by Lesley A. Ogilvie and Penny R. Hirsch

The vast explosion of high-resolution molecular data in the past few years has provided an unprecedented glimpse into the microbial world - with tantalizing results. Thus, the time is right to delve deeper into the ever-increasing knowledge base on this unseen majority. Born out of a desire to provide further insight into this accumulating wealth of data, the book synthesizes current view points and knowledge on the topic of microbial ecological theory. We have assembled a collection of essays by a diverse group of well-respected scientists who merge the boundaries of ecology and microbiology, to explore some of the central tenets of macro-ecological theory with a microbial perspective. The contributors explore the mainstays of macro-ecology asking questions such as 'Are microbes everywhere?' and 'Does a microbial species concept exist?', as well as showing how high-resolution molecular data are informing and underpinning the evolution of microbial ecological theory. What becomes apparent is how the application of macro-ecological theory to the microbial world is not only enhancing our understanding of microbial ecology but also providing a reference point for the development of new theories.

Written for graduate students and academic researchers, the book aims to stir crossdisciplinary thinking and provide direction and perspective on the still fledgling field of microbial ecological theory.

Lesley A Ogilvie is a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Brighton, UK. Her research is focused on microbial ecology, specifically the connection between gut microbial community structure and functioning and the onset and progression of disease. Penny R Hirsch leads a research group at Rothamsted Research, supported by BBSRC funding. Her interests include the microbial ecology of soils and plants, in particular those related to improving the sustainability of food production.

Lesley A. Ogilvie and Penny R. Hirsch

Available from Microbial Ecological Theory

Every living organism must cope with environmental changes that may represent stress situations, including elevated temperature, chemical stress or oxidative injury. Cells respond to stress stimuli through coordinated changes in gene expression, leading to the synthesis of specialized molecules that counteract the deleterious environmental insults. Bacteria and eukaryotic microorganisms are very useful for studying the stress response and its regulation as they have developed systems to constantly monitor the changing environment. One group of organisms that is subjected to dramatic environmental challenges throughout their life cycle, including large changes in temperature, availability of nutrients and exposure to host immune defenses, is the pathogenic microorganisms. For pathogenic bacteria and parasites that are transmitted from the environment (or by invertebrate vectors) to mammalian hosts, sudden changes in pH, osmotic pressure and temperature occur. Additionally, inside the body, invading microorganisms soon encounter the innate and adaptive defenses. The pathogens, as a group, have evolved a variety of mechanisms to circumvent the otherwise lethal effects of these defenses. On the other hand, pathogenic microorganisms have integrated the stress response into their life cycles, in which stress signalling pathways and the selfsame stress proteins play specific functions in the differentiation programme.

Stress Response in Microbiology comprises 17 excellent chapters, each one dedicated to a particular microorganism or group of microorganisms; most of the selected organisms represent important health threats for humans. With its coverage of a broad range of model organisms, the book gives a complete overview of the stress response in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms, providing detailed information for researchers, as well as for teachers and students in the fields of microbiology and parasitology. The chapter authors, among the best in their respective fields, have done an excellent job of synthesizing data from numerous studies and making the book a well-referenced work. Thus, we hope that this work will serve as an informative resource for researchers and students at all levels.

The first chapter provides a complete description of the cell envelope stress responses and the stress-sensing regulatory systems, mainly in Gram-negative bacteria. Chapter 2 gives an overview on the stress responses in several pathogenic species of the genus Streptococcus; acid, oxidative and nutritional stresses are presented here in depth. Chapter 3 is devoted to oxidative and nitrosative defenses in pathogenic Neisseria species. In addition, the authors have included detailed information about biologically relevant oxidants and the chemical reactions involving oxidants in biological systems that are of considerable basic scientific interest. The relationship between stress response and virulence in the food-borne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes is the main focus of Chapter 4. Chapter 5 focuses on current knowledge and research activity about low-temperature adaptation of the spore former and human pathogen Bacillus cereus. Chapter 6 gives a complete overview of the main stress response mechanisms employed by Salmonella for survival in nutrient-limited conditions and during osmotic and acid stress exposure. In the next chapter, devoted to Yersinia, the authors review the responses of this pathogen to heat and cold shocks, encounter with macrophages and macrophage-like conditions. Also, the extracytoplasmic stress responses are covered in detail in Chapter 7. Chapter 8 describes how the stress response systems are vitally important for the vibrios to successfully establish in the host. Chapter 9 describes the function of the major stress proteins within mycobacteria, paying special attention to the interaction between the bacterial heat shock proteins and the host's cellmediated immune response. Chapter 10 focuses on the types of stresses that mycoplasmas encounter in vivo, such as heat shock, oxidative stress, osmolarity shifts, hormone exposure, iron deprivation and biofilm formation. In Chapter 11, the authors describe the different mechanisms used by model yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe, as well as the pathogenic fungus Candida albicans, to sense and transduce stress signals to stressactivated protein kinases pathways in response to osmotic, heat and oxidative stresses. Among eukaryotic microorganisms, one group that is subjected to dramatic environmental changes throughout their complex life cycle are the parasitic protozoa, which are the focus of the remaining chapters. Chapter 12 summarizes the current knowledge about the responses of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum to a variety of stresses: drug treatments, changes in temperature and elevation of oxidative stress. Chapter 13 summarizes the recent findings on the Toxoplasma gondii stress responses and the implication of these processes in the biology and pathogenesis of this parasite. The focus of Chapter 14 is the stress response in Leishmania, containing a comprehensive view on the implications of the stress response in parasite survival, in cytodifferentiation and in apoptotic processes. Chapter 15 reviews the components of the Trypanosoma cruzi stress response with emphasis on its relevance to the parasite biology and to Chagas' disease transmission, pathogenesis and treatment. In Chapter 16, the authors have compiled the most significant molecular and biological aspects related to the mechanisms and components of the stress response of T. brucei to adapt and survive in the bloodstream of mammals. The final chapter, devoted to Entamoeba histolytica, gives special emphasis to the oxidative and nitrosative stresses experienced by this protozoan parasite.

Jose M. Requena

This book is available now, please see Stress Response in Microbiology

Excerpt from a book review of Metagenomics: Current Innovations and Future Trends:
"presents state-of-the art information on the methods and their limitations, and has examples of actual applications ... (if you are) contemplating adopting, or even already using, metagenomic and next-generation sequencing technologies, this work should be consulted when designing work programmes or interpreting the mass of generated data." from IMA Fungus (2011) 2: 64 read more ...

Metagenomics: Current Innovations and Future Trends Edited by: Diana Marco ISBN: 978-1-904455-87-5 Publisher: Caister Academic Press Publication Date: September 2011 Cover: hardback "state-of-the art information" (IMA Fungus)

Excerpt from a book review of Metagenomics: Current Innovations and Future Trends
"This book provides a sound introduction to metagenomics, followed by 14 chapters that highlight its application in studying the functions, ecology and diversity of both culturable and non-culturable micro-organisms in a given environment ... This is definitely a valuable reference book for scientists who intend to apply metagenomics in their research." from Diane Purchase (Middlesex University, UK) writing in Microbiol. Today (2011) read more ...

Metagenomics: Current Innovations and Future Trends Edited by: Diana Marco ISBN: 978-1-904455-87-5 Publisher: Caister Academic Press Publication Date: September 2011 Cover: hardback "a valuable reference book" (Microbiol. Today)

Excerpt from a book review of Nitrogen Cycling in Bacteria: Molecular Analysis:
"The scope of the book is nicely balanced ... very refreshingly, describes aspects relevant to all of the classical stages of the N cycle in several individual chapters ... (the book) is relevant to all of us studying some aspect of the N cycle and is strongly recommended as a core reference that should be owned by every research group working in this area." from Graeme Nicol (University of Aberdeen, UK) writing in Microbiol. Today (2011) 38: 265 read more ...

Nitrogen Cycling in Bacteria: Molecular Analysis Edited by: James W. B. Moir ISBN: 978-1-904455-86-8 Publisher: Caister Academic Press Publication Date: July 2011 Cover: hardback "strongly recommended" (Microbiol. Today)

Jose M. Requena (Centro de Biologia Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM), Madrid, Spain) presents a new book on Stress Response in Microbiology
In this book, expert authors from around the world summarise the current knowledge on microbial stress response and comprehensively review the recent findings that have greatly advanced the understanding of stress response systems. Each chapter is devoted to a particular organism or group of organisms including Gram-negative bacteria, Streptococcus,Neisseria, Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus, Salmonella, Yersinia, Vibrio, Mycobacterium, mycoplasmas, yeast, Plasmodium falciparum, Toxoplasma gondii, Leishmania, Trypanosoma cruzi, Trypanosoma brucei and Entamoeba histolytica. In addition to providing an up-to-date review of current trends the authors also describe the challenges for future research and provide comprehensive reference sections. The volume represents a major collection of information and knowledge across a wide range of microorganisms and is essential reading for anyone with an interest in stress response. A highly recommended book for anyone interested in stress response, regulatory networks, environmental microbiology or the pathogenicity of microorganisms read more ...

Stress Response in Microbiology Edited by: Jose M. Requena ISBN: 978-1-908230-04-1 Publisher: Caister Academic Press Publication Date: June 2012 Cover: hardback read more ...

Alain A.M. Filloux (Centre for Molecular Microbiology and Infection, Imperial College London, UK) presents a new book on Bacterial Regulatory Networks
Renowned authors under the expert guidance of the editor Alain A.M. Filloux, have contributed authoritative, up-to-date reviews of the current research and theories on regulatory networks in bacteria. The volume contains critical reviews written by the leading research scientists in this topical field. The authors fully explore various regulatory networks, discuss variations of common themes and provide fresh insights into bacterial regulatory mechanisms. Topics include: the sigma network in Escherichia coli, control of bacterial virulence, ECF sigma factors, quorum sensing, cyclic di-GMP, RNA-mediated regulation, the H-NS regulator, two-component regulatory systems, bacterial chemotaxis, regulation of iron homeostasis, anaerobic regulatory networks, bacterial bistable regulatory networks, and evolution of transcription factors and regulatory networks. This book is essential reading for everyone interested in gene expression and regulation in bacteria and is a recommended text for all microbiology libraries read more ...

Bacterial Regulatory Networks Edited by: Alain A.M. Filloux ISBN: 978-1-908230-03-4 Publisher: Caister Academic Press Publication Date: June 2012 Cover: hardback read more ...

The new book on Extremophiles edited by Roberto Paul Anitori will be available for dispatch within the next 2 or 3 weeks read more ...

Extremophiles: Microbiology and Biotechnology Edited by: Roberto Paul Anitori ISBN: 978-1-904455-98-1 Publisher: Caister Academic Press Publication Date: March 2012 Cover: hardback

read more ...

Excerpt from a book review of Nitrogen Cycling in Bacteria: Molecular Analysis:
"a snapshot of the current understanding of the nitrogen cycle in bacteria" from Ref. Res. Book News (August 2011) read more ...

Nitrogen Cycling in Bacteria: Molecular Analysis Edited by: James W. B. Moir ISBN: 978-1-904455-86-8 Publisher: Caister Academic Press Publication Date: July 2011 Cover: hardback "a snapshot of the current understanding" (Book News)

The new book on Metagenomics edited by Diana Marco will be available for dispatch within the next 2 or 3 weeks read more ...

Metagenomics: Current Innovations and Future Trends Edited by: Diana Marco ISBN: 978-1-904455-87-5 Publisher: Caister Academic Press Publication Date: September 2011 Cover: hardback

read more ...

The new book on Nitrogen Cycling in Bacteria edited by James W. B. Moir will be available for dispatch within the next 2 or 3 weeks read more ...

Nitrogen Cycling in Bacteria: Molecular Analysis Edited by: James W. B. Moir ISBN: 978-1-904455-86-8 Publisher: Caister Academic Press Publication Date: July 2011 Cover: hardback

read more ...

Roberto Paul Anitori (Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, USA) presents a new book on Extremophiles: Microbiology and Biotechnology
This book highlights the current and topical areas of research in this rapidly growing field. Expert authors 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, their potential use in the generation of sustainable energy and in the oil industry. Aimed at research scientists, students, microbiologists and biotechnologists this book is essential reading for scientists working with extremophiles and a recommended reference text for anyone interested in the microbiology of these organisms, as well as bioprospecting, biomining, biofuels and extremozymes read more ...

Extremophiles: Microbiology and Biotechnology Edited by: Roberto Paul Anitori ISBN: 978-1-904455-98-1 Publisher: Caister Academic Press Publication Date: March 2012 Cover: hardback read more ...

Excerpt from a book review of Environmental Microbiology: Current Technology and Water Applications:
"Both the content and the quality of the writing exceeded my expectations ... carefully written and explained ... a valuable resource for many years to come ... an excellent resource for senior undergraduates, researchers and academics" from Linda Lawton (Robert Gordon University, UK) writing in Microbiology Today read more ...

Environmental Microbiology: Current Technology and Water Applications Edited by: Keya Sen and Nicholas J. Ashbolt ISBN: 978-1-904455-70-7 Publisher: Caister Academic Press Publication Date: January 2011 Cover: hardback "a valuable resource for many years to come" (Microbiol. Today)

Gavin Lear and Gillian D. Lewis (Lincoln University, Christchurch, New Zealand and University of Auckland, New Zealand, respectively) present a new book on Microbial Biofilms: Current Research and Applications
In this book, leading scientists provide an up-to-date review of the latest scientific research on these fascinating microbial communities and predict future trends and growth areas in biofilm-related research. Under the expert guidance of the editors Gavin Lear and Gillian Lewis, authors from around the world have contributed critical reviews on the most topical aspects of current biofilm research. Subjects covered include quorum sensing and social interactions in microbial biofilms, biofilms in disease, plant-associated biofilms, biofilms in the soil, applications in bioremediation, biofilms in wastewater treatment, corrosion and fouling, aquatic biofilms, microbial fuel cells, and catalytic biofilms. The book is essential for everyone interested in biofilms and their applications. It is also highly recommended for environmental microbiologists, soil scientists, medical microbiologists, bioremediation experts and microbiologists working in biocorrosion, biofouling, biodegradation, water microbiology, quorum sensing and many other areas read more ...

Microbial Biofilms: Current Research and Applications Edited by: Gavin Lear and Gillian D. Lewis ISBN: 978-1-904455-96-7 Publisher: Caister Academic Press Publication Date: February 2012 Cover: hardback read more ...