This book offers the first comprehensive, in-depth treatment of microbial diversity for undergraduate and graduate students. Using a global approach, Microbial Diversity illustrates the impact of microorganisms on ecological and Earth system phenomena. Accompanied by a devoted website with resources for both instructors and students: www.blackwellpublishing.com/ogunseitan Uses key ecological and global phenomena to show the continuity of microbial contribution. Illustrates the importance of microbial diversity for the understanding of global physiochemical and biological processes. Presents analyses of microscopic, culture, molecular, and phylogenetic systematic methods. Shows the relevance of microbial diversity to global environmental problems, such as climate change and ozone depletion. Features numerous illustrations, including over 60 4-color photographs of microbes.

Microorganisms are a major part of the Earth's biological diversity. Although a lot of research has been done on microbial diversity, most of it is fragmented. This book creates the need for a unified text to be published, full of information about microbial diversity from highly reputed and impactful sources. Recent Advancements in Microbial Diversity brings a comprehensive understanding of the recent advances in microbial diversity research focused on different bodily systems, such as the gut. Recent Advancements in Microbial Diversity also discusses how the application of advanced sequencing technologies is used to reveal previously unseen microbial diversity and show off its function. - Gives insight into microbial diversity in different bodily systems - Explains novel approaches to studying microbial diversity - Highlights the use of omics to analyze the microbial community and its functional attributes - Discusses the techniques used to examine microbial diversity, including their applications and respective strengths and weaknesses

Microbial Diversity in the Genomic Era presents insights on the techniques used for microbial taxonomy and phylogeny, along with their applications and respective pros and cons. Though many advanced techniques for the identification of any unknown bacterium are available in the genomics era, a far fewer number of the total microbial species have been discovered and identified to date. The assessment of microbial taxonomy and biosystematics techniques discovered and practiced in the current genomics era with suitable recommendations is the prime focus of this book. - Discusses the techniques used for microbial taxonomy and phylogeny with their applications and respective pros and cons - Reviews the evolving field of bacterial typing and the genomic technologies that enable comparative analysis of multiple genomes and the metagenomes of complex microbial environments - Provides a uniform, standard methodology for species designation

Microbial Diversity in Hotspots provides an introduction to microbial diversity and microbes in different hotspots and threatened areas. The book gives insights on extremophiles, phyllosphere and rhizosphere, covers fungal diversity, conservation and microbial association, focuses on biodiversity acts and policies, and includes cases studies. Microbes explored are from the coldest to the hottest areas of the world. Although hotspots are zones with extremely high microbiology activities, the knowledge of microbial diversity from these areas is very limited, hence this is a welcome addition to existing resources. - Provides an introduction to microbial biotechnology - Addresses novel approaches to the study of microbial diversity in hotspots - Provides the basics, along with advanced information on microbial diversity - Discusses the techniques used to examine microbial diversity with their applications and respective pros and cons for sustainability - Explores the importance of microbial genomes studies in commercial applications

Research on decomposer communities of terrestrial ecosystems for a long time has focussed on microbial biomass and gross turnover parameters. Recently, more and more attempts are made to look beyond the biomass, and more specifically determine functions and populations on a smaller scale-in time and space. A multitude of techniques is being improved and developed. Garland and Mills (1991) triggered a series of publications on substrate utilization tests in the field of microbial ecology. Despite several promising results for different applications in different laboratories, many problems concerning the assay and the interpretation of results became evident. After individual discussions on the approach with colleagues from various laboratories we started to plan a workshop on the matter. The response on our first circular was extraordinary, and instead of a small workshop it became a meeting with almost 150 participants. The meeting was named 'Substrate use for characterization of microbial communities in terrestrial ecosystems' (SUBMECO) and was held in Innsbruck, Austria, from Oct. 16-18, 1996. The very focussed scope attracted enthusiastic advocates of the approach, and also serious critics. Some of the topics concerned improvements of current inoculation and incubation techniques, ranging from sample pre-treatment, inoculum density and incubation temperature to statistical data handling. New methods for calculating microbial diversity were proposed, as well as bootstrap methods that allow statistics with many variables on a relatively low number of replicates.

Bioprospecting of Microbial Diversity: Challenges and Applications in Biochemical Industry, Agriculture and Environment Protection gives a detailed insight into the utilization of microorganisms or microorganism-based bioactive compounds for the development of sustainable approaches, covering recent advances and challenges in the production and recovery of bioactive compounds such as enzymes, biopesticides, biofertilizers, biosensors, therapeutics, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical products. The challenges associated with the different approaches of microbial bioprospecting along with possible solutions to overcome these limitations are addressed. Further, the application of microbe-based products in the area of environmental pollution control and developing greener technologies are discussed. Providing valuable insight into the basics of microbial prospecting, the book covers established knowledge as well as genomic-based technological advancements to offer a better understanding of its application to various industries, promoting the commercialization of microbial-derived bioactive compounds and their application in biochemical industries, agriculture, and environmental protection studies. - Describes the advanced techniques available for microbial bioprospecting for large-scale industrial production of bioactive compounds - Presents recent advances and challenges for the application of microbe-based products in agriculture and environment pollution control - Provides knowledge of microbial production of bioenergy and high-value compounds such as nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals

In recent decades we have come to realize that the microbial world is hugely diverse, and can be found in the most extreme environments. Fungi, single-celled protists, bacteria, archaea, and the vast array of viruses and sub-viral particles far outnumber plants and animals. Microbes, we now know, play a critical role in ecosystems, in the chemistry of atmosphere and oceans, and within our bodies. The field of microbiology, armed with new techniques from molecular biology, is now one of the most vibrant in the life sciences. In this Very Short Introduction Nicholas P. Money explores not only the traditional methods of microscopy and laboratory culture but also the modern techniques of genetic detection and DNA sequencing, genomic analysis, and genetic manipulation. In turn he demonstrates how advances in microbiology have had a tremendous impact on the areas of medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.