Extremophiles

Subba Rao V. Durvasula was awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy from the Andhra University. His scientific career engaged him first as a UNESCO Fellow and subsequently as a scientist at the CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization) Australia, NRC Fellow (National Research Council of Canada, Bedford Inst. Oceanography, Canada), Faculty member of The John’s Hopkins University, U.S.A, as a Biological Oceanographer at the BIO and later as an Emeritus Scientist (Bedford Institute of Oceanography,Dartmouth, Canada), as an Adjunct Professor at the University of New Mexico, and, at present, a Consultant scientist at the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Kuwait.Dr. Ravi Durvasula is a Professor of Medicine and Infectious Diseases at University of New Mexico School of Medicine in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he is also appointed as Chief of Medicine at the New Mexico VA Health Care System. Dr. Durvasula's laboratory focuses on transgenic and paratransgenic approaches to control of vector-borne diseases such as Chagas disease and Leishmaniasis. He currently has collaborative research programs in Brazil, Guatemala, Argentina and India. Dr. Durvasula's research also involves development of novel paratransgenic delivery systems for application at human mucosal surfaces.

Few books focus entirely on the fascinating organisms that exist in the world’s harshest environments. In deep-sea brine pools, in deserts, and within ice, microbes have developed unique mechanisms to live and reproduce in salt, acid, heat, cold, and other extreme conditions. In Extremophiles: From Biology to Biotechnology, the editors have assembled a wide-ranging exploration centered on organisms' structural, metabolic, and genomic adaptations for surviving in extreme environments. Contributions include experts in biochemistry, microbiology, food science, and medicine. This book distinguishes itself from others in its category by devoting some discussion to the utility of extremophiles as a source of secondary metabolites and other biotechnological applications. These products include phycocyanins, enzymes, drug candidates, nanoparticles, and carotenoids. For those interested in working with extremophiles, an appendix containing a compilation of recent information for their cultivation and a glossary are located at the back of the book. Overall, this text is well organized and serves as an important reference for scientists in this area of research. It will also be valuable to undergraduate and graduate collections relating to microbial diversity or biotechnology.Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty and professionals.--M. C. Pavao, Worcester State University, in CHOICE October 2018

• Extremophiles: Introduction. Diversity and Taxa. Chlorophylls and Pigments. Culturing Autotrophic Extremophiles – Growth Rates. Culturing Heterotrophic Extremophiles- Growth Rates. Antarctic Extremophiles. Osmosis. Salinity Stress. Allelopathy. Temperature -Extreme Low Temp. Temp. Heat Resistant. Psychrophillic Photosyn. Photo Heterotrophy. UV Radiation Impacts. Biochem P:N:C. Marine Enzymes. Fatty Acids and Lipids. Biliproteins. Source of Proteins. Metabolites/Metabolomics. Extremolytes. Valuable Products. Natural Compounds. Wastewater Cultivation. Bioremediation. Transesterification. Paratransgenics. Transgenics. Genomics. Biotechnological Applications. Emerging Fields.