E. Rosenberg - Böcker

This volume contains materials first presented at an international workshop on "The Use of Microorganisms to Combat Pollution", held in Israel, May 10-18, 1992. Each of the contributors is an acknowledged expert on the treatment of one or more types of pollution using microorganisms or their enzymes. The subject coverage is broad, and most of the chapters are divided into three parts: (a) a general presentation of the source and toxicity of the pollutant; (b) a review of the current state of the art on the biodegradation of that pollutant; and (c) the author's unique research experience with the problem. In many cases, results from both laboratory and field trials are presented. The book thus contains not only the theoretical background on the biodegradation of pollutants, but also practical experience in applying this knowledge to the solution of significant pollution problems. The scope of the problems presented and discussed makes the book of value to all those who are interested in applied microbioloqv and the environmental sciences.

During the past few decades we have witnessed an era of remarkable growth in the field of molecular biology. In 1950 very little was known of the chemical constitution of biological systems, the manner in which information was trans­ mitted from one organism to another, or the extent to which the chemical basis of life is unified. The picture today is dramatically different. We have an almost bewildering variety of information detailing many different aspects of life at the molecular level. These great advances have brought with them seme breath-taking insights into the molecular mechanisms used by nature for rep­ licating, distributing and modifying biological information. We have learned a great deal about the chemical and physical nature of the macromolecular nucleic acids and proteins, and the manner in which carbohydrates, lipids and smaller molecules work together to provide the molecular setting of living sys­ tems. It might be said that these few decades have replaced a near vacuum of information with a very large surplus. It is in the context of this flood of information that this series of monographs on molecular biology has been organized. The idea is to bring together in one place, between the covers of one book, a concise assessment of the state of the subject in a well-defined field. This will enable the reader to get a sense of historical perspective-what is known about the field today-and a description of the frontiers of research where our knowledge is increasing steadily.