The Clostridia

The clostridia are a group of bacteria of considerable medical and economic importance and include species responsible for generating the most potent toxins known to humans. The Clostridia: Molecular Biology and Pathogenesis is a unique work, comprising the most complete reference on the clostridia for over 20 years, bringing together the results from some of the most innovative and exciting research in the past decade. Using a principle-oriented rather than taxonomic approach, the results from molecular biology research are placed in the context of their clinical significance, and the disease process as a whole. This state-of-the-art work is truly comprehensive, covering and integrating the diverse topics of genetics, physiology, pathogenesis and cell biology. Written and edited by world-renowned authorities, material is presented to give the reader an up-to-date knowledge of the pathogenic species of this important genus. Background information is followed by details of the genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry and disease mechanisms. The structure, function and mode of action of toxins and other virulence determinants is clearly presented. As such, this work will prove essential for students, teachers, research microbiologists, infectious disease clinicians, toxin specialists, and all those working in medical or veterinary bacteriology, microbial genetics and the pharmaceutical industries. Covers appropriate medical and veterinary topics Contains authoritative contributions by international experts Presents the current state of knowledge and areas for future research Truly comprehensive--covers topics from molecular biology and physiology

Clostridial Diseases of Animals is the first book to focus on clostridial diseases in domestic and wild animals, offering a comprehensive reference on these common diseases. Provides a single resource for all aspects of clostridial diseases Presents current, comprehensive information with a focus on clinical relevance Covers each disease in depth, including etiology, epidemiology, clinics, gross pathology, histopathology, diagnostics, diagnostic criteria, prophylaxis, control, and treatment Written by the world-leading experts in the field of clostridial diseases in animals Offers photographs and summary tables to support the concepts discussed in the text and aid in recognition

Clostridia is one of the largest bacterial genera with an enormous potential for biotechnical and medical applications. Despite growing scientific, medical, and industrial interest, information on basic methods, biochemical fundamentals, clinical practice, industrial applications, and novel developments remains scattered in a variety of research ar

In this manual, protocols for the transformation of about 40 strains of bacteria are described, with the emphasis placed on the individual critical procedural steps, since the practical details mainly depend on the bacterial strain under investigation. This presentation together with the theoretical introductionary chapters, allows users to modify and adapt each protocol to their own experiments. Bacterial strains with relevance in the food industry, biotechnology, medical and veterinary fields, agroindustry and environmental sciences are covered.

To the uninitiated, the genus Clostridium is likely more to be associated with disease than biotechnology. In this volume, we have sought to remedy this misconception by compiling aseries of chapters which, together, provide a practically-oriented handbook of the biotechnologie potential of the genus. Clostridium is a broad grouping of organisms that together undertake a myriad of biocatalytic reactions. In the first two chapters, the reader is introduced to this diversity, both taxonomically and physiologically. In the following chapter, the current state of genetic analysis of members of the genus is reviewed. The remaining chapters concentrate on specific, exploit able aspects of individual Clostridium species-highlighting their range of unique capabilities (of potential or recognized industrial value), particu larly in the areas of biotransformation, enzymology, and the production of chemical fuels. Fittingly, the final chapter demonstrates that even the most toxic of the clostridia can be of therapeutic value. The contributors to this volume reflect the trans national interest in Clostridium, and we are indebted to each of them for making this volume possible. We particularly wish to acknowledge the contributions, both to this volume and to microbiology in general, of Dr. Elizabeth Cato, who, sadly, died shortly be fore publication ofthis volume. Finally, we would like to join the authors in recommending closer and wider consideration of the attributes and capabilities of this genus.

Clostridia have a high biotechnological potential, although they are generally still regarded more as a group of pathogenic microorganisms. They undertake a broad variety of biocatalytic reactions some of which are unique and of use in the chemical and biotechnology industry for the production of chemicals or for biopharmaceutical purposes. Even some of the clostridial toxins are of medical relevance and can be used as therapeutic agents; The book presents the biology, pyhsiology, and genetics, including genome projects of Clostridia and highlights their potential for industrial and medical applications. It is mostly based on research during the last decade which has brought significant progress in the field and outlines future perspectives of industrial interest.

Genetics and Regulation of Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria This book is the second volume of a seven-volume series, which covers all fields of research related to nitrogen fixation - from basic studies through applied aspects to environmental impacts. Volume II provides a comprehensive and detailed source of information concerning the genetics and regulation of biological nitrogen fixation in free-living prokaryotes. This preface attempts to provide the reader with some insight into how this volume originated, how it was planned, and then how it developed over the several years of its production. Once the editorial team was established, the first job was to decide which of the many free-living diazotrophs that have been subjected to genetic analysis should be included in this volume. Would we need to develop specific criteria for selection or would the organisms, in effect, select themselves? Of course, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Azotobacter vinelandii, which have served (and still serve) as the main model organisms for the genetic analysis of diazotrophy, plus some of the other bacteria described in this volume, did indeed select themselves. However, there was considerable discussion surrounding well-characterized fixing species, like Azorhizobium caulinodans and Herbaspirillum seropedicae, both of which are able to fix atmospheric N under free-living conditions.