The search for new producers of biologically active substances (BAS) against human and animal diseases continues to be an important task in biology and medicine. Experimental work must be carried out well in advance of need because it takes an average of ten years to develop a new medication, as well as additional time to put it on the market. Study of the Protozoa forms a special branch of biology - protozoology. The traditional fields of protozoology are taxonomy, phylogeny, morphology, cytology, evolution, ecology and host parasite-interactions. The Protozoa is the only taxon among the microscopic organisms, which has not been persistently studied as a source of BAS. This book then is the result of the research on the project: "Biologically active substances of the Mastigophora (Flagellates)." The research was carried out at the Laboratory of Antibiotics, Department of Microbiology, Biological Faculty of Moscow State University. Articles of other authors on the matter have been considered as the important part of this reference book. The goal of the reference book is to elucidate scientific approaches, which lead to obtaining biologically active substances from cultures of protozoa; the book reviews the historical background in connection with contemporary development of the field. N.N. Sukhareva ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The research was performed in fruitful cooperation with my research associates (V. Urinyuk, T. Titiova, L. Udalova, R. Zeleneva, V. Brusovanik, M. Zaretskaya), postgraduate students (N. Kalenik, M. Chuenkova, V. Vasilevskaya, V. Khorokhorina), my colleagues at Moscow State University (Yu. Kozlov and I.

The critically acclaimed laboratory standard for more than forty years, Methods in Enzymology is one of the most highly respected publications in the field of biochemistry. Since 1955, each volume has been eagerly awaited, frequently consulted, and praised by researchers and reviewers alike. More than 285 volumes have been published (all of them still in print) and much of the material is relevant even today-truly an essential publication for researchersin all fields of life sciences.
Key Features
* Prokaryotic ABC Transporters
* Eukaryotic ABC Transporters
* Nonmammalian ABC Transport Systems
* Mammalian P-Glycoproteins
* Multidrug Resistance Associated Protein
* Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator
* Sulfonylurea Receptor
* Intracellular ABC Transporters

The functional analysis of plant-microbe interactions has re-emerged in the past 10 years due to spectacular advances in integrative study models. This book summarizes basic and technical information related to the plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) belonging to the genus Azospirillum, considered to be one of the most representative PGPR last 40 years. We include exhaustive information about the general microbiology of genus Azospirillum, their identification strategies; the evaluation of plant growth promoting mechanisms, inoculants technology and agronomic use of these bacteria and some special references to the genetic technology and use.

Established for almost 30 years, Methods in Microbiology is the most prestigious series devoted to techniques and methodology in the field. Now totally revamped, revitalized, with a new format and expanded scope, Methods in Microbiology will continue to provide you with tried and tested, cutting-edge protocols to directly benefit your research.
Immunology of Infection, edited by two of the foremost figures in the field, presents the most appropriate, up-to-date techniques in the detail you require. The layout is structured for ease of reference, and the volume will be essential reading for all researchers working in microbiology, immunology, virology, mycology, and parasitology.
The new volume provides a carefully selected collection of immunological techniques for the microbiologist wishing to study host-pathogen relationships "in vivo" and "in vitro." This multi-authored book has succeeded in bringing together experts from various fields of molecular and cellular immunology who provide ready-to-use recipes for the "ex vivo" and "in vitro" analysis of anti-infective immunity.
Key Features
* Focuses on the methods most useful for the microbiologist interested in analysing host-pathogen relationships
* Ready-to-use, tried and tested recipes
* Lists of suppliers provided as appendices to each chapter
* Covers techniques useful for the analysis of human and murine cells
* Includes techniques for the prediction and determination of MHC ligands and T cell epitopes
* Describes the art and science of DNA vaccines
* Essential methods for measuring human cytokine responses
* Covers isolation and propagation of dendritic cells

PCR methods for the detection of microbial pathogens have made relatively little impact in diagnostic microbiology laboratories due to the common decision to use expensive commercially produced tests rather than the cheaper alternative of developing one's own tests or introducing tests developed by other workers. PCR Detection of Microbial Pathogens, Second Edition presents alternatives to commercially produced PCR methods to detect microbial pathogens. Although most of the chapters in this book are devoted to the detection of specific pathogens, the first chapters in this book should appeal to anyone working in this field regardless of their particular interests. Although PCR tests can often be made to work with relatively little effort, it is often unclear how efficient the PCR test is, how inhibitory the specimen containing the pathogen of interest is and how the test can be quality controlled. All of which are of great importance in developing tests for diagnostic use. These topics are covered in great depth at the beginning of the book. The main part of the book is devoted to describing methods for the detection of a wide range of pathogens and from widely different specimens and situations. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series format, chapters contain introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and accessible, PCR Detection of Microbial Pathogens, Second Edition serves microbiologists regardless of their particular interest because, when used together with the general principles, the sheer variety of procedures provided here enables the reader to design and introduce diagnostic tests in the laboratory with confidence.

Toxins are virulence determinants that play an important role in microbial pathogenicity and/or evasion of the host immune response. This makes them ideal targets for the development of novel antimicrobial strategies. The potential applications of toxin research extend beyond simple combating microbial pathogens and include use as novel anti-cancer drugs and other front-line medicines and as tools in neurobiology. This book serves as an update on the most important recent advances in the genetics, cellular biology and practical applications of the most important bacterial toxins.

Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) has become important in rice farming systems because this process diminishes the need for expensive chemical fertilizers which have been associated with numerous health and environmental problems. The extensive exploitation of BNF would provide economic benefits to small farmers, avoiding all malign influences of chemical fertilizers. Meanwhile, advances in biotechnology have brought rice genetics to the threshold of new opportunities for increasing rice production. This volume focuses, in six different sessions, on the role of BNF in the improvement of rice production in the light of the current state of the art of BNF technology transfer and diffusion. New ideas on BNF technology in research, extension information and inoculant technology are also included, together with the socio-economic impacts of using BNF in rice farm systems.

It has been known for a number of years that not only pathogenicity islands but also plasmids and bacteriophages are able to carry genes whose products are involved in pathogenic processes. Accordingly, such elements and their products play an important role in pathogenesis due to the intestinal E. coli as well due to Shigellae. Another interesting aspect which is reflected in different articles is that genomes evolve by acquisition of new pieces of DNA following gene transfer, but also by genome reduction. Different mechanisms include the deletion of sequences or the elimination of functions by the accumulation of point mutations or rearrangements.

Researchers in the field of ecological genomics aim to determine how a genome or a population of genomes interacts with its environment across ecological and evolutionary timescales. Ecological genomics is trans-disciplinary by nature. Ecologists have turned to genomics to be able to elucidate the mechanistic bases of the biodiversity their research tries to understand. Genomicists have turned to ecology in order to better explain the functional cellular and molecular variation they observed in their model organisms.

We provide an advanced-level book that covers this recent research and proposes future development for this field. A synthesis of the field of ecological genomics emerges from this volume."Ecological Genomics"covers a wide array of organisms (microbes, plants and animals) in order to be able to identify central concepts that motivate and derive from recent investigations in different branches of the tree of life.

"Ecological Genomics"covers 3 fields of research that have most benefited from the recent technological and conceptual developments in the field of ecological genomics: the study of life-history evolution and its impact of genome architectures; the study of the genomic bases of phenotypic plasticity and the study of the genomic bases of adaptation and speciation.

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Although virology and immunology are now considered separate disciplines, history shows that these areas ofinvestigation always overlapped and one cannot really exist without the other. This trend has become particularly significant and fruitful in the past few years in the area of herpesvirus research. The genomes of the most important herpesviruses have been sequenced, a significant portion of their genes have been identified, and many secrets of regulation of gene expr- sion have been unraveled. Now this progress sets the stage for a true revolution in herpesvirus research: analysis of interactions between the host and the virus. Because herpesviruses can induce, suppress, and fool the immune system, the most productive herpesvirologists are also expert immunologists, and the current results ofthis interdisciplinary effort are truly remarkable. Because herpesviruses cause many important human diseases, the devel- ment of vaccines against these agents is a very significant goal. This effort is also very challenging because of the complexity of herpesviruses and the lack of sufficient information about immune responses. The remarkable ability of herpesviruses to escape immune responses is - other feature that brings immunology and virology together. Herpesviruses - code many proteins that interact with and down-regulate some key elements of the immune system. Thisproperty of herpesviruses represents amajor challenge in developing strategies against these viruses. On the positive side, these viral proteins also provide novel tools for analyzing specific immune reactions and molecular mechanisms.

In this timely book, leading international Pasteurellaceae scientists critically review the most important current research providing an up-to-date review of the molecular biology, genomics and virulence of these fascinating organisms. Topics covered include taxonomy and biodiversity, phylogeny, comparative genomics, competence, DNA uptake and transformation, proteomics and protein secretion, RTX toxins, lipopolysaccharides, biofilms, quorum sensing, antimicrobial resistance, diagnosis, and OMP and iron uptake. Each chapter is independent and can be read in isolation and as a whole the book provides an important resource summarising our current knowledge of Pasteurellaceae genomics and molecular biology. Essential reading for everyone working on Pasteurellaceae and related organisms.

The symposium, "Microbial Diversity in Time and Space," was held in the Sanjo Conference Hall, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan, October 24-26, 1994. The symposium was organized under the auspices of the Japanese Society of Microbial Ecology and co-sponsored by the International Union of Biological Sciences (IUBS), International Union of Microbiological Societies (IUMS), International Committee on Microbial Ecology (ICOME), and the Japanese Society of Ecology. The aim of the symposium was to stress the importance of the global role of microorganisms in developing and maintaining biodiversity. Twenty-four speakers from seven countries presented papers in the symposium and in the workshop, "Microbial Diversity and Cycling of Bioelements," that followed the symposium. Papers presented at the symposium are published in this proceedings. Discussions of the workshop, which were energetic and enthusiastic, are also summarized in this proceedings. The symposium provided an opportunity to address the role of microorganisms in global cycles and as the basic support ofbiodiversity on the planet. Previously unrecognized as both contributing to and sustaining biodiversity, microorganisms are now considered to be primary elements of, and a driving force in, biodiversity. Financial support was provided for the symposium by the CIBA GEIGY Foundation for the Promotion of Science, Naito Foundation, and the Uchida Foundation of the Ocean Research Institute, University of Tokyo. Support from these foundations is gratefully acknowledged. CONTENTS Microbial Biodiversity-Global Aspects ................................. 1 Rita R. Colwell 2. Importance of Community Relationships in Biodiversity ...................

The use of renewable bioenergy is increasing, and so is the production of associated wastes: biomass ashes. This book presents eleven chapters on the options for recycling such biomass ashes, ranging from their use as fertilizer in agriculture and forestry to their application as a supplement for the production of cement-based materials or bricks. The book also examines the pros and cons for each of the different uses of biomass ashes.

Plant conservation is increasingly recognised as an outstanding global priority, yet despite considerable efforts over the last few decades, the number of threatened species continues to rise. The practice of plant conservation has for too long been a rather hit-or-miss mixture of methods. While microorganisms have been recognised as a crucial and essential element in supporting the lifecycles of plant species, there has been limited recognition of the relationships between macro level conservation facilitating ecosystem functioning at the micro level.

This book addresses the role of microorganisms in conservation - both their support functions and deleterious roles in ecosystem processes and species survival. Importantly, a number of authors highlight how microbial diversity is, itself, now under threat from the many and pervasive influences of man. What is clear from this volume is that like many contemporary treatments of plant and animal conservation, the solution to mitigate the erosion of biodiversity is not simple. This book represents an attempt to bring to the fore the ecological underwriting provided by microorganisms.

Advances in Parasitology is a series of up-to-date reviews of all areas of interest in contemporary parasitology. It includes medical studies on parasites of major influence, such as typanosomiasis and scabies, and more traditional areas, such as zoology, taxonomy, and life history, which shape current thinking and applications.

The tetracyclines have an illustrious history as therapeutic agents which dates back over half a century. Initially discovered as an antibiotic in 1947, the four ringed molecule has captured the fancy of chemists and biologists over the ensuing decades. Of further interest, as described in the chapter by George Armelagos, tetracyclines were already part of earlier cultures, 1500-1700 years ago, as revealed in traces of drug found in Sudanese Nubian mummies. The diversity of chapters which this book presents to the reader should illus trate the many disciplines which have examined and seen benefits from these fascinating natural molecules. From antibacterial to anti-inflammatory to anti autoimmunity to gene regulation, tetracyclines have been modified and redesigned for various novel properties. Some have called this molecule a biol ogist's dream because of its versatility, but others have seen it as a chemist's nightmare because of the synthetic chemistry challenges and "chameleon-like" properties (see the chapter by S. Schneider).

Cyanobacteria are single-celled organisms that live in fresh, brackish, and marine water. They use sunlight to make their own food. In warm, nutrient-rich environments, microscopic cyanobacteria can grow quickly, creating blooms that spread across the water 's surface and may become visible. Because of the color, texture, and location of these blooms, the common name for cyanobacteria is blue-green algae. However, cyanobacteria are related more closely to bacteria than to algae. Cyanobacteria are found worldwide, from Brazil to China, Australia to the United States. In warmer climates, these organisms can grow year-round. Scientists have called cyanobacteria the origin of plants, and have credited cyanobacteria with providing nitrogen fertilizer for rice and beans. But blooms of cyanobacteria are not always helpful. When these blooms become harmful to the environment, animals, and humans, scientists call them cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (CyanoHABs). Freshwater CyanoHABs can use up the oxygen and block the sunlight that other organisms need to live. They also can produce powerful toxins that affect the brain and liver of animals and humans. Because of concerns about CyanoHABs, which can grow in drinking water and recreational water, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has added cyanobacteria to its Drinking Water Contaminant Candidate List. This list identifies organisms and toxins that EPA considers to be priorities for investigation. Reports of poisonings associated with CyanoHABs date back to the late 1800s. Anecdotal evidence and data from laboratory animal research suggest that cyanobacterial toxins can cause a range of adverse humanhealth effects, yet few studies have explored the links between CyanoHABs and human health. Humans can be exposed to cyanobacterial toxins by drinking water that contains the toxins, swimming in water that contains high concentrations of cyanobacterial cells, or breathing air that contains cyanobacterial cells or toxins (while watering a lawn with contaminated water, for example). Health effects associated with exposure to high concentrations of cyanobacterial toxins include: stomach and intestinal illness; trouble breathing; allergic responses; skin irritation; liver damage; and neurotoxic reactions, such as tingling fingers and toes. Scientists are exploring the human health effects associated with long-term exposure to low levels of cyanobacterial toxins. Some studies have suggested that such exposure could be associated with chronic illnesses, such as liver cancer and digestive-system cancer. This monograph contains the proceedings of the International Symposium on Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms held in Research Triangle Park, NC, September 6-10, 2005. The symposium was held to help meet the mandates of the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act, as reauthorized and expanded in December 2004. The monograph will be presented to Congress by an interagency task force. The monograph includes: 1) A synopsis which proposes a National Research Plan for Cyanobacteria and their Toxins; 2) Six workgroup reports that identify and prioritize research needs; 3) Twenty-five invited speaker papers thatdescribe the state of the science; 4) Forty poster abstracts that describe novel research.

This Volume provides protocols for the biochemical analysis of hydrocarbon- and lipid-relevant products, cell components and activities of microbes that interact with hydrophobic compounds. They include methods for the extraction, purification and characterisation of surface tension-reducing bioemulsifiers and biosurfactants that increase the surface area and hence bioavailability of hydrophobic substrates. Protocols for the isolation and biochemical analysis of lipids and polyhydroxyalkanoates, food storage products made during nutrient abundance that represent important biotechnological products, are presented. The extraction of membrane lipid rafts, sub-organelles that fulfil important functional roles for the cell membrane, and the isolation and characterisation of membrane phospholipid biomarkers, are also described. The purification and characterisation of integral membrane hydrocarbon-oxidising enzymes are addressed. Lastly, two generic methods for the genetic analysis of catabolic pathways and analysis of ligand binding are presented. Hydrocarbon and Lipid Microbiology ProtocolsThere are tens of thousands of structurally different hydrocarbons, hydrocarbon derivatives and lipids, and a wide array of these molecules are required for cells to function. The global hydrocarbon cycle, which is largely driven by microorganisms, has a major impact on our environment and climate. Microbes are responsible for cleaning up the environmental pollution caused by the exploitation of hydrocarbon reservoirs and will also be pivotal in reducing our reliance on fossil fuels by providing biofuels, plastics and industrial chemicals. Gaining an understanding of the relevant functions of the wide range of microbes that produce, consume and modify hydrocarbons and related compounds will be key to responding to these challenges. This comprehensive collection of current and emerging protocols will facilitate acquisition of this understanding and exploitation of useful activities of such microbes.

The introduction of synthetic organic chemicals into the environment during the last few decades has given rise to major concern about the ecotoxicological effects and ultimate fate of these compounds. The pollutants that are considered to be most hazardous because of their intrinsic toxicity, high exposure level, or recalcitrant behavior in the environment have been placed on blacklists and other policy priority lists. The fate of synthetic compounds that enter the environment is mainly determined by their rate of biodegradation, which therefore also has a major effect on the degree of bioaccumulation and the risk of ecotoxicological effects. The degree and rate of biodegradation is also of critical importance for the feasibility of biological techniques to clean up contaminated sites and waste streams. The biodegradation of xenobiotics has thus been the subject of numerous studies, which resulted in thousands of publications in scientific journals, books, and conference proceedings. These studies led to a deeper understanding of the diversity of biodegradation processes. As a result, it has become possible to enhance the rate of degradation of recalcitrant pollutants during biological treatment and to design completely new treatment processes. At present, much work is being done to expand the range of pollutants to which biodegradation can be applied, and to make treatment techniques less expensive and better applicable for waste streams which are difficult to handle.

Current information in applied microbioogy is provided in this text supported by an extensive bibliography.

Achieving environmental sustainability with rapid industrialization is currently a major global challenge. Industries are the key economic drivers, but are also the main polluters as untreated/partially treated effluents from industry are usually discharged into the aquatic environment or dumped. Industrial effluents often contain highly toxic and hazardous pollutants, which cause ecological damage and present and health hazards to living beings. As such, there is a pressing need to find ecofriendly solutions to deal with industrial waste, and to develop sustainable methods for treating/detoxifying waste before it's released into the environment. As a low cost and eco-friendly clean technology, bioremediation can offer a sustainable alternative to conventional remediation technologies for the treatment and management of industrial wastes. This book (Volume II) describes the role of biological agents in the degradation and detoxification of organic and inorganic pollutants in industrial wastes, and presents recent bioremediation approaches for waste treatment and management, such as constructed wetlands, electro- bioremediation and nano-bioremediation, as well as microbial fuel cells. It appeals to students, researchers, scientists, industry professionals and experts in the field of microbiology, biotechnology, environmental sciences, eco-toxicology, environmental remediation and waste management and other relevant areas who are interested in biodegradation and bioremediation of industrial wastes for environmental safety.

Cyanobacterial symbioses are no longer regarded as mere oddities but as important components of the biosphere, occurring both in terrestrial and aquatic habitats worldwide. It is becoming apparent that they can enter into symbiosis with a wider variety of organisms than hitherto known, and there are many more still to be discovered, particularly in marine environments. The chapters cover cyanobacterial symbioses with plants (algae, bryophytes, Azolla, cycads, Gunnera), cyanobacterial symbioses in marine environments, lichens, Nostoc-Geosiphon (a fungus closely related to arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi) symbiosis, and artificial associations of cyanobacteria with economically important plants. In addition, cyanobiont diversity, sensing-signalling, and evolutionary aspects of the symbiosis are dealt with. Renowned experts actively involved in research on cyanobacterial symbioses deal with ecological, physiological, biochemical, molecular, and applied aspects of all known cyanobacterial symbioses.
This volume on cyanobacteria in symbiosis complements the two earlier volumes on cyanobacteria published by Kluwer (Molecular Biology of Cyanobacteria, edited by D.A. Bryant and Ecology of Cyanobacteria, edited by B.A. Whitton and M. Potts). Together, the three volumes provide the most comprehensive treatment of cyanobacterial literature as a whole. The book will serve as a valuable reference work and text for teaching and research in the field of plant-microbe interactions and nitrogen fixation.