The fourth edition of Soil Microbiology, Ecology and Biochemistry updates this widely used reference as the study and understanding of soil biota, their function, and the dynamics of soil organic matter has been revolutionized by molecular and instrumental techniques, and information technology. Knowledge of soil microbiology, ecology and biochemistry is central to our understanding of organisms and their processes and interactions with their environment. In a time of great global change and increased emphasis on biodiversity and food security, soil microbiology and ecology has become an increasingly important topic. Revised by a group of world-renowned authors in many institutions and disciplines, this work relates the breakthroughs in knowledge in this important field to its history as well as future applications. The new edition provides readable, practical, impactful information for its many applied and fundamental disciplines. Professionals turn to this text as a reference for fundamental knowledge in their field or to inform management practices. - New section on "Methods in Studying Soil Organic Matter Formation and Nutrient Dynamics" to balance the two successful chapters on microbial and physiological methodology - Includes expanded information on soil interactions with organisms involved in human and plant disease - Improved readability and integration for an ever-widening audience in his field - Integrated concepts related to soil biota, diversity, and function allow readers in multiple disciplines to understand the complex soil biota and their function

Introduction to a Submolecular Biology focuses on the study of the electronic interactions of biological molecules. This book discusses the energy cycle of life, units and measures, electronic mobility, and problems of charge transfer. The three examples of charge transfer—quinone-hydroquinone, riboflavine (FMN) and serotonin, and cortisone I2 are elaborated. This text deliberates the problems and approaches on the mechanism of drug action, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), chemistry of the thymus gland, and living state. Brief remarks on water, ions, and metachromasia are also included. Other topics covered include the redox potentials, ionization potentials and electron affinities, orbital energies, electromagnetic coupling resonance transfer of energy, and semiconduction. This publication is a good source for biochemists, biologists, and specialists aiming to acquire basic knowledge of submolecular biology.

Since the discovery of the DNA double helix in 1953, nucleic acids have formed the central theme of much of contemporary molecular science. Recent mastery of nucleic acids synthesis has been the key to the establishment of the biotechnology industry, and our improving knowledge of nucleic acid structures and interactions is considerably influencing the design of novel drugs. The first edition of this book responded to the pressing need for a single volume that integrated the chemistry and biology of the nucleic acids in an introductory yet authoritative text. This second and completely updated edition, which includes a new chapter on techniques applied to nucleic acids, sets the basics of the nucleic acids in the context of the expanding horizons set by modern structural biology, RNA enzymology, drug discovery and biotechnology.

Carbonic anhydrase (CA) is a seemingly ubiquitous enzyme of profound physiological importance, which plays essential roles in respiration, acid-base homeostasis, bone resorption, calcification, photosynthesis, several biosynthetic pathways and a variety of processes involving ion, gas and fluid transfer. This enzyme, which is present in at least three gene families (a, ß, ?), has found favour as a model for the study of evolution of gene families and for site-directed mutagenesis in structure/function relationships, for protein folding and for transgenic and gene target studies. Since the early use of CA inhibitors as diuretics and in treating congestive heart failure, the enzyme has been target of considerable clinical attention. Much of this is now focused on endeavours to produce a new generation of such drugs for the effective treatment of glaucoma and other potential applications. Recent data, suggesting links between CA and various disease processes, including cancer, have stimulated further...

In Cosmic Biology, Louis Irwin and Dirk Schulze-Makuch guide readers through the range of planetary habitats found in our Solar System and those likely to be found throughout the universe. Based on our current knowledge of chemistry, energy, and evolutionary tendencies, the authors envision a variety of possible life forms. These range from the familiar species found on Earth to increasingly exotic examples possible under the different conditions of other planets and their satellites. Discussions of the great variety of life forms that could evolve in these diverse environments have become particularly relevant in recent years with the discovery of around 300 exoplanets in orbit around other stars and the possibilities for the existence of life in these planetary systems. The book also posits a taxonomic classification of the various forms of life that might be found, including speculation on the relative abundance of different forms and the generic fate of living systems. The fate and future of life on Earth will also be considered. The closing passages address the Fermi Paradox, and conclude with philosophical reflections on the possible place of Homo sapiens in the potentially vast stream of life across the galaxies.