Microbial Signalling and Communication

Download Microbial Signalling and Communication PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Cambridge University Press
ISBN 13 : 9780521652612
Total Pages : 386 pages
Book Rating : 4.6/5 (526 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Microbial Signalling and Communication by : Society for General Microbiology. Symposium

Download or read book Microbial Signalling and Communication written by Society for General Microbiology. Symposium and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 1999-05-06 with total page 386 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Presents information at the forefront of this exciting field and includes contributions on a range of organisms and signalling molecules.

Bacterial Cell-to-Cell Communication

Download Bacterial Cell-to-Cell Communication PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Cambridge University Press
ISBN 13 : 9781139447973
Total Pages : 340 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (479 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Bacterial Cell-to-Cell Communication by : Donald R. Demuth

Download or read book Bacterial Cell-to-Cell Communication written by Donald R. Demuth and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2006-02-23 with total page 340 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Many bacterial diseases are caused by organisms growing together as communities or biofilms. These microorganisms have the capacity to coordinately regulate specific sets of genes by sensing and communicating amongst themselves utilizing a variety of signals. This book examines the mechanisms of quorum sensing and cell-to-cell communication in bacteria and the roles that these processes play in regulating virulence, bacterial interactions with host tissues, and microbial development. Recent studies suggest that microbial cell-to-cell communication plays an important role in the pathogenesis of a variety of disease processes. Furthermore, some bacterial signal molecules may possess immunomodulatory activity. Thus, understanding the mechanisms and outcomes of bacterial cell-to-cell communication has important implications for appreciating host-pathogen interactions and ultimately may provide new targets for antimicrobial therapies that block or interfere with these communication networks.

Bacterial Signaling

Download Bacterial Signaling PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : John Wiley & Sons
ISBN 13 : 3527629246
Total Pages : 513 pages
Book Rating : 4.5/5 (276 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Bacterial Signaling by : Reinhard Krämer

Download or read book Bacterial Signaling written by Reinhard Krämer and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2009-12-09 with total page 513 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Providing a comprehensive insight into cellular signaling processes in bacteria with a special focus on biotechnological implications, this is the first book to cover intercellular as well as intracellular signaling and its relevance for biofilm formation, host pathogen interactions, symbiotic relationships, and photo- and chemotaxis. In addition, it deals in detail with principal bacterial signaling mechanisms -- making this a valuable resource for all advanced students in microbiology. Dr. Krämer is a world-renowned expert in intracellular signaling and its implications for biotechnology processes, while Dr. Jung is an expert on intercellular signaling and its relevance for biomedicine and agriculture.

Chemical Communication Among Bacteria

Download Chemical Communication Among Bacteria PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 528 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (91 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Chemical Communication Among Bacteria by : Stephen Carlyle Winans

Download or read book Chemical Communication Among Bacteria written by Stephen Carlyle Winans and published by . This book was released on 2008 with total page 528 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Summarizes the science and recent research developments of chemical communication among bacteria

Bacterial Communication in Foods

Download Bacterial Communication in Foods PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN 13 : 1461456568
Total Pages : 77 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (614 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Bacterial Communication in Foods by : Marco Gobbetti

Download or read book Bacterial Communication in Foods written by Marco Gobbetti and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-11-15 with total page 77 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: It is generally assumed that microorganisms synthesize, release, detect and respond to small signaling hormone-like molecules. These molecules are used for a process termed “quorum sensing” (QS), a phenomenon that enables bacteria to sense when the minimal number of cells, or “quorum,” is achieved for a concerted response to be initiated. Words such as “language” and “behavior” are frequently used to depict QS in the literature. More simply put, language and cross-talk between bacteria, and between bacteria and animal or plant hosts, determines the behavior (e.g., beneficial or pathogenic effects) of bacteria. Currently, the major concern is to understand and decode this language. Overall, bacterial cross-talk was mainly studied on environmental, plant, and human pathogenic bacteria. Few studies considered food-related lactic acid bacteria. The cross-talk between bacteria influences the behavior and, in turn, the environmental adaptation and phenotypes. Therefore, it is understood that bacterial cross-talk has important applicative repercussions. The language spoken between bacteria populating the same food ecosystem may condition the phenotypic traits of starter lactic acid bacteria and, consequently, their performance. This Brief aims to define the basis of cell-to-cell signalling in food fermentation and will highlight: (i) microbiology, nutritional, chemical and functional aspects; (ii) functional properties due to microbial adaptation to the gastrointestinal tract; (iii) principal phenotypes under control of QS circuitries; (iv) quorum quenching. This Brief will be the first reference on this topic and it will highlight the main results for a more productive industrial application. Draft content 1. Signals of food related Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria The chapter will describe the different signaling languages used by Gram-negative bacteria (N-acyl-L-homoserine lactones) and Gram-positive bacteria (based on the synthesis of post-translationally modified peptides) and the universal chemical lexicon, shared by both Gram-positive and -negative bacteria (autoinducer-2 through the activity of the LuxS enzyme). 2. Phenotypes related to quorum sensing The chapter will describe the bacterial phenotypes, such as virulence, biofilm maturation, bacteriocin synthesis, and secondary metabolite production under control of QS circuitries. 3. Cell-to-cell signalling in fermented food: sourdough The chapter will describe the language spoken between bacteria populating the same food ecosystem (sourdough) and will provide an overview of the conditioned phenotypic traits of starter lactic acid bacteria and, consequently, their performance. 4. Cell-to-cell signalling in fermented food: yoghurt The chapter will describe the language spoken between bacteria populating the same food ecosystem (yoghurt) and will provide an overview of the conditioned phenotypic traits of starter lactic acid bacteria and, consequently, their performance. 5. Probiotic message at the intra-, inter-species and inter-kingdom level The chapter will describe the mechanisms that regulate the interaction between microorganism and host, and the capacity of the microorganism to adapt to environment. Particular reference will also be made to: (i) pathogen inhibition and restoration of microbial homeostasis through microbe-microbe interactions; (ii) enhancement of epithelial barrier function; and (iii) modulation of immune responses. 6. New Perspectives of quorum sensing This chapter will provide an overview of the future perspective regarding quorum sensing, showing that bacterial cross-talk may have important applicative repercussions. It will highlight the interference on the language of QS, which is defined as quorum quenching (QQ). Increasing translation of the bacterial cross-talk has shown that in some environmental circumstances, quenching of the language may occur.

Implication of Quorum Sensing System in Biofilm Formation and Virulence

Download Implication of Quorum Sensing System in Biofilm Formation and Virulence PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Springer
ISBN 13 : 9811324298
Total Pages : 381 pages
Book Rating : 4.8/5 (113 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Implication of Quorum Sensing System in Biofilm Formation and Virulence by : Pallaval Veera Bramhachari

Download or read book Implication of Quorum Sensing System in Biofilm Formation and Virulence written by Pallaval Veera Bramhachari and published by Springer. This book was released on 2019-01-28 with total page 381 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book illustrates the importance and significance of Quorum sensing (QS), it’s critical roles in regulating diverse cellular functions in microbes, including bioluminescence, virulence, pathogenesis, gene expression, biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance. Microbes can coordinate population behavior with small molecules called autoinducers (AHL) which serves as a signal of cellular population density, triggering new patterns of gene expression for mounting virulence and pathogenesis. Therefore, these microbes have the competence to coordinate and regulate explicit sets of genes by sensing and communicating amongst themselves utilizing variety of signals. This book descry emphasizes on how bacteria can coordinate an activity and synchronize their response to external signals and regulate gene expression. The chapters of the book provide the recent advancements on various functional aspects of QS systems in different gram positive and gram negative organisms. Finally, the book also elucidates a comprehensive yet a representative description of a large number of challenges associated with quorum sensing signal molecules viz. virulence, pathogenesis, antibiotic synthesis, biosurfactants production, persister cells, cell signaling and biofilms, intra and inter-species communications, host-pathogen interactions, social interactions & swarming migration in biofilms.

The Physical Basis of Bacterial Quorum Communication

Download The Physical Basis of Bacterial Quorum Communication PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Springer
ISBN 13 : 1493914022
Total Pages : 252 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (939 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis The Physical Basis of Bacterial Quorum Communication by : Stephen J. Hagen

Download or read book The Physical Basis of Bacterial Quorum Communication written by Stephen J. Hagen and published by Springer. This book was released on 2014-09-29 with total page 252 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Quorum sensing (QS) describes a chemical communication behavior that is nearly universal among bacteria. Individual cells release a diffusible small molecule (an autoinducer) into their environment. A high concentration of this autoinducer serves as a signal of high population density, triggering new patterns of gene expression throughout the population. However QS is often much more complex than this simple census-taking behavior. Many QS bacteria produce and detect multiple autoinducers, which generate quorum signal cross talk with each other and with other bacterial species. QS gene regulatory networks respond to a range of physiological and environmental inputs in addition to autoinducer signals. While a host of individual QS systems have been characterized in great molecular and chemical detail, quorum communication raises many fundamental quantitative problems which are increasingly attracting the attention of physical scientists and mathematicians. Key questions include: What kinds of information can a bacterium gather about its environment through QS? What physical principles ultimately constrain the efficacy of diffusion-based communication? How do QS regulatory networks maximize information throughput while minimizing undesirable noise and cross talk? How does QS function in complex, spatially structured environments such as biofilms? Previous books and reviews have focused on the microbiology and biochemistry of QS. With contributions by leading scientists and mathematicians working in the field of physical biology, this volume examines the interplay of diffusion and signaling, collective and coupled dynamics of gene regulation, and spatiotemporal QS phenomena. Chapters will describe experimental studies of QS in natural and engineered or microfabricated bacterial environments, as well as modeling of QS on length scales spanning from the molecular to macroscopic. The book aims to educate physical scientists and quantitative-oriented biologists on the application of physics-based experiment and analysis, together with appropriate modeling, in the understanding and interpretation of the pervasive phenomenon of microbial quorum communication.

The Social Biology of Microbial Communities

Download The Social Biology of Microbial Communities PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : National Academies Press
ISBN 13 : 0309264324
Total Pages : 633 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (92 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis The Social Biology of Microbial Communities by : Institute of Medicine

Download or read book The Social Biology of Microbial Communities written by Institute of Medicine and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2013-01-10 with total page 633 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Beginning with the germ theory of disease in the 19th century and extending through most of the 20th century, microbes were believed to live their lives as solitary, unicellular, disease-causing organisms . This perception stemmed from the focus of most investigators on organisms that could be grown in the laboratory as cellular monocultures, often dispersed in liquid, and under ambient conditions of temperature, lighting, and humidity. Most such inquiries were designed to identify microbial pathogens by satisfying Koch's postulates.3 This pathogen-centric approach to the study of microorganisms produced a metaphorical "war" against these microbial invaders waged with antibiotic therapies, while simultaneously obscuring the dynamic relationships that exist among and between host organisms and their associated microorganisms-only a tiny fraction of which act as pathogens. Despite their obvious importance, very little is actually known about the processes and factors that influence the assembly, function, and stability of microbial communities. Gaining this knowledge will require a seismic shift away from the study of individual microbes in isolation to inquiries into the nature of diverse and often complex microbial communities, the forces that shape them, and their relationships with other communities and organisms, including their multicellular hosts. On March 6 and 7, 2012, the Institute of Medicine's (IOM's) Forum on Microbial Threats hosted a public workshop to explore the emerging science of the "social biology" of microbial communities. Workshop presentations and discussions embraced a wide spectrum of topics, experimental systems, and theoretical perspectives representative of the current, multifaceted exploration of the microbial frontier. Participants discussed ecological, evolutionary, and genetic factors contributing to the assembly, function, and stability of microbial communities; how microbial communities adapt and respond to environmental stimuli; theoretical and experimental approaches to advance this nascent field; and potential applications of knowledge gained from the study of microbial communities for the improvement of human, animal, plant, and ecosystem health and toward a deeper understanding of microbial diversity and evolution. The Social Biology of Microbial Communities: Workshop Summary further explains the happenings of the workshop.

Quorum Sensing and Its Biotechnological Applications

Download Quorum Sensing and Its Biotechnological Applications PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 9789811308499
Total Pages : 278 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (84 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Quorum Sensing and Its Biotechnological Applications by : Vipin Chandra Kalia

Download or read book Quorum Sensing and Its Biotechnological Applications written by Vipin Chandra Kalia and published by . This book was released on 2018 with total page 278 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book delves into the biotechnological applications of Quorum sensing (QS)- a peculiar gene-regulatory process of some microorganisms. Quorum Sensing allows a large bacterial population to work together in a coordinated manner to carry out metabolic activities, which individual bacterium cannot. The different chapters describe how, associating bioremediation process with energy generation is an economical proposal, for reducing pollution and managing biowastes. The book discusses how QS can be exploited for biotechnological applications in generating bioproducts, bioenergy, bioremediation, biosensors, health and agricultural activities. It further highlights how QS is becoming an integral part of synthetic biology for genetic circuits for producing: (i) novel products, (ii) biosensors, (iii) bioactive molecules, etc. The book is divided into different sections for a clear understanding of the applicability of QS in, the Environment, Energy, Agriculture and Health sectors.

Microbial Communication

Download Microbial Communication PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Springer Nature
ISBN 13 : 9811574170
Total Pages : 182 pages
Book Rating : 4.8/5 (115 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Microbial Communication by : Sarangam Majumdar

Download or read book Microbial Communication written by Sarangam Majumdar and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2020-09-15 with total page 182 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book introduces the concept of bacterial communication systems from a mathematical modeling point of view. It sheds light on the research undertaken in the last three decades, and the mathematical models that have been proposed to understand the underlying mechanism of such systems. These communication systems are related to quorum sensing mechanisms and quorum sensing regulated processes such as biofilm formation, gene expression, bioluminescence, swarming and virulence. The book further describes the phenomenon of noise, and discusses how noise plays a crucial role in gene expression and the quorum sensing circuit operationusing a set of tools like frequency domain analysis, power spectral density, stochastic simulation and the whitening effect. It also explores various aspects of synthetic biology (related to bacterial communication), such as genetic toggle switch, bistable gene regulatory networks, transcriptional repressor systems, pattern formation, synthetic cooperation, predator-prey synthetic systems, dynamical quorum sensing, synchronized quorum of genetic clocks, role of noise in synthetic biology, the Turing test and stochastic Turing test.

Microbial Signalling and Communication

Download Microbial Signalling and Communication PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 365 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (115 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Microbial Signalling and Communication by : Society for General Microbiology. Symposium

Download or read book Microbial Signalling and Communication written by Society for General Microbiology. Symposium and published by . This book was released on 1999 with total page 365 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Biocommunication in Soil Microorganisms

Download Biocommunication in Soil Microorganisms PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN 13 : 3642145124
Total Pages : 483 pages
Book Rating : 4.6/5 (421 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Biocommunication in Soil Microorganisms by : Günther Witzany

Download or read book Biocommunication in Soil Microorganisms written by Günther Witzany and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2010-11-01 with total page 483 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Communication is defined as an interaction between at least two living agents which share a repertoire of signs. These are combined according to syntactic, semantic and context-dependent, pragmatic rules in order to coordinate behavior. This volume deals with the important roles of soil bacteria in parasitic and symbiotic interactions with viruses, plants, animals and fungi. Starting with a general overview of the key levels of communication between bacteria, further reviews examine the various aspects of intracellular as well as intercellular biocommunication between soil microorganisms. This includes the various levels of biocommunication between phages and bacteria, between soil algae and bacteria, and between bacteria, fungi and plants in the rhizosphere, the role of plasmids and transposons, horizontal gene transfer, quorum sensing and quorum quenching, bacterial-host cohabitation, phage-mediated genetic exchange and soil viral ecology.

Microbial Extracellular Polymeric Substances

Download Microbial Extracellular Polymeric Substances PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN 13 : 3642601472
Total Pages : 266 pages
Book Rating : 4.6/5 (426 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Microbial Extracellular Polymeric Substances by : Jost Wingender

Download or read book Microbial Extracellular Polymeric Substances written by Jost Wingender and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-12-06 with total page 266 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Microbial extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) are the key components for the aggregation of microorganisms in biofilms, flocs and sludge. They are composed of polysaccharides, proteins, nucleic acids, lipids and other biological macromolecules. EPS provide a highly hydrated gel matrix in which microbial cells can establish stable synergistic consortia. Cohesion and adhesion as well as morphology, structure, biological function and other properties such as mechanical stability, diffusion, sorption and optical properties of microbial aggregates are determined by the EPS matrix. Also, the protection of biofilm organisms against biocides is attributed to the EPS. Their matrix allows phase separation in biofiltration and is also important for the degradation of particulate material which is of great importance for the self purification processes in surface waters and for waste water treatment.

Bacterial Biofilms

Download Bacterial Biofilms PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN 13 : 3540754180
Total Pages : 294 pages
Book Rating : 4.5/5 (47 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Bacterial Biofilms by : Tony Romeo

Download or read book Bacterial Biofilms written by Tony Romeo and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2008-02-26 with total page 294 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Throughout the biological world, bacteria thrive predominantly in surface-attached, matrix-enclosed, multicellular communities or biofilms, as opposed to isolated planktonic cells. This choice of lifestyle is not trivial, as it involves major shifts in the use of genetic information and cellular energy, and has profound consequences for bacterial physiology and survival. Growth within a biofilm can thwart immune function and antibiotic therapy and thereby complicate the treatment of infectious diseases, especially chronic and foreign device-associated infections. Modern studies of many important biofilms have advanced well beyond the descriptive stage, and have begun to provide molecular details of the structural, biochemical, and genetic processes that drive biofilm formation and its dispersion. There is much diversity in the details of biofilm development among various species, but there are also commonalities. In most species, environmental and nutritional conditions greatly influence biofilm development. Similar kinds of adhesive molecules often promote biofilm formation in diverse species. Signaling and regulatory processes that drive biofilm development are often conserved, especially among related bacteria. Knowledge of such processes holds great promise for efforts to control biofilm growth and combat biofilm-associated infections. This volume focuses on the biology of biofilms that affect human disease, although it is by no means comprehensive. It opens with chapters that provide the reader with current perspectives on biofilm development, physiology, environmental, and regulatory effects, the role of quorum sensing, and resistance/phenotypic persistence to antimicrobial agents during biofilm growth.

Quorum Sensing vs Quorum Quenching: A Battle with No End in Sight

Download Quorum Sensing vs Quorum Quenching: A Battle with No End in Sight PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Springer
ISBN 13 : 9788132235484
Total Pages : 0 pages
Book Rating : 4.2/5 (354 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Quorum Sensing vs Quorum Quenching: A Battle with No End in Sight by : Vipin Chandra Kalia

Download or read book Quorum Sensing vs Quorum Quenching: A Battle with No End in Sight written by Vipin Chandra Kalia and published by Springer. This book was released on 2016-08-23 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Microbial relationships with all life forms can be as free living, symbiotic or pathogenic. Human beings harbor 10 times more microbial cells than their own. Bacteria are found on the skin surface, in the gut and other body parts. Bacteria causing diseases are the most worrisome. Most of the infectious diseases are caused by bacterial pathogens with an ability to form biofilm. Bacteria within the biofilm are up to 1000 times more resistant to antibiotics. This has taken a more serious turn with the evolution of multiple drug resistant bacteria. Health Departments are making efforts to reduce high mortality and morbidity in man caused by them. Bacterial Quorum sensing (QS), a cell density dependent phenomenon is responsible for a wide range of expressions such as pathogenesis, biofilm formation, competence, sporulation, nitrogen fixation, etc. Majority of these organisms that are important for medical, agriculture, aquaculture, water treatment and remediation, archaeological departments are: Aeromonas, Acinetobacter, Bacillus, Clostridia, Enterococcus, Pseudomonas, Vibrio and Yersinia spp. Biosensors and models have been developed to detect QS systems. Strategies for inhibiting QS system through natural and synthetic compounds have been presented here. The biotechnological applications of QS inhibitors (QSIs) in diverse areas have also been dealt with. Although QSIs do not affect growth and are less likely to impose selective pressure on bacteria, however, a few reports have raised doubts on the fate of QSIs. This book addresses a few questions. Will bacteria develop mechanisms to evade QSIs? Are we watching yet another defeat at the hands of bacteria? Or will we be acting intelligently and survive the onslaughts of this Never Ending battle?

Molecular Biology of The Cell

Download Molecular Biology of The Cell PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 9780815332183
Total Pages : 0 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (321 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Molecular Biology of The Cell by : Bruce Alberts

Download or read book Molecular Biology of The Cell written by Bruce Alberts and published by . This book was released on 2002 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Missing Microbes

Download Missing Microbes PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Henry Holt and Company
ISBN 13 : 0805098119
Total Pages : 288 pages
Book Rating : 4.8/5 (5 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Missing Microbes by : Martin J. Blaser, MD

Download or read book Missing Microbes written by Martin J. Blaser, MD and published by Henry Holt and Company. This book was released on 2014-04-08 with total page 288 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A critically important and startling look at the harmful effects of overusing antibiotics, from the field's leading expert Tracing one scientist's journey toward understanding the crucial importance of the microbiome, this revolutionary book will take readers to the forefront of trail-blazing research while revealing the damage that overuse of antibiotics is doing to our health: contributing to the rise of obesity, asthma, diabetes, and certain forms of cancer. In Missing Microbes, Dr. Martin Blaser invites us into the wilds of the human microbiome where for hundreds of thousands of years bacterial and human cells have existed in a peaceful symbiosis that is responsible for the health and equilibrium of our body. Now, this invisible eden is being irrevocably damaged by some of our most revered medical advances—antibiotics—threatening the extinction of our irreplaceable microbes with terrible health consequences. Taking us into both the lab and deep into the fields where these troubling effects can be witnessed firsthand, Blaser not only provides cutting edge evidence for the adverse effects of antibiotics, he tells us what we can do to avoid even more catastrophic health problems in the future.