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The modem microbiologist is often a real specialist who has difficulty under standing and applying many of the techniques beyond those in his or her own immediate field. On the other hand, most benefits to modem microbiology are obtained when a broad spectrum of scientific approaches can be focused on a problem. In early studies, electron microscopy was pivotal in understanding bacterial and viral morphology, and we still feel that we will understand a disease better if we have seen an electron micrograph of the causative agent. Today, because there is an increased awareness of the need to understand the rela tionships between microbial structure and function, the electron microscope is still one of the most important tools microbiologists can use for detailed analysis of microorganisms. Often, however, the aforementioned modem microbiologist still thinks of ultrastructure as involving negative staining or ultrathin sectioning in order to get a look at the shape of a "bug. " Many of the newer ultrastructure techniques, such as gold-labeled antibody localization, freeze-fracture, X-ray microanalysis, enzyme localization, and even scanning electron microscopy, are poorly under stood by, and therefore forbidding to, the average microbiologist. Even many cell biologists admit to having difficulty staying in touch with current develop ments in the fast-moving field of electron microscopy techniques.
This volume of this acclaimed series deals with electron microscopic techniques applied for the elucidation of microbial structures and structure-function relationships at cellular, sub-cellular, and macromolecular levels. Many of the recent findings on ultrastructural features of microorganisms have been obtained with newly developed methods, though classical approaches have not lost their validity. Therefore, both conventional and new methods have been incorporated into this volume. The topics dealt with are meaningful not only in bacterial cytology but also in physiology, enzymology, biochemistry, and molecular biology, and include aspects of medical and biotechnological application.
This Volume presents key microscopy and imaging methods for revealing the structure and ultrastructure of environmental and experimental samples, of microbial communities and cultures, and of individual cells. Method adaptations that specifically address problems concerning the hydrophobic components of samples are highlighted and discussed. The methods described range from electron microscopy and light and fluorescence microscopy, to confocal laser-scanning microscopy, and include experimental set-ups for the analysis of interfacial processes like microbial growth and activities at hydrocarbon:water interfaces, biofilms and microbe:mineral interfaces. Three forms of fluorescence in situ hybridization - CARD-FISH, MAR-FISH and Two-pass TSA-FISH - are described for the ecophysiological analysis of functionally active microbes in samples. The methods presented will enable readers to obtain an ultrastructural picture of, and identify the key functional microbes in, samples under investigation. This in turn will constitute a key framework for the interpretation of information from other experimental approaches, such as physicochemical analyses and genomic investigations. Hydrocarbon and Lipid Microbiology ProtocolsThere are tens of thousands of structurally different hydrocarbons, hydrocarbon derivatives and lipids, and a wide array of these molecules are required for cells to function. The global hydrocarbon cycle, which is largely driven by microorganisms, has a major impact on our environment and climate. Microbes are responsible for cleaning up the environmental pollution caused by the exploitation of hydrocarbon reservoirs and will also be pivotal in reducing our reliance on fossil fuels by providing biofuels, plastics and industrial chemicals. Gaining an understanding of the relevant functions of the wide range of microbes that produce, consume and modify hydrocarbons and related compounds will be key to responding to these challenges. This comprehensive collection of current and emerging protocols will facilitate acquisition of this understanding and exploitation of useful activities of such microbes.
Studies of the bacterial cell wall emerged as a new field of research in the early 1950s, and has flourished in a multitude of directions. This excellent book provides an integrated collection of contributions forming a fundamental reference for researchers and of general use to teachers, advanced students in the life sciences, and all scientists in bacterial cell wall research. Chapters include topics such as: Peptidoglycan, an essential constituent of bacterial endospores; Teichoic and teichuronic acids, lipoteichoic acids, lipoglycans, neural complex polysaccharides and several specialized proteins are frequently unique wall-associated components of Gram-positive bacteria; Bacterial cells evolving signal transduction pathways; Underlying mechanisms of bacterial resistance to antibiotics.
A first source for traditional methods of microbiology as well as commonly used modern molecular microbiological methods. • Provides a comprehensive compendium of methods used in general and molecular microbiology. • Contains many new and expanded chapters, including a section on the newly important field of community and genomic analysis. • Provides step-by-step coverage of procedures, with an extensive list of references to guide the user to the original literature for more complete descriptions. • Presents methods for bacteria, archaea, and for the first time a section on mycology. • Numerous schematics and illustrations (both color and black and white) help the reader to easily understand the topics presented.
Mter the discoveryof the tobacco mosaic virus by D. I. Ivanov skU in 1892 [14], the new science of virology was born and began to develop rapidly. The number of viruses now known is enormous and they can infect nearly all animal and plant organisms. Microorganisms themselves are no exception to this rule. Despite intensive study of Vlruses, their origin and nature are still a subject for speculation and hypothesis. The general concept of viruses embraces a wide group of biologically active structures occupying an intermediate position between living and nonliving matter. The dual character of viruses is determined by the fact that, while they do not possess an inde pendent system of metabolism, which is a characteristic feature of every living being, they nevertheless carry within themselves all the necessary information for autoreproduction. A striking feature of the virus is that it consists essentially of two components: a protein envelope and the nucleic acid con tained within it. In contrast to the elementary structural unit of the living or ganism, the cell, which contains two types of nucleic acid (DNA and RNA), the virus particle contains only one type of nucleic acid - either DNA or RNA. It is perhaps this which is responsible for the imperfection of the virus as a living organism.
A comprehensive handbook outlining state-of-the-art analytical techniques used in geomicrobiology, for advanced students, researchers and professional scientists.