Microbial Versatility in Varied Environments (eBook)

The book compiles the latest studies on microorganisms thriving in extreme conditions. Microbes have been found in extremely high and low temperatures, highly acidic to saline conditions, from deserts to the Dead sea, from hot-springs to underwater hydrothermal vents- the diversity is incredible.  The various chapters highlight the microbial life and describe the mechanisms of tolerance to these harsh conditions, and show how an understanding of these phenomena can help us exploit the microbes in biotechnology. The theme of the book is highly significant since life in these environments can give vital clues about the origin and evolution of life on earth, as a lot of these conditions simulate the environment present billions of years ago. Additionally, the study of adaptation and survival of organisms in such environments can be important for finding life on other planets.

This book shall be useful for students, researchers and course instructors interested in evolution, microbial adaptations and ecology in varied environments.

Dr. Raghvendra Pratap Singh is an eminent scientist in the field of Microbial Biotechnology and is presently working at the Research and Development Department at Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, India. His research contributions largely concern the ecology of Myxobacteria, plant-microbe interaction and microbial genomics. He has received awards and honors from various scientific agencies and societies, e.g. a Young Scientist Award from the ABA-2017, SERB-DST grant, certification award from the FDA India, Chinese Postdoctoral Grant, DBT travel grant etc. In addition, Dr. Singh has published several international research articles in microbiology and biotechnology journals, numerous book chapters, and a highly successful textbook published by ICAR, New Delhi, India.

Dr. Geetanjali is working as Head of the Botany Department at DAV University, Jalandhar, India. She has worked extensively on plant-microbe interactions in stressed and contaminated environments, with a special focus on mycorrhizae for the fortification of various crops. She has received prestigious research grants from the DST, India and IFS Sweden. She has contributed immensely to the scientific community by publishing research papers and book chapters. She recently authored a book on the use of omics technology for microbiology, published by ICAR, New Delhi, India. 

Dr. Indresh Kumar Maurya received his Ph.D. in Microbiology from the School of Life Sciences (SLS), Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, India, in 2013. He has published 27 international research papers and holds one Indian patent. His teaching areas include medical microbiology, industrial microbiology and microbial biochemistry at the postgraduate level. A Life Member of four national societies, his research chiefly focuses on the design and development of bioactive molecules from synthetic as well as natural resources to combat pathogenic microorganisms.

Dr. Yunlin Wei's focus areas are environmental microbial ecology, bacterial signal transduction and small molecular recognition, as well as the development of vaccines and medicines for tumors or epidemic diseases. Prof. Wei has collaborated with numerous scientific bodies globally in the field of extremophiles and has been associated as an active member of the Japanese Biochemical Society, Yunnan Province Society of Genetics, Yunnan Province Society of Microbiology, and Yunnan Province Society of Immunology. He has received several prestigious awards, including the Japanese Government's Monbusho Scholarship, Award for Achievement in Progress of Science and Technology, Award of the Government of Yunnan Province, The Young Leading Scholar Award China, etc. He is the author of more than 50 scientific articles and 2 books, and holds 7 patents.

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The book compiles the latest studies on microorganisms thriving in extreme conditions. Microbes have been found in extremely high and low temperatures, highly acidic to saline conditions, from deserts to the Dead sea, from hot-springs to underwater hydrothermal vents- the diversity is incredible.  The various chapters highlight the microbial life and describe the mechanisms of tolerance to these harsh conditions, and show how an understanding of these phenomena can help us exploit the microbes in biotechnology. The theme of the book is highly significant since life in these environments can give vital clues about the origin and evolution of life on earth, as a lot of these conditions simulate the environment present billions of years ago. Additionally, the study of adaptation and survival of organisms in such environments can be important for finding life on other planets.This book shall be useful for students, researchers and course instructors interested in evolution, microbial adaptations and ecology in varied environments.