Marine microbiology: ecology & applications

Marine micro-organisms play a vital role in the maintenance of our planet, a fact which will have great bearing on our ability to respond to problems such as population increase, over-exploitation of fisheries, climate change and population. Powerful new tools, especially in molecular biology, remote sensing and deep-sea exploration, have led to astonishing discoveries of the abundance and diversity of marine microbial life and its role in global ecology. New tools and an increased interest in ecological factors have caused an upsurge of interest in this field of study. The book aims to convey the fascinating discoveries and great importance of this fast moving discipline to the student. Marine Microbiology is divided into three sections: the first reviews the main features of the marine environment and key aspects of marine microbial life; the second looks at the role of marine microorganisms in ecology, and the final section considers some of the applications of this knowledge, looking into areas such as disease and biodegradation.

Chapter 1 Microbes in the Marine Environment -- chapter Marine microbiology encompasses all microscopic organisms and viruses -- chapter Microbial processes shape the living world -- chapter iLIFE IS ABUNDANT AND ACTIVE BENEATH -- chapter Cold seeps also support diverse life -- chapter 2 Methods in Marine Microbiology -- chapter iDISCOVERY OF THE PLANET'S -- chapter i ". BUT THEY ALL LOOK THE SAME!" -- chapter The fi rst step in all nucleic acid investigations involves the isolation of genomic DNA or RNA from the culture or community -- chapter Genomic fi ngerprinting is used for detailed analysis of cultured microbes -- chapter Metatranscriptomics and metaproteomics reveal metabolic activities in the environment -- chapter 3 Metabolic Diversity and Ecophysiology -- chapter iBACTERIA HAVE A -- chapter? WHY IS IRON SO SCARCE, YET SO -- chapter? VBNC BACTERIA? JUST RESTING, OR -- chapter Formation of biofi lms is an important step in microbial colonization of surfaces -- chapter Microbes growing in hydrothermal systems are adapted to very high temperatures -- chapter Microbes vary in their requirements for oxygen or tolerance of its presence -- chapter 4 Marine Bacteria -- chapter T…