Phages: Their Role in Bacterial Pathogenesis and Biotechnology

Phages: Their Role in Bacterial Pathogenesis and Biotechnology offers an up-to-date examination of phages, exploring their role in the biology and pathogenicity of specific pathogens as well as the application of phage biology to biotechnology. A compilation of new research and background material, this new volume will interest researchers and graduate students in the fields of phage biology, genetics, bacteriology, virology, molecular biology, evolutionary biology, and biochemistry.

Divided into three concise sections, the book opens with the exciting history of phage research, beginning with Felix d'Herelle's 1917 description of a "microbe" that was antagonistic to bacteria, which he termed a bacteriophage. The first section also covers general information that will familiarize readers with phage biology. The next section is an exploration of the role of phages in the biology and pathogenicity of specific infectious bacteria. The concluding section details the application of phages in technology, including comprehensive material on recombineering in prokaryote, polysaccharide-degrading phages, and the use of phage in therapy and detection of bacteria.

Key Features

Updates important research with valuable findings gained from genome sequencing of bacterial pathogens
Presents viewpoints contributed by leading experts in the field
Explores role of phages in biology and in the pathogenicity of specific pathogens
Provides new information on the application of phage biology to biotechnology