A beautifully illustrated pocket-size hardcover guide to the mushrooms of North America--a must-have for any mushroom enthusiast's backpack or home library. Mushrooms: An Illustrated Field Guide is a compact, beautifully illustrated field guide to 50 North America's most popular mushrooms. Inside this elegant hardcover, you'll find profiles on individual species, each showcasing a full-page illustration, plus a definition of fungi, information on where to find mushrooms and how--and when--to collect them, and, last but not least, notes on how to avoid mushroom poisoning. Discover the wonderful world of North American mushrooms, including: - Chanterelles (Cantharellus) - Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria) - Hen of the Woods (Grifola frondose) - Morels (Morchellaceae) - Puffballs (Calvatia) - Stinkhorn Mushrooms (Phallaceae) And many, many more! Visually stunning, Mushrooms: An Illustrated Field Guide is an engrossing overview of North America's remarkable and diverse mushrooms. You'll find opportunities for discovery on every page.

Genome Engineering, Volume 52 in the Methods in Microbiology series, highlights new advances in the field with this new volume presenting interesting chapters written by an international board of authors. Topics covered include Whole genome transplantation in Mollicutes, Natural transformation as a tool in Acinetobacter baylyi: evolution by amplification of gene copy number, Natural transformation as a tool in Acinetobacter baylyi: streamlined engineering and mutational analysis, Methods to characterize cryptic biosynthetic gene clusters in Streptomyces, Genome engineering in bacteria: current and prospective applications, Tools for activation and identification of cryptic biosynthesis pathways in Streptomyces.

Myxomycetes: Biology, Systematics, Biogeography and Ecology, Second Edition provides a complete collection of general and technical information on myxomycetes microorganisms. Its broad scope takes an integrated approach, considering a number of important aspects surrounding their genetics and molecular phylogeny. The book treats myxomycetes as a distinct group from fungi and includes molecular information that discusses systematics and evolutionary pathways. Written and developed by an international team of specialists, this second edition contains updated information on all aspects of myxomycetes. It incorporates relevant and new material on current barcoding developments, plasmodial network experimentation, and non-STEM disciplinary assimilation of myxomycete information. This book is a unique and authoritative resource for researchers in organismal biology and ecology disciplines, as well as students and academics in biology, ecology, microbiology, and similar subject areas. Cover image used with permission from Steve Young Photography

Covid-19: Biomedical Perspectives, Volume 50 in the Methods in Microbiology series highlights new advances in the field, with this new volume presenting interesting chapters written by an international board of authors. Individual chapters in this new release include Sensitive methods for detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA, Treatment of COVID-19 using Chinese herbal medicine, Understanding how SARS-CoV-2 is evolving and its impact on COVID-19 animal models and vaccine evaluation, Methods in machine learning to identify COVID-19 literature, COVID-19 seasonal behavior and the mutational landscape of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, CRISPR use in Diagnosis and Therapy for COVID-19, and much more.

The smash-hit Sunday Times bestseller that will transform your understanding of our planet and life itself.

The more we learn about fungi, the less makes sense without them. They can change our minds, heal our bodies and even help us avoid environmental disaster; they are metabolic masters, earth-makers and key players in most of nature's processes.

In Entangled Life, Merlin Sheldrake takes us on a mind-altering journey into their spectacular world, and reveals how these extraordinary organisms transform our understanding of our planet and life itself.

The book Methods in Silkworm Microbiology is the first ever publication that provides in-depth reviews on the latest progresses about silkworm -pathogen interactions, diseases and management practices for sustainable development of sericulture. Different molecular and immunodiagnostic methods for the detection of pathogens have been comprehensively addressed. Most recent advancements on the role of Micro RNAs in silkworm and pathogen interactions are provided with suitable illustrations. Recent technological advances and emerging trends in exploring silkworm gut microbial communities towards translation research, particularly to understand microbiome functions have been highlighted. Information on various immune mechanisms of silkworm against invading pathogens is summarized. The book further highlights the silkworm gut microbiota as a potential source for biotechnological applications.

Microbiology of Atypical Environments, Volume 45, presents a comprehensive reference text on the microbiological methods used to research the basic biology of microorganism in harsh, stressful and sometimes atypical environments (e.g. arctic ice, space stations, extraterrestrial environments, hot springs and magnetic environments). Chapters in this release include Biofilms in space, Methods for studying the survival of microorganisms in extraterrestrial environments, Persistence of Fungi in Atypical (Closed) Environments Based on Evidence from the International Space Station (ISS): Distribution and Significance to Human health, Methods for visualizing microorganisms in Icy environments, Measuring microbial metabolism at surface-air interfaces and nuclear waste management, amongst others.

The present book "Laboratory Manual of Biochemistry: Methods and Techniques" is the outcome of 17 years of teaching and research experience of the authors. Biochemistry is a comparatively recent branch but the utility and variability of research work and the dazzling pace of its development has positioned this discipline in the forefront of scientific hierarchy. As Biochemistry works at a molecular level (i.e. finer than that accessed by the ultra-modern optical or phase-contrast microscopes) it embraces other disciplines also. Biochemistry has thus strengthened the integrated approach concept and solving biological riddles. Biochemical Techniques are used in all branches of biological sciences and biotechnology. Biochemical experiments are conducted in the laboratory as practical as well as for persuing research. A researcher has to refer to many journals and books before he/she could get to the working protocol for his/her experiment. This book attempts to give often-used methods in a single volume. This first edition is divided into 11 Units. Each experiment includes principle, requirements, procedure, calculation and observations. At the end of each , references for additional reading are provided. Important precautions, warnings and tips are given under the notes section. In addition, there are 12 appendices, which give minute details on basic chemistry, buffer preparations and other aspects required for the conduct of the experiments. The methods given in the book will be useful for conducting practical classes at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels in biochemistry, biotechnology, microbiology, agricultural sciences, environmental science, botany, zoology, nutrition, pharmaceutical science and other biology-related subjects. This book will be a bonanza for the research workers since it covers procedures from the classical basic biochemistry to the modern PCR techniques.

Microbial organisms occupy a peculiar place in the human view of life. Microorganisms represent the richest repertoire of molecular and chemical diversity in nature as they underlie basic ecosystem processes. Microorganisms are used for various purposes including food production and preservation, management of pests and pathogens, bioleaching of metals, increasing soil fertility, generating biofuels, monitoring pollutants, cleaning up of oil spills, waste water treatment, assaying of chemicals and serving as tools for medical research. Besides microorganisms are the major sources of antimicrobial agents and produce a wide range of other important medicinal compounds including enzymes, enzyme inhibitors, antihelminthics, antitumor agents, insecticides, vitamins, immunosuppressants and immunomodulatoThe study of microbial diversity is thus important to solve new and emerging disease problems and to advance biotechnology.

Mushroom Biotechnology: Developments and Applications is a comprehensive book to provide a better understanding of the main interactions between biological, chemical and physical factors directly involved in biotechnological procedures of using mushrooms as bioremediation tools, high nutritive food sources, and as biological helpers in healing serious diseases of the human body. The book points out the latest research results and original approaches to the use of edible and medicinal mushrooms as efficient bio-instruments to reduce the environment and food crises. This is a valuable scientific resource to any researcher, professional, and student interested in the fields of mushroom biotechnology, bioengineering, bioremediation, biochemistry, eco-toxicology, environmental engineering, food engineering, mycology, pharmacists, and more.

Get outside and explore the fascinating world of fungi with this beautifully illustrated pocket guide. Did you know that fungi are not quite plant, not quite animal and not quite bacteria, but a unique organism in a kingdom all of their own? Beautiful gallery-style pages showcase a fascinating world of fungi, including glow-in-dark fungi, the funky fungi that give off the strongest smell and the most colourful fungi. Creative off-the-page activity spreads include how to make a spore print and a recipe for delicious store-bought mushrooms on toast. With tips on mushroom identification (including the ones to avoid!), fungi-based activities to enjoy, and a guide to the most colourful and unusual mushrooms, this little book will provide hours of pleasure, both indoors and out. Be inspired to go outdoors and get up close with nature with this brand-new series from internationally bestselling illustrator Nina Chakrabarti. Also in this series: Hello Trees, Hello Bugs and Hello Fossils and Shells.

Fungal growths affect both human and animal well-being. Many natural pathogens of laboratory animals alter host physiology, rendering the host unsuitable for experimental uses. While the number and prevalence of few pathogens have declined considerably, many still turn up in laboratory animals and represent unwanted variables in research. Investigators using laboratory animals in biomedical experimentation should be aware of the profound effects that many of these agents can have on research. What does the future hold regarding the natural pathogens of laboratory animals? The selection of an animal model must carefully address issues of the type of human disease to mimic, the parameters to follow, and the collection of the appropriate data to answer those questions being asked. Overall, animal models of fungal infection will continue to deepen our understanding of how these infections occur. This book provides a valuable source of information to biological and biomedical scientists and to clinical and doctoral researchers working in the area of fungal infections and diseases of laboratory animal species.

Plant endophytes are a potential source for the production of bioactive compounds that can fight against devastating diseases in both plants and humans. Among these endophytic microorganisms, endophytic fungi are one of the dominant group of microorganisms with a potential role in plant growth promotion and the discovery of noble bioactive natural products. Endophytic fungi possess several bioactivities like anticancer, antimicrobial, insecticidal, plant growth stimulants, crop protection, phytoremediation, etc. Presence of modular biosynthetic genes clusters like PKS and NRPS in several endophytic fungi underscores the need to understand and explore such organisms. This volume presents and demonstrates the applied aspects of endophytic fungi. Practical applications of such endophytes are discussed in detail, including studies in pharmaceutical development and agricultural management of important microbial diseases. The beneficial effects that endophytic fungi provide to host plants-enhancing growth, increasing fitness, strengthening tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses through secondary metabolites-are also discussed. The reader is provided with a comprehensive and detailed understanding of such relationships between endophytic fungi and their host.

The book reviews key developments in downy mildew research, including the disease, its distribution, symptomatology, host range, yield losses, and disease assessment; the pathogen, its taxonomy, morphology, phylogeny, variability, sporulation, survival and perpetuation, spore germination, infection, pathogenesis, seed infection, disease cycle, epidemiology, forecasting, and fine structures. The book also elaborates the mechanisms of host resistance (biochemical, histological, genetic, and molecular, including cloning and the mapping of R-genes), disease resistance breeding strategies, and the genetics of host-parasite interactions. It explores disease management based on cultural, chemical, biological, host resistance, and integrated approaches; and provides suggestions for future research areas. This book offers a comprehensive guide to an economically important disease, reviewing in detail the extant body of literature. Divided into 16 chapters, each of which includes a wealth of photographs, graphs, histograms, tables, figures, flow charts, micrographs etc., it represents an invaluable source of information for all researchers, teachers, students, industrialists, farmers, policymakers, and all others who are interested in growing healthy and profitable cruciferous crops all over the world.