusses more general aspects of antibiotic use such as regulatory, laboratory and practical issues from different perspectives, Volume II more specifically discusses medical aspects and the use of antimicrobials in cattle, pigs, poultry and horses, as well as pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, two of the most important factors determining the success of treatment. In both volumes, each chapter confronts the reader with open questions to stimulate further discussions and future research on the topics covered.

Metabolic engineering has been developed over the past 20 years to become an important tool for the rational engineering of industrial microorganisms. This book has a particular interest in the methods and applications of metabolic engineering to improve the production and yield of a variety of different metabolites. The overall goal is to achieve a better understanding of the metabolism in different microorganisms, and provide a rational basis to reprogram microorganisms for improved biochemical production.

1 The Genetics of Paramyxoviruses.- I. Introduction: The Genome Strategy of the Paramyxoviruses.- II. Genome Organization.- A. Genome Structure and function.- B. Coding Potential.- III. Genetic Interactions.- A. Absence of Genetic Recombination.- B. Complementation Analysis with Conditional Lethal Mutants.- C. Other Mutants.- IV. Analysis of Gene function.- A. Transport and Glycosylation of the G Glycoprotein of Respiratory Syncytial Virus.- B. Membrane Interactions of the F1 Polypeptide of SV5.- C. Gene-Specific Hypermutation in Measles Virus.- V Prospects.- VI. References.- 2 The Molecular Biology of the Paramyxovirus Genus.- I. Introduction.- A. History.- B. General Properties.- II. Virus Structure.- A. Morphology.- B. Virion Envelope and Envelope-Associated Proteins.- C. Internal Virion and Nonstructural Proteins.- III. Viral Replication.- A. Adsorption, Penetration, and Uncoating.- B. Molecular Organization of the Genome.- C. Transcription.- D. Genome Replication.- IV References.- 3 The Molecular Biology of the Morbilliviruses.- I. Introduction.- II. Genome Structure and Replication Strategy.- III. Genetic Relationships among the Morbilliviruses.- A. Nucleocapsid Protein Gene.- B. The Phosphoprotein Gene.- C. Matrix Protein Gene.- D. Fusion Protein Gene.- E. The Hemagglutinin Protein Gene.- F. The L Protein Gene.- IV. Function of the 5? and 3? Untranslated Regions.- V. Diagnosis Using Molecular Techniques.- VI. Morbillivirus Vaccines.- VII. Conclusions.- VIII. References.- 4 The Molecular Biology of Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) of the Genus Pneumovirus.- I. Introduction.- II. Structures of the RSV Virion, RNAs, and Proteins.- A. Virion Structure.- B. Overview: Identification of Genomic RNA (vRNA), mRNAs, and Proteins.- C. Genetic Map of Strain A2.- D. Structures of the mRNAs.- E. Sequence Diversity among RSV Strains: Antigenic Subgroups.- F. Structures of the RSV Proteins.- III. RSV Replication.- A. Attachment, Penetration, and Growth Cycle.- B. vRNA Transcription.- C. vRNA Replication.- D. Virion Morphogenesis.- IV. Evolutionary Relationships.- A. RSV Antigenic Subgroups.- B. Relationships with Other Paramyxoviruses.- V. Conclusions.- VI. References.- 5 Evolutionary Relationships of Paramyxovirus Nucleocapsid-Associated Proteins.- I. Introduction.- A. Paramyxovirus Nucleocapsid Structure.- B. Functions of Nucleocapsid-Associated Proteins.- II. Sequence Analyses of Nucleocapsid Proteins.- A. NP Proteins.- B. L Proteins.- C. P Proteins.- III. Conclusions.- IV. References.- 6 The Nonstructural Proteins of Paramyxoviruses.- I. Introduction.- II. Paramyxovirus C Proteins.- A. Identification in Infected Cells.- B. The P and C Proteins are Encoded in Overlapping Reading Frames.- C. Multiple Initiation Codons on One mRNA.- D. Initiation Codon Consensus Sequences and the Scanning Hypothesis.- E. Subcellular Localization and Possible Function of Sendai Virus C Proteins.- F. When is a Nonstructural Protein a Structural Protein?.- G. Identification of C Proteins of Parinfluenza Virus 3, Measles Virus, and CDV.- III. Paramyxovirus Cysteine-Rich Proteins.- A. Identification of the Polypeptide and Its Gene in SV5.- B. Assignment of Coding Regions.- C. Strategy by Which P and V are Encoded.- D. Mechanism for the Addition of Extra Nucleotides to mRNAs.- E. Conservation of the Cysteine-Rich Region of Protein V in Paramyxoviruses.- F. Prediction of Cysteine-Rich Polypeptides and mRNAs with Extra Nucleotides in All Paramyxoviruses.- G. Identification of the Nonstructural Protein V and Its mRNAs in Other Paramyxoviruses.- H. Function of the Paramyxovirus Cysteine-Rich Protein V?.- IV. Paramyxovirus Small Hydrophobic (SH) Proteins.- A. Identification of the Polypeptide and Its Gene in SV5.- B. The SH Gene of Mumps Virus.- V Sendai Virus Nonstructural Polypeptide B: Intracellularly Phosphorylated Matrix Protein.- VI. Prospects.- VII. References.- 7 Paramyxovirus RNA Synthesis and P Gene Expression.- I. Paramyxovirus RNA Synthesis...

Only recently have we begun to appreciate the role of microbiome in health and disease. Environmental factors and change of life style including diet significantly shape human microbiome that in turn appears to modify gut barrier function affecting nutrient & electrolyte absorption and inflammation. Approaches that can reverse the gut dysbiosis represent as reasonable and novel strategies for restoring the balance between host and microbes. In the book, we offer summary and discussion on the advances in understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms of microbial host interactions in human diseases. We will not only discuss intestinal bacterial community, but also viruses, fungi and oral microbiome. Microbiome studies will facilitate diagnosis, functional studies, drug development and personalized medicine. Thus, this book will further highlight the microbiome in the context of health and disease, focusing on mechanistic concepts that underlie the complex relationships between host and microbes.

Praise for the Series:
"This serial... is well known to virologists. It is a valuable aid in maintaining an overview of various facets of the rapidly expanding fields of virology... Timely, informative, and useful to student, teacher, and research scientist."
--American Scientist
"A mandatory purchase for all types of comprehensive libraries, both public and university, as well as for those interested in or doing research in the field of virology."
--Military Medicine

Key Features
* Among the topics covered are:
* Virus-induced immunopathology
* Filoviruses
* Molecular characterization of pestiviruses
* Transactivation of cellular genes by hepatitus B virus proteins
* Principles of molecular organization, expression, and evolution of closteroviruses
* Primate T lymphotropic oncoretroviruses
* Replication of positive-stranded RNA viruses of plants and animals

Recent years have seen unprecedented outbreaks of avian influenza A viruses. In particular, highly pathogenic H5N1 viruses have not only resulted in widespread outbreaks in domestic poultry, but have been transmitted to humans, resulting in numerous fatalities. The rapid expansion in their geographic distribution and the possibility that these viruses could acquire the ability to spread from person to person raises the risk that such a virus could cause a global pandemic with high morbidity and mortality. An effective influenza vaccine represents the best approach to prevent and control such an emerging pandemic. However, current influenza vaccines are directed at existing seasonal influenza viruses, which have little or no antigenic relationship to the highly pathogenic H5N1 strains. Concerns about pandemic preparedness have greatly stimulated research activities to develop eff- tive vaccines for pandemic influenza viruses, and to overcome the limitations inh- ent in current approaches to vaccine production and distribution. These limitations include the use of embryonated chicken eggs as the substrate for vaccine prod- tion, which is time-consuming and could involve potential biohazards in growth of new virus strains. Other limitations include the requirement that the current inac- vated influenza vaccines be administered using needles and syringes, requiring trained personnel, which could be a bottleneck when attempting to vaccinate large populations in mass campaigns. In addition, the current inactivated vaccines that are delivered by injection elicit limited protective immunity in the upper respiratory tract where the infection process is initiated.

Megaplasmids are extrachromosomal genetic elements in the size range of 100 kb and larger. They are found in physiologically and phylogenetically diverse groups of bacteria and archaea. By definition, megaplasmids are not essential for the viability of their hosts under all growth conditions, but paradoxically many megaplasmids carry the genetic information for the defining and characteristic traits of the organism in which they reside.

Microbial Megaplasmids reviews our knowledge of the extensively studied representatives, such as the catabolic plasmids of the pseudomonads, the rhizobial Sym plasmids, the Ti plasmids of the genus Agrobacterium and the giant enterobacterial virulence plasmids. It also presents snapshots of more recently discovered megaplasmids. The contribution of megaplasmids to the biology of their hosts is described, highlighting the interactions between megaplasmid and chromosomal genes.

The enormous advances in molecular biology that have been witnessed in . Not recent years have had major impacts on many areas of the biological sciences least of these has been in the field of clinical bacteriology and infectious disease . Molecular Bacteriology: Protocols and ClinicalApplications aims to provide the reader with an insight into the role that molecular methodology has to play in modern medical bacteriology. The introductory chapter ofMolecular Bacteriology: ProtocolsandCli- cal Applications offers a personal overview by a Consultant Medical Microbio- gist of the impact and future potential offered by molecular methods. The next six chapters comprise detailed protocols for a range of such methods . We believe that the use of these protocols should allow the reader to establish the various methods described in his or her own laboratory. In selecting the methods to be included in this section, we have concentrated on those that, arguably, have greatest current relevance to reference clinical bacteriology laboratories; we have deliberately chosen not to give detailed protocols for certain methods, such as multilocus enzyme electrophoresis that, in our opinion, remain the preserve of specialist la- ratories and that are not currently suited for general use. We feel that the methods included in this section will find increasing use in diagnostic laboratories and that it is important that the concepts, advantages, and limitations of each are th- oughly understood by a wide range of workers in the field .

The discovery of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) by Epstein, Achong, and Barr, reported in 1964 (Lancet 1:702-703), was stimulated by Denis Burkitt's rec- nition of a novel African childhood lymphoma and his postulation that an infectious agent was involved in the tumor's etiology (Nature194:232-234, 1962). Since then, molecular and cellular biological and computational technologies have progressed by leaps and bounds. The advent of recombinant DNA technology opened the possibilities of genetic research more than most would have realized. Not only have the molecular tools permitted the analyses of viral mechanisms, but, importantly, they have formed the basis for discerning viral presence and, subsequently, viral involvement in an increasing number of diseases. Though in every field of science the search for further knowledge is likely to be a limitless phenomenon, the distinct goal in EBV research, namely, to gain sufficient insight into the viral-host interaction to be able to intercept the pathogenic process, is beginning to be realized. Epstein-Barr virus research has effectively entered the postgenomic era that began with the sequencing of the first strains, cloned in the mid to late 1980s.

This book focuses on host-pathogen interactions at the metabolic level. It explores the metabolic requirements of the infectious agents, the microbial metabolic pathways that are dedicated to circumvent host immune mechanisms as well as the molecular mechanisms by which pathogens hijack host cell metabolism for their own benefit. Finally, it provides insights on the possible clinical and immunotherapeutic applications, as well as on the available experimental and analytical methods. The contributions break new ground in understanding the metabolic crosstalk between host and pathogen.

Prokaryotic Toxins - Antitoxins gives the first overview of an exciting and rapidly expanding research field. Toxin - antitoxin (TA) genes were discovered on plasmids 30 years ago. Since then it has become evident that TA genes are highly abundant in bacterial and archaeal chromosomes. TA genes code for an antitoxin that combine with and neutralize a cognate toxin. When activated, the toxins inhibit protein synthesis and cell growth and thereby induce dormancy and multidrug tolerance (persistence). Remarkably, in some species, the TA gene families have undergone dramatic expansions. For example, the highly persistent major human pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis has "100 TA loci. The large expansion of TA genes by some organisms is a biological mystery. However, recent observations indicate that TA genes contribute cumulatively to the persistence of bacteria. This medically important phenomenon may thus for the first time become experimentally tractable at the molecular level.

"Clostridium difficile" has been recognized as the cause of a broad spectrum of enteric disease ranging from mild antibiotic-associated diarrhea to pseudomembranous colitis. This volume gives new insights into the microbiology, diagnostics and epidemiology of "Clostridium difficile" and describes recent strategies in treatment of diseases caused by this agent. Main parts of the volume are devoted to "Clostridium difficile" toxins A and B which are the major virulence factors. The molecular biology, biochemistry, pharmacology and cell biology of these toxins which are the prototypes of a new family of large clostridial cytotoxins is described in great detail. "Clostridium difficile" toxins act as glucosyltransferases to inactivate small GTP-binding proteins of the Rho family which are involved in regulation of the actin cytoskeleton, cell adhesion and various signaling processes.

Microbial cell wall structures play a significant role in maintaining cells' shape, as protecting layers against harmful agents, in cell adhesion and in positive and negative biological activities with host cells. All prokaryotes, whether they are bacteria or archaea, rely on their surface polymers for these multiple functions. Their surfaces serve as the indispensable primary interfaces between the cell and its surroundings, often mediating or catalyzing important interactions.

"Prokaryotic Cell Wall Compounds" summarizes the current state of knowledge on the prokaryotic cell wall. Topics concerning bacterial and archaeal polymeric cell wall structures, biological activities, growth and inhibition, cell wall interactions and the applications of cell wall components, especially in the field of nanobiotechnology, are presented.

Mammalian reovirus had been the major focus for molecular understanding of the Reoviridae and has served as a model system for the other members of the family. Indeed, most of our initial understanding of molecular biology and processes involved in virus replication and pathogenesis for the members of the family was generated from reovirus studies. With this platform two other members of the family causing disease in human and/or animals have gained in prominence and the molecular interactions from a structural level through to host-virus interactions as well as the function of the structural and non-structural proteins in the virus life cycle has been investigated in detail.

This book reviews our current understanding of Reoviridae entry, disassembly/assembly and egress in addition to updating high resolution structures of virus proteins and capsids from three different genera of the family.

This book examines the current state of probiotic research and in particular focuses on the future potential of this important and exciting area. Probiotics and Prebiotics contains state-of-the-art commentaries on all aspects of the intestinal microflora and probiotics and provides an authoritative review of important aspects of probiotic research. Written by leading experts in the field, each chapter affords a critical insight to a particular topic, reviews current research, discusses future direction and stimulates discussion. Topics covered include the genomics of probiotic microorganisms, the developing technologies for analysis of gut microorganisms, evaluation and future potential of prebiotic substances, and the potential for disease prevention in the host by probiotic organisms. This book is an essential text for all microbiologists, health professionals, biotechnologists, pharmaceutical companies, and dairy and food scientists.

This book describes antibiotic resistance amongst pathogenic bacteria. It starts with an overview of the erosion of the efficacy of antibiotics by resistance and the decrease in the rate of replacement of redundant compounds. The origins of antibiotic resistance are then described. It is proposed that there is a large bacterial resistome which is a collection of all resistance genes and their precursors in both pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria. Ongoing resistance surveillance programs are also discussed, together with the perspective of a clinical microbiologist. The book then turns to specific themes such as the most serious area of resistance in pathogens, namely in Gram-negative organisms. The role of combinations of antibiotics in combating resistance emergence is discussed, particularly in the tuberculosis field, and then the importance of non-multiplying and persistent bacteria which are phenotypically resistant to antibiotics and prolong the duration of therapy of antibiotics which leads to poor compliance and resistance emergence. The role of anti-microbial compounds in textiles is covered, with its potential to exacerbate the spread of resistance. Then, efflux pumps are discussed. The final chapter describes the compounds which are in late stage clinical development, illustrating the paucity of the antibiotic pipeline, especially for Gram-negative bacteria.

This is the most comprehensive, up-to-date reference on this post-translational modification of proteins, which is intimately linked with DNA repair, maintenance of genomic stability, transcriptional regulation, cell death and a variety of other cellular phenomena as well as with a variety of pathophysiological conditions, including ischemia-reperfusion damage, Parkinson 's disease, Type I diabetes mellitus, hemorrhagic and septic shock and other inflammatory conditions. Richly illustrated, it offers 19 chapters written by international experts.

It has been estimated that there are more microbial cells inhabiting the human body than there are eukaryotic cells of which it is made up. This normal microflora usually co-exists relatively peacefully with the host and does not cause infection. The mechanisms by which this co-existence is achieved are still not properly understood and the interaction between the normal microflora and the host is far from simple. For a variety of reasons, however, this interaction can be disturbed and often results in the microflora becoming pathogens. The study of the diseases then caused is important both in terms of treatment and in terms of contributing to our understanding of the mechanisms by which the normal microflora usually interacts with the host. This title brings together an international list of contributors, all of whom have active research interests in the normal microflora. Each of the chapters reviews current knowledge about a specific group or organism within the microflora and the diseases they can cause. Microflora of the skin, respiratory tract, oral cavity, gastrointestinal system and genital tract are all discussed and the impact of molecular methods on our understanding of the normal microflora is emphasised throughout the book. Medical microbiologists, dental specialists, infectious disease specialists, nutritionists and gastroenterologists will all find this book of immense interest and value, as will epidemiologists, dermatologists and general microbiologists.