Metagenomics is a rapidly growing field of research that has had a dramatic effect on the way we view and study the microbial world. By permitting the direct investigation of bacteria, viruses, and fungi, irrespective of their culturability and taxonomic identities, metagenomics has changed microbiological theory and methods and has also challenged the classical concept of species. This new field of biology has proven to be rich and comprehensive and is making important contributions in many areas including ecology, biodiversity, bioremediation, bioprospection of natural products, and medicine. This book addresses, in a coherent manner, the diverse and multiple aspects of metagenomics and the multiplicity of its potential applications. Renowned authors from around the world have contributed chapters covering the new theoretical insights, the more recent applications, and the dynamically developing methods of data acquisition and analysis. Topics include: conceptual frameworks * tools and methods * integration of complementary approaches * horizontal gene transfer * analysis of complex microbial communities * public data resources * plant-microbe interactions * bioremediation * industrial bioproducts * archaeal metagenomics * bioprospecting novel genes * the human microbiome * and philosophical themes in metagenomics. The book is essential reading for all researchers currently performing metagenomics studies and it is highly recommended for all students and scientists wishing to increase their understanding of this field.

This book provides a selection of recently developed methods and protocols in bacterial glycomics to aid in bettering our understanding of the structures and functions of bacterial polysaccharides, their attachments to proteins and lipids, their role in biofilm formation, as well as their biosynthesis. With the emerging bacterial resistance to commonly used antibiotics world-wide, these techniques to study the outer polysaccharides of bacteria, with their functions in bacterial adhesion, colonization, growth, establishment of biofilms, and control virulence and pathogenicity, are increasingly important. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, 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. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Bacterial Polysaccharides: Methods and Protocols aims to support researchers contributing to future approaches that will fill our knowledge gaps and define anti-bacterial targets.

This book sheds new light on how microbes can be used as effective and sustainable resources to produce green energy in the form of biogas, algal diesel, ethanol, hydrogen and direct electricity. It discusses topics such as microbial energy conversion technologies, including ethanol production by microbial catalytic reaction, biomethanization, biodiesel from microalgae, microbial fuel cells, and the microbiological production of hydrogen. The book will inspire scientists to find new approaches to meet local energy demands with the help of sustainable microbial resources available in and around a given location.

This book reviews efforts to produce chemicals and fuels from forest and plant products, agricultural residues and more. Algae can potentially capture solar energy and atmospheric CO2; the book details needed research and legislative initiatives.

The fascinating, untold story of the air we breathe, the hidden life it contains, and invisible dangers that can turn the world upside down

Every day we draw in two thousand gallons of air—and thousands of living things. From the ground to the stratosphere, the air teems with invisible life. This last great biological frontier remains so mysterious that it took over two years for scientists to finally agree that the Covid pandemic was caused by an airborne virus.

In Air-Borne, award-winning New York Times columnist and author Carl Zimmer leads us on an odyssey through the living atmosphere and through the history of its discovery. We travel to the tops of mountain glaciers, where Louis Pasteur caught germs from the air, and follow Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh above the clouds, where they conducted groundbreaking experiments. We meet the long-forgotten pioneers of aerobiology including William and Mildred Wells, who tried for decades to warn the world about airborne infections, only to die in obscurity.

Air-Borne chronicles the dark side of aerobiology with gripping accounts of how the United States and the Soviet Union clandestinely built arsenals of airborne biological weapons designed to spread anthrax, smallpox, and an array of other pathogens. Air-Borne also leaves readers looking at the world with new eyes—as a place where the oceans and forests loft trillions of cells into the air, where microbes eat clouds, and where life soars thousands of miles on the wind.

Weaving together gripping history with the latest reporting on Covid and other threats to global health, Air-Borne surprises us on every page as it reveals the hidden world of the air.

This book discusses the use of microorganisms for improving nutrient quality and producing healthier foods. Conventional roles of microbes in food preservation and in producing more readily digestible nutrients via natural fermentation processes are also examined. Individual chapters explore topics such as bio-preservation, incorporation of lactic acid bacteria, traditional fermented Mongolian foods, fermented fish products of Sudan, probiotics in China, fermented soymilk, food colorants, and the effect of food on gut microbiota. Readers will gain insights into current trends and future prospects of functional foods and nutraceuticals. This volume will be of particular interest to scientists working in the fields of food sciences, microbiology, agriculture and public health.

The existence of life at high temperatures is quiet fascinating. At elevated temperatures, only microorganisms are capable of growth and survival. A variety of microbes survive and grow at such high temperatures. Many thermophilic microbial genera have been isolated from man-made (washing machines, factory effluents, waste streams and acid mine effluents) and natural (volcanic areas, geothermal areas, terrestrial hot springs, submarine hydrothermal vents, geothermally heated oil reserves and oil wells, sun-heated litter and soils/sediments) thermal habitats throughout the world. Both culture-dependent and culture-independent approaches have been employed for understanding the diversity of microbes in hot environments. These organisms not only tolerate such high temperatures but also usually require these for their growth and survival. They are known as thermophiles/thermophilic microbes, which include a wide variety of prokaryotes (Bacteria and Archaea) as well as eukaryotes (Fungi, Algae, Protozoa). Interest in their diversity, ecology, and physiology has increased enormously during the past few decades as indicated by the deliberations in international conferences on extremophiles and thermophiles every alternate year. The Phylogenetic relationship of the known microorganisms indicates the presence of thermophilic microorganisms at the position close to the Last Universal Common Ancestor (LUCA). It is widely accepted that metal-reducing microorganisms have a large impact on the geochemistry of subsurface environments through the cycling of metals and organic matter, and thereby affect water quality and taste. Furthermore, metal-reducing micro-organisms have potential applications in bioremediation, mineral leaching and energy generation processes and are of evolutionary interest as metal reduction is considered to be a very ancient form of respiration. Protein characterization surprisingly indicated that possible additional functionality and alternate site promiscuity could contribute to the diverse biochemical abilities of the bacteria, especially with respect to microbe-metal interactions. Thermophilic bacteria are also able to reduce a wide spectrum of other metals including Mn (IV), Cr (VI), U (VI), Tc (VII), Co (III), Mo (VI), Au (I, III), and Hg (II) which can be used for immobilization of toxic metals/radionuclides, e.g. for the bioremediation of hot waste water of disposal sites of radioactive wastes having temperature range favorable for thermophiles for a long period of time. The main sources of CO in hot environments inhabited by anaerobic thermophiles are volcanic exhalations and thermal degradation of organic matter. A number of phylogenetically diverse anaerobic prokaryotes, both Bacteria and Archaea, are known to metabolize CO. CO transformation may be coupled to methanogenesis, acetogenesis, hydrogenogenesis, sulfate or ferric iron reduction. The key enzyme of anaerobic CO utilization, the Ni-containing CO dehydrogenase, is synthesized in hydrogenogens as an enzyme complex with the energy-converting hydrogenase. The genomic analysis shows this enzymatic complex to be encoded by a single gene cluster. Themophilic moulds and bacteria have been extensively studied in plant biomass bioconversion processes, as sources of industrial enzymes and as gene donors for the heterologous expression of thermostable enzymes. In the development of third generation biofuels such as bioethanol, thermophilic fungal and bacterial enzymes are of particular interest. The entire genomes of several thermophilic bacteria and archaea have already been sequenced. The analysis of the genomic data provided resources for novel and useful proteins and enzymes. The entire genomic data have also provided specific feature of microbes and important information on the evolution of thermophilic microorganisms. In some thermophilic archaea, multiple types of chaperonins have been identified. The chaperonins have been found to change according to the environmental conditions, suggesting that the mechanism for maintaining correct structure of thermostable proteins in the thermophilic archaea is regulated by changing chaperonine molecules. These organisms have evolved several structural and chemical adaptations, which allow them to survive and grow at elevated temperatures. Thermostable enzymes play an important role in the biosynthesis of fine chemicals. They are generally more robust against the conditions of industrial biocatalysis utilized by the industry, which can be solvent based or at elevated temperatures. Many non-natural industrially interesting substrates are often not soluble under aqueous conditions and at ambient temperatures. The thermophilic Archaea are a good source of these enzymes, which have been cloned and over-expressed in Escherichia coli. These include alcohol dehydrogenases for chiral alcohol production, aminoacylases for optically pure amino acids and amino acid analogues, transaminases for chiral amine production and gamma lactamases for chiral gamma lactam building blocks which are subsequently incorporated into carbocyclic nucleotides. Considerable interest has been generated in the mechanism that nature utilizes to increase the stability of enzymes found in thermophilic and hyperthermophilic species. A comparative approach has been used to carry out a detailed study of specific enzymes from a range of organisms in order to understand acquired stability at a structural level. A directed or site-specific mutagenesis approach has been used for stabilizing mesophilic proteins. The specific mutations have been introduced by looking at the most primitive forms of life, which are thought to have evolved in a thermophilic environment. The book is aimed at bringing together scattered up-to-date information on various aspects of thermophiles such as the diversity of thermophiles and viruses of thermophiles, their potential roles in pollution control and bioremediation, composting and microb

Legionnaires disease, a potentially fatal type of pneumonia primarily affecting elderly and immuno-compromised persons, is caused by the ubiquitous environmental bacterium "Legionella pneumophila." This book offers authoritative reviews of different facets of its virulence, focusing on comparative phagocyte infection, virulence gene regulation, biochemical functions of effector proteins and cellular pathogen-host interactions, as well as host responses and immunity to "L. pneumophila." Taken together, the contributions in this compilation provide a state-of-the-art overview of current insights into the molecular pathogenesis of the opportunistic and potentially fatal pathogen "L. pneumophila.""

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 2012: 4.974.

This volume presents the issues and challenges of crop pathogens and plant protection. Composed of the latest knowledge in plant pathology, the book covers topics such as fungal diseases of the groundnut, plant growth promoting rhizobacteria, plant pathogenic fungi in the genomics era, the increased virulence of wheat rusts and oat fungal diseases.

Written by experienced and internationally recognized scientists in the field, "Future Challenges in Crop Protection Against Fungal Pathogens "is a concise yet comprehensive resource valuable for both novice as well as experienced plant scientists and researchers.

This book presents an overview of the RNA networks controlling gene expression in fungi highlighting the remaining questions and future challenges in this area.

It covers several aspects of the RNA-mediated mechanisms that regulate gene expression in model yeasts and filamentous fungi, organisms of great importance for industry, medicine and agriculture. It is estimated that there are more than one million fungal species on the Earth. Despite their diversity (saprophytic, parasitic and mutualistic), fungi share common features distinctive from plants and animals and have been grouped taxonomically as an independent eukaryotic kingdom. In this book, 15 chapters written by experts in their fields cover the RNA-dependent processes that take place in a fungal cell ranging from formation of coding and non-coding RNAs to mRNA translation, ribosomal RNA biogenesis, gene silencing, RNA editing and epigenetic regulation.

This volume presents a list of cutting-edge protocols for the study of CRISPR-Cas defense systems and their applications at the genomic, genetic, biochemical and structural levels. CRISPR: Methods and Protocols guides readers through techniques that have been developed specifically for the analysis of CRISPR-Cas and techniques adapted from standard protocols of DNA, RNA and protein biology. Written in the highly 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 laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and cutting-edge, CRISPR: Methods and Protocols provides a broad list of tools and techniques to study the interdisciplinary aspects of the prokaryotic CRISPR-Cas defense systems.

This volume brings together the most widely used and important protocols currently being employed in researching and understanding bacterial cell wall homeostasis. Chapters in Bacterial Cell Wall Homeostasis cover a variety of subjects, such as: modern microscopy techniques and other biophysical methods used to characterize the subcellular structure of the bacterial cell wall; high-throughput approaches that can be used to identify all the genes and proteins that participate in the correct functioning of an organism's cell wall; protocols for assaying individual gene products for specific cell wall functions or identify chemicals with inhibitory activity against the cell wall; and methods for analyzing the non-protein components of the cell wall and the increasing use of computational approaches for predicting and modeling cell wall related functions and processes. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introduction to their respective topics, lists of the necessary material and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Thorough and cutting-edge, Bacterial Cell Wall Homeostasis: Methods and Protocols emphasizes the diversity of the research taking place in bacterial cell wall homeostasis, and explains how the integration of information from across multiple disciplines is going to be essential if a holistic understanding of this important process is to be obtained.

This contributed volume provides insights into multiple applications using microbes to promote productivity in agriculture, to produce biochemicals or to respond to challenges in biomedicine. It highlights the microbial production of nanocompounds with medical functionality alongside new anti-mycobacterial strategies, and introduces plant-growth-promoting Rhizobacteria as well as the correlation between biofilm formation and crop productivity. Further, the authors illustrate the green synthesis of biochemical compounds, such as hydroxamid acid or biosurfactants, using microbial and fungal enzymes. It inspires young researchers and experienced scientists in the field of microbiology to explore the combined use of green, white and red biotechnology for industrial purposes, which will be one of the central topics for future generations.

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 2012: 4.974.

Key features:

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

This contributed volume sheds new light on waste management and the production of biofuels. The authors share insights into microbial applications to meet the challenges of environmental pollution and the ever- growing need for renewable energy. They also explain how healthy and balanced ecosystems can be created and maintained using strategies ranging from oil biodegration and detoxification of azo dyes to biofouling. In addition, the book illustrates how the metabolic abilities of microorganisms can be used in microbial fuel-cell technologies or for the production of biohydrogen. It inspires young researchers and experienced scientists in the field of microbiology to explore the application of green biotechnology for bioremediation and the production of energy, which will be one of the central topics for future generations.

"Microbiology for Surgical Infections: Diagnosis, Prognosis and Treatment" explores current trends in etiology and antibiotic resistance of pathogens responsible for devastating and complex surgical infections. Clinicians and researchers report the most recent advances in diagnostic approaches to bacterial and non-bacterial surgical infections, including invasive fungal infections. Current guidelines for prophylaxis of community-acquired and nosocomial infections, complications in surgery, and improvement of diagnosis and treatment of these devastating surgical infections are also discussed.

The work gives specific attention to intra-abdominal and wound infections, as well as infections in cardiac surgery and neurosurgery. Taken together, these explorations inform the work of specialists in different surgical arenas, as well as those working in microbiology.

"Microbiology for Surgical Infections" provides a resource to those working to improve outcomes in this complicated arena by discussing prospects for future study and identifying targets for future research.
Provides a multi-dimensional view of myriad topics pertinent to surgical infections, including questions of etiology, pathogenesis, host-microbial interactions, diagnosis, prognosis, treatment and prophylaxisDelivers cutting-edge commentary from eminent surgeons, microbiologists, and infectious disease specialists, with global contributions from both the developed and developing worldsPresents comprehensive research informed by the most recent technological and scientific advances in the field

This volume describes the more relevant secondary metabolites of different fungi with current information on their biosynthesis and molecular genetics. Bolstered with color illustrations and photographs, the book describes the possible application of molecular genetics to directed strain improvement in great detail. The needs for future developments in this field are also discussed at length

Written by authorities in the field, "Biosynthesis and Molecular Genetics of Fungal Secondary Metabolites" provides a cutting-edge perspective on fungal secondary metabolism and underlying genetics and is a valuable resource for scientists, researchers, and educators in the field of fungal biology.

Plants are endowed with innate immune system, which acts as a surveillance system against possible attack by pathogens. Plant innate immune systems have high potential to fight against viral, bacterial, oomycete and fungal pathogens and protect the crop plants against wide range of diseases. However, the innate immune system is a sleeping system in unstressed healthy plants. Fast and strong activation of the plant immune responses aids the host plants to win the war against the pathogens. Plant hormone signaling systems including salicylate (SA), jasmonate (JA), ethylene (ET), abscisic acid (ABA), auxins, cytokinins, gibberellins and brassinosteroids signaling systems play a key role in activation of the sleeping immune systems. Suppression or induction of specific hormone signaling systems may result in disease development or disease resistance. Specific signaling pathway has to be activated to confer resistance against specific pathogen in a particular host. Two forms of induced resistance, systemic acquired resistance (SAR) and induced systemic resistance (ISR), have been recognized based on the induction of specific hormone signaling systems. Specific hormone signaling system determines the outcome of plant-pathogen interactions, culminating in disease development or disease resistance. Susceptibility or resistance against a particular pathogen is determined by the action of the signaling network. The disease outcome is often determined by complex network of interactions among multiple hormone signaling pathways. Manipulation of the complex hormone signaling systems and fine tuning the hormone signaling events would help in management of various crop diseases. The purpose of the book is to critically examine the potential methods to manipulate the multiple plant hormone signaling systems to aid the host plants to win the battle against pathogens.

This book summarizes the current state of knowledge concerning bacteria that use halogenated organic compounds as respiratory electron acceptors. The discovery of organohalide-respiring bacteria has expanded the range of electron acceptors used for energy conservation, and serves as a prime example of how scientific discoveries are enabling innovative engineering solutions that have transformed remediation practice. Individual chapters provide in-depth background information on the discovery, isolation, phylogeny, biochemistry, genomic features, and ecology of individual organohalide-respiring genera, including Dehalococcoides, Dehalogenimonas, Dehalobacter, Desulfitobacterium and Sulfurospirillum, as well as organohalide-respiring members of the Deltaproteobacteria. The book introduces readers to the fascinating biology of organohalide-respiring bacteria, offering a valuable resource for students, engineers and practitioners alike.

The first review series in virology and published since 1953, "Advances in Virus Research" covers a diverse range of in-depth reviews, providing a valuable overview of the field.
Contributions from leading authoritiesComprehensive reviews for general and specialist useFirst and longest-running review series in virology

Molecular biology has revolutionized the study of microorganisms in the environment and has improved our understanding of the composition, phylogeny, and physiology of microbial communities. The current molecular toolbox encompasses a range of DNA-based technologies and new methods for the study of RNA and proteins extracted from environmental samples. Currently, there is a major emphasis on the application of "omics" approaches to determine the identities and functions of microbes inhabiting different environments. This book highlights the current state-of-the-art of environmental molecular microbiology. International experts have contributed chapters that describe the various technologies and their applications in environmental microbiology. The first half of the book focuses on the microbial diversity and phylogeny of microorganisms in the environment and describes the molecular toolbox currently available for the study of the composition and diversity of microbial communities and their functions. Topics include the use of the 16S rRNA gene as a phylogenetic marker, metagenomics, metaproteomics, microarrays, and molecular fingerprinting. The second half focuses on the application of these approaches in various environments including soil, marine water, plants, humans, and wastewater treatment. The last chapter of the book discusses the genetics and environmental implications of microbial biofilms. This is an essential book for advanced students, research scientists, environmental agencies, and industries involved in any aspect of environmental microbiology.

This is the fourth updated and revised edition of a well-received book that emphasises on fungal diversity, plant productivity and sustainability. It contains new chapters written by leading experts in the field. This book is an up-to-date overview of current progress in mycorrhiza and association with plant productivity and environmental sustainability. The result is a must hands-on guide, ideally suited for agri-biotechnology, soil biology, fungal biology including mycorrrhiza and stress management, academia and researchers. The topic of this book is particularly relevant to researchers involved in mycorrhiza, especially to food security and environmental protection. Mycorrhizas are symbioses between fungi and the roots of higher plants. As more than 90% of all known species of plants have the potential to form mycorrhizal associations, the productivity and species composition and the diversity of natural ecosystems are frequently dependent upon the presence and activity of mycorrhizas. The biotechnological application of mycorrhizas is expected to promote the production of food while maintaining ecologically and economically sustainable production systems.