The six years that have passed since the publication of the first edition have brought significant advances in both biofilm research and biofilm engineering, which have matured to the extent that biofilm-based technologies are now being designed and implemented. As a result, many chapters have been updated and expanded with the addition of sections reflecting changes in the status quo in biofilm research and engineering. Emphasizing process analysis, engineering systems, biofilm applications, and mathematical modeling, Fundamentals of Biofilm Research, Second Edition provides the tools to unify and advance biofilm research as a whole. Retaining the goals of the first edition, this second edition serves as: A compendium of knowledge about biofilms and biofilm processes A set of instructions for designing and conducting biofilm experiments A set of instructions for making and using various tools useful in biofilm research A set of computational procedures useful in interpreting results of biofilm research A set of instructions for using the model of stratified biofilms for data interpretation, analysis, and biofilm activity prediction

Natural Organic Matter in Water: Characterization, Treatment Methods, and Climate Change Impact, Second Edition focuses on advanced filtration and treatment options, as well as processes for reducing disinfection by-products, making it an essential resource on the latest breakthroughs in the characterization, treatment and removal of natural organic matter (NOM) from drinking water. Based on the editor's years of research and field experience, the book covers general parameters, isolation and concentration, fractionation, composition and structural analysis, and biological testing, along with removal methods such as inorganic coagulants, polyelectrolytes and composite coagulants. In addition, sections cover electrochemical and membranes removal methods such as electrocoagulation, electrochemical oxidation, microfiltration and ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, and membrane fouling. This book is a valuable guide for engineers and researchers looking to integrate methods, processes and technologies to achieve desired affects.

This handbook acquaints readers with the exciting developments in various areas of cyanobacterial research in the backdrop of the publication of complete genome sequence of the cyanobacterium "Synechocystis sp. "strain PCC 6803 in 1996. It begins with a summary of the current knowledge on the taxonomy, phylogeny and evolution of cyanobacteria followed by the sequenced genomes, differentiation of akinetes and heterocyst. The book considers mechanisms of cellular movements (gliding, swimming and twitching motions) exhibited by various cyanobacteria in order to adjust to their environmental niches and the operation of the circadian rhythms. It covers cyanobacterial symbiosis, cyanophages and cyanobacterial toxins, followed by a discussion on stress responses (salinity, temperature, desiccation and oxidation).

A comprehensive account on the developments in all these spheres has been presented in a lucid style with the required background information, molecular techniques employed and models proposed. This handbook constitutes the first such book written by a single author at a level and depth for graduate and research students in botany and microbiology.

Franklin M. Harold's On Life reveals what science can tell us about the living world. All creatures, from bacteria and redwoods to garden snails and humans, belong to a single biochemical family. We all operate by the same principles and are all made up of cells, either one or many. We flaunt capacities that far exceed those of inanimate matter, yet we stand squarely within the material world. So what is life, anyway? How do living things function, and how did they come into existence? Questions like these have baffled philosophers and scientists since antiquity, but over the past half-century answers have begun to emerge. Offering an inside look, Franklin M. Harold makes life accessible to readers interested in the biological big picture. The book traces how living things operate, focusing on the interplay of biology with physics and chemistry. He asserts that biology stands apart from the physical sciences because life revolves around organization- that is, purposeful order. On Life aims to make life intelligible by giving readers an understanding of the biological landscape; it sketches the principles as biologists presently understand them and highlights major unresolved issues. What emerges is a biology bracketed by two stubborn mysteries: the nature of the mind and the origin of life. This portrait of biology is comprehensible but inescapably complex, internally consistent, and buttressed by a wealth of factual knowledge.

Microbiological Examination Methods of Food and Water is an illustrated laboratory manual that provides an overview of current standard microbiological culture methods for the examination of food and water, adhered to by renowned international organizations, such as ISO, AOAC, APHA, FDA and FSIS/USDA. It includes methods for the enumeration of indicator microorganisms of general contamination, indicators of hygiene and sanitary conditions, sporeforming, spoilage fungi and pathogenic bacteria. Every chapter begins with a comprehensive, in-depth and updated bibliographic reference on the microorganism(s) dealt with in that particular section of the book. The latest facts on the taxonomic position of each group, genus or species are given, as well as clear guidelines on how to deal with changes in nomenclature on the internet. All chapters provide schematic comparisons between the methods presented, highlighting the main differences and similarities. This allows the user to choose the method that best meets his/her needs. Moreover, each chapter lists validated alternative quick methods, which, though not described in the book, may and can be used for the analysis of the microorganism(s) dealt with in that particular chapter. The didactic setup and the visualization of procedures in step-by-step schemes allow the user to quickly perceive and execute the procedure intended. This compendium will serve as an up-to-date practical companion for laboratory professionals, technicians and research scientists, instructors, teachers and food and water analysts. Alimentary engineering, chemistry, biotechnology and biology (under)graduate students specializing in food sciences will also find the book beneficial. It is furthermore suited for use as a practical/laboratory manual for graduate courses in Food Engineering and Food Microbiology.

Advances in Microbial Physiology, Volume 81 highlights new advances in the field with this new release presenting interesting chapters written by an international board of authors. Updates in this release include sections on Antibiotic tolerance, Lanthanides in bacterial proteins, Bacterial toxins and host-microbe interactions, and Nitric oxide.

Emerging Techniques for Treatment of Toxic Metals from Wastewater explores the different physical and chemical methods that can be used to remove toxins from wastewater, including adsorption, solvent extraction, ion exchange, precipitation, filtration and photocatalytic degradation. Bringing together contributions from leading experts in the field, the book covers each of the different techniques in detail, combining emergent research outcomes with fundamental theoretical concepts to provide a clear appraisal of the different techniques available, along with their applications. It is an essential recourse for researchers, industrialists and students concerned with the remediation of toxic metals from water and wastewater.

Novel Approaches towards Wastewater Treatment and Resource Recovery Technologies discusses various cost-efficient aspects of wastewater treatment along with resource recovery options. The book covers biological wastewater treatment, the application of membranes and their modifications, advanced oxidation techniques, and the application of nanoparticles for the enhancement of performance as well as various integrated technologies for resource recovery along with pilot scale potentials. The book covers both domestic and industrial wastewaters and provides resources for sustainable solutions. It provides the basic fundamentals and recent updated data. Case studies are included to give the glimpse of the real-world application. Similarly, pilot scale studies are considered for real life implementation of the concept.

In the English edition of his landmark book Endosymbiosis of Animals with Plant Microorganisms (1965), Professor Paul Buchner, probably the most prominent founder of systematic symbiosis research, wrote: ?I too soon fell victim to the spell of this subject, and from 1911 on devoted myself to it.? Almost half a century later, a growing number of entomologists are recognizing the impact that arthropod-bacteria symbiosis has on virtually all aspects of the biology of both host and symbiont. The discussion of this subject tends to be system based, with primary emphasis on the insect host. However, recent screening studies have revealed that the diversity of bacteria associated with arthropods may not be as wide as initially expected, and some genera are constantly being found in hosts that belong to distantly related taxa.

Manipulative Tenants: Bacteria Associated with Arthropods introduces the fascinating world of bacteria-arthropod associations with an emphasis on the bacterial partner. Written by an interdisciplinary team of international contributors, this book provides an overview of the diversity of bacterial symbionts identified to date as frequent partners of terrestrial arthropods. It discusses primary (obligatory) symbionts as well as the most abundant secondary (facultative) symbionts currently known.

Summarizing the most up-to-date information available on each symbiont, the book presents a synopsis of the field from the bacterial angle. Chapters examine Proteobacteria, including Sodalis and Wigglesworthia in tsetse flies and Stammerula and other symbiotic bacteria in fruit flies, as well as Bacteroidetes such as Blattabacterium and Cardinium. The book also identifies questions that emerge from the study of these systems. This comprehensive reference introduces the topic of bacteria-arthropod associations to researchers who are not familiar with it, enlarges the scope of knowledge of those who are, and provides a textbook for students in microbiology and other branches of biology.

Geomicrobiology is the study of microbes and microbial processes and their role in driving environmental and geological processes at scales ranging from the nano, micron, to meter scale. This growing field has seen major advances in recent years, largely due to the development of new analytical tools and improvements to existing techniques, which allow us to better understand the complex interactions between microbes and their surroundings. In this comprehensive handbook, expert authors outline the state-of-the-art and emerging analytical techniques used in geomicrobiology. Readers are guided through each technique including background theory, sample preparation, standard methodology, data collection and analysis, best practices and common pitfalls, and examples of how and where the technique has been applied. The book provides a practical go-to reference for advanced students, researchers and professional scientists looking to employ techniques commonly used in geomicrobiology.

Applications of Biosurfactant in Agriculture explores the use of beneficial microorganisms as an alternative to current synthetic plant protection strategies. The book highlights a range of renewable raw substrates including agro-industrial waste as a dependable and cost-effective technology for the mass production of biosurfactant, emphasizes the formulation of biosurfactants using a full-factorial design, scientometric assessment, and presents mathematical modeling for the enhancement of production processes. Recent biotechnological techniques such as functional metagenomics that could help in the molecular characterization of novel biosurfactant with multifunctional activities majorly from uncultured and unexploited microbes available in the soil biosphere are also explored. This book identifies possible modes of action by which nutrients are normally released to plants through the formation of metal-biosurfactant complexes and presents recent research findings on the utilization of biosurfactants for the management of mycotoxins and microorganisms when evaluated in the field and in greenhouses. Finally, the book emphasizes the application of biosurfactants as a form of potent antibiotics for the management of several zoonotic diseases and in animal husbandry.

In 2007, scientists estimated the direct cost of diseases associated with mould and dampness on the US population to be in the range of 4 billion dollars, and the indirect costs of lost work and school days are gauged even higher. The US Centers for Disease Control recently concluded that elimination of moisture and mouldy materials in the home definitively results in improved health. Unfortunately, problems of accurate assessment and precise identification plague the full understanding of the effects of mould on human health. Addressing exposure assessment and identification, Microorganisms in Home and Indoor Work Environments: Diversity, Health Impacts, Investigation, and Control, Second Edition discusses the methodology for conducting investigations on indoor environments, including details on key fungi and actinobacteria, and reflects advances in predicting their occurrence in buildings in various parts of the world. Beginning with a review of types of microorganisms in outdoor and indoor air, their growth and control in home and work environments, and their role in respiratory disease, this second edition presents new studies on pollen and its allergenic effects, the mechanistic basis for the effects of toxins and inflammatory agents on lung biology, and the use of molecular methods for determining microbial contaminants. On the practical side, this edition examines remediation, control, and quality assurance; occupational exposures in a wide range of environments; and infectious fungi and bacterial endotoxins in the built environment. Bringing together the state-of-the-science in this health-critical field, this accurate and timely book offers researchers, public health officials, and industrial hygienists crucial information on specific microorganisms in the built environment, along with current measurement and assessment solutions to clean up indoor air and keep residents and workers healthy in the future.

BIOS Instant Notes in Microbiology, Fourth Edition, is the perfect text for undergraduates looking for a concise introduction to the subject, or a study guide to use before examinations. Each topic begins with a summary of essential facts-an ideal revision checklist-followed by a description of the subject that focuses on core information, with clear, simple diagrams that are easy for students to understand and recall in essays and exams. BIOS Instant Notes in Microbiology, Fourth Edition, is fully up-to-date and covers: * The Microbial World * Systematics * Microbiology * Microbial Growth * Microbial Metabolism * Prokaryotic DNA and RNA Metabolism * Industrial Microbiology * Eukaryotic Microbes: An Overview * The Fungi and Related Phyla * Archaeplastida, Excavata, Chromalveolata and Amoebozoa * The Viruses

Strategies to Mitigate the Toxicity of Cancer Therapeutics, Volume 155 in the Advances in Cancer Research series, highlights new advances in the field, with this new volume presenting interesting chapters, each of which is written by an international board of authors.

Probiotics for Human Nutrition in Health and Disease provides a comprehensive resource of information on traditional and emerging health concepts and the development and application evolution of probiotics and their role in prevention and treatment of human metabolic disorders and illnesses. Key issues related to the general aspects of probiotics, probiotics in human nutrition, and probiotics in human health promotion and disease treatment are described and discussed. Sections discuss general features of probiotics, such as relationships with prebiotics, probiotics in human nutrition, including pregnancy, lactation, in children, and in the elderly, and the role of probiotics in human health and disease treatment. This book provides the most significant knowledge, mechanistic bases, uses, clinical perceptions, case studies and perspectives about probiotics for humans, considering possibilities and limitations in light of the appropriate available reference materials. Written by highly qualified researchers and edited by a team of experts, each chapter summarizes the latest available information on probiotics in human health and critically interprets the most significant evidence by applying the author's own practical experience from investigations with probiotics.

'A big-picture forecast of how medicine stands on the threshold of a revolution that will radically change all of our lives' The Times Welcome to a revolution in the science of you! This landmark new book from award-winning scientist Daniel M. Davis explores the future of the human body. Imagine taking drugs to help you acquire new skills, or knowing years in advance the precise likelihood of developing specific cancers, or following a diet and health regime tailored to your microbiome, or even having continuous monitoring of your body's workings and well-being. Written by an award-winning scientist, this landmark book shows how these radical and disconcerting possibilities have been made real. It is at once a gripping drama of scientific ingenuity, discovery and collaboration, and a vision of the human body of dizzying complexity and wonder. 'The startling new discoveries...are radically altering our understanding of how we function and what our future holds' BRIAN COX 'Thrilling' BILL BRYSON 'Brilliant' TIM SPECTOR 'Extraordinary' ALICE ROBERTS

The collection of essays in Microbes in Agriculture and Environmental Development explores the applications of microbes for the improvement of environmental quality and agricultural productivity through inoculants and enzymes. These are useful for the conservation and restoration of degraded natural and agricultural ecosystems, crop yield extension, soil health improvement, and other aspects of agriculture and the environment. It discusses the effective use of microbial technology, wastewater treatment, and recycling of agricultural and industrial wastes. It provides detailed accounts of recent trends in microbial application in plant growth promotion, soil fertility, microbial biomass and diversity, and environmental sustainability through bioremediation, biodegradation, and biosorption processes Features: Discusses microbes and their applications for sustainable agriculture and environmental protection in agro-environmental circumstances Presents innovative and eco-friendly approaches for the remediation of contaminated soil and wastewater Focuses on green technologies and sustainability Includes chapters on sustainable agriculture development through increasing soil fertility, physico-chemical properties and soil microbial biomass in nutrient-deprived soils Defines the role of microbial bio formulation-based consortia in the productivity improvement of agricultural crops It will be an invaluable addition to the bookshelves of researchers and graduate students in agriculture and environmental engineering, soil science; microbiology, sustainable agriculture, and ecosystems. Dr. Chhatarpal Singh is presently the President of Agro Environmental Development Society (AEDS), Majhra Ghat, Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, India. Dr. Tiwari is currently working in the field of methanotrophs ecology (methane oxidizing bacteria), which is sole entity responsible for the oxidation of potent greenhouse gas CH4. Dr. Jay Shankar Singh is presently working as a faculty member in the Department of Environmental Microbiology at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University in Lucknow, India. Dr. Ajar Nath Yadav is currently serving as an assistant professor in the Department of Biotechnology, Akal College of Agriculture, Eternal University, Baru Sahib, Himachal Pradesh, India.

In recent years, the field of pharmaceutical microbiology has experienced numerous technological advances, accompanied by the publication of new and harmonized compendial methods. It is therefore imperative for those who are responsible for monitoring the microbial quality of pharmaceutical/biopharmaceutical products to keep abreast of the latest changes. Microbial Limit and Bioburden Tests: Validation Approaches and Global Requirements guides readers through the various microbiological methods listed in the compendia with easy-to-follow diagrams and approaches to validations of such test methodologies. Includes New and Updated Material Now in its second edition, this work is the culmination of research and discussions with technical experts, as well as USP and FDA representatives on various topics of interest to the pharmaceutical microbiologist and those responsible for the microbial quality of products, materials, equipment, and manufacturing facilities. New in this edition is an entire chapter dedicated to the topic of biofilms and their impact on pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical operations. The subject of rapid methods in microbiology has been expanded and includes a discussion on the validation of alternative microbiological methods and a case study on microbial identification in support of a product contamination investigation. Substantially updated and revised, this book assists readers in understanding the fundamental issues associated with pharmaceutical microbiology and provides them with tools to create effective microbial contamination control and microbial testing programs for the areas under their responsibility.

Praised forits clarity of presentation and accessibility, Introduction to Modern Virology has been a successful student text for over 30 years. It provides a broad introduction to virology, which includes the nature of viruses, the interaction of viruses with their hosts and the consequences of those interactions that lead to the diseases we see. This new edition contains a number of important changes and innovations including: * The consideration of immunology now covers two chapters, one on innate immunity and the other on adaptive immunity, reflecting the explosion in knowledge of viral interactions with these systems. * The coverage of vaccines and antivirals has been expanded and separated into two new chapters to reflect the importance of these approaches to prevention and treatment. * Virus infections in humans are considered in more detail with new chapters on viral hepatitis, influenza, vector-borne diseases, and exotic and emerging viral infections, complementing an updated chapter on HIV. * The final section includes three new chapters on the broader aspects of the influence of viruses on our lives, focussing on the economic impact of virus infections, the ways we can use viruses in clinical and other spheres, and the impact that viruses have on the planet and almost every aspect of our lives. A good basic understanding of viruses is important for generalists and specialists alike. The aim of this book is to make such understanding as accessible as possible, allowing students across the biosciences spectrum to improve their knowledge of these fascinating entities.

Green Sustainable Process for Chemical and Environmental Engineering and Science: Biomedical Application of Biosurfactant in Medical Sector highlights the numerous applications of biosurfactants in the field of medicine, especially as a replacement to synthetic drugs which have developed several levels of resistance over the years. Special emphasis is laid on their application as non-pyrogenic and non-toxic immunological adjuvants and their inhibitory characteristics against H+, K+, -ATPase and defense against gastric ulcers, along with their practical application as anti-adhesive coating agents for medical insert materials. The book addresses issues by combining knowledge of their production with information on a range of medical applications. Drawing on the knowledge of its expert team of global contributors, this book provides useful insights for all those currently or potentially interested in developing or applying biosurfactants in their own work.

Petroleum Industry Wastewater: Advanced and Sustainable Treatment Methods discusses the status of different approaches and advanced processes involved in the treatment of petrochemical and petroleum industry wastewater. The book focuses on advanced, sustainable, and environmentally friendly technologies for removing toxic pollutants from contaminated waters. The book also explores the environmental aspects and impacts of the petroleum industry discharge wastewater, their effect on aquatic life, and possible ways to deal with these effects. Keeping the global water crisis and fast depletion of natural fresh water in mind, more immediate knowledge, information, implication, and effective utilization of available resources are required than we anticipated. The book brings a wide range of methodologies and perspectives under one roof in a comprehensive manner.

DIATOM MORPHOGENESIS A unique book presenting the range of silica structures formed by diatoms, theories and hypotheses of how they are made, and applications to nanotechnology by use or imitation of diatom morphogenesis. There are up to 200,000 species of diatoms, each species of these algal cells bearing an ornate, amorphous silica glass shell. The silica is structured at 7 orders of magnitude size range and is thus the most complex multiscalar solid structure known. Recent research is beginning to unravel how a single cell marshals chemical, physical, biochemical, genetic, and cytoskeletal processes to produce these single-cell marvels. The field of diatom nanotechnology is advancing as this understanding matures. Diatoms have been actively studied over the recent 10-20 years with various modern equipment, experimental and computer simulation approaches, including molecular biology, fluorescence-based methods, electron, confocal, and AFM microscopy. This has resulted in a huge amount of information but the key stages of their silica morphogenesis are still not clear. This is the time to reconsider and consolidate the work performed so far and to understand how we can go ahead. The main objective of this book is to describe the actual situation in the science of diatom morphogenesis, to specify the most important unresolved questions, and to present the corresponding hypotheses. The following areas are discussed: A tutorial chapter, with a glossary for newcomers to the field, who are often from outside of biology, let alone phycology; Diatom Morphogenesis: general issues, including symmetry and size issues; Diatom Morphogenesis: simulation, including analytical and numerical methods for description of the diatom valve shape and pore structure; Diatom Morphogenesis: physiology, biochemistry, and applications, including the relationship between taxonomy and physiology, biosilicification hypotheses, and ideas about applications of diatoms. Audience Researchers, scientists, and graduate students in the fields of phycology, general biology, marine sciences, the chemistry of silica, materials science, and ecology.

Food Microbiology clarifies complex topics in the field of food microbiology and encourages students to venture beyond memorization and think critically to gain a broader conceptual understanding of food microbiology and acquire the understanding and skills necessary to ensure the safety of tomorrow's food supply. Authoratative coverage presented in a format designed to facilitate teaching and learning.

A hands-on guide covering the fundamentals of virology written from an engineering perspective In A Guide to Virology for Engineers and Applied Scientists: Epidemiology, Emergency Management, and Optimization, a team of distinguished researchers delivers a robust and accessible treatment of virology from an engineering perspective. The book synthesizes a great deal of general information on viruses--including coronaviruses--in a single volume. It provides critical context that engineers and applied scientists can use to evaluate and manage viruses encountered in the environment. The fundamental principles of virology are explored with calculation details for health and hazard risk assessments. Each chapter combines numerous illustrative examples and sample problems ideal for advanced courses in environmental health and safety, pharmaceuticals, and environmental science and engineering. Readers will also find: A detailed introduction to health and hazard risk analysis and assessment that is complete with technical information and calculation details Comprehensive illustrative examples and practice problems for use by educators and professionals in training Practical discussions of virology by authors with combined experience in pharmaceuticals and environmental health and safety Thorough treatments of virology from the perspective of a professional engineer A definitive source for those working in related fields who wish to deepen their overall understanding of viruses Perfect for chemical, civil, mechanical, biochemical engineers, and applied scientists, A Guide to Virology for Engineers and Applied Scientists: Epidemiology, Emergency Management, and Optimization will also earn a place in the libraries of industrial hygiene professionals and instructors, students, and practitioners in environmental health, pharmaceuticals, public health, and epidemiology.

Advances in Oil-Water Separation: A Complete Guide for Physical, Chemical, and Biochemical Processes discusses a broad variety of chemical, physical and biochemical processes, including skimming, membrane separation, adsorption, onsite chemical reactions, burning and usage of suitable microbial strains for onsite degradation of oil. It critically reviews all current developments in oil-water separation processes and technologies, identifies gaps and illuminates the scope for future research and development in the field. This book provides researchers, engineers and environmental professionals working in oil recovery and storage with solutions for disposal of waste oil and separation of oil from water in a sustainable, environmentally-friendly way. As the book provides a complete state-of-art overview on oil-water separation technologies, it will also ease literature searches on oil-water separation technologies.