Biofilms, Volume 53 in the ongoing Methods in Microbiology series, highlights new advances in the field with this new volume presenting interesting chapters on a variety of timely topics, including Monospecies and polymicrobial biofilms in static and flow environment, Methods used to study biofilms, Spatial analysis of bacterial biofilms, Biofilm grown in bioreactors, Single-cell analysis of subpopulations within biofilms using microscopy, flow cytometry, and imaging flow cytometry, Microscopy analysis of biofilm-mineral interactions or mineral formation within biofilms, Bacterial biofilms as an essential component of rhizosphere plant-microbe interactions, Studying Gene Expression in Biofilms, and more.

Expanding Horizon of Cyanobacterial Biology discusses the different aspects of cyanobacteria cyanobacterial application, providing a better understanding of cyanobacterial metabolism. Chapters deal with cyanobacteria applications and explore how to exploit cyanobacterial metabolism for industrial applications. Sections cover cyanobacterial applications for the production of nanoparticles, cyanobacterial diversity, and the characterization of different assemblages such as cyanolichens and cyanobacterial endophytes, along with their ecological, morphological and physiological aspects. In addition, bioactive compounds and their applications are explored. Increasing attention has been paid by scientists across the globe to Cyanobacteria as they are ubiquitous microbes and, undoubtedly, an important organism in terms of carbon as well as nitrogen fixation. However, the research on these organisms is limited in terms of their diversity and distribution across the globe.

A description of a microbial colony grown on suitable agar usually involves the observation of its immediate surroundings. This applies to most bacteria and fungi and is of considerable taxonomic importance. This book discusses the more abundant pigments of microbial origin, their unique function in microbial life and their biotechnological significance.

This concise volume reviews the most current and topical aspects of Acinetobacter genetics and molecular biology and is aimed at a readership of research scientists, graduate students and other specialists. Expert international authors have contributed chapters on diverse topics including taxonomy, lipopolysaccharides, catabolism of aromatic compounds, transformation systems, transcriptional regulation, applications in biotechnology, the molecular basis for virulence and pathogenicity, molecular epidemiology, and antibiotic resistance. This book is highly recommended for anyone involved in Acinetobacter research.

Incorporating contributions from microbiologists, molecular biologists, plant breeders and soil scientists this volume reports the results and recommendations of an FAO/IAEA meeting of twelve experts on biological nitrogen fixation. This volume will be invaluable to scientists working on nitrogen fixation, soil microbiology, agronomy and crop production as well as farm advisers and extension specialists.
Maximising the Use of Biological Nitrogen Fixation in Agriculture is unique in that it:

-reviews the latest thinking on various aspects of biological nitrogen fixation technology and applications;
-reviews the possibilities in enhancing nitrogen fixation in various cropping systems;
-shows ways how biological nitrogen fixation can be used to enhance crop production;
-considers the applicability of these technologies to small farmers in developing countries.

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

ISPP2009, the 13th International Symposium on Phototrophic Prokaryotes, was held in Montreal, Canada, from August 9 to August 14. This was only the second time that the ISPP series was in North America. ISPP2009 was well attended with about 280 registered participants from over 30 countries. A stimulating and inf- mative program showcased the recent developments in this ever-evolving eld. This is always one of my favourite conference series to attend because not only does it inform my speci c research passions, it broadly educates me in ways that improve my teaching and increase my breadth of understanding in a variety of outside areas. Indeed, the ISPP series brings together a broad spectrum of interests, techniques, and disciplines. Both established researchers and newcomers to this eld gave oral presentations in a large number (80) of plenary and parallel symposia sessions which proved to have active audience participation and lively discussions. A large number of excellent poster presentations supplemented the oral program. I think that the high quality of the scienti c presentations, as well as the enjoyable social events, was widely appreciated. Things ran very smoothly, from the original registration to the closing ceremony, thanks to Isabel Stengler and her team at IS Event Solutions.

Topics covered in this book include RNA silencing and its suppression in plant virus infection, virus replication mechanisms, the association of cellular membranes with virus replication and movement, plant genetic resistance to viruses, viral cell-to-cell spread, long distance movement in plants, virus induced ER stress, virus diversity and evolution, virus-vector interactions, cross protection, geminiviruses, negative strand RNA viruses, viroids, and the diagnosis of plant viral diseases using next generation sequencing. This book was anticipated to help plant pathologists, scholars, professors, teachers and advanced students in the field with a comprehensive state-of-the-art knowledge of the subject.

This Volume describes methods for investigating microbes in their natural environment and how to obtain representative samples and preserve them for subsequent analyses. Chapters are arranged according to the environments under investigation, which include: oil reservoirs, fracking fluids, aquifers, coal beds, oil sands and their tailing ponds, lakes, rivers, leaves, polar seas and ice, the sea-surface microlayer, mud flats, microbialites, and deep-sea fauna. A variety of downstream analytical procedures are described, including: nucleic-acid extraction and preparation for high-throughput sequencing, fluorescence in-situ hybridisation, and cultivation of aerobic and anaerobic hydrocarbon-degrading microbes. Though most chapters focus on hydrocarbon-rich environments, many of the approaches used are generic, and as such will be of value to researchers embarking on studies of microbes and their processes in the field. Hydrocarbon and Lipid Microbiology Protocols There are tens of thousands of structurally different hydrocarbons, hydrocarbon derivatives and lipids, and a wide array of these molecules are required for cells to function. The global hydrocarbon cycle, which is largely driven by microorganisms, has a major impact on our environment and climate. Microbes are responsible for cleaning up the environmental pollution caused by the exploitation of hydrocarbon reservoirs and will also be pivotal in reducing our reliance on fossil fuels by providing biofuels, plastics and industrial chemicals. Gaining an understanding of the relevant functions of the wide range of microbes that produce, consume and modify hydrocarbons and related compounds will be key to responding to these challenges. This comprehensive collection of current and emerging protocols will facilitate acquisition of this understanding and exploitation of useful activities of such microbes.

Mathematical Analysis of Infectious Diseases updates on the mathematical and epidemiological analysis of infectious diseases. Epidemic mathematical modeling and analysis is important, not only to understand disease progression, but also to provide predictions about the evolution of disease. One of the main focuses of the book is the transmission dynamics of the infectious diseases like COVID-19 and the intervention strategies. It also discusses optimal control strategies like vaccination and plasma transfusion and their potential effectiveness on infections using compartmental and mathematical models in epidemiology like SI, SIR, SICA, and SEIR. The book also covers topics like: biodynamic hypothesis and its application for the mathematical modeling of biological growth and the analysis of infectious diseases, mathematical modeling and analysis of diagnosis rate effects and prediction of viruses, data-driven graphical analysis of epidemic trends, dynamic simulation and scenario analysis of the spread of diseases, and the systematic review of the mathematical modeling of infectious disease like coronaviruses.

Advanced Microbial Technology for Sustainable Agriculture and Environment focuses on plant-microbe interactions in respect to bioremediation and plant growth promotion, providing insights on diverse approaches such as genomics, metagenomics, proteomics, bioinformatics and other high-throughput analyses of environmentally relevant microorganisms. The impact of frequent applications of potentially toxic chemicals (pesticides and fertilizers) and increased industrialization processes on microbial diversity emphasizes the potential threat to microbial biodiversity in ecosystems. This is an ideal resource on current trends and the future of PGPR developments with bioremediation potential. Moreover, it gives a deep understanding of the genetics of microbial biodegradation and different remediation mechanisms that help to re-establish the natural environment.

Filarial nematodes constitute and important group of human pathogens in tropical regions of the world. Diseases associated with these worms are generally separated into two categories: filariasis, caused by infections of lymphatic dwelling parasites and onchocerciasis, or river blindness, caused by infections of Onchocerca volvulus. Other filariae specifically infect humans and it is likely that zoonotic filarial infections may alter the outcome of infections with human parasites. The chapters in this book will cover concepts that, in most instances, overlap all of these parasites as well as focus on new and emerging ideas. The Filaria, volume five of World Class Parasites, is written for researchers, students and scholars who enjoy reading research that has a major impact on human health, or agricultural productivity, and against which we have no satisfactory defense. It is intended to supplement more formal texts that cover taxonomy, life cycles, morphology, vector distribution, symptoms and treatment. It integrates vector, pathogen and host biology and celebrates the diversity of approach that comprises modern parasitological research.

Bacterial genomics is a mature research interdisciplinary field, which is approached by ecologists, geneticists, bacteriologists, molecular biologists and evolutionary biologists working in medical, industrial and basic science. Thanks to the large diffusion of bacterial genome analysis, Bacterial Pangenomics: Methods and Protocols is able to provide the most recent methodologies about the study of bacterial pangenomes by covering the three major areas: the experimental methods for approaching bacterial pangenomics, the bio informatic pipelines for analysis and annotation of sequence data and finally the methods for inferring functional and evolutionary features from the pangenome. Written in the 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 protocols and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and easily accessible, Bacterial Pangenomics: Methods and Protocols will serve as a field guide for both qualified bacterial genomics investigators who want to update their technical knowledge, for less experienced researchers who want to start working with bacterial genomics and pangenomics, as well as serving as a manual and supplemental textbook for graduate students of genomics and bioinformatics.

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

This volume provides a comprehensive coverage of the principal extreme soil ecosystems of natural and anthropogenic origin. Extreme soils oppose chemical or physical limits to colonization by most soil organisms and present the microbiologist with exciting opportunities.

Described here are a range of fascinating environments from permafrost to Martian soils. The book includes chapters on basic research in addition to applications in biotechnology and bioremediation.

Salt is an essential requirement of life. Already from ancient times (e. g. , see the books of the Bible) its importance in human life has been known. For example, salt symbolizes destruction (as in Sodom and Gomorra), but on the other hand it has been an ingredient of every sacrifice during the Holy Temple periods. Microbial life in concentrated salt solutions has fascinated scientists since its discovery. Recently there have been several international meetings and books devoted entirely to halophiles. This book includes the proceedings of the "Halophiles 2004" conference held in Ljubljana, Slovenia, in September 2004 (www. u- lj. si/~bfbhaloph/index. html). This meeting was attended by 120 participants from 25 countries. The editors have selected presentations given at the meeting for this volume, and have also invited a number of contributions from experts who had not been present in Ljubljana. This book complements "Halophilic Microorganisms", edited by A. Ventosa and published by Springer-Verlag (2004), "Halophilic Microorganism and their Environments" by A. Oren (2002), published by Kluwer Academic Publishers as volume 5 of "Cellular Origins, Life in Extreme Habitats and Astrobiology" (COLE), and "Microbiology and Biogeochemistry of Hypersaline Environments" edited by A. Oren, and published by CRC Press, Boca Raton (1999). Salt-loving (halophilic) microorganisms grow in salt solutions above seawater salinity (~3. 5% salt) up to saturation ranges (i. e. , around 35% salt). High concentrations of salt occur in natural environments (e. g.

This volume focuses on blocking disease transmission and the ecological perspective of pathogens and pathogenic processes. The chapters on blocking transmission cover the environmental safety of space flight, biocides and biocide resistance, as well as infection control in healthcare facilities. The book also offers insights into the ecological aspects of infectious disease, introducing the reader to the role of indigenous gut microbiota in maintaining human health and current discussions on environmentally encountered bacterial and fungal pathogens including species that variously cause the necrotizing skin disease Buruli ulcer and coccidioidomycosis. Further, it explores the influenza A virus as an example for understanding zoonosis. It is a valuable resource for microbiologists and biomedical scientists alike.

"Advances in Microbial Physiology" is one of the most successful and prestigious series from Academic Press, an imprint of Elsevier. It publishes topical and important reviews, interpreting physiology to include all material that contributes to our understanding of how microorganisms and their component parts work.
First published in 1967, it is now in its62nd volume. The Editors have always striven to interpret microbial physiology in the broadest context and have never restricted the contents to traditional views of whole cell physiology. Now edited by Professor Robert Poole, University of Sheffield, "Advances in Microbial Physiology" continues to be an influential and very well reviewed series.
Key features:

* Contributions from leading authorities * Informs and updates on all the latest developments in the field "

This book provides readers with information on the factors underlying the emergence of infectious diseases originating in animals and spreading to people. The One Health concept recognizes the important links between human, animal, and environmental health and provides an important strategy in epidemic mitigation and prevention. The essential premise of the One Health concept is to break down the silos among the different health professions and promote transdisciplinary collaborations. These concepts are illustrated with in-depth analyses of specific zoonotic agents and with examples of the successes and challenges associated with implementing One Health. The book also highlights some of the challenges societies face in confronting several specific zoonotic diseases. A chapter is included on comparative medicine to demonstrate the broad scope of the One Health concept. Edited by a team including the One Health Initiative pro bono members, the book is dedicated to those studying zoonotic diseases and comparative medicine in both human and veterinary medicine, to those involved in the prevention and control of zoonotic infections and to those in the general public interested in the visionary field of One Health.

We might think of them as living on the very edge of existence. Referred to as extremophiles, these microorganisms exhibit the most radical capacity for adaptation in those harsh environments that are just barely conducive to the existence of cellular life. Unlocking the mechanisms and understanding the evolutionary development that allows these simple organisms to thrive can teach us much about microbiology in extremis. Highly diverse, these microorganisms are found nearly everywhere. One example, thermophiles are microorganisms that thrive at temperatures above the mesophilic range of 25-40 degrees C. Until recently, due to their extreme environment, the study of thermophiles was limited. However with the advent of new tools, particularly genetic analysis, remarkable strides have been made. Thermophiles: Biology and Technology at High Temperatures presents a cogent summary of the progress made in studying these extremophiles. Discover how thermophiles demonstrate extremes that indicate a lack of evolutionary constraints Much is being learned from the study of thermophiles, especially our understanding of biology at the molecular level and the genetic mechanisms that permit adaptation. Included in this volume is a discussion of protective strategies of thermophiles, including their thermostability, which allow them to maintain functional proteins. It also investigates whether hyperthermophiles employ protein phosphorylation-dephosphryation as a molecular regulatory mechanism, and provides significant clues regarding the synthesis of protein. By studying this extreme example, its subtle, yet exaggerated response mechanisms, and its development over the course of many short-lived generations, we may begin to understand the mechanisms in diseases linked to improper protein folding, and also begin to more fully understand the ingenious design of DNA, and all that such an understanding implies regarding the survival of human life in a rapidly changing environment.

The NATO Advanced Research Workshop from which this book derives was conceived during Biotec-88, the Second Spanish Conference on Biotechnology, held at Barcelona in June 1988. The President of the Conference, Dr. Ricardo Guerrero, had arranged sessions on bacterial polymers which included lectures by five invited participants who, together with Dr. Guerrero, became the Organizing Committee for a projected meeting that would focus attention upon the increasing international importance of novel biodegradable polymers. The proposal found favour with the NATO Science Committee and, with Dr. R. Clinton Fuller and Dr. Robert W. Lenz as the co-Directors, Dr. Edwin A. Dawes as the Proceedings Editor, and Dr. Hans G. Schlegel, Dr. Alexander J.B. Zehnder and Dr. Ricardo Guerrero as members of the Organizing Committee, the meeting quickly took shape. To Dr. Guerrero we owe the happy choice of Sitges for the venue, a pleasant coastal resort 36 kilometres from Barcelona, which proved ideal. The sessions were held at the Palau de Maricel in appropriately impressive surroundings, and invaluable local support was provided by Mr. Jordi Mas-Castella and by Ms. Merce Piqueras. Much of the preparatory work fell upon the broad shoulders of Mr. Edward Knee, whose efforts are deeply appreciated. The Organizing Committee hopes that this Workshop will prove to be the first of a series which will aim to keep abreast of a rapidly expanding and exciting area of research that is highly relevant to environmental and industrial interests.

Leishmania parasites cause a diverse group of diseases endemic to many tropical and subtropical regions of the world. This volume seeks to bring together recent research on cell and molecular biology of Leishmania with chapters on the host response to infection, the current epidemiology of leishmaniasis, explanations of the many different species, vector control, and strategies for vaccine development and drug treatment. Leishmania, volume four of World Class Parasites, is written for researchers, students and scholars who enjoy reading research that has a major impact on human health, or agricultural productivity, and against which we have no satisfactory defense. It is intended to supplement more formal texts that cover taxonomy, life cycles, morphology, vector distribution, symptoms and treatment. It integrates vector, pathogen and host biology and celebrates the diversity of approach that comprises modern parasitological research.

Filamentous fungi have long been known for their ability to produce an enormous range of unusual chemical compounds known as secondary metabolites, many of which have potentially useful antibiotic or pharmacological properties. Recent focus on fungal genomics coupled with advances in detection and molecular manipulation techniques has galvanized a revitalization of this field. Fungal Secondary Metabolism: Methods and Protocols is aimed at providing the key methodologies currently in use and necessary for accessing and exploiting the natural product information provided by the genomes of this large and varied kingdom. Written by active researchers in the field, the chapters deal with all the steps necessary, from optimization of fungal culture conditions for metabolite production, through rapid genome sequencing and bioinformatics, and genetic manipulations for functional analysis, to detection and testing of metabolites. In addition, chapters on basic science address approaches to the genetic regulation, protein biochemistry, and cellular localization of the biosynthetic pathways. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Practical and hands-on, Fungal Secondary Metabolism: Methods and Protocols encourages new investigators to enter the field and expands upon the expertise and range of skills of those already researching fungal natural products.

Allelochemicals play a great role in managed and natural ecosystems. Apart from plant growth, allelochemicals also may influence nutrient dynamics, mycorrhizae, soil chemical characteristics, and microbial ecology. Synergistic action of various factors may better explain plant growth and distribution in natural systems. The book emphasizes the role of allelochemicals in shaping the structure of plant communities in a broader ecological perspective. The book addresses the following questions: (1) How do allelochemicals influence different components of the ecosystem in terms of shaping community structure? (2) Why is it difficult to demonstrate interference by allelochemicals (i.e., allelopathy) in a natural system in its entirety? Despite a large amount of existing literature on allelopathy, why are ecologists still skeptical about the existence of allelopathy in nature? (3) Why are there only scarce data on aquatic ecosystems? (4) What role do allelochemicals play in microbial ecology?.....