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Life's engines : how microbes made Earth habitable
\"For almost four billion years, microbes had the primordial oceans all to themselves. The stewards of Earth, these organisms transformed the chemistry of our planet to make it habitable for plants, animals, and us. Life's Engines takes readers deep into the microscopic world to explore how these marvelous creatures made life on Earth possible--and how human life today would cease to exist without them. Paul Falkowski looks \"under the hood\" of microbes to find the engines of life, the actual working parts that do the biochemical heavy lifting for every living organism on Earth. With insight and humor, he explains how these miniature engines are built--and how they have been appropriated by and assembled like Lego sets within every creature that walks, swims, or flies. Falkowski shows how evolution works to maintain this core machinery of life, and how we and other animals are veritable conglomerations of microbes. A vibrantly entertaining book about the microbes that support our very existence, Life's Engines will inspire wonder about these elegantly complex nanomachines that have driven life since its origin. It also issues a timely warning about the dangers of tinkering with that machinery to make it more \"efficient\" at meeting the ever-growing demands of humans in the coming century.\"--Jacket.
Book
Biotechnology of lactic acid bacteria
Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have historically been used as starter cultures for the production of fermented foods, especially dairy products. Over recent years, new areas have had a strong impact on LAB studies: the application of ?omics? tools; the study of complex microbial ecosystems, the discovery of new LAB species, and the use of LAB as powerhouses in the food and medical industries.
This second edition of Biotechnology of Lactic Acid Bacteria: Novel Applications addresses the major advances in the fields over the last five years. Thoroughly revised and updated, the book includes new chapters. Among them:
* The current status of LAB systematics;
* The role of LAB in the human intestinal microbiome and the intestinal tract of animals and its impact on the health and disease state of the host;
* The involvement of LAB in fruit and vegetable fermentations;
* The production of nutraceuticals and aroma compounds by LAB; and
* The formation of biofilms by LAB.
This book is an essential reference for established researchers and scientists, clinical and advanced students, university professors and instructors, nutritionists and food technologists working on food microbiology, physiology and biotechnology of lactic acid bacteria.
eBook
The perfect slime : microbial extracellular polymeric substances (EPS)
The Perfect Slime presents the latest state of knowledge and all aspects of the Extracellular Polymeric Substances, (EPS) matrix – from the ecological and health to the antifouling perspectives. The book brings together all the current material in order to expand our understanding of the functions, properties and characteristics of the matrix as well as the possibilities to strengthen or weaken it. The EPS matrix represents the immediate environment in which biofilm organisms live. From their point of view, this matrix has paramount advantages. It allows them to stay together for extended periods and form synergistic microconsortia, it retains extracellular enzymes and turns the matrix into an external digestion system and it is a universal recycling yard, it protects them against desiccation, it allows for intense communication and represents a huge genetic archive. They can remodel their matrix, break free and eventually, they can use it as a nutrient source. The EPS matrix can be considered as one of the emergent properties of biofilms and are a major reason for the success of this form of life. Nevertheless, they have been termed the \"black matter of biofilms\" for good reasons. First of all: the isolation methods define the results. In most cases, only water soluble EPS components are investigated; insoluble ones such as cellulose or amyloids are much less included. In particular in environmental biofilms with many species, it is difficult to impossible isolate, separate the various EPS molecules they are encased in and to define which species produced which EPS. The regulation and the factors which trigger or inhibit EPS production are still very poorly understood. Furthermore: bacteria are not the only microorganisms to produce EPS. Archaea, Fungi and algae can also form EPS. This book investigates the questions, What is their composition, function, dynamics and regulation? What do they all have in common?
eBook
Bio-nanoparticles
Nanoparticles are the building blocks for nanotechnology; they are better built, long lasting, cleaner, safer, and smarter products for use across industries, including communications, medicine, transportation, agriculture and other industries. Controlled size, shape, composition, crystallinity, and structure-dependent properties govern the unique properties of nanotechnology. Bio-Nanoparticles: Biosynthesis and Sustainable Biotechnological Implications explores both the basics of and advancements in nanoparticle biosynthesis. The text introduces the reader to a variety of microorganisms able to synthesize nanoparticles, provides an overview of the methodologies applied to biosynthesize nanoparticles for medical and commercial use, and gives an overview of regulations governing their use. Authored by leaders in the field, Bio-Nanoparticles: Biosynthesis and Sustainable Biotechnological Implications bridges the gap between biology and technology, and is an invaluable resource for students and researchers alike.
eBook
Metagenomics of the microbial nitrogen cycle : theory, methods and applications
The nitrogen (N) cycle is one of the most important nutrient cycles on the planet, and many of its steps are performed by microbial organisms. During the cycling process, greenhouse gases are formed, including nitrous oxide and methane. In addition, the use of nitrogen fertilizers increases freshwater nitrate levels, causing pollution and human health problems. A greater knowledge of the microbial communities involved in nitrogen transformations is necessary to understand and counteract nitrogen pollution. This book - written by renowned researchers who are specialized in the most relevant and emerging topics in the field - provides comprehensive information on the new theoretical, methodological, and applied aspects of metagenomics and other 'omics' approaches used to study the microbial N cycle. The book provides a thorough account of the contributions of metagenomics to microbial N cycle background theory. It also reviews state-of-the-art investigative methods and explores new applications in water treatment, agricultural practices, climate change, among others. The book is recommended for microbiologists, environmental scientists, and anyone interested in microbial communities, metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, and metaproteomics of the microbial N cycle.
eBook
Bacterial toxins : genetics, cellular biology and practical applications
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 simply combating microbial pathogens, and include use as novel anti-cancer drugs and other front-line medicines and as tools in neurobiology. In the field of cellular biology, toxins have become invaluable as tools for the manipulation and investigation of fundamental cellular and physiological processes. Research in this area is thriving and is at a very exciting stage. This timely volume serves as an update on the most important recent advances in the genetics, cellular biology, and practical applications of the most important bacterial toxins. Written by internationally respected scientists, the topics reviewed include: the molecular basis and risk factors for verotoxin pathogenesis * molecular mechanisms of Helicobacter pylori CagA translocation and function * structure and mechanisms of action of pore-forming toxins * bacterial enterotoxins as immunomodulators and vaccine adjuvants * mobile genetic elements as carriers for bacterial virulence genes * the novel family of staphylococcal superantigen-like toxins (SSLs) * new insights into the use of botulinum neurotoxins as therapeutics * microbial toxins as tools in cell biology * the role of the large clostridial cytotoxins in C. difficile disease.
eBook
Halophiles
Extreme halophilic environments - including salt lakes and springs, seawater evaporation facilities for the production of sea salt, and subterranean salt deposits derived from ancient oceans - are distributed patchily all over the world. The life that dominates them is microbial (e.g., prokaryotes and the viruses that infect them). The best studied in these environments are the haloarchaea (family Halobacteriaceae), a diverse group of salt-loving organisms in the archaeal phylum Euryarchaeota. These remarkable organisms have an obligate requirement for salt concentrations between 10% and 35% NaCl for survival (sea water has ~3.5% salt). Haloarchaea have evolved several biochemical and molecular strategies to counteract the deleterious effects of their salty environments, including efficient ion pumps, UV absorbing pigments, proteins that can resist the effects of osmotic stress, and the denaturing effects of salts. The best studied, extremely halophilic member of the Bacteria is Salinibacter, which is abundant in saltern crystallizer ponds worldwide. The application of modern genomic approaches to research on halophilic Archaea and Bacteria and their viruses in recent years has yielded fascinating insights into the adaptations and evolution of these unique organisms. This book highlights current genetics and genomics research to provide a timely overview. It represents a valuable source of information to all scientists interested in halophilic microorganisms, extremophiles, microbial ecology, and environmental microbiology. The chapters are written by expert authors from around the world and include topics such as: ecology and evolution of Haloquadratum walsbyi * microdiversity of Salinibacter ruber * horizontal gene transfer in halobacteria * comparative genomics of haloarchaeal viruses * genomics of the halophilic bacteria Natranaerobius
thermophilus and Halobacillus halophilus * the haloarchaeal cell wall * cell cycle and polyploidy in haloarchaea * cell regulation by proteolytic systems * protein conjugation.
eBook
Microbial Contamination of Groundwater at Small Community Water Supplies in Finland
The raw water quality and associations between the factors considered as threats to water safety were studied in 20 groundwater supplies in central Finland in 2002–2004. Faecal contaminations indicated by the appearance of Escherichia coli or intestinal enterococci were present in five small community water supplies, all these managed by local water cooperatives. Elevated concentrations of nutrients in raw water were linked with the presence of faecal bacteria. The presence of on-site technical hazards to water safety, such as inadequate well construction and maintenance enabling surface water to enter into the well and the insufficient depth of protective soil layers above the groundwater table, showed the vulnerability of the quality of groundwater used for drinking purposes. To minimize the risk of waterborne illnesses, the vulnerable water supplies need to be identified and appropriate prevention measures such as disinfection should be applied.
Journal Article
Thermophilic Microorganisms
Thermophilic microorganisms thrive in a variety of marine and terrestrial habitats. These organisms have evolved several biochemical and molecular strategies to counteract the deleterious effects of the high temperatures in their environments. Given that temperature is considered to be one of the most important physical factors controlling the adaptation and evolution of organisms, the remarkable ability of thermophilic microorganisms to thrive at high temperatures makes them an ideal model to study this phenomenon. Over the decades, these organisms and their enzyme systems have found applications in a variety of industrial and biotechnological applications, for example the heat-stable DNA polymerases used in PCR. In this book, leading scientists highlight the current progress in the most topical areas of research, providing a timely overview of the field. The book reviews the ecology, enzymology, and genetics of thermophiles, and it includes topics on the diversity and ecological roles of thermophiles, the biochemical properties of thermostable biocatalysts and their applications, polyamines and the impact of viruses on thermophiles, DNA replication and metabolic engineering of thermophiles, and much more. An important feature of the book is the extensive focus on the industrial application of thermostable catalysts, including alcohol dehydrogenase, glycoside hydrolase, protease, and lipases. In addition, contributors discuss current technical challenges and future development trends. [Subject: Microbiology, Life Science].
eBook
Probiotics and prebiotics : current research and future trends
Composed of nearly a thousand different types of microorganisms - some beneficial, others not - the human gut microbiota plays an important role in health and disease. This is due to the presence of probiotic or beneficial microbes, or due to the feeding of prebiotics that stimulate the endogenous beneficial microbes (these promote health by stimulating the immune system, improving the digestion and absorption of nutrients, and inhibiting the growth of pathogens). The notable health benefits of probiotic organisms have prompted much commercial interest, which in turn has led to a plethora of research initiatives in this area. These range from studies to elucidate the efficacy of the various health benefits to analyses of the diet-microbe interaction as a means of modulating the gut microbiota composition. Research in this area is at a very exciting stage. With state-of-the-art commentaries on all aspects of probiotics and prebiotics research, this book provides an authoritative and timely overview of the field. Written by leading international researchers, each chapter affords critical insight to a particular topic, reviews current research, discusses future direction, and stimulates discussion. Topics range from the different microorganisms used as probiotics (lactobacilli, bifidobacteria, yeast, etc.), and the techniques and approaches used (metagenomics, etc.), to the reviews of the clinical and medical aspects. The provision of extensive reference sections positively encourages readers to pursue each subject in greater detail. [Subject: Microbiology, Life Science].
eBook