Germfree Research

Germfree Research: Biological Effect of Gnotobiotic Environments is an account of the Proceedings of the Fourth International Symposium on Germfree Research. The volume comprises of 12 sections and 97 chapters. The first two sections serve as introduction to the status of germfree research as an approach to micro-ecology and gnotobiotic technology in clinical medicine. Another aspect discussed in the book deals with nutrition, metabolism, and microbiology. The last section provides a thorough and detailed discussion on gnotobiotic technology. Large part of the book focuses on gnotobiotic environments and its different aspects. Topics discussed include gnotobiotic environment on isolated patients and in dentistry and parasitology, as well as carcinogenesis in and physiological effects of gnotobiotic environments. The book is a very valuable source of information for many students and professionals in the fields of clinical medicine, biology, microbiology, nutritional science, and biochemistry.

Germfree Life and Gnotobiology focuses on the theory and general aspects of germfree research and gnotobiology. Using a phylogenetic approach, the book provides a summary of germfree work in all phyla, from bacteria and viruses to protozoans and invertebrates. It characterizes germfree vertebrates based on data on morphology, biochemistry, nutrition, serology, and physiology. This book is organized into six chapters and begins with an overview of germfree life and gnotobiology, including biological isolation as the basis of germfree life, germfree conditions in nature, and the biological significance of germfree research. A section is devoted to nomenclature and terminology. The chapters on methods and nutrition are sufficiently detailed to serve as guides for experimental work. The book concludes with a chapter on exploratory research that explores the inoculation of germfree animals with known kinds of microorganisms. Terms have been introduced to describe concepts and provide precise communication. This book is a valuable source of information for scientists and researchers engaged in germfree research as a biological tool.

The germfree animal is reared in the laboratory to be bacteria free; its counterpart, the gnotobiotic animal, is exposed to select microorganisms. The need for such an animal model for use in biomedical studies was first expressed by Pasteur in the late 1800s. Subsequent development of germfree and gnotobiotic animals led to an explosion of studies on the effects of microflora and its components on the physiology and metabolism of the host. Germfree and Gnotobiotic Animal Models brings together the most notable points of early and recent studies and gives reference to the most pertinent literature.

The germfree animal is reared in the laboratory to be bacteria free; its counterpart, the gnotobiotic animal, is exposed to select microorganisms. The need for such an animal model for use in biomedical studies was first expressed by Pasteur in the late 1800s. Subsequent development of germfree and gnotobiotic animals led to an explosion of studies on the effects of microflora and its components on the physiology and metabolism of the host. Germfree and Gnotobiotic Animal Models brings together the most notable points of early and recent studies and gives reference to the most pertinent literature.