Dietrich Werner - Böcker

Sustainability has a major part to play in the global challenge of continued development of regions, countries, and continents all around the World and biological nitrogen fixation has a key role in this process.

Der voll mobile Roboter für jedermann, der etwa im Haushalt anfallende Arbeiten zur vollen Zufriedenheit der Hausfrau erledigt und dennoch nicht mehr als ein gutes Mittelklasseauto kostet, wird wohl noch einige Zeit nur im Bereich der Science-fiction existieren. Es werden zwar auf dem amerikanischen Markt etliche mobile Modelle mit vielfältiger Sensorik angeboten (auch in der Bundesrepublik findet man mittlerweile einige 'Robbies'), doch hauptsächlich werden diese Produkte als Spielzeug für Begüterte, zu Reklamezwecken und als Party-Gag eingesetzt. Dementsprechend grob ausgelegt und unpräzise ist auch die verwendete Sensorik. In der industriellen Praxis befinden sich sogenannte Industrieroboter in viel­ fältigen Anwendungen. Es handelt sich um stationär aufgestellte Maschinen mit mehreren unabhängig voneinander beweglichen Gelenken, die bisher fast aus­ schließlich zu Schweiß-, Lackier-, Transport- und MontaBearbeiten verwe- det werden. Ein Großabnehmer für Industrieroboter ist weltweit die Automobil­ industrie - VW Wolfsburg stellt seine Roboter für den eigenen Bedarf sogar selbst her. Da solche Maschinen Teile unserer Arbeitswelt prägen und auch vom gesell­ schafts- und sozialpolitischen Aspekt her besondere Bedeutung haben, werden wir uns in diesem Buch überwiegend mit Industrierobotern bzw. Modellen davon beschäftigen.

Most plants rely on the co-existence with microorganisms: both groups benefit from these symbioses. It has been shown that a large number of specific genes in plants and microorganisms are only activated during these interactions. Of course, various microbes also act as pathogens. Interactions between plants and microorganisms are often located on plant surfaces, such as leaf cuticles, seeds and mainly on the roots. The communication between plants and microbes is the main topic treated in Plant Surface Microbiology, such as the signaling within a symbiosis, the molecular differences between symbiotic and pathogenic microorganisms, the role of microorganisms in the development of plants or in plant protection against deleterious agents. Further contributions are devoted to: the analysis of bacterial communities in the rhizosphere; microbial population genetics; aspects of mycorrhizal symbiosis; functional genomic approaches and the use of microorganisms as bio-indicator of soil disturbance.

Migration is a global and ubiquitous phenomenon. A large percentage of our cultivated land in industrialized as well as in developing countries are covered with migrated or introduced plants. But also in natural habitats and communities, migration of animals, plants and microorganisms plays a key role in the functioning or threat to the present ecosystems.The special feature of this book is that all forms of migration - be it plant, microbial, animal or human - and their mutual impact are covered in detail. It is estimated that during the next twenty years more than one billion people will migrate from rural areas to urban districts worldwide, forced by deteriorating biological resources and with enormous consequences on the functioning of both ecosystems and such central economic areas such as trade, transport and tourism.The contributions in this book are the result of an innovative International Conference and OECD Workshop aimed at triggering off the interdisciplinary dialogue between natural scientists and socioeconomists.

Animals and plants live in changing environmental conditions which require adaptation in order to cope with this. Some of these environmental changes serve as signals which have to be "sensed" and interpreted correctly by the organisms to initiate the adaptation. This signal processing is based on biochemical, molecular and neuronal processes which are discussed in this book. All examples given underline that continuous adjustment of physiological functions is an essential requirement for life and survival in complex changing environments.

Most plants rely on the co-existence with microorganisms: both groups benefit from these symbioses. It has been shown that a large number of specific genes in plants and microorganisms are only activated during these interactions. Of course, various microbes also act as pathogens. Interactions between plants and microorganisms are often located on plant surfaces, such as leaf cuticles, seeds and mainly on the roots. The communication between plants and microbes is the main topic treated in "Plant Surface Microbiology", such as the signaling within a symbiosis, the molecular differences between symbiotic and pathogenic microorganisms, the role of microorganisms in the development of plants or in plant protection against deleterious agents. Further contributions are devoted to: the analysis of bacterial communities in the rhizosphere; microbial population genetics; aspects of mycorrhizal symbiosis; functional genomic approaches and the use of microorganisms as bio-indicator of soil disturbance.

Migration is a global and ubiquitous phenomenon. A large percentage of our cultivated land in industrialized as well as in developing countries are covered with migrated or introduced plants. But also in natural habitats and communities, migration of animals, plants and microorganisms plays a key role in the functioning or threat to the present ecosystems.The special feature of this book is that all forms of migration - be it plant, microbial, animal or human - and their mutual impact are covered in detail. It is estimated that during the next twenty years more than one billion people will migrate from rural areas to urban districts worldwide, forced by deteriorating biological resources and with enormous consequences on the functioning of both ecosystems and such central economic areas such as trade, transport and tourism.The contributions in this book are the result of an innovative International Conference and OECD Workshop aimed at triggering off the interdisciplinary dialogue between natural scientists and socioeconomists.

Animals and plants live in changing environmental conditions which require adaptation in order to cope with this. Some of these environmental changes serve as signals which have to be "sensed" and interpreted correctly by the organisms to initiate the adaptation. This signal processing is based on biochemical, molecular and neuronal processes which are discussed in this book. All examples given underline that continuous adjustment of physiological functions is an essential requirement for life and survival in complex changing environments.

Jointly published with INRA, Paris.The application of new production methods in the food industry - genetic engineering in plants and animals - as well as recent crises over food-borne diseases have led consumers to a growing concern about science as an appropriate basis for developing sound agricultural policies. This book presents the discussion of scientists and politicians in the framework of an OECD programme conference on how to restore public trust in the application of new scientific achievements concerning food production.