Advances in Understanding the Biology of Halophilic Microorganisms [electronic resource] /
Vreeland, Russell H.editor.
Saline environments are one of the most plentiful and interesting types of habitats on Earth and are often considered as models for potential life on other planets or moons. The hypersaline playas, sabkhas, salterns, lakes, soils and even crystals often contain biomass that is far in excess of what might be predicted from the environmental conditions alone. The populations become so dense they color the brines and have been noticed by humanity since 2500 BC. In addition much of planet Earth is underlain by vast ancient salt deposits that may be thousands of meters thick and stretch for many kilometers. Even deep within the Earth’s crust there are vast reservoirs of saline water all of which contain salt loving microbes. These are not however simple terminal ecosystems. These saline habitats literally team with a complex web of life containing large populations of salt loving bacteria, archaea, algae, viruses and even fungi.  Halophilic microorganisms are one of the more fascinating microbial groups known today. Their ability to exist in exceptionally high salt (as NaCl) brines, soils and even in ancient halite provides a wide array of areas for physiological, ecological and molecular studies. Whenever media reports present something on salt loving microbes there is intense public interest and fascination. The scientists that begin to study halophiles never stop. This book is an update of one originally published in 1992. Many of the topics covered are the same but others are new and reflect more modern approaches. This book is not a series of reviews of topics. It is more than that.
Description based upon print version of record.
Contents; Chapter 1Approaches Toward the Study of HalophilicMicroorganisms in Their Natural Environments:Who Are They and What Are They Doing?; Introduction; Characterization of the Microbial Communities in Hypersaline Brines-Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches; General Considerations; Use of Specific Biomarkers in Ecological Studies in Hypersaline Environments; Molecular Methods; Approaches Toward the Study of the In Situ Activities of Halophilic Microbial Communities; Protozoa, Viruses and Other Factors Controlling the Abundance of Halophilic Microorganisms; Final Comments; References
Chapter 2Media and Conditions for the Growth ofHalophilic and Halotolerant Bacteria andArchaeaIntroduction; Growth Media; General Comments; Media Composition; Salinity; Magnesium; Potassium; Sulfur, Phosphate, and Nitrogen; Minor and Trace Salts; Organic Components; Other Components; Specialty Media; Environmental Conditions; Other Salinophiles; Concluding Remarks; References; Chapter 3Taxonomy of Halophilic Archaea and Bacteria; Introduction; Taxonomy of Halophilic Archaea; Taxonomy of Halophilic Bacteria; Methodology for the Characterization of Halophiles; Phylogenetic Analysis
Phenotypic CharacteristicsChemotaxonomic Characteristics; Cellular Fatty Acids; Polar Lipids; Respiratory Quinone Systems; Peptidoglycan Structure; Genotypic Characteristics; DNA Base Composition; DNA-DNA Hybridization; References; Chapter 4Halophilic Viruses; Introduction; Ecological Studies; Highlights of In-depth Halophage Isolate Studies; Methods and Instrumentation; Future Directions; References; Chapter 5Microorganisms in Evaporites: Review ofModern Geomicrobiology; Introduction
Sedimentology and Microscopy of Evaporites and Fluid Inclusions: Syndepositional (Primary) Versus Burial (Secondary) Origin and Interpretation of PaleoenvironmentsFluid Inclusions in Halite and Gypsum; Brine Evolution and Secular Variations in the Major Ion Chemistry of Seawater; Fluid Inclusion Microthermetry: Paleobrine Temperatures; The Importance of Microscopy; Microbiological Considerations; Conclusions; References; Chapter 6Searching for Microbes and DNAin Ancient Halite; Introduction; Historical Perspective; Early Samples; Sterilization; Physical Laboratory; Sampling Parameters
Criteria for Site SelectionAge and Stability of Formations; Laboratory Configuration; Basic Techniques; Sample Considerations; Sterilization; What Makes a Discovery Believable?; Future Advances; References; Chapter 7 DNA Replication and Repair in Halophiles; Introduction; DNA Replication in Halophiles; Replication Origins; Origin Recognition Proteins; Helicases; Single-strand DNA Binding; DNA Replicative Polymerases and Sliding Clamps; Okazaki Fragments Processing; DNA Repair Pathways in Halophiles; DNA Damage Avoidance Strategies in Halophiles; The Role of Pigments
Non-Enzymatic Shielding Mechanisms
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Saline environments are one of the most plentiful and interesting types of habitats on Earth and are often considered as models for potential life on other planets or moons. The hypersaline playas, sabkhas, salterns, lakes, soils and even crystals often contain biomass that is far in excess of what might be predicted from the environmental conditions alone. The populations become so dense they color the brines and have been noticed by humanity since 2500 BC. In addition much of planet Earth is underlain by vast ancient salt deposits that may be thousands of meters thick and stretch for many kilometers. Even deep within the Earth’s crust there are vast reservoirs of saline water all of which contain salt loving microbes. These are not however simple terminal ecosystems. These saline habitats literally team with a complex web of life containing large populations of salt loving bacteria, archaea, algae, viruses and even fungi.  Halophilic microorganisms are one of the more fascinating microbial groups known today. Their ability to exist in exceptionally high salt (as NaCl) brines, soils and even in ancient halite provides a wide array of areas for physiological, ecological and molecular studies. Whenever media reports present something on salt loving microbes there is intense public interest and fascination. The scientists that begin to study halophiles never stop. This book is an update of one originally published in 1992. Many of the topics covered are the same but others are new and reflect more modern approaches. This book is not a series of reviews of topics. It is more than that.
Medicine.
Life sciences.
Microbiology.
Microbial ecology.
Biomedicine, general.
Life Sciences, general.
Microbiology.
Microbial Ecology.