Published since 1953, "Advances in Virus Research" covers a diverse range of in-depth reviews providing a valuable overview of the current field of virology. The impact factor for 2007 is 3.120, placing it 9th in the highly competitive category of virology.

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

Metagenomics is one of the fastest advancing fields in biology. By permitting access to the genomes of entire communities of bacteria, viruses, and fungi - otherwise inaccessible - metagenomics is extending our comprehension of the diversity, ecology, evolution, and functioning of the microbial world, as well as contributing to the emergence of new applications in many different areas. The continual and dynamical development of faster sequencing techniques, together with the advancement of methods to cope with the exponentially increasing amount of data generated, are expanding our capacity for the analysis of microbial communities from an unlimited variety of habitats and environments. The synergism with the new emerging omics approaches is showing the path to functional metagenomics and to adopting integrative, wider viewpoints, like systems biology. This book covers the most innovative and recent advances in theoretical, methodological, and applied areas of metagenomics. The topics covered include: metagenomics integration with complementary technologies * bacterial genealogy * viral metagenomics * the regulation of prokaryotic communities * functional metagenomics * systems biology * next-generation sequencing * stable isotope probing * DNA sequencing of uncultured microbes * cyberinfrastructure resource * identification of novel viruses * metagenomics of fungal communities * the human microbiome * microbial bioremediation * metagenomic enzyme discovery * quorum-sensing * plant-pathogen interactions * metagenomics of belowground microbial communities. The book is aimed at researchers and environmental managers involved in metagenomics, students starting research in this field, and teachers interested in the new developments.

Microorganisms that convert gaseous nitrogen (N2) to a form suitable for use by living organisms are pivotal for life on Earth. Another set of microbial reactions utilize the bio-available nitrogen creating N2 and completing the cycle. This crucial nutrient cycle has long been the subject of extensive research, and recent advances - in studying the biochemistry, bioinformatics, cell biology, and the physiology of bacterial nitrogen cycling processes, alongside the advent of the omics age - have had a massive impact, enabling us to fully appreciate the sheer diversity of approaches adapted by individual organisms. Research in this area is at a very exciting stage. This timely book provides comprehensive reviews of current nitrogen cycle research and gives a broader perspective on the state of our understanding of this key biogeochemical cycle. With contributions from expert authors from around the world, the topics covered include: the archaean N-cycle * redox complexes N-cycle * organization of respiratory chains in N-cycle processes * Mo-nitrogenase * nitrogen assimilation in bacteria * alternative routes to dinitrogen * nitrite and nitrous oxide reductases * assembly of respiratory proteins * nitric oxide metabolism * denitrification in legume-associated endosymbiotic bacteria * nitrous oxide production in the terrestrial environment * bacterial nitrogen cycling in humans. This book will serve as a valuable reference work for everyone working in this field and will also be of interest to researchers studying symbioses, environmental microbiology, plant metabolism, infection events, and other prokaryote-eukaryote interactions.

New viral diseases are emerging continuously. Viruses adapt to new environments at astounding rates. Genetic variability of viruses jeopardizes vaccine efficacy. For many viruses mutants resistant to antiviral agents or host immune responses arise readily, for example, with HIV and influenza.These variations are all of utmost importance for human and animal health as they have prevented us from controlling these epidemic pathogens.
This book focuses on the mechanisms that viruses use to evolve, survive and cause disease in their hosts. Covering human, animal, plant and bacterial viruses, it provides both the basic foundations for the evolutionary dynamics of viruses and specific examples of emerging diseases explained by the evolutionary flexibility of the viral agents that circulate in a continuously changing earth environment.
* NEW to this edition - chapters on the molecular basis of copying fidelity of viral polymerases, methods to establish phylogenetic relationships among viruses, and the mechanisms of cellular RNA interference and editing functions as they affect virus evolution.
* UNIQUE - combines theoretical concepts in evolution with detailed analyses of the evolution of important virus groups.
* Bacterial, plant, animal and human viruses are compared regarding their interaction with their hosts.

Microbial biodegradation of non-metals pollutants plays a pivotal role in the bioremediation of contaminated soil and groundwater sites. Such pollutants include chloroethenes, steroids, organophosphorus compounds, alkanes, PAHs, and PCBs. In this important book, international experts exhaustively review this topic from a biochemical and genetic viewpoint, providing a timely overview of current research. Topics covered include: enzymatic biodegradation reactions * the impact of bioturbation on hydrocarbon dynamics in marine sediments * the structure, function, and biodiversity of ring-hydroxylating dioxygenases involved in PAH biodegradation * strategies to engineer PCB-degrading bacteria * PCB-degrading plant-microbe systems strategies * the structure, regulation, and diversity of microbial genes encoding biodegradative enzymes. In addition, there are excellent reviews detailing the application of the state-of-the-art molecular technologies to study biodegradative processes. The technologies covered are community fingerprinting, molecular detection of degradative genes, and metagenomics for the analysis and monitoring of microorganisms in situ. These are complemented well by the fascinating reviews of the catabolic plasmids and mobile genetic elements involved in bioremediation, including discussions on the origin and evolution of these catabolic pathways to different genera. In addition, the best procedures for the evaluation and design of relevant in situ remediation strategies are examined and classical ex-situ technologies such Landfarming, Composting, Biopiling, and Slurry-phase bioremediation are described. This book is a vital reference resource for research scientists, graduate students, and other specialists interested on microbial bioremediation of organic pollutants, and it is recommended reading for environmental microbiologists, chemists, and engineers.

This book provides overviews and updates on basic research, diagnosis, epidemiology, and public health on enteric viruses, as well as on treatment and intervention to prevent their waterborne transmission. Data are presented and interpreted by leading researchers in the field in 13 chapters. An essential resource for virologists, epidemiologists, medical and public health professionals, graduate students and postdoctoral scientists at various levels of their careers.
Key Topics Include:
* Ecology of enteric viruses
* Intervention measures from risk assessment to virus disinfection practices
* Cutting edge technology on procedures for virus detection and monitoring in water and the water environment
* Quality assurance and quality control measures in water virology
* Legal regulations regarding viruses in the environment

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and bifidobacteria are among the most important groups of microorganisms used in the food industry. For example, LAB are used in the production of fermented products, such as yogurts, cheese, and pickled vegetables. In addition, LAB can inhibit the growth of spoilage microbes and/or pathogens in their environment by lowering the pH and/or through the production of antimicrobial peptides, called bacteriocins. Both LAB and bifidobacteria are also thought to have health-promoting abilities and many are used as probiotics for the prevention, alleviation, and treatment of intestinal disorders in humans and animals. In this comprehensive book, expert international authors review the most recent cutting-edge research in these areas. Topics include: lactobacillus genomics * bifidobacterium gene manipulation technologies * metabolism of human milk oligosaccharides in bifidobacteria * proton-motive metabolic cycles * oxidative stress and oxygen metabolism * bifidobacterium response to O2 * bile acid stress in LAB and bifidobacteria * protein structure quality control * bacteriocin classification and diversity * lactococcal bacteriocins * lactobacilli bacteriocins * other bacteriocins * production of optically pure lactic acid * antihypertensive metabolites from LAB * the anti-H. pylori effect of lactobacillus gasseri * probiotics for allergic rhinitis * probiotics health claims in Japan and Europe.

Innovation in Clinical Trial Methodologies: Lessons Learned during the Corona Pandemic presents a selection of updated chapters from Re-Engineering Clinical Trials that feature innovative options and methods in clinical trials. The Coronavirus pandemic is an accelerator for digitalization in many industries, including clinical trials. This book considers best practices, alternative study concepts requiring fewer patients, studies with less patient interaction, the design of "virtualized" protocols, and moving from data to decisions. This book will be helpful to pharmacologists, physicians and clinical researchers involved in the process of clinical development and clinical trial design.

Sialic Acids and Sialoglycoconjugates in the Biology of Life, Health and Disease enables the reader to understand the role of sialylation as a post translational modification. The book provides insights on the latest knowledge in the field of sialoglycobiology. Sialic acids as terminal residues of oligosaccharide chains play crucial roles in several cellular recognition events. Synthesized post translationally, they play an important role in recognition, signaling, immunological response and cell-cell interaction. Improper sialylations have been associated with several diseases including cancer. In the post genomics and proteomics era, sialoglybiology has become more and more important in deciphering health and disease conditions.

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.

Fungi bio-prospects in sustainable agriculture, environment and nanotechnology is a three-volume series that has been designed to explore the huge potential of the many diverse applications of fungi to human life. The series unveils the latest developments and scientific advances in the study of the biodiversity of fungi, extremophilic fungi, and fungal secondary metabolites and enzymes, while also presenting cutting-edge molecular tools used to study fungi. Readers will learn all about the recent progress and future potential applications of fungi in agriculture, environmental remediation, industry, food safety, medicine, and nanotechnology. Volume 1 will cover the biodiversity of fungi and the associated biopotential applications. This volume offers insights into both basic and advanced biotechnological applications in human welfare and sustainable agriculture. The chapters shed light on the different roles of fungi as a bio-fertilizer, a bio-control agent, and a component of microbial inoculants. They also focus on the various applications of fungi in bio-fuel production, nano-technology, and in the management of abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, and metal toxicity.

Waterborne Pathogens: Detection Methods and Applications, Second Edition, gives an overview of advanced and emerging technologies in the detection of a range of waterborne pathogens. In addition, the book presents existing methodologies, highlights where improvements can be made, includes applications, and touches on the ways in which new technologies can be applied in water management. Finally, the book addresses issues of sample preparation (from sampling, to concentration and enrichment), a key stage in any detection protocol.

Interferons (IFNs) play pivotal roles in shaping the immune responses in mammals and are particularly important for the control of viral infections, cell growth, and immune regulation. These proteins rapidly induce an anti-viral state in cells that surround infected cells. In order to survive, viruses have evolved with multiple strategies to evade the anti-viral effects of IFNs. Elucidating the molecular and cellular biology of the virus-interferon interaction is key to understanding issues, such as viral pathogenesis, latency, and the development of novel antivirals. In this book, international experts review current research topics, producing a timely overview of this exciting field. The book opens with a chapter that comprehensively reviews the antiviral effects of extracellular double-stranded RNA - the viral toxin. This is followed by chapters that review the properties of type I and type III interferons, and the role of interferon-stimulated genes. Additional chapters are devoted to understanding the diverse strategies used by clinically-relevant human viruses to subvert host interferon responses. The book closes with an interesting overview of the clinical application of interferons as antiviral and anticancer agents. It will be essential reading for every scientist involved in interferon or antiviral research and will be a recommended text for all virology laboratories.

The book will benefit a reader with a background in physical sciences and applied mathematics interested in the mathematical models of genetic evolution. In the first chapter, we analyze several thought experiments based on a basic model of stochastic evolution of a single genomic site in the presence of the factors of random mutation, directional natural selection, and random genetic drift. In the second chapter, we present a more advanced theory for a large number of linked loci. In the third chapter, we include the effect of genetic recombination into account and find out the advantage of sexual reproduction for adaptation. These models are useful for the evolution of a broad range of asexual and sexual populations, including virus evolution in a host and a host population.

Refinement in sequencing technologies and potential of genomic research resulted in meteoric growth of biological information such as sequences of DNA, RNA and protein requiring databases for efficient storage, management and retrieval of the biological information. Also, computational algorithms for analysis of these colossal data became a vital aspect of biological sciences. The work aims to show the process of turning bioscience innovation into companies and products, covering the basic science, the translation of science into technology. Due to rapid developments, there seems to be no basic difference between the pharmaceutical industry and the biotechnological industry. However, approved products in the pipeline and renewed public confidence make it one of the most promising areas of economic growth in the near future. India offers a huge market for the products as well as cheap manufacturing base for export. The book is a sincere work of compilation of new and recent advances in the topic of concern through various innovative researches and scientific opinion therefrom. The book is dedicated to the readers who will definitely find it interesting and knowledgeable in carrying out their respective researches in different aspects of applied microbiology and biotechnology.