Advances in Microbial Physiology, Volume 74, the latest release in this ongoing series, continues the long tradition of topical, important, cutting-edge reviews in microbiology. The book contains updates in the field, with comprehensive chapters covering The electrifying physiology of Geobacter bacteria 30 years on, Adaptive morphogenesis in bacteria, Bacterial energetics and respiratory metabolism, Bacteria respiration during infection, Regulation of Organohalide Respiration, Bioenergetics of Campylobacter jejuni, Formate Hydrogenlyases, Bioenergetical Aspects of the Bacterial and Archaeal Hydrogen Metabolism, and more.

Biotechnology for Beginners, Third Edition presents the latest developments in the evolving field of biotechnology which has grown to such an extent over the past few years that increasing numbers of professional's work in areas that are directly impacted by the science. This book offers an exciting and colorful overview of biotechnology for professionals and students in a wide array of the life sciences, including genetics, immunology, biochemistry, agronomy and animal science. This book will also appeals to lay readers who do not have a scientific background but are interested in an entertaining and informative introduction to the key aspects of biotechnology. Authors Renneberg and Loroch discuss the opportunities and risks of individual technologies and provide historical data in easy-to-reference boxes, highlighting key topics. The book covers all major aspects of the field, from food biotechnology to enzymes, genetic engineering, viruses, antibodies, and vaccines, to environmental biotechnology, transgenic animals, analytical biotechnology, and the human genome.

Microbiology of Atypical Environments, Volume 45, presents a comprehensive reference text on the microbiological methods used to research the basic biology of microorganism in harsh, stressful and sometimes atypical environments (e.g. arctic ice, space stations, extraterrestrial environments, hot springs and magnetic environments). Chapters in this release include Biofilms in space, Methods for studying the survival of microorganisms in extraterrestrial environments, Persistence of Fungi in Atypical (Closed) Environments Based on Evidence from the International Space Station (ISS): Distribution and Significance to Human health, Methods for visualizing microorganisms in Icy environments, Measuring microbial metabolism at surface-air interfaces and nuclear waste management, amongst others.

Analytical Methods for Agricultural Contaminants provides proven laboratory practices and methods necessary to control contaminants and residues in food and water. This reference provides insight into good laboratory practices and examples of methods used in individual specialist laboratories, thus enabling stakeholders in the agri-food industry to appreciate the importance of proven, reliable data and the associated quality assurance approaches for end product testing for toxic levels of contaminants and contaminant residues in food. The book offers standard operating procedures and tools for researchers, practitioners and students to confidently engage in using research methods with the aim to control contaminants. Users in a laboratory setting will find this to be a practical and useful reference on how to detect and control agricultural contaminants for a safe food supply.

Viral, Parasitic, Bacterial, and Fungal Infections: Antimicrobial, Host Defense, and Therapeutic Strategies highlight diverse types of infections, including viral, bacterial, parasitic, fungal, and the therapeutic efficacy of antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals and other medications, nutraceuticals, and phytotherapeutics. This book addresses the molecular, pathophysiological, and cellular pathways involved in the process of infection. It also examines the host defense mechanisms modulated by innate and adaptive immunity. The book starts off with an introduction, which includes etiology, pathophysiology, and diagnosis of infections. It then goes on to cover a wide spectrum of salient features involved in viral, bacterial, parasitic, and fungal infections and effective therapeutic strategies. In addition, there is a complete section of eight chapters elaborating the detailed aspects of COVID-19 infections, Mucormycosis, Omicron, and strategic vaccines and therapeutics. The book further goes on to discuss novel antibiotics, vaccines, bromhexine, boron compounds, phytotherapeutics, and aspects on boosting immune competence. Contributed by experts in the fields of viral, parasitic, bacterial, and fungal infections, the book comprehensively details the various types of infections such as herpes and COVID-19, their molecular mechanisms, and treatment strategies for those engaged in the research of infectious diseases.

It is well established that certain strains of yeasts are suitable for transforming grape sugars into alcohol, while other yeast strains are not suitable for grape fermentations. Recent progress has clearly demonstrated that the sensory profile of a wine is characteristic of each vine cultivated, and the quality and technological characteristics of the final product varies considerably due to the strains which have performed and/or dominated the fermentation process. Because of their technological properties, wine yeast strains differ significantly in their fermentation performance and in their contribution to the final bouquet and quality of wine, such as useful enzymatic activities and production of secondary compounds related both to wine organoleptic quality and human health. The wine industry is greatly interested in wine yeast strains with a range of specialized properties, but as the expression of these properties differs with the type and style of wine to be made, the actual trend is in the use of selected strains, which are more appropriate to optimize grape quality. Additionally, wine quality can be influenced by the potential growth and activity of undesirable yeast species, considered spoilage yeasts, which cause sluggish and stuck fermentation and detrimental taste and aroma in the wine.

Variety of bacteria are present in our environment but only a few of these bacteria causes diseases in their hosts including humans. These bacteria face different stresses in the environment as well as inside the host and adapt number of strategies for their survival. In 5 parts Bacterial Survival in the Hostile Environment covers all tactics and strategies adopted by bacteria for their survival under stressed conditions and will be focused on mechanistic insights of pathogenic adaptations to host environments (acidic environment, microaerobic conditions, immune system stress, metal stress etc., modulation of host pathways by pathogens for survival, dormancy, drug tolerance and resistance, proteins for stress survival). The content also includes different adaptation mechanisms of extremophiles to extreme environment, provides a complete and globally available advance knowledge related to bacterial survival from different perspectives and reviews the knowledge gaps and future prospects in the field of microbial adaptation for sustainable development of in the field of infection biology and pharmaceutics.

Metagenomics to Bioremediation: Applications, Cutting Edge Tools, and Future Outlook provides detailed insight into metagenomics approaches to bioremediation in a comprehensive manner, thus enabling the analysis of microbial behavior at a community level under different environmental stresses during degradation and detoxification of environmental pollutants. The book summarizes each and all aspects of metagenomics applications to bioremediation, helping readers overcome the lack of updated information on advancement in microbial ecology dealing with pollution abatement. Users will find insight not only on the fundamentals of metagenomics and bioremediation, but also on recent trends and future expectations. This book will appeal to readers from diverse backgrounds in biology, chemistry and life sciences.

Biology of Mycobacterial Lipids covers various topics pertaining to the advancements and current research in the field of mycobacterial lipids, and on the significant progress in lipidomics, in recent times. The chapters present comprehensive, yet systematic cutting-edge research, comprising mycobacterial lipid terminologies, classifications, biosynthetic pathways, tools and techniques, and functional burgeoning. This unique reference book has contributions from pioneer researchers, experts, and eminent veterans from around the globe. It covers ground-breaking work that will bridge the gap between understanding biochemical patterns related to virulence, pathogenesis, and resistance and elucidating new targets for drug design, identifying biomarkers for predicting risk, early diagnosis, and therapeutic outcome.

Microbial Resources: From Functional Existence in Nature to Applications provides an exciting interdisciplinary journey through the rapidly developing field of microbial resources, including relationships to aspects of microbiology. Covers the functional existence of microorganisms in nature, as well as the transfer of this knowledge for industrial and other applications. Examines the economic perspective of revealing the potential value of microbial material and figuring it into socio-economic value; legal perspectives; and how to organize a fair allotment of socio-economic benefits to all stakeholders who have effectively contributed to the preservation, study, and exploitation of microbiological material.

Geminivirus: Detection, Diagnosis and Management focuses on the latest techniques for managing diseases caused by these circular, single-stranded (ss) DNA genomes. The most significant impact of plant diseases in host populations is often caused by emerging diseases, whose incidence in a plant host is increasing as a result of long-term changes in their underlying epidemiology. Genetic changes in pathogen and host populations, as well as changes in host ecology and environment, are major factors contributing to disease emergence. Understanding plant virus evolution is crucial for modeling the within-host and between-host dynamics and genetics of virus populations. The book presents a comprehensive review of how these viruses develop, including contributing factors such as population bottlenecks during cell-to-cell movement, systemic colonization, or between-host transmission by different procedures. Presented in five sections-Detection and Diagnosis, Emergence and Diversity, Vector and Transmission, Virus-Host Interaction, and Disease Management, the book includes host range determinant and virulence factors involved in pathogenesis, virus-vector interactions during acquisition, retention, and transmission and evaluating management strategies to control Geminivirus. The book is an essential reference for students and researchers interested in plant virology, particularly begomoviruses, geminiviruses, and vector transmission biology. Introduces identification and characterization of geminiviruses that infect agricultural crops, their wild relatives, and weed hosts Discusses recombination and reassortment mechanisms influencing viral genetic diversity, virulence, and vector transmission Explores the origin, evolution, and bottlenecks of Geminiviruses

Approx.542 pages

Molecular Characterization of Autophagic Responses, Part B presents a collection of methods for the qualitative and quantitative evaluation of virtually all the morphological, biochemical, and functional manifestations of autophagy, in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo, in organisms as distant as yeast and man. Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism for the lysosomal degradation of superfluous or dangerous cytoplasmic entities, and plays a critical role in the preservation of cellular and organismal homeostasis. Monitoring the biochemical processes that accompany autophagy is fundamental for understanding whether autophagic responses are efficient or dysfunctional.

Trends of Applied Microbiology for a Sustainable Economy discusses the role of modern tools and next-generation technologies in applied microbial research, including recent trends and innovation in global biofertilizers. Agriculture has seen dramatic changes since the time of its inception. Starting with the domestication of wild plants to small-scale traditional farming and then large-scale, chemical-intensive agriculture. It is at a crossroads once again, putting a huge amount of pressure on available natural resources like soil, water and biodiversity which is bound to increase with the ever-growing human population. This book helps readers understand the challenges associated with these demographic changes.

'A brilliant book [that] shows a way out of the destructive trap of Anthropocentric arrogance.' Vandana Shiva, from the Foreword Biocivilisations is a fascinating, original and important exploration into how complex civilisations existed on Earth long before humans. What is life? This is arguably the most important question in all of science. Many scientists believe life can be reduced to ‘mechanistic’ factors, such as genes and information codes. Everything can be sequenced and explained. But in a world as rich and complex as this one, can such an assertion really be true? A growing army of scientists, philosophers and artists do not share this mechanistic vision for the science of life. The gene metaphor is not only too simplistic but also misleading. If there is a way to reduce life to a single principle, how does that principle acknowledge the creativity of life that turns both genetic and information determinism on their heads? Biocivilisations is a groundbreaking book exploring the mysteries of life and its deep uncertainty. Dr Predrag Slijep�ević turns anthropocentric scientific thinking on its head, showing how the humble bacteria created the equivalent of cities and connected them with information highways, bringing our planet to life three thousand million years ago. He explains how bacteria, amoebas, plants, insects, birds, whales, elephants and countless other species not only preceded human beings but also demonstrate elements of complex civilisation – communication, agriculture, science, art, medicine and more – that we associate with human achievement. More than 99.99 percent of life on Earth has existed without humanity, and life will continue without humans long into the future. Biocivilisations is an important rethinking of the current scientific paradigm. It challenges us to reconsider the limited scope and time-window of our current ‘scientific revolution’ and to fundamentally reimagine what we call ‘life on Earth’.

This text comprehensively covers the rituals, traditions and receipts of ancestral processes of bread making from multiple countries, including the scientific and technological character of the science of bread making and sourdough biotechnology. Individual chapters cover the scientific aspects of bread making in different cultures and traditions as well as the technological phenomena occurring during the bread making process, utilizing the full network of SOURDOMICS from the COST initiative. Pictures and illustrations are used to explain the science behind bread making processes and the cultural, historical and traditional elements associated with bread making in multiple countries. Authored by bread making experts from the breadth of Europe, the process of bread fermentation in each country and region is covered in detail. The traditions surrounding bread making are simply the empirical know-how passed between generations, and this book's main purpose is to perpetuate these traditions and know-how. Provides a description of the culture of European peoples with respect to the technology of bread making and sourdough biotechnology; Explains the process of bread fermentation using simple language combined with scientific rigor; High quality pictures and illustrations enrich the scientific and cultural elements mentioned in each chapter.

Eukaryotic Microbes presents chapters hand-selected by the editor of the Encyclopedia of Microbiology, updated whenever possible by their original authors to include key developments made since their initial publication. The book provides an overview of the main groups of eukaryotic microbes and presents classic and cutting-edge research on content relating to fungi and protists, including chapters on yeasts, algal blooms, lichens, and intestinal protozoa. This concise and affordable book is an essential reference for students and researchers in microbiology, mycology, immunology, environmental sciences, and biotechnology.