Microbial iron respiration contributes significantly to the biogeochemical cycling of metals and may be one of the earliest respiratory processes to have evolved on early earth. Metal-respiring microbes also hold great potential for use in microbial fuel cells for the generation of "green" energy and for remediation of radionuclides in contaminated environments. Despite its significance in global metal cycling processes, the molecular mechanism of Fe(III) respiration has yet to be determined. Unlike many other terminal electron acceptors, Fe(III) is a solid at circumneutral pH and, therefore, cannot come into direct contact with the microbial inner membrane: the site of terminal electron transfer in gram-negative bacteria. It is postulated that metal-respiring organisms have developed alternate strategies for the reduction of solid iron. One such strategy involves the production of an Fe(III)-solublizing ligand by the metal-respiring bacteria which solubilizes the Fe(III) prior to respiration, rendering the metal more easily accessible to the Fe(III) reductase complex. :In this study, the genes involved in the solubilization of Fe(III) by the gram-negative dissimilatory metal reducing bacteria Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 were determined using random mutagenesis to generate mutations in the wild-type genome and high-throughput square-wave voltammetry to screen for the attenuation of Fe(III) production in the mutants. Two mutants unable to solubilize Fe(III) were identified and designated d29 and d64. After mutation complementation analysis, it was determined that the point mutations were both located in type II secretion genes: gspG and gspE respectively, indicating that the type II secretion system is required for Fe(III) solubilization prior to respiration.

This book covers many facets of plant selenium (Se) accumulation: molecular genetics, biochemistry, physiology, and ecological and evolutionary aspects. Broader impacts and applications of plant Se accumulation also receive attention. Plant Se accumulation is very relevant for environmental and human health. Selenium is both essential at low levels and toxic at high levels, and both Se deficiency and toxicity are problems worldwide. Selenium can positively affect crop productivity and nutritional value. Plants may also be used to clean up excess environmental Se. Selenium in plants has profound ecological impact, and likely contributes to Se movement in ecosystems and global Se cycling.

It is the aim of this book to present reviews on a wide range of aspects of bacterial respiratory systems. Because the on-going publication elsewhere of reviews on bacterial respiration, ablanket coverage of the field has not been attempted. Rather, a range of topics have been selected, either because they are of special current interest, they have not been reviewed recently, or they have never been reviewed.

Microbiology covers the scope and sequence requirements for a single-semester microbiology course for non-majors. The book presents the core concepts of microbiology with a focus on applications for careers in allied health. The pedagogical features of the text make the material interesting and accessible while maintaining the career-application focus and scientific rigor inherent in the subject matter. Microbiology's art program enhances students' understanding of concepts through clear and effective illustrations, diagrams, and photographs.

The book summarizes the achievements of the past decade in the biochemistry, bioenergetics, structural and molecular biology of respiratory processes in selected genera of the domain Bacteria along with an extensive coverage of the redox chains of extremophiles belonging to the Archaean domain. The volume is a unique piece of work since it contains a series of chapters dealing with metabolic features having important microbiological and ecological relevance such as the use of ammonium, iron, methane, sulfur and hydrogen as respiratory substrates or nitrous compounds in denitrification processes. Particular attention is also dedicated to peculiar groups of prokaryotes such as Gram positives, acetic acid bacteria, pathogens of the genera Helicobacter and Campylobacter, nitrogen fixing symbionts and free-living species, oxygenic phototrophs (Cyanobacteria) and anoxygenic (purple non-sulfur) phototrophs. The book is intended to be a long-term source of information for Ph.D. students, researchers and undergraduates from disciplines such as microbiology, biochemistry and ecology, studying basic and applied sciences, medicine and agriculture.

Bacterial Metabolism focuses on metabolic events that occur in microorganisms, as well as photosynthesis, oxidation, polysaccharide formation, and homofermentation. The book first discusses the thermodynamics of biological reactions, photosynthesis and photometabolism, and chemosynthesis. Free energy, photosynthesis, enzymes, and terminology in bacterial metabolism are elaborated. The manuscript then examines acetic acid bacteria and lactic acid bacteria. Discussions focus on lactate, ethanol, glucose, and glycerol metabolism, glycol oxidation, homofermentation, polysaccharide formation, and electron transport systems. The publication takes a look at pseudomonadaceae and nitrogen metabolism as an energy source for anaerobic microorganisms. Topics include metabolism of pairs of amino acids, single amino acid metabolism, oxidation of glycolate and malonate, and oxygenases. The book is a dependable source of information for readers interested in bacterial metabolism.