Molecular And Functional Ecology Of Aquatic Microbial Symbionts

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Aquatic microbial ecology, a growing interdisciplinary field, has become increasingly compartmentalized in recent years. The aim of this volume is to propose a framework for biochemical and molecular approaches, which are employed ever more widely in studies of aquatic microbial communities and ecosystem functioning. The book presents state of the art applications of modern molecular research techniques to a range of topics in ectoenzymes microbial carbon metabolism bacterial population dynamics RNA chemotaxonomy of microbial communities plasmids and adaptation to environmental conditions. Written for limnologists, marine biologists, and all researchers interested in environmental microbiology and molecular aspects of ecology, this volume will provide a stimulating introduction to this emerging field.

A NATO ASI on "Molecular Ecology of Aquatic Microbes" was held at II Ciocco, Lucca, Italy from 28 August - 9 September 1994. The aims of the ASI were to evaluate the potential for molecular biology to solve some important questions in aquatic microbiology, particularly in relation to biogeochemical cycling and microbial physiology. Techniques developed by molecular biologists have now been adopted by a wide range of scientific disciplines. In the last 5 years, aquatic microbial ecologists have begun to incorporate these methods into their research and, as a result, are developing a much clearer understanding of phylogenetic diversity, the molecular basis of physiological acclimations and the transduction of environmental signals and organism responses. The aim of this ASI was to assess progress in this new field of research, to compare and describe techniques and experimental approaches, and to foster communication between disciplines. The ASI offered an excellent opportunity to bring together aquatic ecologists with molecular biologists and to encourage efficient technology transfer. The meeting of information on the status provided a forum for detailed and broad exchange and trends of aquatic molecular ecology and to assess how emerging molecular techniques might solve some important problems in ecology which have prove intractable because of lack of appropriate methodologies.

This reference highlights the significance of marine ecosystems, encompassing seaweed beds, seagrasses, coral reefs, mangroves, estuaries, and protected areas, as a remarkable gateway to overcoming healthcare challenges and unlocking a rich trove of bioactive compounds for drug discovery. One of the key highlights of this book is its exploration of the development of marine bio-drugs, a field that demands collaboration among scientists from both academic and industrial fronts. The editors also include a prospective review on marine environments, emphasizing the necessity for big data, collective knowledge sharing, financial support, and streamlined administrative processes, all of which contribute to enhancing innovation in the drug discovery process. Another feature includes reference lists that allow researchers to explore topics of interest in depth. With twelve comprehensive chapters, this book extensively covers marine ecosystem biodiversity, productivity, protected areas, and the intricate interplay of biotic and abiotic factors that shape these ecosystems. Readers will learn about important bioactive compounds within marine organisms and how to use this knowledge to outline a strategy for bio-drug discovery. The book caters to a diverse audience of researchers, students, ecologists, microbiologists, pharmacologists, and biotechnologists who are engaged in studying the dynamic components of marine environments. By providing the latest insights and strategies in the realm of bio-drug discovery from marine resources, this book serves as an invaluable resource for scholars and professionals seeking to tap into the potential of these unique ecosystems.

This book covers the contemporary environmental issues faced by life on the planet and the role planetary microbiomes play in such issues. Providing insights on the net favorable and adverse effect of microbial processes, this volume covers both the spontaneous and anthropocentric events that impact climate change and life on the planet. The book describes the ecological significance of microbiomes associated with the kingdoms Plantae and Animalia with respect to climate change, natural and anthropogenic causes of climate change, microbial interactions in nature, planetary microbiomes and food security, climate change in relation to disease epidemiology and human health and engineering microorganisms to mitigate the consequences of climate change. The individual chapters in the intended book provide both theoretical and practical exposure to the current issues and future challenges of climate change in relation to the microbiomes. This collection should serve as ready reference to the researchers working in the area to reshape their future research in addressing the challenges of global climate change.

This book presents a compendium of molecular biology applications for the study of aquatic community ecology. The collection presents the diversity of approaches that have been used, and provides future directions for the study of `molecular ecology' of aquatic communities, from viruses to fish, and in aquatic systems ranging from freshwater streams and lakes to estuaries and oceans. This collection of papers will provide a useful text and resource for upper-level undergraduate and graduate students in ecology, as well as for the researcher and educator.

This book discusses how aquatic microbial communities develop interactive metabolic coordination both within and between species to optimize their energetics. It explains that microbial community structuration often includes functional stratification among a multitude of organisms that variously exist either suspended in the water, lodged in sediments, or bound to one another as biofilms on solid surfaces. The authors describe techniques that can be used for preparing and distributing microbiologically safe drinking water, which presents the challenge of successfully removing the pathogenic members of the aquatic microbial community and then safely delivering that water to consumers. Drinking water distribution systems have their own microbial ecology, which we must both understand and control in order to maintain the safety of the water supply. Since studying aquatic microorganisms often entails identifying them, the book also discusses techniques for successfully isolating and cultivating bacteria. As such, it appeals to microbiologists, microbial ecologists and water quality scientists.

While sponges represent a very simple group of organisms, which are represented by over 8000 species, there is considerable interest in the increasing role they may play in future marine ecosystems. While we still have a comparatively limited understanding of how sponges will respond to ocean warming and acidification there is evidence that some species may have the ability to acclimate or even adapt to these stressors. This comprehensive collection of articles describes our current understanding of the impacts of ocean acidification and warming on sponges across multiple levels of biological organisation, and from the geological past to the present. With expert contributions from across the world this book represents the most up-to-date view on sponge responses to climate change. This book will be of interest to a wide audience of marine scientists and managers, who are grappling with how to manage, conserve and protect marine ecosystems.