Genetic Interactions among Microorganisms in the Natural Environment

About this book

This book gives an overview of gene transfer and stability in those aquatic and terrestrial environments where bacteria and fungi can survive and interact genetically. It examines the role played by sex between microbes in the evolution of populations and their survival. Special emphasis is placed on methodology, including the analysis by novel techniques of genetic material extracted directly from soils, rivers and lakes. The natural spread of antibiotic resistance and the safe use of genetically manipulated microbes are matters of considerable scientific, medical and public concern upon which the investigations presented here have direct bearing. This unique collection will be of value to specialist researchers in applied microbiology, ecology and biotechnology as well as biomedical scientists interested in the environmental risks of genetic engineering.

Contents

Section headings and selected papers: General Introduction. The role of gene transfer in bacterial evolution, J. P. W. Young. Evidence for Gene Transfer between Bacteria in Nature. Antibiotic resistance gene transfer in the environment: an overview, J. D. van Elsas. Methods for Studying Genetic Interactions in Terrestrial Environments. Detection of genetic exchange in the terrestrial environment, N. Cresswell & E. M. H. Wellington. Methods for studying conjugative plasmid transfer in soil, E. Smit & J. D. van Elsas. Methods for Studying Genetic Interactions in Aquatic Environments. The development of detection systems for pseudomonads released into lake water, C. Winstanley et al. Survival of genetically engineered microorganisms in activated sludge, J. C. Fry et al. Evaluation of Some Methods for Detecting Genes and Gene Transfer in Nature. The estimation of gene transfer in natural environments, J. R. Saunders & V. A. Saunders. Gene Transfer Between Fungi. Regulatory Aspects. Epilogue. Index.

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