This 1970 book was published as a replacement text to the Biology of Root-Infecting Fungi by the same author. The subject had advanced so rapidly since the previous book was published, that the creation of a new title was far more effective than the release of a second edition of the first one. The book is intended to be read through, rather than used solely for reference. Pathogenic root-infecting fungi are a substantial threat to the welfare of all crop plants, and are therefore of enormous economic importance. The subject matter is treated both from the viewpoint of its economic significance and from its biological characteristics; thus the approach is a broadly based one and in addition to the plant-pathological aspects the reader is made aware of the complex microcosmic world of the soil. This book will continue to be of great historical interest to all scholars of Pathogenic root-infecting fungi.

This book is based on a meeting on the Fungal Nucleus organised by the Physiology Group of the British Mycological Society and held in London in April 1980. The contributions of the authors provide a detailed picture of the knowledge of the cell nucleus in yeasts, filamentous fungi and slime moulds at the time. These organisms are important model eukaryotes for studies in cell and molecular biology. This volume deals with the ultra structure, biochemistry and genetics of the fungal nucleus and with the regulation of nuclear activity. It provides a useful source of reference for any one interested in the progressive study of mycology, genetics, microbiology and cell biology.

This 1988 volume brought together for the first time a wealth of information for those using yeasts in biotechnology. The volume is a guide to the preservation and identification of yeasts and their deposit for patent purposes; it describes the data centres and culture collection organisations from which information and expert help was obtained. The international panel of authors combined with the microbial resource centres themselves provide a unique source book. The volume will continue to be of interest to microbiologists, fermentation scientists and others who use yeasts.

The giant cells of certain algae are of especial value as experimental material for the investigation of physiological problems. This 1975 account gives a historical background to this. The authors consider water relations, ionic relations, the electrical properties of membranes, action potentials, active transport, carbon dioxide and bicarbonate ion transport and use, and protoplasmic streaming. The authors are at pains to point out the general implications of the findings for the plant kingdom and occasionally for the animal kingdom as well. Advanced students, teachers and research workers in plant physiology, cell physiology and biophysics will find this a stimulating account of an important area of research.

Biological nitrogen fixation, the conversion of nitrogen from the atmosphere to ammonia, is the main process of nitrogen input to the earth today. There this nitrogen is indispensable for plant and animal production, and the maintenance of adequate protein standards. This 1976 volume provides information, presented at an international symposium in Edinburgh, on the free-living nitrogen-fixing bacteria and blue-green algae. In addition to information on the distribution of the nitrogenase enzyme within these groups, their role in the soil and in aquatic systems is considered, as are the methods of measuring nitrogen fixation. Particular attention is paid to the biochemistry of the process, much of which has been elucidated using free-living nitrogen-fixing organisms.

Massive data acquisition technologies, such as genome sequencing, high-throughput drug screening, and DNA arrays are in the process of revolutionizing biology and medicine. Using the mRNA of a given cell, at a given time, under a given set of conditions, DNA microarrays can provide a snapshot of the level of expression of all the genes in the cell. Such snapshots can be used to study fundamental biological phenomena such as development or evolution, to determine the function of new genes, to infer the role individual genes or groups of genes may play in diseases, and to monitor the effect of drugs and other compounds on gene expression. Originally published in 2002, this inter-disciplinary introduction to DNA arrays will be of value to anyone with an a interest in this powerful technology.

Bacterial toxins that act inside cells interact very specifically with key components of the cell and some even manipulate the cell in subtle ways for their own purposes. These potent toxins, described in this 2005 book, will be of interest to both microbiologists and cell biologists. Some of these toxins are conventional multidomain toxins that are self-programmed to enter cells. Others are delivered by type III mechanisms, often as a package of potent molecules. The molecular targets for all these toxins mediate signal transduction and the cell cycle to regulate the crucial processes of cell growth, cell division and differentiation. Thus these potent toxins are not only responsible for disease, but also provide a powerful set of tools with which to interrogate the biology of the cell. In addition such toxins may act directly to promote carcinogenesis and hence their study is also of interest in a wider context.

Microbial biosurfactant compounds are a group of structurally diverse molecules produced by microorganisms, and are mainly categorized according to their chemical structure. The diversity of microbial biosurfactants makes them versatile and means that they offer a range of capabilities, while at the same time being economically sustainable. As such, they have potential applications in environmental processes, as well as in food, biomedicine and other industries. This book discusses innovative approaches and cutting-edge research that utilize the various properties of biosurfactants. Drawing on research from around the globe, it provides an up-to-date review of biosurfactant applications and their importance in fields such as medicine, gene therapy, immunotherapy, antimicrobial bioremediation and agriculture. It also discusses their anti-adhesive properties. The book will appeal to academics and researchers in the field of microbiology, as well as policymakers. It also serves as additional reading material for undergraduate and graduate students of agriculture, ecology, soil science, and environmental sciences.

Procedures to Investigate Foodborne Illness is designed to guide public health personnel or teams in any country that investigates reports of alleged foodborne illnesses. The manual is based on epidemiologic principles and investigative techniques that have been found effective in determining causal factors of disease incidence. The guidelines are presented in the sequence usually followed during investigations and are organized so that an investigator can easily find the information needed in any phase of an investigation. Included are descriptions of the following procedures: * Plan, prepare, investigate and respond to intentional contamination of food * Handle illness alerts and food-related complaints that may be related to illness * Interview ill persons, those at risk, and controls * Develop a case definition * Collect and ship specimens and food samples * Conduct hazard analysis (environmental assessments) at sites where foods responsible for outbreaks were produced, processed, or prepared * Trace sources of contamination * Identify factors responsible for contamination, survival of pathogenic microorganisms or toxic substances, and/or propagation of pathogens * Collate and interpret collected data * Report information about the outbreak This edition also contains extensively updated and more user-friendly keys to assist investigators in identifying the contributing factors that may lead to the contamination, proliferation or survival of agents of foodborne disease.

"Approaches to Research on the Systematics of Fish-Borne Trematodes" is a concise guide for systematic studies of the prevalence of fish-borne trematodes both in the endemic areas and experimental laboratories. It includes methods to identify species of fish-borne trematodes to enhance the precision of research studies based on the metacercarial stage.

Misidentification of trematode species is a common occurrence when researchers are new to the field and have no guidance. Consequentially, sometimes publications report inaccurate prevalence rates of these parasites. This compact guide gives clear direction on: Collection of parasites in the final hostsCollection of cercaria from snail first intermediate hostsCollection of metacercaria from fish hostsMolecular identification of parasitesSystematics of fish-borne trematodes
Provides research guidelines and protocols for studying systematics of fish-borne trematodes using both morphological and molecular dataPresents keys to enable identification of metacercariae of fish-borne trematodes in the Greater Mekong subregion

Complied by an expert editorial team with noteworthy and remarkable experience, this book covers technological aspects related to probiotics, not only in terms of delivery modes but also in terms of protection technologies. It includes discussions of their therapeutic and physiologic implications and benefits, and provides a contemporary update and a holistic review of the topic. It focuses on the technological aspects of probiotic products, brings together the information needed for their successful development, and examines the international picture regarding regulatory issues.

Dictyostelia are soil amoebae capable of extraordinary feats of survival, motility, chemotaxis, and development. Characterised by their ability to transform from a single-celled organism into an elaborate assemblage of thousands of synchronously-moving cells, Dictyostelids are often referred to as 'social amoebae', and have been the subjects of serious study since the 1930s. Research in this area has been instrumental in understanding many problems in cellular biology. Beginning with the history of Dictyostelids and discussing each stage of their development, this book considers the evolution of this unique organism, analyses the special properties of the Dictyostelid genome, and presents in detail the methods available, at the time of the book's original publication in 2001, to manipulate their genes. Representing the synthesis of such material and with an emphasis on combining classical experiments with modern molecular findings, this book will be essential for researchers and graduates in developmental and cellular biology.

Hazardous and Trace Materials in Soil and Plants: Sources, Effects and Management explores the latest advancements in reducing, avoiding and eliminating soil contaminants that challenge the health and safety of agricultural plants. With a focus on minimizing the production of those hazardous substances, controlling their distribution and ensuring safe utilization, the book explores each contributing area and provides insights toward improved, sustainable and secure production. This is an excellent reference resource on both current research and future directions from laboratory research to field applications. The combined impacts of climate change and industrialization have led to increased and diversified threats to the health of the soil in which our food crops are grown, as well as in the plants themselves. This dual-hazard scenario is increasingly recognized as a threat to not just the environment, but to global food security as agricultural soils contaminated with pollutants alter plant metabolism, thus resulting in reduced crop quality and production quantity.

Although most public health and environmental engineers are aware of the importance of microbial activity, many civil engineers do not appreciate the part microbiological process play in, for example, biodeterioration of concrete and other construction materials, alteration of soil and rock properties, clogging of boreholes, distribution and irrigation systems, and biofouling in embankment dams. There is a need for greater interaction between scientists and engineers in this respect. Recent advances in applied microbiology and biochemistry could usefully be extrapolated to fields of civil engineering. Indeed an understanding of microbiological activity in what is often thought of as purely physical and/or chemical processes and an awareness of what to look for is becoming increasingly important for civil engineers in their design of a variety of systems and structures. This book forms the Proceedings of the International Conference held at Cranfield Institute of Technology, UK, in September 1990.

In the last fifteen years, substantial progress has been made in identifying why some people are particularly susceptible to specific infectious diseases. Extensive evidence has accumulated that host genes are important determinants of the outcome of infection for many common pathogens. This book summarises advances that have been made in understanding the complexity of host genetic susceptibility. The diseases covered include those of great public health importance such as malaria and HIV, and those of topical interest such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Many different techniques have been used to identify host genes involved in infectious disease susceptibility. Each chapter describes how these discoveries were made and the book is therefore useful to anyone planning genetic studies on a multi-factorial disease, regardless of whether it has an infectious etiology.

This book provides an in-depth analysis of the mechanisms and biological consequences of genome rearrangements in bacteria. Genome rearrangements are a result of the actions of discrete genetic elements such as conjugative transposons, plasmids, phage, and non-conjugative transposons. Bacteria also contain systems to mediate genetic rearrangements such as the general recombination pathway and specialized endogenous recombination mechanisms. The biological effects of these rearrangements are far-reaching and impact on bacterial virulence, antibiotic resistance and the ability of bacteria to avoid the attentions of the host immune system (e.g. antigenic variation). These rearrangements also provide the raw material on which natural selection can act. Each chapter examines the mechanisms involved in genome rearrangements and the direct biological consequences of these events. This book is written by leading research workers and is an invaluable resource for graduate students and researchers in this field.

This book is about the adhesion of bacteria to their human hosts. Although adhesion is essential for maintaining members of the normal microflora in/on their host, it is also the crucial first stage in any infectious disease. It is important, therefore, to fully understand the mechanisms underlying bacterial adhesion so that we may be able to develop methods of maintaining our normal (protective) microflora, and of preventing pathogenic bacteria from initiating an infectious process. These topics are increasingly important because of the growing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and, consequently, the need to develop alternative approaches for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. This book describes the bacterial structures responsible for adhesion and the molecular mechanisms underlying the adhesion process. It also deals with the consequences of adhesion for both the adherent bacterium and the host cell/tissue to which it has adhered.

The sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB) are a large group of anaerobic organisms that play an important role in many biogeochemical processes. Not only are they of early origins in the development of the biosphere, but their mechanisms of energy metabolism shed light on the limits of life processes in the absence of oxygen. They are widely distributed in nature, and are regular components of engineered systems including, for example, petroleum reservoirs and oil production facilities. SRB are currently subject to extensive genomic studies, which are yielding fresh understanding of their basic biochemical mechanisms, and aiding in the development of novel techniques for the analyses of their environmental roles. This volume provides a timely update on these important microorganisms, from basic science to applications, and will therefore serve as a valuable resource for researchers and graduate students in the fields of microbial ecology, microbial physiology, bioengineering, biogeochemistry and related areas of environmental science.

Published since 1959, "Advances in Applied Microbiology" continues to be one of the most widely read and authoritative review sources in microbiology. The series contains comprehensive reviews of the most current research in applied microbiology. Recent areas covered include bacterial diversity in the human gut, protozoan grazing of freshwater biofilms, metals in yeast fermentation processes and the interpretation of host-pathogen dialogue through microarrays. Eclectic volumes are supplemented by thematic volumes on various topics, including Archaea and sick building syndrome. Impact factor for 2011: 5.233.

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Key features:

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

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.

Plant RNA Viruses: Molecular Pathogenesis and Management provides wide-ranging coverage on the recognition and signaling events between plants and RNA viruses. The book examines the molecular biology of signaling, host-virus interaction, RNA virus diversity, and how plants and cellular pathogens interact. Sections cover Virus Diversity and Diagnosis, Virus-Host Interactions and Virus Management. Specific chapters discuss classification and nomenclature of viruses, detail the molecular characteristics of viral genomes, highlight the viral manipulation of cellular key regulatory systems for successful virus infection, and discuss the movement of plant viruses into plant cells. Additional topics include RNA plant viruses and host interaction, detection and diversity of plant RNA viruses, and strategies for combating and management of plant viruses. With contributions from an international group of experts, the book is a comprehensive reference for those in research, academia, industry and anybody engaging in the study of plant viruses at the molecular level.

The chemostat is a basic piece of laboratory apparatus, yet it has occupied an increasingly central role in ecological studies. The ecological environment created by a chemostat is one of the few completely controlled experimental systems for testing microbial growth and competition. As a tool in biotechnology, the chemostat plays an important role in bioprocessing. This book presents the theory of the chemostat as a model for larger ecological problems such as food chains, competition along a gradient, competition in the presence of an inhibitor, and the effects of time varying inputs. Models which take account of size structure, variable yields, and diffusion are also considered. The basic phenomena are modelled and analysed using the dynamical systems approach. Directions for research and open problems are discussed. Six appendices provide an elementary description of the necessary mathematical tools. Teachers, researchers, and students in applied mathematics, chemical engineering and ecology will find this book a welcome resource.

This volume provides a thorough account of the structure and synthesis of microbial exopolysaccharides and of their widespread application across a broad range of industries, including food, oil and medicine. The successful exploitation of these polysaccharides requires a sound scientific understanding of their chemical and physical properties and also their biochemistry and biosynthesis; this volume covers all these aspects in a concise and coherent way. Interest in these polysaccharides has been fuelled by their increasing use in food, in the oil industry and in medicine. The author provides an account of all these areas as well as looking further ahead to speculate how their unique properties might be harnessed for future products and processes.

This is the first detailed treatment of the long-standing, previously unresolved controversy surrounding the nature of senescence in clonal cultures. Part historical review of the literature, part detective story, Sex and Death in Protozoa presents a comprehensive but entertaining discussion of the sometimes contradictory evidence for protozoan senescence and the rejuvenating effects of sex in these organisms. Drawing on Hermann Muller's "ratchet model," Dr. Bell demonstrates in a quantitative fashion how genetic recombination (an intrinsic part of the sexual process) can eliminate the deleterious effects of accumulated mutations in clonal cultures and provide the rejuvenating effects associated with mating. This well written account by one of the leading authorities in the field is indispensable reading for those interested in the genetics and cell biology of protozoa, and more generally, those researchers and students interested in the phenomenon of senescence.