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Microbiomes and emerging applications
Covers a range of important topics and recent advances in metagenomics, microbiomes and their emerging applications, including microbiota transplantation and its health implications. It also discusses microbiome composition and development in humans. The contributors of this volume provide detailed information on prebiotics and probiotics for enhanced human health. They also introduce microbiomes as the next frontiers in medicine, agriculture, industry and environment. A chapter is presented that discusses probiotic research studies in Nigeria and Canada that led to the discovery of Lactobacillus pentosus KCA1. The book contains timely knowledge and will be useful reference material for scientists and researchers working in the fields of food and agricultural biotechnology, biopharmaceuticals and medical biotechnology, fermentation technology, environmental biotechnology, microbiomes and microbial biotechnology and health care.
Microbiology of Extreme Soils
This volume provides an excellent introduction to the study of extreme soil micro-biology, and a variety of the challenging and fascinating environments that Earth-bound microbes face. Some are natural, and some are the result of human activity, and all of them have lessons to teach us about life’s adaptations within the “extreme” hori-zons of terrestrial soils. What’s more, each of these chapters (including the chapter on the soils of Mars by Ronald L. Crawford and David A. Newcombe) can give us insights into strategies that may make life possible beyond the safe confines of our present-day biosphere, to other worlds in this solar system and beyond
Microbial Sulfur Metabolism
In nature, sulfur occurs in many different oxidation states and is one of the most versatile elements in life. It is an integral part of many important cell constituents, such as the amino acids cysteine and methionine, and many sulfur compounds serve as the basis for energy-related processes in prokaryotes. In recent years, new methods have been applied to study the biochemistry and molecular biology of reactions of the global sulfur cycle, the microorganisms involved and their physiology, metabolism and ecology. These activities have uncovered fascinating new insights for the understanding of aerobic and anaerobic sulfur metabolism.
Microbial Siderophores
"Microbial Siderophores" presents an up-to-date overview of the chemistry, biology and biotechnology of these iron chelators. Following an introduction to the structure, functions and regulation of fungal siderophores, several chapters focus on siderophores of pseudomonads. Here, the technique of siderotyping, which has proved to be a rapid, accurate and inexpensive tool for pseudomonad characterization and identification, is described.
Microbial Processing of Metal Sulfides
The application of microbiological methods to the extraction of metals from minerals has definitely gained a prominent role and is supported by the several bioleaching and biooxidation processes operating in different sites over the world. In recent years new techniques and new results about proteomic and bioinformatics are bringing a new perspective on the microbial processes.This book focuses on the basic aspects of the process with special emphasis on recent contributions regarding the chemical and microbial aspects of the bioleaching process and the use of microorganisms in the treatment of complex ores and concentrates.
Microbial nutraceuticals : Products and processes
Discussion of the recent advances in the application of microbial nutraceuticals and their implementation in the health, food, and agriculture sectors. The book begins with an overview of microbial nutraceuticals before moving on to discussions of more specific topics, including microbial cell factories for the production of essential amino acids, microbial production of dietary short-chain fatty acids, and microbial sources for bioactive peptides conferring health benefits.
Microbial Activity in the Rhizosphere
The rhizosphere is a very complex environment in which the effects of the plant on soil microorganisms and the effects of the microorganisms on the plant are interacting and are interdependent. Plant root exudates and breakdown products attract microbes and feed them and, in turn, the plants often benefit from the microbes. Interactions among microorganisms and plant roots are essential for nutritional requirements of the plant. Plant growth, development and productivity are largely dependent on the soil environment in the root region rhizosphere. The new techniques of studying the rhizosphere enables us to get a much better understanding of the dynamics of the rhizosphere population, such rhizosphere studies being of interest to agriculturists, soilbiologists, chemists, microbiologists and molecular biologists. The rhizosphere microbes in?uence the root environment in several ways. They may change the oxidation-reduction potential, influence the availability of moisture and nutrients, produce growth inhibiting or growth promoting substances in the form of exudates, provide competition and possibly induce many other effects. My corrhizal associations are beneficial in mineral uptake and in increasing root surface area for effective ion absorption. Antagonism, ompetition and synergism in soil and the rhizoplane (rhizosphere) are the most important microbial interactions to consider in the study of rhizosphere biology. With the growing information on the production of growth regulators, competitiveness of the microbes in the rhizosphere, microsymbionts, and other factors, their effect upon plant growth will become more evident. Experiments on the introduction of microbes or their products in the rhizosphere will help to improve our understandingofthebiologyoftherhizosphere.
Methodological Investigations in Agent-Based Modelling : With Applications for the Social Sciences
Examines the methodological complications of using complexity science concepts within the social science domain. The opening chapters take the reader on a tour through the development of simulation methodologies in the fields of artificial life and population biology, then demonstrates the growing popularity and relevance of these methods in the social sciences. Following an in-depth analysis of the potential impact of these methods on social science and social theory, the text provides substantive examples of the application of agent-based models in the field of demography. This work offers a unique combination of applied simulation work and substantive, in-depth philosophical analysis, and as such has potential appeal for specialist social scientists, complex systems scientists, and philosophers of science interested in the methodology of simulation and the practice of interdisciplinary computing research.
Metastasis of Prostate Cancer
Without metastasis, prostate cancer would be both tolerable and treatable. The high incidence of indolent and organ confined disease is testament to this sweeping generalisation. Equally, if molecular markers of metastatic spread can be identified, then the choice of treatment for many patients would be easier and more radical, even curative. However, should prevention and treatment of the primary tumors prove difficult or impossible.
Metastasis of Breast Cancer
The book has covered a broad range of topics in the metastasis of breast cancer, from genetics, biology to clinical management. Main topics include genetic control, biology, growth factors, cell adhesion, cell motility and invasion, natures of bone metastasis, sentinel node therapies, hormonal links, new biomarkers and detection of micrometastasis, and diagnosis The book also covers the current treatment options including surgical management, chemotherapy and hormonal therapies.
Metabolomics : The frontier of systems biology
Metabolism is the sum of the chemical reactions in cells that produce life-sustaining chemical energy and metabolites. In the post-genome era, metabolism has taken on new significance for biological scientists: metabolites are the chemical basis of phenotypes that are final expressions of genomic information. This book covers research on metabolomics, ranging from the development of specialized chemical analytical techniques to the construction of databases and methods for metabolic simulation. The authors have been directly involved in the development of all the subject areas, including capillary electrophoresis, liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, metabolic databases, and metabolic simulation. Breakthrough achievements and the future of metabolome studies are described, making this book a valuable source for researchers in metabolomics in diverse fields, such as plant, animal, cellular, microbial, pharmaceutical, medical, and genetic sciences.
Metabolomics : A powerful tool in systems biology
This book brings together the latest results in the field of metabolomics. It comprehensively presents the current state of the metabolomics field by underscoring experimental methods, analysis techniques, standardization practices, and advances in specific model systems. As a result, it significantly broadens our perspective on the principles and strategies underpinning this emerging field.
Metabolome Analyses : Strategies for Systems Biology
Metabolome Analyses is intended as a follow-up to Metabolic Profiling: Its Role in Biomarker Discovery and Gene Function Analysis (Kluwer, 2003). That text offered guidelines to currently available technology, bioinformatics and databases. Evidence was presented showing metabolic profiling as a valuable addition to genomics and proteomics strategies devoted to drug discovery and development. This book focuses on how metabolic profiling is being more comprehensively integrated with the other "omics" technologies. It provides more practical applications of such "panomics" or "Systems Biology" approaches. The expanding use of mass spectrometry as a measurement technology in metabolic profiling is addressed through demonstrated applications. The integration of metabolic profiling and proteomics is probably most developed for plant-based studies, which was not addressed in Volume 1. Other areas related to metabolic profiling continue to show significant development. These include database strategies and an increased acceptance by the pharmaceutical industry of metabolic profiling. Also covered is the use of in silico metabolic networks. Again the focus is primarily on the pharmaceutical industry but the importance of metabolic profiling to studies on human nutrition (a burgeoning area) is discussed.
Messenger RNA therapeutics
Focuses on the fundamentals and applications of messenger RNA (mRNA)-based therapeutics and discusses the strengths and key challenges of this emerging class of drugs. In the past 30 years, extensive research and technological development in many areas have contributed to the emergence of in vitro transcribed mRNA as a therapeutic that has now reached clinical testing. Formulations that protect the mRNA from nucleases and accelerate its cellular uptake, combined with improvements to the mRNA molecules themselves, have been critical advancements for mRNAs to become viable therapeutics. Though once regarded as a serious impediment, the transient nature of mRNA technology is now considered a major advantage in making mRNA therapies safe and, ultimately, a potential game changer in the field of medicine. This new book in the RNA Technologies series provides a state-of-the-art overview on the emerging field of mRNA therapeutics covering essential strategies for formulation, delivery, and application. It also reviews the promising role in cancer immunotherapy, respiratory diseases, and chronic HBV infection and discusses RNA vaccines in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic. mRNA-based approaches have great potential to revolutionize molecular biology, cell biology, biomedical research, and medicine.
Memory B-cells : Methods and protocols
Details in methods to assess memory B cell formation and function in mice and humans. Chapters guide readers through tetramer-based methods to assess antigen-specific memory B cell dynamics in humans and mice in different vaccine, next-generation deep-sequencing, single-cell techniques to assess epigenomic, VDJ landscapes, lymph node aspirates from humans, advanced imaging, murine models to determine memory B cells formation, and bioinformatic techniques and in silico modelling of memory b cell formation. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and key tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.
Memories : Molecules and Circuits
This volume surveys the recent advances and provides an integrative view of molecular, cellular, and systems level mechanisms underlying cognitive processes in both animals and humans. Current state of the art and future avenues are discussed by distinguished scientists who provide not only an overview of the underlying neurobiology of cognitive processes from a basic science standpoint, but who also focus on clinical and therapeutic aspects surrounding impairments associated with disorders that affect cognition.
Membrane Trafficking in Viral Replication
The ability of viruses to exploit cellular functions for their own ends makes them highly effective pathogens and exquisite experimental tools. Work with viruses underpins much of our current understanding of molecular cell biology and related fields. Each of the eight chapters in this volume deals with a specific aspect of viral interactions with cellular membranes. These include chapters on viral entry, viral membrane fusion, viral membrane protein synthesis and transport, viral replication, viral interactions with cytoskeletal systems and the nucleus, the trafficking of viral membrane proteins and viral perturbation of host cell protein trafficking. These chapters should provide both an overview of cellular membrane trafficking mechanisms and viral interactions with these systems, as well as reviews of the current state of each of the fields.
Membrane Computing; 8th International Workshop, WMC 2007 Thessaloniki, Greece, June 25-28, 2007 Revised Selected and Invited Papers
This volume contains a selection of papers presented at the Eighth Workshop on Membrane Computing, WMC8, which took place in Thessaloniki, Greece, during June 25–28, 2008. Special attention was paid to the interaction of membrane computing with biology and computer science, focusing on the - ological roots of membrane computing, on applications of membrane computing in biology and medicine, and on possible electronically based implementations.
Membrane Computing ; Vol. 4361 ; 7th International Workshop, WMC 2006, Leiden, Netherlands, July 17-21, 2006, Revised, Selected, and Invited Papers
The present volume contains a selection of papers presented at the Seventh Workshop on Membrane Computing, WMC7, which took place in Leiden, The Netherlands, during July 17–21, 2006. The ?rst three workshops on membrane computing were organized in Curtea de Arge¸ s, Romania – they took place in August 2000 (with the proceedings published in Lecture Notes in Computer Science, volume2235),in August 2001(with a selection of papers published asa special issue of Fundamenta Informaticae, volume 49, numbers 1–3, 2002), and in August 2002 (with the proceedings published in Lecture Notes in Computer Science, volume 2597). The next three workshops were organized in Tarragona, Spain, in July 2003, in Milan, Italy, in June 2004, and in Vienna, Austria, in July 2005, with the proceedings published as volumes 2933, 3365, and 3850, respectively, of Lecture Notes in Computer Science. The 2006edition of WMC wasorganized(and supported) byLorentzCenter, Leiden, under the auspices of the European Molecular Computing Consortium (EMCC). Special attention was paid to the interaction of membrane computing with biology, focusing both on the biological roots of membrane computing and on applications of membrane computing in biology and medicine.
Membrane Computing ; Vol. 3850 ; 6th International Workshop, WMC 2005, Vienna, Austria, July 18-21, 2005, Revised Selected and Invited Papers
The papers in this volume cover all the main directions of research in membrane computing, ranging from theoretical topics in mathematics and computer science, to application issues, especially in biology. More specifically, these papers present research on topics such as: computational power and complexity classes, new types of P systems, relationships to Petri nets, quantum computing, and brane calculi, determinism vs. nondeterminism, hierarchies, the size of small families, algebraic approaches, and designing polynomial solutions to NP-complete problems through the use of membrane systems. Like the previous workshops,
