View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.

uk brought to you by CORE

provided by Hemeroteca Cientifica Catalana

BOOK REVIEWS
INTERNATIONAL MICROBIOLOGY (2008) 11:65-73
ISSN: 1139-6709 www.im.microbios.org

Brock Biology of aimed at reinforcing the topics discussed in each chapter.

microorganisms Additional information can be obtained from the book’s web-
site [www.microbiologyplace.com].
12th edn. The textbook is organized into 37 chapters comprising
nine units, with the four first constituting the body of the
MICHAEL T. MADIGAN,
JOHN M. MARTINKO, book. In this 12th edition, two co-authors (PV Dunlap and
PAUL V. DUNLAP, DP Clark) make their debut, and their contributions have
DAVID P. CLARK greatly strengthened the chapters on molecular bio-
logy/genetics and evolution/systematics. The book’s visual
2009, presentation is excellent: A fabulous photograph introduces
Pearson Benjamin Cummings,
San Francisco, CA each chapter. Illustrations and photomicrographs give readers
1061 pp, 22 × 28 cm a clear and fascinating view of the microbial world. Tables
Price: US$ 165.20 and figures have been completely redesigned to make the
ISBN 0-13-232460-1
information easier to understand. Chapters included in a Unit
are color-coded at the upper right-hand corner. Considerable
improvements in the text have been made as well. Of note is
Microorganisms are present in every habitat on Earth and are the fact that this is the only general microbiology book that
crucial to the sustainability of life. Anton van Leeuwenhoek’s describes extensively the unique biology of Archaea (anato-
observations, 325 years ago, were among the first of many my, flagella, molecular biology, replication, transcription and
startling insights that have elucidated the biology of microor- protein synthesis, regulation of gene expression, genetic
ganisms. In the 1960s, progress made in the fields of basic exchange, and diversity).
and applied microbiology resulted in the insights that ushered Unit 1, “Principles of microbiology” (Chaps. 1–6), pro-
in the current era of molecular microbiology. Today, micro- vides the student with a basic background in microbiology,
bial research is close to defining the minimal genome (the including historical perspectives, microbial structure, structure
minimum complement of genes necessary for a living cell) and function of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, and the
and thus, at least in biochemical terms, all of the prerequisites growth and nutritional requirements of microorganisms. One
for life. Clearly, the study of microorganisms is essential for of the most significant advances in microbial biology in recent
an understanding of all life on our planet. The careful reader years has been the discovery of broadly conserved cytoskele-
of Brock Biology of microorganisms (BBOM) will be pre- tal elements in bacteria. Although the absence of a cytoskele-
pared to understand the microbial world, what microorgan- ton was one of the features originally used to distinguish
isms are, what they do. For professionals as well as students, prokaryotes from eukaryotes, bacteria in fact contain many of
the BBOM is an essential source of information about the lat- the cytoskeletal elements that are found in eukaryotic cells,
est discoveries in microbiology. The continuing success of such as microtubules, actin, and intermediate-filament homo-
this textbook, and evidence of the rapid advances in our logs (i.e., MreB, FtsZ, and crescentin), which have significant
understanding of microorganisms, is reflected in the new edi- functions in diverse cellular processes. The book’s discussion
tions published every three years. Indeed, the history of this of cell division is supported by spectacular color photos.
book goes back nearly 40 years! Thomas D. Brock authored Unit 2, “Molecular biology of microorganisms” (Chaps.
the first edition in 1970; shortly thereafter, the book was 7–13), describes essential and current topics of microbial
translated into several languages, including the Spanish genetics and molecular biology in Bacteria, Archaea, and
translation by Ricardo Guerrero, prepared as soon as in 1971. Eukarya and provides an overview of viruses and prions. It
As a tribute to Brock, the book has incorporated his name also underlines the revolution in molecular biology that has
into the title since the 8th edition. resulted from the development of modern in vitro molecular
The teaching function of this book begins with the cover methods, such as cloning and genetic engineering. BBOM
photo, which shows the filamentous bacterium Crenothrix, has also expanded its coverage of the regulation of gene
and the information about this microorganism provided on expression, with special emphasis on Bacillus sporulation
the back cover. The text includes important pedagogical and the life cycle of Caulobacter.
tools, such as sidebars, reviews of key terms, mini-reviews, Unit 3, “Microbial diversity” (Chaps. 13–19), provides an
review questions, and application questions, all of which are evolutionary and systematic foundation for the diversity of
66 INT. MICROBIOL. Vol. 11, 2008 BOOK REVIEWS

microbial life, from the earliest cells to eukaryotes. The dis- Unit 6, “Antimicrobial agents and pathogenicity” (Chaps.
cussion encompasses the major bacterial groups (phyla), 27 and 28), shifts the focus to the relationships between
such as proteobacteria, gram-positive bacteria, and cyano- humans and microorganisms. First, the major methods of
bacteria, as well as Archaea, Eukarya (protists, fungi and microbial control, i.e., the use of physical treatments (heat,
unicellular algae), and viral diversity, from bacteriophages to radiation and filtration) and chemical biocides (alcohols,
animal and plant viruses. aldehydes, antimicrobial metals, and halogens), to achieve
Unit 4, “Metabolic diversity and microbial ecology” microbial disinfection and sterilization of surfaces or materi-
(Chaps. 20–24), strongly emphasizes the idea that, in als are discussed. Antimicrobial agents (antibiotics) used for
prokaryotes, diversity is expressed in terms of metabolism treating infectious diseases and the challenges posed by
rather than structure, as evidenced by the ability of microor- antibiotic resistance are described. In addition, the unit offers
ganisms to make use of a wide range of energy sources and overviews of the microorganisms that inhabit the healthy
electron acceptors. The long-standing inability to enrich or human body, the harmful interactions that cause disease, and
detect organisms capable of anaerobic growth on methane the mechanisms of pathogenesis.
and ammonium compounds led to the idea that ammonium Units 7–9 (Chaps. 29–37) start off with the subject of
and methane were inert under anoxic conditions; however, it immunology—specifically, with the immune response that
is now apparent that this is not true. Recent studies using has evolved in humans to recognize and destroy dangerous
molecular techniques have shown that the syntrophic consor- pathogens. Both innate and adaptive (acquired) immunity are
tium of an archaeon and a sulfate-reducing bacterium is described. Unit 8, “Diagnosing and tracking infectious dis-
involved in anaerobic methane oxidation, and that anaerobic eases”, discusses a major objective of the clinical microbiol-
ammonium oxidation (“anammox”) contributes significantly ogist, to identify the microorganisms that cause illness, and
to biological nitrogen cycling in the world’s oceans—up to the culture, immunologic, and molecular methods used to
50% of marine N2 production. BBOM outlines the basic prin- achieve this goal. In, Unit 9, “Microbial diseases,” microbial
ciples of microbial ecology and examines the types of habi- infectious diseases are grouped within each chapter accord-
tats where microorganisms are found, along with nutrient ing to their mode of transmission.
cycles, bioremediation, and symbioses. Also included are The BBOM not only contains fundamental knowledge
reviews of current methods to study the diversity and activi- essential to an introductory course on general microbiology,
ties of microorganisms. but also information for students seeking to expand or update
Unit 5, “Putting microorganisms to work” (Chaps. 25 and their knowledge of the current state of microbiology. As the
26), describes applications of microbial activities (fermenta- evolutionary biologist Stephen J. Gould put it, we are living
tions) to food and industrial production, and the use of on “Planet Bacteria”. It is an exciting time to be a part of the
biotechnology for industrial or commercial processes, such science of microbiology—as BBOM once again well
as the production of hormones, proteins (enzymes), geneti- reminds us.
cally engineered vaccines, and transgenic organisms. Genetic
engineering can make plants resistant to certain insects, e.g.,
through the introduction of genes encoding the protein toxin
of Bacillus thuringiensis, Bt-toxin. This same technique can MERCEDES BERLANGA
yield improvements in product quality (i.e., enrichment of University of Barcelona
vitamins or some amino acids). mberlanga@ub.edu