Bücher veröffentlicht von Caister Academic Press

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.

One of the greatest public health achievements during the twentieth century was the dramatic reduction in the incidence of infectious diseases due to the development of improved hygiene, vaccines and antimicrobial agents. However, new infectious diseases are emerging and bacteria-induced illnesses, such as tuberculosis, whooping cough and typhoid fever, are still a major cause of global mortality. In recent decades the development of molecular biology and genetic tools has led to extensive studies on the molecular and cellular aspects of the virulence properties of pathogenic bacteria. In this book, a group of distinguished scientists from eight different countries and three continents, under the expert guidance of the editors Camille Locht and Michel Simonet, overview the molecular and cellular mechanisms of bacterial pathogenesis. The fifteen chapters are organized into five sections: approaches to the study of bacterial pathogenesis; bacterial adhesion to the cell surface and extracellular matrix of host tissues; poisoning the host by toxins; cellular invasion by bacterial pathogens; and bacterial evasion of host defences. The authors comprehensively describe the most relevant and up-to-date information on pathogenic features across the bacterial world. Aimed at the entire scientific community from students to senior scientists and physicians, the book is relevant to a broad range of people interested in the mechanisms of bacterial infectious diseases and is a recommended text for all microbiology laboratories.

Fuelled by the application of omics and reverse genetics technologies, impressive progress has been achieved in the field of molecular and cellular biology of Bunyaviridae in recent years. In this book, a panel of international experts review the most important findings, providing a timely and coherent overview of the field. All five genera i.e. Orthobunyavirus, Hantavirus, Nairovirus, Plebovirus and Tospovirus, are covered in seperate chapters. Genetics and evolution of hantaviruses is given a special treatment in chapter 3 while current advances in diagnostics are reviewed in detail in chapter 7. The book closes with an excellent overview of the remaining challenges and future prospects in this fascinating field. The book is essential reading for everyone working on bunyaviruses and related viruses. A recommended text for all virology libraries.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and bifidobacteria are amongst the most important groups of microorganisms used in the food industry. For example, LAB are used in the production of fermented products, such as yoghurts, cheese and pickled vegetables. In addition LAB can inhibit the growth of spoilage microbes and/or pathogens in their environment by lowering the pH and/or through the production of antimicrobial peptides, called bacteriocins. Both LAB and bifidobacteria are also thought to have health-promoting abilities and many are used as probiotics for the prevention, alleviation and treatment of intestinal disorders in humans and animals. In this comprehensive book, expert international authors review the most recent cutting-edge research in these areas. Topics include: Lactobacillus genomics; Bifidobacterium gene manipulation technologies; metabolism of human milk oligosaccharides in bifidobacteria; proton-motive metabolic cycles; oxidative stress and oxygen metabolism; Bifidobacterium response to O2; bile acid stress in LAB and bifidobacteria; protein structure quality control; bacteriocin classification and diversity; lactococcal bacteriocins; lactobacilli bacteriocins; other bacteriocins; production of optically pure lactic acid; antihypertensive metabolites from LAB; the anti-H. pylori effect of Lactobacillus gasseri; probiotics for allergic rhinitis; probiotics health claims in Japan and Europe. Essential reading for every researcher working with LAB, bifidobacteria and probiotics, from the PhD student to the experienced scientist.

Metagenomics is one of the fastest advancing fields in biology. By permitting access to the genomes of entire communities of bacteria, viruses and fungi otherwise inaccessible, metagenomics is extending our comprehension of the diversity, ecology, evolution and functioning of the microbial world, as well as contributing to the emergence of new applications in many different areas. The continual and dynamical development of faster sequencing techniques, together with the advancement of methods to cope with the exponentially increasing amount of data generated, are expanding our capacity for the analysis of microbial communities from an unlimited variety of habitats and environments. The synergism with the new emerging 'omics' approaches is showing the path to functional metagenomics and to adopting integrative, wider viewpoints like systems biology. This book covers the most innovative and recent advances in theoretical, methodological and applied areas of metagenomics. Topics covered include metagenomics integration with complementary technologies, bacterial genealogy, viral metagenomics, the regulation of prokaryotic communities, functional metagenomics, systems biology, next-generation sequencing, stable isotope probing, DNA sequencing of uncultured microbes, cyberinfrastructure resource, identification of novel viruses, metagenomics of fungal communities, the human microbiome, microbial bioremediation, metagenomic enzyme discovery, quorum-sensing, plant-pathogen interactions, and metagenomics of belowground microbial communities. The book is aimed at researchers and environmental managers involved in metagenomics, students starting research in this field and teachers interested in the new developments.