INVESTIGADORES
ALVAREZ Hector Manuel
libros
Título:
BIOLOGY OF RHODOCOCCUS
Autor/es:
ALVAREZ, HÉCTOR M
Editorial:
Springer Verlag
Referencias:
Año: 2010 p. 365
ISSN:
978-3-642-12936-0
Resumen:
Rhodococci are metabolically versatile actinobacteria frequently found in the
environment with potential applications in bioremediation, biotransformations,6and biocatalysis among other biotechnological processes. These microorganisms
are currently the subject of research in many countries of the world. The number of
publications and patents on rhodococci has increased significantly during the last
several years. In this context, the knowledge acquired during the last decade on
basic aspects of Rhodococcus biology is significant and reveals promising future
prospects. Several public and private genomic projects involving Rhodococcus
members are now in progress due to the increasing interest in their biotechnological
applications. The large Rhodococcus genomes, which contain a multiplicity of
catabolic genes, a high genetic redundancy of biosynthetic pathways and a sophis-
ticated regulatory network, reflect the complexity of Rhodococcus biology. The
combination of functional genomic studies with biochemical and physiological
knowledge is providing new insights that will make it possible to put rhodococci
to biotechnological use.
This Microbiology Monographs volume provides a thorough review of many
aspects of the biochemistry, physiology, and genetics of Rhodococcus in the
context of new genomic information. Expert international scientists have contrib-
uted reviews on the extraordinary capabilities of the Rhodococcus genus with
regard to the biodegradation of diverse compounds, biosynthesis of lipids and
biosurfactants, and adaptation and tolerance to solvents. Chapters dealing with its
taxonomy, the structural aspects of rhodococcal cellular envelope, genomes and
plasmids, and central metabolism are also included in this volume. Moreover, the
book examines the basic aspects of the unique pathogenic Rhodococcus member
(R. equi) and the phytopathogenic R. fascians.
I would like to express my thanks to all of the authors, who contributed high-
quality
reviews of each topic, to the series editor, Alexander Steinbuchel,
and to the staff at Springer, especially Jutta Lindenborn, for
supporting this book.
I hope that this volume will serve as a guidebook for researchers and students and will open new avenues for future research.