Biology Of Methylotrophs

Biology of Methylotrophs introduces the reader to the study of methylotrophs - microorganisms that use reduced one-carbon compounds for growth. The book is divided into five parts. Part I covers the taxonomy, morphology, and ultrastructure of methylotrophic bacteria. Part II discusses the processes involved in their growth and metabolism. Part III talks about the possible applications of methylotrophs and their enzymes in industrial fields as well as chemistry. Part IV deals with the molecular genetics and the gene expression of methylotrophs, and Part V deals with their habitat and role in the environment. The text is recommended for microbiologists who would like to be acquainted with the subject or make further studies about methylotrophs.

Produced by microbes on a large scale, methane is an important alternative fuel as well as a potent greenhouse gas. This volume focuses on microbial methane metabolism, which is central to the global carbon cycle. Both methanotrophy and methanogenesis are covered in detail. Topics include isolation and classification of microorganisms, metagenomics approaches, biochemistry of key metabolic enzymes, gene regulation and genetic systems, and field measurements. The state of the art techniques described here will both guide researchers in specific pursuits and educate the wider scientific community about this exciting and rapidly developing field. Topics include isolation and classification of microorganisms, metagenomics approaches, biochemistry of key metabolic enzymes, gene regulation and genetic systems, and field measurements The state-of-the-art techniques described here will both guide researchers in specific pursuits and educate the wider scientific community about this exciting and rapidly developing field

Produced by microbes on a large scale, methane is an important alternative fuel as well as a potent greenhouse gas. This volume focuses on microbial methane metabolism, which is central to the global carbon cycle. Both methanotrophy and methanogenesis are covered in detail. Topics include isolation and classification of microorganisms, metagenomics approaches, biochemistry of key metabolic enzymes, gene regulation and genetic systems, and field measurements. The state of the art techniques described here will both guide researchers in specific pursuits and educate the wider scientific community about this exciting and rapidly developing field. Topics include isolation and classification of microorganisms, metagenomics approaches, biochemistry of key metabolic enzymes, gene regulation and genetic systems and field measurements. The state-of-the-art techniques described here will both guide researchers in specific pursuits and educate the wider scientific community about this exciting and rapidly developing field.

This short book attempts to give a reader who has a basic biochemical and microbiological background (one to two years at University level) an idea of the ecological, biochemical, physiological and biotechnological importance of methane, methanol and related compounds in the microbial world. Because the book covers several different scientific disciplines, readers may encounter unfamiliar terminology. The glossary at the end of the book defines the more obscure of these. The book has been written during a period of heavy teaching commit ments, and despite the helpful comments of many colleagues, it is likely that errors have crept in. As I have no co-author whom I can blame, I must accept sole responsibility for these! I wish to thank the many friends, students and colleagues who have read all or part of the manuscript: Charlie Bamforth, Rick Gibson, Jeff Green, Theo Hansen, Wim Harder, Geoff Haywood and, above all, Hans van Dijken.

Autotrophic and methylotrophic microorganisms are able to grow at the expense of one-carbon compounds (e.g. carbon dioxide, formaldehyde) as the principal carbon sources for the synthesis of cell material, using light, inorganic compounds or one-carbon compounds as energy sources. The study of the special adaptations required in aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms to sustain an autotrophic or methylotrophic mode of life is a fascinating field of research for scientists from various disciplines. Current research efforts not only focus on fundamental aspects, i.e. metabolic pathways and their regulation, ecology, energy conversion and genetics, but also the possible application of these organisms, in waste water treatment, degradation of xenobiotics, single-cell protein production, as biocatalysts for the production of fine chemicals, draws strong attention. The aim of this series is to provide annual reviews on the biochemistry, physiology, ecology, genetics, and application of microbial autotrophs and methylotrophs. The scope of the series includes all aspects of the biology of these microbes, and will deal with phototrophic and chemolithotrophic prokaryotic autotrophs, carboxydobacteria, acetogenic-, methanogenic- and methylotrophic bacteria, as well as methylotrophic eukaryotes. The exciting advances made in recent years in the study of these organisms is reflected in the chapters of this first volume which have been written by experts in the field. We would like to express our sincere thanks to all the contributors for their stimulating and comprehensive chapters.

Methylotrophic yeasts have attracted increasing interest as useful systems for fundamental research and applied purposes. Hansenula polymorpha in particular has become a preferred organism for the production of recombinant proteins on an industrial scale. Product examples range from therapeutics such as hepatitis B vaccines to industrial enzymes like the feed additive phytase. This book is addressed to researchers and scientists working in the field and provides a comprehensive, up-to-date overview of the present status of Hansenula polymorpha research, applications and methods. Aspects of the organism ranging from systematics, genetics, methanol metabolism and peroxisomal function to its use as a technology platform for the production of recombinant proteins are covered. A detailed chapter on laboratory methods is also included.