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Bacillus subtilis has become widely adopted as a model organism for laboratory studies and is one of the best understood prokaryotes in terms of molecular and cellular biology. Its superb genetic amenability and relatively large size have provided powerful tools to investigate a bacterium in all possible aspects. Extensively revised and updated, the second edition of this valuable reference work provides a comprehensive and up-to-date analysis of the current knowledge and new research in Bacillus molecular and cellular biology. Internationally renowned authors contribute critical reviews on the most recent and topical research. The subjects covered include: chromosome replication * DNA repair * chromosome segregation * cell division * transcription and translation * RNA-mediated regulation * general and regulatory proteolysis * the actin-like MreB cytoskeleton * the membrane proteome * the cell wall * endospore formation * biofilms * multicellularity and social behavior * competence * transformation.
(18)Why is the future so different from the past? Why does the past affect the future and not the other way around? What does quantum mechanics really tell us about the world? In this important and accessible book, Huw Price throws fascinating new light on some of the great mysteries of modern physics, and connects them in a wholly original way.
Price begins with the mystery of the arrow of time. Why, for example, does disorder always increase, as required by the second law of thermodynamics? Price shows that, for over a century, most physicists have thought about these problems the wrong way. Misled by the human perspective from within time, which distorts and exaggerates the differences between past and future, they have fallen victim to what Price calls the "double standard fallacy": proposed explanations of the difference between the past and the future turn out to rely on a difference which has been slipped in at the beginning, when the physicists themselves treat the past and future in different ways. To avoid this fallacy, Price argues, we need to overcome our natural tendency to think about the past and the future differently. We need to imagine a point outside time -- an Archimedean "view from nowhen" -- from which to observe time in an unbiased way.
Offering a lively criticism of many major modern physicists, including Richard Feynman and Stephen Hawking, Price shows that this fallacy remains common in physics today -- for example, when contemporary cosmologists theorize about the eventual fate of the universe. The "big bang" theory normally assumes that the beginning and end of the universe will be very different. But if we are to avoid the double standard fallacy, we need to consider time symmetrically, and take seriously the possibility that the arrow of time may reverse when the universe recollapses into a "big crunch."
Price then turns to the greatest mystery of modern physics, the meaning of quantum theory. He argues that in missing the Archimedean viewpoint, modern physics has missed a radical and attractive solution to many of the apparent paradoxes of quantum physics. Many consequences of quantum theory appear counterintuitive, such as Schrodinger's Cat, whose condition seems undetermined until observed, and Bell's Theorem, which suggests a spooky "nonlocality," where events happening simultaneously in different places seem to affect each other directly. Price shows that these paradoxes can be avoided by allowing that at the quantum level the future does, indeed, affect the past. This demystifies nonlocality, and supports Einstein's unpopular intuition that quantum theory describes an objective world, existing independently of human observers: the Cat is alive or dead, even when nobody looks. So interpreted, Price argues, quantum mechanics is simply the kind of theory we ought to have expected in microphysics -- from the symmetric standpoint.
Time's Arrow and Archimedes' Point presents an innovative and controversial view of time and contemporary physics. In this exciting book, Price urges physicists, philosophers, and anyone who has ever pondered the mysteries of time to look at the world from the fresh perspective of Archimedes' Point and gain a deeper understanding of ourselves, the universe around us, and our own place in time.
Anaerobic bacteria are a large and diverse group of microorganisms which occur and often predominate in a variety of natural habitats. Whilst those associated with man are relatively well documented, increasing attention is now being given to anaerobes in other situations, including animals in health and disease, foods, the aquatic environment, systems for waste digestion and methane production, and the corrosion of metal and concrete. This present book brings together a number of contributions from researchers in the above areas, and as a reference it will be of value to research workers, students and to those in relevant industrial laboratories. As well as illustrating the metabolic diversity of the organisms in question, the book gives due consideration to current problems in identification and taxonomy and to methods for isolating, characterizing and preserving anaerobes.
The peroxiredoxins represent an important emerging family of sulfhydryl-linked antioxidant proteins, apparently ubiquitously present in all known organisms. The antioxidant function of the peroxiredoxins complements that of other enzymic and non-enzymic systems within the cell. In addition, there is increasing evidence that the peroxiredoxins play a role in cell signalling, by controlling and/or sensing hydrogen peroxide and peroxynitrite levels.
In this, the first book containing a broad survey on the peroxiredoxins, the editors succeeded to involve almost all groups that contributed significant insights into the emerging field. The diverse biological roles of the new protein family are discussed in the context of other antioxidant systems like those based on heme or selenium catalysis. Finally, related future perspectives, which range from antimicrobial therapy up to the understanding of human development and carcinogenesis, are highlighted. Specifically, the book will be of outstanding interest to researchers who want to understand how micro-organisms, plants and animals cope with oxidative stress and how such stress is recognized and linked to adaptive responses via redox regulation of cellular processes.
(1)The last work by Antoine Béchamp, a man who should, by rights, be regarded today as one of the founders of modern medicine and biology.
During his long career as an academic and researcher in nineteenth century France, Béchamp was widely known and respected as both a teacher and a researcher. As a leading academic, his work was well documented in scientific circles.
Few made as much use of this fact as Louis Pasteur, who based much of his career on plagiarising and distorting Béchamp’s research; in doing so, Pasteur secured for himself an undeserved place in the history of medical science.
The Blood and its Third Element is Béchamp’s explanation of his position, and his defense of it against Pasteur’s mischief. This final major work of Béchamp’s embodies the culmination of his life’s research. This book contains, in detail, the elements of the microzymian theory of the organization of living organisms and organic materials. It has immediate and far reaching relevance to the fields of immunology, bacteriology, and cellular biology; and it shows that more than 100 years ago, the germ, or microbian, theory of disease was demonstrated by Béchamp to be without foundation.
There is no single cause of disease. The ancients thought this, and Béchamp proved it and was written out of history for his trouble. The relevance of his work to the dilemmas that plague modern medical science remains as yet unrealized.
As depicted in NASA space shuttle film footage compiled and published by this author (Joseph 2012a,b), anomalous objects resembling and behaving similar to single cell and simple multi-cellular organisms have been observed and filmed by 10 separate NASA space shuttle missions, over 200 miles above Earth within the thermosphere. These structures appear to be self-illuminated, may be several meters or kilometers in size, and have 4 distinct morphologies: 1) sperm shaped, 2) cloud shaped, 3), “donut” shaped, 4) Cone shaped. Some of these structures travel at different speeds, travel in different directions, and change their speed and direction of movement and angle toward the camera, will turn and interact with one another, and in some instances will turn 180 degrees and follow other structures. Plasmas can also take cellular shape and engage in anomalous behaviors, and the possibility these may be plasmas is explored. It may be that if these anomalous objects are in fact extraterrestrial forms of life, that they have a physiology and biology completely different from terrestrial life. They may not even be carbon-based, and have no DNA--but consist of electromagnetic plasmas which is why they are attracted to electric storms. If so, this may explain why these structures also self-illuminated and why the sperm-shaped structures become more energetic.
Since these entities are associated with electromagnetic activity, and have characteristics and behavior patterns which could be construed as “plasma-like” they may in fact be plasmas. If these are plasmas, this could explain their distinct cellular structures and behavior patterns. Observational data captured on film by missions STS-75, STS- 80, STS-96 and STS-106, demonstrates these objects congregate by the hundreds above or near sources of electromagnetic activity; i.e. thunder storms, hurricanes, a satellite-tether 12-miles in length which was generating electricity and electro-magnetic force field interactions between the tether, the satellite, and the surrounding space medium (STS-75). Computerized analysis of the flight path trajectories and velocity was performed and tracking plots were calculated for two stable sequences of film footage from the STS-75 satellite imagery with durations of 20 seconds and 53 seconds. It was determined that these objects travel at different velocities and changeable trajectories including arcing trajectories and 45-degree shifts, 90-degree shifts, and 180-degree shifts in trajectory as indicated by the length of the plotted flight path. Observational and computerized analysis, therefore, indicates these anomalous objects display behaviors and morphologies completely atypical of space junk, meteors, or crystals of ice and which indicate the possibility of life or plasma-like cellular structures thriving in space. Plasma are considered a “fourth state of matter.” If the entities described in this report are plasmas, they could also be considered an alternate form of life, or a form of pre-life which provided the cellular framework for life to begin. The morphology and behavior patterns of many of these objects are suggestive of living organisms. Extremophiles have been discovered in almost every conceivable environment on Earth including in highly radioactive environments, and it has been demonstrated that spores and microbes can survive within the thermosphere. Therefore, it is possible that some of these structures could be “extraterrestrial extremophiles” or plasma-like alternate life forms which have adapted to living in the thermosphere.
This book details the widely accepted hypothesis that the majority of bacteria in virtually all ecosystems grow in matrix-enclosed biofilms. The author, who first proposed this biofilm hypothesis, uses direct evidence from microscopy and from molecular techniques, arguing cogently for moving beyond conventional culture methods that dominated microbiology in the last century. Bacteria grow predominantly in biofilms in natural, engineered, and pathogenic ecosystems; this book provides a solid basis for the understanding of bacterial processes in environmental, industrial, agricultural, dental and medical microbiology. Using a unique "ecological" perspective, the author explores the commensal and pathogenic colonization of human organ systems.
(24)The ultimate illustrated handbook on mushrooms.
More than 1,000 handsome color photographs by Roger Phillips illustrate this comprehensive guide to mushrooms and other fungi of North America, in all their astonishing variety.
Amateur collectors, expert mycologists and armchair naturalists will welcome the reissue of this valuable reference.
Each photograph has a neutral background to eliminate distractions. The specimens are arranged to show the cap, stem, gills, spines, and a cross section, usually in various stages of growth.
The information on each mushroom variety includes:
Mushrooms and Other Fungi of North America also includes useful tips and helpful advice on collecting specimens and identifying them. This book is the ideal introduction to mycology.
(20051120)
This volume provides an overview of host genetic factors that provide complete or partial resistance to infection, that influence the clinical outcome of infection, or that confer the capacity to remain healthy during infection. This book covers the most recent advances in the field and explores how progress in knowing the genetic basis of infectious diseases could lead to new insights in understanding and combating them.
The staphylococci are important pathogenic bacteria responsible for a variety of diseases in humans and other animals. They are the most common cause of hospital-acquired infection. Antibiotic resistant strains (MRSA) have become endemic in hospitals in most countries, causing major public health issues. In addition, the incidence of new strains that cause severe community-acquired infections in healthy people is increasing and MRSA strains are emerging in agricultural and domestic animals. In the race to understand staphylococcal pathogenesis, the focus has been on genetics, as a bacterium can only do what its genes allow. The publication of the first staphylococcal whole genome sequence in 2001 paved the way for a greater understanding of the molecular basis of its virulence, evolution, epidemiology, and drug resistance. Since then, the available genomic data has mushroomed and this, coupled with the major advances in genetic know-how and the availability of better genetic tools, has allowed significant advances to be made. This volume on staphylococcal genetics brings together the expertise and enthusiasm of an international panel of leading staphylococcal researchers to provide a state-of-the art overview of the field. Topics include the sequencing projects (including spin-off microarray and systems biology tools), epidemiology, evolution, manipulation of the genome, diagnostics, gene expression due to global regulators and environmental triggers, cell-wall synthesis, coagulase-negative species, and animal pathogens. The book is designed for two major audiences: first, as an introduction on the subject for new researchers, including those unfamiliar with genetics; and for established researchers, for whom the book will serve as an invaluable reference and summary of this large field.ò
(1)"Physiology of the Bacterial Cell" introduces the properties of bacteria that have led to their success as colonizers of this planet. The major theme of this book is the analysis of the molecular devices that have led to the unmatched ability of bacteria to grow rapidly in a variety of environments, to adapt quickly to changes in the surroundings, to withstand starvation and exposure to toxic agents and to compete successfully with other organisms.
Lactobacillus is a genus of Gram-positive facultative anaerobic or microaerophilic bacteria. In humans, they are symbiotic and are found in the gut flora. Lactobacillus species are used for the production of yogurt, cheese, sauerkraut, pickles, beer, wine, cider, kimchi, chocolate, and other fermented foods, as well as animal feeds such as silage. In recent years, much interest has been shown in the use of lactobacilli as probiotic organisms and their potential for disease prevention in humans and animals. This major new work focuses on recent research on the molecular biology and genomics of Lactobacillus. Written by an international team of scientists, the volume is an essential reference for all dairy technologists, microbiologists, and biotechnologists in the academic and industrial sectors. Topics covered include phylogenetics, taxonomy, comparative genomics, functional genomics, the intestinal microflora, surface proteins, stress responses, interaction with the immune system, probiotics, anti-cancer potential, and much more. This is essential reading for all scientists involved with lactic acid bacteria or probiotic research and is recommended for all microbiology laboratories.
Combining the disciplines of biological, physical and chemical science, microbial forensics has a rapidly rising profile in a world increasingly troubled by the threat of ‘biocrime’ and ‘bioterrorism’. This valuable resource is a major addition to a body of literature reckoned to lack sufficient breadth. It presents a variety of phenotypic and trace signature methodologies associated with cultured microorganisms that, despite being genetically identical, may be characterized by differing cultural environments. One of the central challenges faced by those working in this field is the sheer diversity of potentially harmful agents, which in themselves total more than 1000 viruses, bacteria, fungi and protozoan parasites. Their numerous additional variants render the process of ‘fingerprinting’ biological agents notoriously difficult, especially when the limitations of genetic analysis are factored in. Attribution of crime is relatively easy through human DNA, but lacking the genetic individuation of humans and animals, microbial forensics has to complement phylogenetic techniques with chemical and physical ones. In the best case, genetic analysis in the ‘biocrime’ sector can exclude sources, narrow the population of possible sources and support associations with potential sources. To complement these genetic techniques, chemical and physical methods can be used to compare ‘signatures’ imparted to microbial samples by environments in which they are grown and processed. Collating a range of microbiological fingerprinting techniques in one volume, and covering everything from statistical analysis to laboratory protocols, this publication furthers the aim of forensic investigators who need robust and legally admissible forensic evidence to present in a courtroom.
(1)Over the course of the past decade, there have been remarkable advances in the study of human pathogenic fungi. These developments have taken place throughout a wide range of disciplines, and have come as the result of newly available genome sequences of pathogens such as candida albicans and other model fungi. In Candida Albicans: Methods and Protocols, expert researchers explore these exciting new insights, focusing on the study of medically important fungi and Candida spp in particular. Chapters examine critical aspects of molecular methods, providing information on reporter gene assays, transformation, gene expression in vivo, and methods for large-scale gene disruption. At the same time, the work includes in-depth descriptions of disease models of candidiasis, facts about strain identification, and guidelines on the preparation of samples for proteomic investigations and tandem affinity purification. Composed in the highly successful "Methods in Molecular Biology™" series format, each chapter contains a brief introduction, step-by-step methods, a list of necessary materials, and a Notes section which shares tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and cutting edge, Candida Albicans: Methods and Protocols is an invaluable source of methods for investigators in the exhilarating fields of medical and molecular mycology.
(11)Can bacteria be as smart as we are? Can ants think? And fish? Yes, says Frank Vertosick, a neurosurgeon who combats our elitism about intelligence in this brilliant book.
A gifted writer and author of the widely praised Why We Hurt, Vertosick shows us that intelligence--the ability to react to the outside world, to change behavior, and survive-can be found wherever life exists. He demonstrates the keen intelligence of our immune system, how lowly bacteria mutate and outwit antibiotics, and how canny cancer cells elude our natural defenses.
A fascinating journey through worlds of unknown science and an unsettling argument against our valuing of brain intelligence above all else, The Genius Within tells a fascinating scientific story, one that could shake our ethical foundation to its core.
Biofilms are the default mode-of-life for many bacterial species. The three-dimensional structure of the biofilm provides the associated microbial communities with additional protection from predation, toxic substances, and physical perturbation. The variety of microniches provided by the biofilm also promotes a huge diversity of microbial life and metabolic potential. These complex and highly structured communities help to maintain the health of soils and waters. Current applications of biofilms include the degradation of toxic substances in soil and water, the commercial production of chemicals, and the generation of electricity. However, biofilm-based infections cause harm to millions of humans annually. In addition, biofilms can affect the quality and yield of crops and cause biofouling and microbially-induced corrosion. In this book, leading scientists provide an up-to-date review of the latest scientific research on these fascinating microbial communities and predict future trends and growth areas in biofilm-related research. Authors from around the world have contributed critical reviews on the most topical aspects of current biofilm research. The subjects covered include: quorum sensing and social interactions in microbial biofilms * biofilms in disease * plant-associated biofilms * biofilms in the soil * applications in bioremediation * biofilms in wastewater treatment * corrosion and fouling * aquatic biofilms * microbial fuel cells * catalytic biofilms. The book will be essential for everyone interested in biofilms and their applications. It is also highly recommended for environmental microbiologists, soil scientists, medical microbiologists, bioremediation experts, and microbiologists working in biocorrosion, biofouling, biodegradation, water microbiology, quorum sensing, and many other areas.
Glycomics - the study of glycoconjugate assembly and expression in biological systems - is important in many areas of microbiology. Because glycans play such diverse roles in bacterial physiology, the field of bacterial glycomics is indispensable for the understanding of bacterial pathogenesis, metabolism, and cell communities. Progress in bacterial glycomics is advancing rapidly, due to improvements in analytical methodologies and the development of new and innovative approaches for glycan isolation, characterization, and synthesis. Research in bacterial glycomics could lead to the development of novel drugs, bioactive glycans, and glycoconjugate vaccines. Written by a team of acknowledged experts, this book provides an up-to-date overview of the current understanding of bacterial glycomes. It describes the main analytical methods in use and discusses recent and novel applications. The first section includes overviews of microbial glyconjugates, lipopolysaccharide, capsular polysaccharide, lipoarabinomannan biosynthesis, cell wall metabolism, and glycosylation of bacterial and archaeal proteins. The second section reviews the analytical approaches used in the characterization of the bacterial glycome. The final section describes applications of bacterial glycomics, including metabolic oligosaccharide labeling, the synthesis of bioactive glycans, and the potential for glycoconjugate vaccines. The book will be essential reading for microbiologists working in polysaccharide and carbohydrate research. It is also recommended for carbohydrate experts, microbiologists, immunologists, and researchers in many other fields of life sciences.
Bacteriologists from all levels of expertise and within all specialties rely on this Manual as one of the most comprehensive and authoritative works. Since publication of the first edition of the Systematics, the field has undergone revolutionary changes, leading to a phylogenetic classification of prokaryotes based on sequencing of the small ribosomal subunit. The list of validly named species has more than doubled since publication of the first edition, and descriptions of over 2000 new and realigned species are included in this new edition along with more in-depth ecological information about individual taxa and extensive introductory essays by leading authorities in the field.
The genus Borrelia, in the spirochete phylum, is not closely related to any other bacteria and has a highly unusual genome composed of a linear chromosome and multiple circular and linear plasmids that appear to be in a constant state of rearrangement, recombination, and deletion. The determination of the genome sequence of Borrelia strains has facilitated tremendous advances in understanding this genus at the molecular and cellular level, as well as the pathogenesis of Lyme disease and relapsing fever. In recent years, there has been an explosion of new insights into the molecular biology, genetics, physiology, and ecology of Borrelia and its tick/vertebrate life cycle. This research is of particular importance as the incidence of Lyme borreliosis continues to increase. Written by renowned scientists who have made seminal contributions to the field, this book is a comprehensive guide to the pathogenic Borrelia, providing researchers, advanced students, clinicians, and other professionals with an encyclopedic overview of the molecular biology of this important genus and the pathogenesis of diseases. Leading authorities have made contributions on topics such as Borrelia genomics, DNA replication, gene regulation, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolism and physiology, cellular structure, motility and chemotaxis, genetic manipulation, evolutionary genetics, ecology, tick interactions, Lyme disease and relapsing fever pathogenesis, animal models, host response, detection, and vaccines. The volume is essential for anyone involved in Borrelia research and is strongly recommended for microbiologists, immunologists, and physicians involved in spirochete research, Lyme borreliosis, or relapsing fever. The book is a recommended reference volume for all microbiology libraries.
