Application of Biofilms in Applied Microbiology gives a complete overview on the structure, physiology and application of biofilms produced by microbes, along with their potential application in biotechnology. Sections cover new technologies for biofilm study, physiology of microorganisms in biofilms, bacterial biofilms, biofilm development, and fungal biofilms, summarizing various technologies available for biofilm study. Subsequent chapters describe biofilm developments with Bacillus subtillis, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas putida, along with several chapters on the study of microbial biofilm and their advantages and disadvantages in the area of environmental biotechnology. The book closes with a chapter on the rapid development of new sequencing technologies and the use of metagenomics, thus revealing the great diversity of microbial life and enabling the emergence of a new perspective on population dynamics. Summarizes various technologies available for biofilm study Describes the physiological study of bacteria, fungi and algae present in biofilms Provides the potential parameters on biofilm development Gives insights on the ability to construct and maintain a structured multicellular bacterial community that critically depends on the production of extracellular matrix components Reveals the rapid development of new sequencing technologies and the use of metagenomics, the great diversity of microbial life, and the emergence of a new perspective on population dynamics

Biofilms represent the natural living style of microbial communities and play a pivotal role in biogeochemical cycles and natural attenuation. Biofilms can be engineered for biodegradation and biotransformation of organic and inorganic contaminants, for both in situ bioremediation and ex situ treatment in bioreactors. This book focuses on microbial biofilms and their potential technological applications for sustainable development. It covers recent advances in biofilm technologies for contaminant remediation coupled to recovery of resources and serves as a complete reference on the science and technology behind biofilm mediated bioremediation and wastewater treatment.

A state-of-the-art review of biofilm science and technology, incorporating approaches from microbiology, physical chemistry, environmental engineering and chemical engineering. The book describes the physical and chemical properties of biofilms and the processes by which they accumulate.

Many potential applications of synthetic and systems biology are relevant to the challenges associated with the detection, surveillance, and responses to emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. On March 14 and 15, 2011, the Institute of Medicine's (IOM's) Forum on Microbial Threats convened a public workshop in Washington, DC, to explore the current state of the science of synthetic biology, including its dependency on systems biology; discussed the different approaches that scientists are taking to engineer, or reengineer, biological systems; and discussed how the tools and approaches of synthetic and systems biology were being applied to mitigate the risks associated with emerging infectious diseases. The Science and Applications of Synthetic and Systems Biology is organized into sections as a topic-by-topic distillation of the presentations and discussions that took place at the workshop. Its purpose is to present information from relevant experience, to delineate a range of pivotal issues and their respective challenges, and to offer differing perspectives on the topic as discussed and described by the workshop participants. This report also includes a collection of individually authored papers and commentary.

Microbial biofilms have both positive and negative effects. This book considers new ways of controlling environmental microbial biofilm such as using phages, nanotechnology, and newly discovered microbial enzymes. A team of contributors shares current, relevant and original research to add weight and recognition to the book. Also, each chapter provides enlightening and relevant tabular information, charts, and illustrations. The book is, therefore, informative, precise, useful and easily digested by users.

Microbial biofilms provide challenges in many fields of science, technology, and engineering. Advances in Biofilm Science and Engineering offers a state of the art review of new science about microbial biofilms in the areas of biotechnology, healthcare, and medicine.The purpose of this text is to strengthen [the biofilm] information nucleus by offering six core discussions of established concepts in biofilm science. The audience for this text is not just academic; it is trade. This book is for physicians, industrial microbiologists, product managers, process engineers, policy makers and public health officials. [The] authors represent some of the brightest researchers in the field of biofilm science and engineering and comprise a small subset of the research community with a passion for bringing biofilm information to industrial and medical trade professionals.Table of ContentsForward, by Ryan JordanChapter 1. The History and Use of Heterotrophic Plate Counts in Water Systems, by Anne Camper (Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University)Chapter 2. Methods for Biofilm Study and Assays for Biofilm Susceptibility and Target Recognition: Approaches to Deal with the Biofilm Mode of Life, by Howard Ceri, Merle E. Olson, D. Storey, and D. Morck (Biofilm Research Group and Biological Sciences, University of Calgary)Chapter 3. Extracellular Polymeric Substances, by H.C. Flemming and J. Wingender (Gerhard-Mercator-University Duisburg Insitute of Interfacial Biotechnology Department of Aquatic Microbiology, Duisburg, Germany)Chapter 4. Biofilms and Antimicrobial Resistance: Beyond Physiological and Chemical Elements, by Peter Gilbert and Andrew McBain (School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Manchester)Chapter 5. Diverse Mechanisms of Biofilm Formation, by Lisa Friedman and Roberto Kolter (Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Harvard Medical School)Chapter 6. Biofilm Formation and Control in Food Processing Environments, by Amy C. Lee Wong (Department of Food Microbiology and Toxicology, Food Research Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison)

Understanding Microbial Biofilms: Fundamentals to Applications focuses on the microbial biofilms of different environments. The book provides a comprehensive overview of the fundamental aspects of microbial biofilms, their existence in nature, their significance, and the different clinical and environmental problems associated with them. The book covers both the fundamentals and applications of microbial biofilms, with chapters on the introduction to the microbial community and its architecture, physiology, mechanisms and imaging of biofilms in nature and fungal, algal, and bacillus biofilm control. In addition, the book highlights the molecular and biochemical aspects of bacterial biofilms, providing a compilation of chapters on the bacterial community and communication from different environments. Finally, the book covers recent advancements in various aspects of microbial biofilms including the chapters on their biotechnological applications. All the chapters are written by experts who have been working on different aspects of microbial biofilms. Illustrates fundamental aspects surrounding microbial biofilms, along with recent advancements Provides an overview on the principal aspects of biofilms, i.e., formation, regulation, distribution, control, and application Updates on the progress on biofilm regulation through ‘omics’ Serves as a classical manual for all researchers, academicians, and students who would want complete insights on biofilms in a single resource Covers all recent advancements and amendments on microbial biofilms