Books published by Caister Academic Press

Containing nineteen chapters this comprehensive book is essential reading for every Chlamydia researcher.

Bats act as reservoirs for over 200 viruses, many of which cause severe, often life-threatening, diseases in humans, livestock and wildlife. Examples include rabies virus, SARS and MERS coronaviruses and Ebola virus. Surprisingly many of these viruses cause asymptomatic infections in bats. In fact it has been postulated that these viral infections may even confer a benefit (as yet unknown) to the bat host. Research into the molecular and cellular biology of the virus-host interaction and studies on the immune systems of the bat hosts are providing new insights into these fascinating viruses and are essential first steps for the development of novel strategies for the prevention of bat-borne zoonotic infections. In this multi-authored volume, international experts review the current hot-topics in this field. Chapters have extensive reference sections that should encourage readers to pursue each subject in greater detail. The book opens with an introductory chapter that is followed by six chapters (chapters 2-7) reviewing different important families of bat-borne viruses. The following two chapters (chapters 8-9) focus on the bat immune system. Chapters 9-12 cover in vitro isolation, in vivo models and metagenomics for viral discovery in bats. The book closes with a fascinating look at the special ability of bats to act as reservoirs for so many different types of viruses. This book is an invaluable reference source of timely information for students, virologists, immunologists, medical and veterinary professionals, and scientists working on bat-borne diseases. It is also highly recommended for all university libraries.

Most proteins undergo post-translational modifications altering physical and chemical properties, folding, conformation distribution, stability, activity and function. Ubiquitin and SUMOs are related small proteins that are members of the large ubiquitin superfamily of post-translational modifiers. Written by highly respected leaders in their fields under the expert guidance of the editor, this volume covers the principles of ubiquitination and SUMOylation, presents detailed reviews of current and emerging concepts and highlights new advances in all areas of SUMOylation and ubiquitination. Topics of note include: the ubiquitin superfamily, the ubiquitin toolbox, onco viral exploitation of the SUMO system, small molecule modulators of desumoylation, mass spectrometry, global proteomic profiling of SUMO and ubiquitin, biotin-based approaches, genetic screening, SUMOylation networks in humans, targets for ubiquitin ligases, regulation of p53, protein homeostasis, miRNAs, DNA replication, DNA damage response, telomere biology, intracellular trafficking, regulation of angiogenesis, brain ischemia, autophagy, assembly and activity, antiviral defense, HIV infection, amyloid and amyloid-like proteins, plant immunity. This comprehensive and up-to-date book is the definitive reference volume on all aspects of SUMOylation and ubiquitination and is an essential acquisition for anyone involved in this area of biology.

The rapid growth of the global human population has led to an urgent need for affordable safe food. Since poultry meat can help satisfy this need the global poultry industry has experienced significant growth in recent years. Pathogenic avian viruses represent a major threat to the industry. Although a large number of viruses infect poultry, some avian viruses cause inapparent infections while others cause severe diseases with economically devastating consequences. In addition some avian viruses are zoonotic thus capable of infecting humans. For example, the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus subtype H5N1 can infect humans, often having fatal outcomes. This comprehensive book provides a timely update on all of the most important avian viruses: avian influenza virus, infectious bronchitis virus, Newcastle disease virus, infectious bursal disease virus, chicken anemia virus, infectious laryngotracheitis virus, avian adenovirus, Marek's disease virus, avian reovirus, avian pox virus, avian leukosis virus, avian metapneumovirus, and avian paramyxoviruses. The chapters are written by internationally recognized experts from all over the world who have made seminal contributions to their respective field of avian virus research. Each chapter covers the current knowledge on the history, genome organization, viral proteins, genetics, epizootiology, pathogenesis, immunity, diagnosis, prevention and control, and future challenges of these viruses. The book closes with a fascinating chapter that reviews the recent advances on avian immune responses to virus infection. This book is an invaluable reference source of timely information for students, virologists, immunologists, veterinarians, and scientists working on avian diseases. It is also highly recommended for all veterinary school and university libraries.

Exopolysaccharides produced by microorganisms are rapidly emerging as new and industrially important biomaterials. Due to their unique structures and novel functionality microbial exopolysaccharides have a myriad of commercial applications in fields ranging from agriculture and medicine to the food and pharmaceutical industries. Written by an international team of experts this authoritative volume describes the most recent and innovative research and developments in the field. Topics include: exopolysaccharide production by halophilic and thermophilic microorganisms, exopolysaccharides from Weissella and Leuconostoc, fructan biosynthesis, engineering of microbial polysaccharide structures, molecular modification of levan, levan in medical and biotechnological applications, and much more. Essential reading for everyone with an interest in microbial polysaccharides, from the PhD student to the experienced scientist, this book provides a timely review of the current and most topical areas of research. The volume is a recommended purchase for all commercial and academic laboratories involved in polysaccharides research.

The substantial costs of insect-associated viruses, ranging from honey bee decline to human, animal and plant disease, have driven investment in molecular research toward mitigation. Interest in insect viruses extends beyond these negative impacts however with biotechnological insect virus-based tools used to produce recombinant proteins, for gene therapy, vaccine production, and virus-induced gene silencing. The volume opens with a description of the insect virome and the explosion in discovery of new viral taxa. The following four chapters focus on anti-viral immunity including endogenous viral elements some of which may provide the molecular basis for long-term anti-viral immunity, the discovery of new viral suppressors of RNA interference, the role of new classes of small RNA molecules in dictating infection outcomes, and the Drosophila-dicistrovirus model as a powerful resource for insect molecular virology. The application of omics tools to insect-vectored plant viral disease, recent advances in tetravirus, polydnavirus, and baculovirus research are then described. The final chapters review progress in baculovirus expression vector and surface display technologies for use in laboratory and therapeutic applications. Written by leading experts, this work is essential reading for students and scholars of insect virology and immunology and provides a valuable resource for users of baculovirus-derived tools.

The global population has quadrupled over the last century leading to an increased demand for affordable safe food. Satisfying this demand will not be easy and will require even more widespread use of intensive farming practices. However intensive farming practices can lead to higher probabilities of outbreaks of a variety of viral diseases, a critical concern in terms of food protection and food security. In the case of the pig industry there are several important viruses. One example is African swine fever virus (ASFV) which causes a devastating disease with enormous socio-economic consequences in affected countries, mostly in Africa. No ASFV vaccine currently exists. An understanding of the molecular biology, pathogenesis, host-virus interaction and epidemiology of these viruses is critical for their prevention and control. This book provides a comprehensive review of the current knowledge of the most important porcine viruses written by prominent scientists who have made great contributions in their respective fields of expertise. Topics include: African swine fever virus, classical swine fever virus, foot-and-mouth disease virus, porcine circovirus, porcine epidemic diarrhea virus, porcine parvovirus, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, and swine vesicular disease virus. Each chapter covers the current knowledge on epidemiology, pathogenesis, virus biology, diagnosis, and prevention and control strategies. This book is essential reading for everyone working with porcine viruses from the PhD student to the experienced scientist, in academia, the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industries and for those working in clinical environments.

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a powerful research tool used in many scientific disciplines. It is also used for detection and testing in areas such as food microbiology, environmental microbiology, biotechnology, industrial microbiology, veterinary and medical diagnostics. This indispensable manual is a compilation of review articles written by experts in the field of PCR technology. Topics covered include: principles of PCR, fluorescent chemistries, instrumentation, quantification strategies, extraction and purification of nucleic acids, sample preparation, controls for validation, primers and probes, standardization of methods, MIQE guidelines, mRNA expression and PCR arrays. This book provides a comprehensive overview of PCR theory, instrumentation and methods. The book represents an excellent, detailed guide for anyone interested in the development and use of PCR technology. It is a recommended purchase for all microbiology and molecular biology laboratories and university libraries.

The human microbiota consists of a diverse collection of microbes including bacteria, archaea, viruses and eukaryotes. These organisms carry out a variety of functions that are vital to human health and well-being. One example is the prevention of bacterial infections by commensal bacterial in the gut. In recent years research has demonstrated a link between imbalances in the gut microbiota in early life and the development of obesity and allergic diseases in later life. The mechanisms of this and how diet, life-style factors and ageing influence the composition and activity of human microbiota are other areas of active research. The application of new technologies has revolutionised research initiatives providing new insights into the dynamics of these complex microbial communities and their role in health and disease. In this timely book expert international authors review selected hot-topics in this area to provide an up-to-date overview. Topics covered include: effect of ageing and diet; dysbiosis as an environmental factor; beneficial effects of probiotics on infants and children with dysbiosis; metaproteomics of the gut microbiota; gut microbiome and neuro development; the link between oral health and neurological disease; and the influence of the gut microbiome composition on GI tract cancer. The book is essential reading for everyone working with human microbiota, probiotics and prebiotics from the PhD student to the experienced scientist.

Essential reading for everyone working with streptococci from the PhD student to the experienced scientist.

The field of methylotrophy has experienced a remarkable rejuvenation in recent years and undergone a major transformation in terms of discovery of novel types of methylotrophs, novel modes of methylotrophy and novel metabolic pathways. New questions are being asked and novel approaches are being employed to improve the current understanding of methylotrophy as a metabolic phenomenon. This comprehensive volume is a compilation of articles, some written by established scientists, others by young and upcoming methylotrophy researchers. Under the expert guidance of the editor the authors present the current data and novel outlooks in this diverse area of research, encompassing fundamentals, such as biochemistry, physiology and systematics of methylotrophs, that underpin the field, as well as newly emerging areas, such as laboratory evolution of methylotrophs, enumeration in novel environments e.g. clouds, and experimenting with synthetic methylotrophs and methylotroph communities. The volume covers a huge diversity of topics providing a timely overview of the field. It will be essential reading for everybody working in the field of methylotrophy, from seasoned researchers to newcomers to the field.

Prion diseases or transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are fatal neurological diseases that include, for example, Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) in humans and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in cattle. Since the publication of the first edition of this book in 2013 significant progress has been made in advanced prion research creating a need for this timely revised and updated edition. The book opens with an introductory chapter that provides an overview. This is followed by four chapters (chapters 2-5) dealing with fundamental aspects of prion biology, including functions of the cellular isoform of prion protein (PrPC) and molecular mechanisms of prion diseases. The next two chapters (chapters 6-7) focus on clinical aspects of human prion diseases and current approaches for effective inactivation methods. The last part of the book (chapters 8-9) summarizes animal prion diseases, including BSE, scrapie and chronic wasting disease (CWD). In the final chapter, Professor Onodera discusses the likely future direction of research. This book is essential reading for everyone working with prions from the PhD student to the experienced scientist, in academia, the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industries and for those working in clinical environments.

The development of metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, metaproteomics, metametabolomics and other related methods has made a significant contribution to the understanding of the complexity of the interactions among microorganisms and of the interaction of microorganisms with their environment and with other organisms. The field of microbial ecology is experiencing a new era of discovery leading to a greater understanding of the patterns, processes and mechanisms governing the structure and dynamics of microbiomes. This book presents selected recent hot-topics in the application of advanced omics methods to the field of microbial ecology. Written by specialist scientists under the experienced editorial guidance of Diana Marco, the book covers both the theoretical and applied aspects of microbial ecology. Topics include the investigation of the patterns, processes and mechanisms in microbial ecology, microbiome sequencing, soil microbiology, insular microbiogeography, sediment microbial communities, and wildlife microbial genomics and endocrinology. This timely volume is indispensable for scientific researchers, educators and advanced students interested in approaching the microbial ecology field by utilizing the most recent and advanced omics methods. The book is invaluable for everyone working in the field of microbial ecology and is recommended reading for all microbiologists.

The rhizosphere is the part of the soil directly influenced by the root system. It is intensively colonised by microorganisms and represents an environmental hot-spot in which the interactions between organisms reach a very complex level. There is a great deal of interest in understanding and manipulating these interactions with a view to development of new agricultural strategies and plant protection practices. In recent years the application of advanced technologies have permitted rapid progress in this field. In this volume expert authors review current research on diverse aspects of the interactions which occur in the rhizosphere between the host plant and the microorganisms. The chapters focus on specific phenomena, from the biochemical and genetical level to complex inter-organism communication. The authors provide valuable insights into phenomena which are exemplary for diverse types of interaction and highlight emerging research providing important new insights into the interaction networks. Topics include: bacterial metabolism in the rhizosphere, the role of plasmids, plant immunity, the MTI-ETI model, endofungal bacteria, plant-nematode interactions, and apple replant disease. This excellent volume is recommended for anyone involved in plant science or environmental microbiology and is indispensable for scientists working in the areas of soil microbiology and plant-microbe interactions.

Lactobacillus is a highly phylogenetically and metabolically diverse genus comprising more than 200 species. As food-grade microorganisms, lactobacilli have long been exploited in the feed, food and beverage industries, with applications ranging from extending the shelf-life of food products to their use as probiotics with health-promoting properties. In addition lactobacilli are also important producers of industrial chemicals such as lactic acid and gamma-aminobutyric acid. This considerable commercial importance has stimulated a plethora of research projects studying the genomics, molecular biology and metabolic engineering of these bacteria and prompted the need for this concise book which provides a timely overview of the field. Topics covered include: the genomic perspective on niche adaptability; catabolic pathways of complex carbohydrates metabolism; the production of lactate; genetics, biology of the cell envelope and applications of the S-layer proteins; lactobacilli bacteriophage; DNA transfer into Lactobacillus species; recombinant gene expression and genomics of antibiotic resistance in Lactobacillus. This book is an invaluable source of information and essential reading for everyone working with lactobacilli, lactic acid bacteria and probiotics, from the PhD student to the experienced scientist, in academia, the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industries and those working in clinical environments.

Cyanobacteria constitute a substantial part of an oceanic phytoplankton and continue supplying the atmosphere with oxygen at the amounts comparable to those produced by higher plants of forests and fields. Compared with studying photosynthesis in plants, the major advantage of cyanobacteria is their relative simplicity and ease of manipulation. This makes cyanobacteria the ideal model organisms, not only to study photosynthesis but also the biological response to environmental stress. This makes understanding the regulatory systems of cyanobacteria an important area of research. In this book Dr Los reviews the current research with experimental stressors and how these can be used to search for and to identify the regulatory molecules and circuits of cyanobacterial cells. Topics covered include: cyanobacterial genetic systems responsible for acclimation to changing environment, including the two-component regulatory system, eukaryotic-type serine-threonine protein kinases, sigma subunits of RNA polymerase, transcription factors, and some other regulators of gene expression in response to various factors. This book will be essential for anyone with an interest in cyanobacteria, stress responses, photosynthesis, nitrogen fixation and biotechnology.

Viral diseases of crop plants cause significant yield and economic losses and this poses a major threat to global food security. To make matters worse there are no effective antiviral chemicals available and, although naturally resistant host genotypes exist, they are so rare that conventional breeding techniques cannot be used reliably to create resistant plants. The most effective option to combat phytopathogenic viruses is through biotechnological intervention, such as the use of genetic engineering to develop transgenic plants or the topical use of RNA silencing technologies to prevent or modulate the severity of the viral infection. Since the first report on the virus resistance of transgenic tobacco plants in 1986, enormous progress has been made in this field. In addition great strides have been made in our ability to genetically manipulate plants and viruses leading to a plethora of novel applications. This has prompted the need for this timely book which distills the most important research to provide a timely overview. This authoritative book contains fifteen chapters whose breadth reflects the diversity of this research area. Topics covered range from: understanding the mechanisms of virus resistance in plants, and the management of whitefly-transmitted viruses, to the principles and methods involved in genetic engineering of virus resistant plants. Other chapters cover individual crops such as papaya, cassava, rice, tomato, and banana, for which virus resistance has been accomplished by employing different transgenic technologies. This volume is essential reading for everyone working in this field, both students and specialists, from academia, research institutes/organizations and industries.

Over the last fifteen years a large collection of protozoan parasite genomes have been sequenced, annotated and made available on public databases. This wealth of information has stimulated and fuelled new research into vaccine and drug discovery, new approaches for high-throughput experimentation and the genetic engeneering of key protozoan parasites. In this timely book expert international authors review the current hot-topics in this area to provide an up-to-date overview. The book is divided into two parts. The first part is dedicated to Trypanosoma cruzi, an organism not only responsible for a serious tropical disease but also a good model system for fundamental and applied biology research. Part two of the book is dedicated to four other important protozoa: Leishmania, Naegleria, Entamoeba and Acanthamoeba. Chapters are written from a molecular biology and genomics perspective and focus on a common goal: the development of new strategies for the control and prevention of infection. This volume is essential reading for anyone working on protozoan parasites in academia, government, and biotechnology companies.

Viruses of microorganisms (VoMs) are the world's most abundant viruses. There are viruses for every known microbe and VoMs are usually described in terms of their hosts as algal viruses, archaeal viruses, bacteriophages, virophages, fungal viruses and protozoan viruses. A key feature of infection by VoMs is that they often kill the host. This allows VoMs to play a key role in modifying microbial communities and in nutrient cycling in various environments. When the host is itself a pathogen then VoMs may be exploited to create novel antimicrobial strategies. In fact phage therapy for a variety of antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens is currently at the clinical trial stage. When they don't kill the host, VoMs can still play important roles in the ecology and evolution of their hosts via various forms of virus-mediated horizontal gene transfer. Important in nature, these processes have also been used in the laboratory in genetic engineering techniques. In this multi-authored volume, international experts review the genomics, ecology, comparative biology and biotechnological applications of these fascinating viruses. Chapters have extensive reference sections that should encourage readers to pursue each subject in greater detail. This unique reference volume is a must-read for everyone working with VoMs, from the PhD student to the experienced scientist, in academia, the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industries and working in clinical environments.