Books published by Caister Academic Press

Theoretical and technical information on current LOC technologies, and the design and development of LOC systems, methods and applications.

Biodegradation of aromatics, molecular detection, predictive modelling, regulatory networks, bioavailability, chemotaxis, transport, functional genomics, and much more.

The vast majority of extremophiles are microbes, mainly archaea and bacteria, but also some eukaryotes. These microbes live under chemical and physical extremes that are usually lethal to cellular molecules, yet they manage to survive and even thrive. Extremophiles have important practical uses. They are a valuable source of industrially-important enzymes, and recent research has revealed novel mechanisms and biomolecular structures with a broad range of potential applications in biotechnology, biomining, and bioremediation. It is likely that biotechnology has only scratched the surface in its search for new organisms of practical use. This book highlights the current and topical areas of research in this rapidly growing field. Expert researchers from around the world provide the latest insights into the mechanisms these fascinating organisms use to survive. The topics covered include the ability of acidophiles to maintain a neutral intracellular pH, the way that psychrophiles "loosen up" their proteins at low temperatures, and other equally ingenious adaptations and metabolic strategies that extremophiles use to survive and flourish under extreme conditions. The book also covers the established biotechnological uses of extremophiles and the most recent and novel applications, including the exploitation of these organisms for enzyme production, as well as their potential use in the generation of sustainable energy and in the oil industry. Aimed at research scientists, students, microbiologists, and biotechnologists, this book will be essential reading. It is a recommended reference text for anyone who is interested in the microbiology of these organisms, as well as for those interested in bioprospecting, biomining, biofuels, and extremozymes.

In this book, expert international authors critically review the current cutting-edge research in vaccine design and development. Particular emphasis is given to new approaches and technologies.

Non-coding RNAs potentially play an active role in modulating gene transcription and epigenetic states. Several genes in differentiated cells may be under some form of RNA-based transcriptional and epigenetic regulatory control. This form of regulation may be controlled by selective pressures and influence the adaptability of the cell. The concept that RNA can control epigenetic states impacts our understanding of the basic fabric of the cell and may have therapeutic potential. Many studies have been carried out on the modulation of gene transcription by non-coding RNAs. This book, written by a group of distinguished scientists, represents an important overview and summary of the field to date. The 13 chapters are organized into three sections: a) Non-coding RNAs: Form, Function and Diversity; b) Non-coding RNAs: Gene Regulation and Epigenetics; and c) Non-coding RNAs: Disease and Therapeutics. This up-to-date volume is an essential book for those working in the area and represents a major information resource on current research in the fast-moving fields of epigenetics, the regulation of gene expression, and RNA research.

This book addresses in a coherent manner the diverse and multiple aspects of metagenomics and the multiplicity of its potential applications. Renowned authors from around the world have contributed chapters covering the new theoretical insights, the more recent applications, and the dynamically developing methods of data acquisition and analysis. Topics include: Conceptual frameworks, tools and methods, integration of complementary approaches, horizontal gene transfer, analysis of complex microbial communities, public data resources, plant-microbe interactions, bioremediation, industrial bioproducts, archaeal metagenomics, bioprospecting novel genes, the human microbiome, and philosophical themes in metagenomics.

This fully up-to-date book covers all aspects of Acanthamoeba biology. Following the success of the first edition, the author has extensively revised and expanded the text to produce a new volume that includes all the latest research and information on every aspect of this organism. There is a particular emphasis on the Acanthamoeba genome sequence and the novel insights gained from the application of molecular methods to Acanthamoeba developmental/cellular biology, in terms of metabolism and morphogenesis, classification, ecology and role in the ecosystem, host-pathogen interactions, virulence factors and immunological basis of pathogenesis, clinical manifestation, diagnosis, treatment, new target development, and drug resistance and its interactions with other microbes in the environment. The book will be an essential reference text for parasitologists, microbiologists, immunologists, and physicians in the field of basic and medical microbiology, as well as an invaluable reference for new and experienced researchers who wish to better understand this organism.

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.

High-throughput, next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies are capable of producing a huge amount of sequence data in a relatively short time and have revolutionized genome research in recent years. The powerful and flexible nature of NGS has made it an indispensable tool for a broad spectrum of biological sciences, and NGS technologies have transformed scientific research in many fields. Written by experts from around the world, this book explores the most recent advances in NGS instrumentation and data analysis. The book begins with a comprehensive description of current NGS platforms, their sequencing chemistries, instrument specifications, and general workflows and procedures. A separate chapter is dedicated to low-quantity, single molecule sequencing technology. Further chapters explore the application of NGS technologies in various fields, including polymorphism detection, sRNA research, rare variant detection, large variant detection, exome sequencing, plant development studies, microbial metagenomics, and studies on the human microbiome. Practical and cutting-edge, this volume will assist all scientists who wish to apply these innovative research tools.

Innovative, constructive, and continually evolving technologies are propelling microbiology into an exciting new era. This new era will witness the harnessing and control of complex microbial communities in a huge variety of applications in the industrial, medical, and environmental spheres. State-of-the-art tools are being developed and utilized to analyze the molecules that microorganisms possess and generate, including DNA, RNA, proteins, lipids, and cellular metabolites. This book, written by international experts in the field, presents emerging molecular methods that allow the diversity of a microbial community to be surveyed and its functions to be investigated. The first section provides examples of the application of molecular microbiological methods in various industrial applications. The second section deals with the identification of microorganisms in medical settings, while the third section presents case studies that use molecular methods to assess the structure and function of microbial communities in natural environments. The fourth part of the book describes in greater detail the methods and technologies featured in the preceding case studies, including metagenomics, stable isotope probing, fluorescence in situ hybridization, quantitative PCR, reverse transcription PCR, and single cell methods. These detailed descriptions will enable readers to evaluate the applicability of various tools for approaching questions and case studies of their own. This practical, authoritative, and up-to-date volume is a valuable resource for anyone applying or developing molecular methods in any area of microbiology and is a recommended acquisition for all microbiology laboratories.

The increasing worldwide demand for energy, combined with diminishing fossil fuel reserves and concerns about climate change, have stimulated intense research into the development of renewable energy sources, in particular, microbial biofuels. For a biofuel to be commercially viable, the production processes, yield, and titer have to be optimized, which can be achieved through the use of microbial cell factories. Using multidisciplinary research approaches, and through the application of diverse biotechnologies (such as enzyme engineering, metabolic engineering, systems biology, and synthetic biology), microbial cell factories have begun to yield some very encouraging data and microbial biofuels have a very promising future. In this book, a panel of international experts review the most important hot-topics in this area to provide a timely overview. The production of different biofuel molecules is comprehensively covered, including hydrogen, methane, ethanol, butanol, higher chain alcohols, isoprenoids, and fatty acid derivatives from genetically engineered microbes. To enhance biofuel production, special focus is given to the use of metabolic engineering of microbes, including bacteria, yeast, and microalgae. In addition, the book's contributors discuss the current research progress, technical challenges, and future development trends for biofuel production. Essential reading for research scientists, graduate students, and other specialists interested in microbial biofuels, the book is also recommended reading for environmental microbiologists, chemists, and engineers. [Subject: Microbiology, Energy Studies, Life Science, Environmental Science, Engineering, Chemistry]

The application of molecular technology in clinical diagnosis is a rapidly developing area and is predicted to greatly improve the speed, efficiency, and accuracy of diagnostic medicine. The editors of this book have commissioned an excellent series of chapters representing two key molecular diagnostic areas: cancer and infectious diseases. The cancer section deals with the challenges in identifying genetic, epigenetic, and transcriptomic biomarkers. The infectious disease section describes the current clinical applications of molecular diagnostics for the detection of viral, bacterial, and fungal pathogens, as well as an example of the use of molecular diagnostics outside the clinic environment. A cautionary tale describing what can go wrong when molecular methods are applied incorrectly is also provided and makes fascinating reading. A substantial component of the book is dedicated to the process of translating a preclinical test to the bedside and describes the progress in the near patient point-of-care molecular diagnostics market. This is a fundamental consideration for successful translation of diagnostics tests from bench to bedside and is crucial for molecular diagnostics to have an impact on patient care. The final chapter offers a prediction of future trends in the molecular diagnostics of infectious diseases. This volume is essential reading for anyone involved in the development or application of molecular diagnostics and is recommended for all clinical diagnostics laboratories. [Subject: Medicine, Molecular Biology, Epidemiology, Life Science, Oncology]

An up to date treatment of the structure, function and application of plasmids with a part-icular emphasis on current and future trends.

Targeted proteomics is a technology for detecting proteins of interest with high sensitivity, quantitative accuracy, and reproducibility. The analysis of a pre-defined group of proteins provides precise, quantitative, and sensitive data to scientists and clinicians and can provide information on a subset of proteins important for their biological function. In this volume, a panel of high-profile contributors provides an overview of targeted proteomics in biomedical science. The book is focused on current state-of-the-art technology and applications, and it will be a valuable source of information for everyone working in this field. The first part of the book provides detailed examples of the application of targeted proteomics in biomarker discovery and pathogenesis. The second part is focused on the various tools used in targeted proteomics, including bioinformatics approaches, while the final section is dedicated to biobanks, a vital aspect of targeted proteomics. The book is highly recommended for anyone interested in proteomics, disease pathogenesis, clinical protein science, and biomarker discovery. [Subject: Microbiology, Protein Science, Life Science, Biomedical Science]

The relative food prosperity of the 1980s/1990s has been eroded in recent years through the convergence of a variety of factors, including climate change, population growth, foodborne pathogens, and microbial plant pathogens. Today, food security has become an urgent major global challenge. One important area of research that aims to aid the production of sufficient, safe, and nutritious food has focused on the plant-microbe interaction. Understanding this is an important prerequisite for the development of strategies to protect plants from pathogens and/or to prevent contamination of food with human pathogens. In this book, a team of respected scientists review the most important current topics to provide a timely overview on bacterial-plant interactions. The topics covered include: type III secretion systems and their role in the bacterial-host interaction * the Pseudomonas and Erwinia model systems and their application to other studies * the emerging plant pathogen Acidovorax * the Gram-positive phytopathogens Clavibacter, Streptomyces, and Rhodococcus * the colonization of plants by human bacterial pathogens * Pseudomonas biocontrol approaches * phage therapy. The book will be essential reading for every plant pathogen researcher, from the PhD student to the experienced scientist, and is recommended reading for researchers working on foodborne pathogens and bacterial pathogenesis. [Subject: Microbiology, Life Science, Pathology

Two-component systems are signaling pathways that regulate many bacterial characteristics, such as virulence, pathogenicity, symbiosis, motility, nutrient uptake, secondary metabolite production, metabolic regulation, cell division, and many more. These systems regulate physiological processes in response to environmental or cellular parameters and enable adaptation to changing conditions. They are also potential targets for anti-microbial drug design. In recent years, significant advances have been made in the understanding of the role of two-component systems, and molecular studies have uncovered basic mechanisms of signaling. In this book, expert contributors from around the world present the current knowledge on two-component systems in bacteria and critically evaluate the vast amount of exciting new information that has been brought to light in recent years. The book covers various topics, including: the structure-function analysis of two-component systems * the sensing mechanisms * essential or atypical two-component systems and signaling networks * two-component systems in stress responses * two-component systems in developmental processes * two-component systems in virulence and symbiosis. The book provides a comprehensive overview for graduate students, academic scientists, and researchers in the pharmaceutical industry. This major reference work is essential reading for everyone working on bacterial regulation or anti-microbial drug design and is a recommended volume for all microbiology libraries.