The Good The Bad And The Ugly Multiple Roles Of Bacteria In Human Life

Bacteria are among the earliest forms of life on Earth. Notwithstanding their small size and primitive origin, bacteria still have a tremendous impact on everyday human life. Over the centuries, research into bacteria have provided and enriched the fundamental biological knowledge due to their readily measured processes and effects on higher organisms. Although molecular genetics and microbiology were among the scientific fields that have mostly benefited from the discoveries made in bacteria, our current state of knowledge has gone beyond what anyone could have ever imagined. The present Research Topic aims to cover new and exciting broad aspects of the importance of bacteria to human life, both positive and negative influences. Regulation of bacterial gene expression, replication and segregation control mechanisms, cell to cell communication via quorum sensors, and the relatively recent finding of bacterial immunity via CRISPR, have led to the development of many, and very important new tools in biotechnology and the emerging field of molecular medicine. The battle against infectious diseases has also benefited from the genetic approaches that have been developed in the quest for finding new targets and novel drugs against pathogenic bacteria. At the next level, the human microbiome project has opened up new avenues in understanding the role of bacteria in human health and wellbeing. Finally, the relationship between bacterial infections and human cancers will also be covered, a subject that is still under verification through rigorous experimental approaches. Special emphasis will be given to the bacterial accessory genome, i.e the mobilome, as the primary cause of health-threatening antimicrobial resistance and the production of toxins and virulence factors. Taking into account the evolutionary importance of horizontal gene transfer and the additional beneficial roles of certain bacterial mobile genetic elements, they help project best “the Good, the Bad and the Ugly” outline of this topic. At the time this eBook is about to be published, our Research Topic has registered nearly 55, 000 views.

Bacteria are among the earliest forms of life on Earth. Notwithstanding their small size and primitive origin, bacteria still have a tremendous impact on everyday human life. Over the centuries, research into bacteria have provided and enriched the fundamental biological knowledge due to their readily measured processes and effects on higher organisms. Although molecular genetics and microbiology were among the scientific fields that have mostly benefited from the discoveries made in bacteria, our current state of knowledge has gone beyond what anyone could have ever imagined. The present Research Topic aims to cover new and exciting broad aspects of the importance of bacteria to human life, both positive and negative influences. Regulation of bacterial gene expression, replication and segregation control mechanisms, cell to cell communication via quorum sensors, and the relatively recent finding of bacterial immunity via CRISPR, have led to the development of many, and very important new tools in biotechnology and the emerging field of molecular medicine. The battle against infectious diseases has also benefited from the genetic approaches that have been developed in the quest for finding new targets and novel drugs against pathogenic bacteria. At the next level, the human microbiome project has opened up new avenues in understanding the role of bacteria in human health and wellbeing. Finally, the relationship between bacterial infections and human cancers will also be covered, a subject that is still under verification through rigorous experimental approaches. Special emphasis will be given to the bacterial accessory genome, i.e the mobilome, as the primary cause of health-threatening antimicrobial resistance and the production of toxins and virulence factors. Taking into account the evolutionary importance of horizontal gene transfer and the additional beneficial roles of certain bacterial mobile genetic elements, they help project best "the Good, the Bad and the Ugly" outline of this topic. At the time this eBook is about to be published, our Research Topic has registered nearly 55, 000 views.

Microbes are the oldest living organisms on the planet. They have been around for billions of years. Why haven’t you seen them, then? Microbes are tiny, single-celled organisms—millions could fit in the eye of a needle. You might think of microbes as organisms that make us sick. This is true, but it is also true that we couldn’t live without them. Readers will be thrilled to learn more about the microscopic world of microbes and their impact on the human body.

The use of nanotechnologies continues to grow, as nanomaterials have proven their versatility and use in many different fields and industries within the scientific profession. Using nanotechnology, materials can be made lighter, more durable, more reactive, and more efficient leading nanoscale materials to enhance many everyday products and processes. With many different sizes, shapes, and internal structures, the applications are endless. These uses range from pharmaceutics to materials such as cement or cloth, electronics, environmental sustainability, and more. Therefore, there has been a recent surge of research focused on the synthesis and characterizations of these nanomaterials to better understand how they can be used, their applications, and the many different types. The Research Anthology on Synthesis, Characterization, and Applications of Nanomaterials seeks to address not only how nanomaterials are created, used, or characterized, but also to apply this knowledge to the multidimensional industries, fields, and applications of nanomaterials and nanoscience. This includes topics such as both natural and manmade nanomaterials; the size, shape, reactivity, and other essential characteristics of nanomaterials; challenges and potential effects of using nanomaterials; and the advantages of nanomaterials with multidisciplinary uses. This book is ideally designed for researchers, engineers, practitioners, industrialists, educators, strategists, policymakers, scientists, and students working in fields that include materials engineering, engineering science, nanotechnology, biotechnology, microbiology, drug design and delivery, medicine, and more.

This comprehensive book explores both the fundamental and practical aspects of microbial genetics, shedding light on viroids, viruses, phytoplasma, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa. Unveiling a fresh perspective, the book tackles traditional taxonomical debates by embracing DNA-based taxonomy, offering a novel approach to understanding phylogeny within this microbe realm. Furthermore, it delves into the exciting realm of metagenomics, revolutionizing the identification and classification of unculturable microorganisms. Written by leading experts, this essential reading material caters to students and researchers in Microbiology, Genetics, and Biotechnology.

The textile industry is focused in its search for alternative green fibres with the aim of providing high-quality products which are fully recyclable and biodegradable. Natural textile materials from renewable sources play an increasingly important role in the industry due to their unique properties and functionality over synthetic fibres, as well as their sustainability. Antimicrobial Textiles from Natural Resources is an in-depth guide to the latest methods and applications of natural antimicrobial materials. A broad range of applications are addressed, from common to specialized applications, including many in the biomedical sector. This world-class collection of contributors write from a range of disciplinary backgrounds, providing important insights from textile science and technology, materials science, chemical engineering, and biomedical engineering. Advice and proposed solutions are presented in a rigorous and practical way, drawing on results and case studies obtained from academic and industrial laboratories worldwide. Examines how natural fibres can be used in the place of less renewable or sustainable choices, thus helping designers improve the sustainability of their products Provides unique coverage of the biofunctionality of biopolymers in textiles Explains how antimicrobial properties can reduce odour, extend the life of textiles, and provide numerous medical benefits

Metal ions are fundamental elements for the maintenance of the lifespan of plants, animals and humans. Their substantial role in biological systems was recognized a long time ago. They are essential for the maintenance of life and their absence can cause growth disorders, severe malfunction, carcinogenesis or death. They are protagonists as macro- or microelements in several structural and functional roles, participating in many bio-chemical reactions, and arise in several forms. They participate in intra- and intercellular communications, in maintaining electrical charges and osmotic pressure, in photosynthesis and electron transfer processes, in the maintenance of pairing, stacking and the stability of nucleotide bases and also in the regulation of DNA transcription. They contribute to the proper functioning of nerve cells, muscle cells, the brain and the heart, the transport of oxygen and to many other biological processes up to the point that we cannot even imagine a life without metals. In this book, the papers published in the Special Issue “The Role of Metal Ions in Biology, Biochemistry and Medicine” are summarized, providing a picture of metal ion uses in biology, biochemistry and medicine, but also pointing out the toxicity impacts on plants, animals, humans and the environment.

"Eyeopening... Fascinating... may presage a paradigm shift in medicine.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "Teeming with information and big ideas... Outstanding.” —Booklist (starred review) The origin of asthma, autism, Alzheimer's, allergies, cancer, heart disease, obesity, and even some kinds of depression is now clear. Award-winning researcher on the microbiome, professor Rodney Dietert presents a new paradigm in human biology that has emerged in the midst of the ongoing global epidemic of noncommunicable diseases. The Human Superorganism makes a sweeping, paradigm-shifting argument. It demolishes two fundamental beliefs that have blinkered all medical thinking until very recently: 1) Humans are better off as pure organisms free of foreign microbes; and 2) the human genome is the key to future medical advances. The microorganisms that we have sought to eliminate have been there for centuries supporting our ancestors. They comprise as much as 90 percent of the cells in and on our bodies—a staggering percentage! More than a thousand species of them live inside us, on our skin, and on our very eyelashes. Yet we have now significantly reduced their power and in doing so have sparked an epidemic of noncommunicable diseases—which now account for 63 percent of all human deaths. Ultimately, this book is not just about microbes; it is about a different way to view humans. The story that Dietert tells of where the new biology comes from, how it works, and the ways in which it affects your life is fascinating, authoritative, and revolutionary. Dietert identifies foods that best serve you, the superorganism; not new fad foods but ancient foods that have made sense for millennia. He explains protective measures against unsafe chemicals and drugs. He offers an empowering self-care guide and the blueprint for a revolution in public health. We are not what we have been taught. Each of us is a superorganism. The best path to a healthy life is through recognizing that profound truth.

The Symbiont Factor reviews and explains in plain English the findings of the last decade of research about the human microbiome and its effect on health or disease. Learn how different aspects of modern life make it challenging to maintain a healthy population of gut bacteria and what this means for your health! Many different conditions are reviewed to explain the role of symbionts, from autism to cancer, heart disease and arthritis, and anxiety to schizophrenia. The bibliography includes over 1300 peer-reviewed research studies from the National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health, provided for those who wish to read some of the research referenced in the text. If you ever wondered if probiotics are beneficial, or why we should eat fruits and vegetables, these answers are inside! This new information is creating a whole new paradigm that is changing our perception of life itself. While scientists and physicians have always considered the human body and mind to be self-guided and singular, they are now beginning to view a human being as a superorganism or holobiont, consisting of a host organism combined with its symbiont population. The human body plays host to a population of trillions of microscopic organisms. Our bodies have evolved a symbiotic relationship with these ancient organisms, which is beneficial to both species. This colony of microbes is called the human microbiome, and it has been the focus of intense research efforts over the last decade. The microbiome influences human health or disease as well as emotion, personality and aging. Researchers studying the microbiome have discovered that these symbiotic organisms outnumber our human cells by at least 10:1, and their genes outnumber human genes by at least 150:1. This excellent and long needed book presents in a clear and sound manner the recent dramatic findings about our gut bacteria. These thousands of trillions microorganisms living inside us play a crucial role in regulating our well-being throughout life. The new message is of great importance to the entire medical community, life sciences researchers, as well as the general public. Realizing the role of gut bacteria can help each of us to better understand the effect of nutrients, as mediated by the gut bacteria, on our body in health, in disease and in special times, such as pregnancy, nursing or periods of high stress. For example, we now understand that the massive use of antibiotics in children, adults and agriculture has endangered our vital microbiome and is liable to cause diseases such as Type 2 diabetes on a global scale. The gut microbiome is emerging as a vital part of humanity, without which health and happiness are severely compromised. The time has come for this knowledge to be widely understood! Professor Eshel Ben-Jacob, International member of the American Philosophical Society Professor of Physics The Maguy-Glass Professor in Physics of Complex Systems School of Physics and Astronomy Tel Aviv University, 69978 Tel Aviv, Israel.

The goal of Molecules, Microbes, and Meals is to provide an overview of the science of food, exploring all aspects of how food products we purchase and consume come to have the characteristics they do. The key focus is on the science underpinning the appearance, flavor, texture and qualities of food, and the transformations that occur when we cook food products. Every food product is a highly complex scientific entity, and a key objective of the book is to show that an understanding of the science of food can enhance our appreciation and wonder at it. Another key theme will be the convergence of science and art in food, and the history of food, whereby we have known how to undertake what are exceptionally scientifically complex activities such as fermentation, pasteurization and cooking long before the scientific basis for what was happening was understood.