Microbial Endocrinology

The field of microbial endocrinology is expressly devoted to understanding the mechanisms by which the microbiota (bacteria within the microbiome) interact with the host (“us”). This interaction is a two-way street and the driving force that governs these interactions are the neuroendocrine products of both the host and the microbiota. Chapters include neuroendocrine hormone-induced changes in gene expression and microbial endocrinology and probiotics. This is the first in a series of books dedicated to understanding how bi-directional communication between host and bacteria represents the cutting edge of translational medical research, and hopefully identifies new ways to understand the mechanisms that determine health and disease.​

Microbial endocrinology represents a newly emerging interdisciplinary field that is formed by the intersection of the fields of neurobiology and microbiology. This book will introduce a new perspective to the current understanding not only of the factors that mediate the ability of microbes to cause disease, but also to the mechanisms that maintain normal homeostasis. The discovery that microbes can directly respond to neuroendocrine hormones, as evidenced by increased growth and production of virulence-associated factors, provides for a new framework with which to investigate how microorganisms interface not only with vertebrates, but also with invertebrates and even plants. The reader will learn that the neuroendocrine hormones that one most commonly associates with mammals are actually found throughout the plant, insect and microbial communities to an extent that will undoubtedly surprise many, and most importantly, how interactions between microbes and neuroendocrine hormones can influence the pathophysiology of infectious disease.

This new edition highlights the numerous advances made in the field of microbial endocrinology over the last five years. Prominent among these new topics featured is the emergence of the microbiota-gut-brain axis and the role it plays in brain function. Specific focus is given to the role of microbial endocrinology in the evolutionary symbiosis between man and microbe as it relates to both health and disease. With new chapters on the microbiome and its relation to neurochemicals, this new edition brings this important volume up to date.

Microbial endocrinology represents a newly emerging interdisciplinary field that is formed by the intersection of the fields of neurobiology and microbiology. This book will introduce a new perspective to the current understanding not only of the factors that mediate the ability of microbes to cause disease, but also to the mechanisms that maintain normal homeostasis. The discovery that microbes can directly respond to neuroendocrine hormones, as evidenced by increased growth and production of virulence-associated factors, provides for a new framework with which to investigate how microorganisms interface not only with vertebrates, but also with invertebrates and even plants. The reader will learn that the neuroendocrine hormones that one most commonly associates with mammals are actually found throughout the plant, insect and microbial communities to an extent that will undoubtedly surprise many, and most importantly, how interactions between microbes and neuroendocrine hormones can influence the pathophysiology of infectious disease.

The Gut-Brain Axis: Dietary, Probiotic, and Prebiotic Interventions on the Microbiota, Second Edition presents the most advances on how the gut microbiome influences central nervous system and brain function introduced in the first edition. The book also describes how environmental influences which affect the microbiota, including, diet, exercise, and early-life, impact on the gut-brain axis. The second edition contains new chapters on metabolomics and the gut-brain-axis; dietary factors in the maintenance of a healthy brain ; the role of gut microbes in neurodegenerative disorders; the link between exercise and the gut-brain-axis; and infant Nutrition, the microbiome and neurodevelopment. In addition, the second edition presents coverage of mechanisms underlying neurological disease; approaches to investigate the role of the microbiome in brain and behavior, and 'next generation' probiotics and prebiotics. The Gut-Brain Axis: Dietary, Probiotic, and Prebiotic Interventions on the Microbiota, Second Edition continues to be the “go-to resource for further exploration of the microbiota. Includes new chapters focused on metabolomics and the gut-brain axis; dietary polyphenols to maintain healthier brain measures and cognitive function; the role of gut microbes in Parkinson’s Disease; the microbiota-gut-brain axis in psychosis; exploration of exercise and the gut-brain axis; and coverage of pediatric nutrition Updated chapters reflect on the most recent advances on the role of the microbiome and gut-brain axis in early-life, aging, cognition, metabolism, neurodevelopmental disorders, as well as on the enteric nervous system Addresses the role of diet and the gut-brain axis across several chapters with unique author insights and perspectives Examines common mechanisms and pathways by which the microbiota may influence brain and behavior Discusses strategies to explore the contribution of the microbiome to the gut-brain axis; methods to enhance therapeutic strategies targeted toward the microbiota; and presents a case study demonstrating a rational screening approach to increase translational success

This book reviews recent knowledge of the role of gut microbiome in health and disease. It covers extensive topics for several diseases, including metabolic-related diseases, allergies, gastrointestinal diseases, psychiatric diseases, and cancer, while also discussing therapeutic approaches by microbiota modification. Comprehensive and cutting-edge, Gut Microbiome-Related Diseases and Therapies deepens a reader’s theoretical expertise in gut microbiome. Graduate and postdoctoral students, medical doctors, and biomedical researchers will benefit from this book.

Ground-breaking overview of an enduring topic Despite the use of antibiotics, bacterial diseases continue to be a critical issue in public health, and bacterial pathogenesis remains a tantalizing problem for research microbiologists. This new edition of Virulence Mechanisms of Bacterial Pathogens broadly covers the knowledge base surrounding this topic and presents recently unraveled bacterial virulence strategies and cutting-edge therapies. A team of editors, led by USDA scientist Indira Kudva, compiled perspectives from experts to explain the wide variety of mechanisms through which bacterial pathogens cause disease: the host interface, host cell enslavement, and bacterial communication, secretion, defenses, and persistence. A collection of reviews on targeted therapies rounds out the seven sections of this unique book. The new edition provides insights into some of the most recent advances in the area of bacterial pathogenesis, including how metabolism shapes the host-pathogen interface interactions across species and genera mechanisms of the secretion systems evasion, survival, and persistence mechanisms new therapies targeting various adaptive and virulence mechanisms of bacterial pathogens Written to promote discussion, extrapolation, exploration, and multidimensional thinking, Virulence Mechanisms of Bacterial Pathogens serves as a textbook for graduate courses on bacterial pathogenesis and a resource for specialists in bacterial pathogenicity, such as molecular biologists, physician scientists, infectious disease clinicians, dental scientists, veterinarians, molecular biologists, industry researchers, and technicians.

A look at the amazing, groovy world of microbes With more than 1,000 posts and 2 million views, the esteemed blog Small Things Considered has been sparking the imagination of microbiologists for an entire decade. Throughout the years, Elio Schaechter and his team of dedicated bloggers have shared exciting, unexpected, and unusual stories from the microbial world. In the Company of Microbes is a carefully selected treasure chest of wise, amusing, and even profound statements about the ubiquity and relevance of the microbial world. Schaechter, past ASM Presidents, and distinguished microbiologists from around the globe reflect on personal, sometimes historic interactions with microbes and unexpected discoveries, each essay conveying the excitement and sense of surprise that microbiology holds for them. This is the reason that Small Things Considered is a scientific and social media phenomenon that has impacted scientists at every stage of their careers and shared the magical of microbes with world. Join Schaechter in discovering a never-ending pageant of astounding variations on the theme of microbial life. Enjoy!