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Microbiología (5a edn). Lansing M. Prescott, John P. Harley, Donald A. Klein

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BOOK REVIEWS 233

INTERNATIONAL MICROBIOLOGY (2004) 7:233–234

www.im.microbios.org

Halophilic halite crystals. If this ability actually exists, microbiologists

Microorganisms will be able to study the phylogeny of ancient, entrapped
halophilic microbes—or perhaps such microbes are waiting
A. VENTOSA
for us inside those red Martian rocks! Chapters 1 to 6 focus
2004. Springer-Verlag, on the ecological and taxonomic aspects of halophiles, such
Berlin, Germany as the environments where these organisms are found and the
349 pp, 16 × 26 cm
interactions among them. The chapters on taxonomy describe
Price: 149.00 €
ISBN 3-540-00926-4 several studies in halophilic phylogeny. The central sections
(Chapters 7 to 18) deal with the physiology and molecular
biology of halophiles, with particular emphasis on their adap-
tation to the salty environments in which they thrive and their
capacity of osmoregulation. Halophilic enzymology and the
biotechnological applications of these organisms are the
“Salt-loving” microorganisms include a great variety of hete- main subjects of the last section (Chapters 19 to 22), which
rotrophic and methanogenic archaea; photosynthetic, litho- includes several examples of the importance of halophilic
trophic and heterotrophic bacteria; and some photosynthetic bacteria as organisms of industrial interest, e.g. as enzyme-
and heterotrophic eukaryotes (such as algae, protozoa and and polysaccharide-producers or biodegraders of toxic con-
certain fungi). Halophiles are adapted to life at high salt con- taminants. Currently, halophiles are of great interest to the
centrations and at the high osmotic pressures of their food industry, where they are employed in the fermentation
environments that result from the high salinity. They have the of soy and fish sauces, β-carotene production and aquacul-
capacity both to balance this osmotic pressure and to resist ture. Research in new halophilic biomolecules will allow
the denaturing effects of salts. Halophilic microorganisms are their use in specialized applications in biocomputing or bio-
found all over the world in a wide range of hypersaline envi- engineering. Three additional chapters take the reader deeper
ronments, including soda lakes, salterns, saline soils and salted into the world of halophile research. The Prologue is a brief
food products. homage to the late Donn J. Kushner (1927–2001), who was
The book Halophilic microorganisms originated at the Professor Emeritus, University of Ottawa and University of
international meeting “Halophiles 2001”, held in Seville, Toronto; former president of the Canadian Society for
Spain, in September 2001. The book is edited by Antonio Microbiology and Editor-in-Chief of the Canadian Journal of
Ventosa, Professor at the University of Seville (Department Microbiology. Born in Lake Charles, Louisiana (USA), his sci-
of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy). His entific career developed mainly in Canada. For over 50 years;
current research focuses on extremophilic microorganisms, Prof. Kushner dedicated his life to research in different fields
mainly halophilic prokaryotes, and he is one of the world’s of microbiology, including halophilic microorganisms.
leading experts in this subfield of microbiology. The book is An appropriate epilogue adds an interesting historical
more than a compilation of relatively unconnected contribu- aspect to the book. Hans Trüper (University of Bonn,
tions related to the main topic. Instead, the well coordinated Germany) devotes this final chapter to the use of salt by
efforts of the authors have resulted in a complete and easy- mankind throughout history. By knowing the history of this
to-read book that can be considered a textbook on halo- white gold, we also learn more about those organisms that
philics. Divided into 22 chapters, Halophilic microorganisms live on, in and for it. Halophilic microorganisms will surely be
provides state-of-the-art knowledge in the field of halophiles. a reference work in the field of extremophiles, and a must-
In three large sections, a wide array of topics, comprising all the read for students and researchers embarking on a study of
different lines of research in this field, are thoroughly discussed. halophiles. In addition, it is also recommended to anyone
William D. Grant (University of Leicester, UK) has writ- interested in knowing more about those microorganisms that,
ten an excellent introduction entitled “Half a lifetime in soda like humans, also love salt.
lakes”. Grant takes the reader on a tour of the world’s major
soda lakes and halite deposits and introduces their micro- JAVIER DEL CAMPO
scopic inhabitants. The author then discusses some interest- University of Barcelona
[email protected]
ing aspects of the possible survival capabilities of halophilic
microorganisms entrapped within fluid inclusions inside
2234 INT. MICROBIOL. Vol. 7, 2004 BOOK REVIEWS

Microbiología molecular biology are found in parts IV and V. A brief

(5ª ed.)* description of viruses is developed in part VI. Part VII pro-
vides a general overview of microbial evolution and diversi-
LANSING M. PRESCOTT ty. There is a complete updating of bacterial classification
JOHN P. HARLEY that reflects the latest edition of Bergey’s Manual of
DONALD A. KLEIN Systematic Bacteriology. Other eukaryotic microorganisms,
such as fungi, algae and protozoa, are also reviewed. In part
2004. McGraw-Hill
Interamericana, VIII, the nature of microbial relationships with other living
Madrid, Spain organisms, or symbiosis, and the interaction of these living
1280 pp, 21.5 × 27.5 cm organisms with the environment are discussed. Two units are
Price: 95.00 €
ISBN 84-486-0525
dedicated to medical microbiology; the first focuses on non-
specific resistance and the immune response, and the second
on microbial diseases and their control. Microbial infectious
diseases caused by prokaryotes, viruses, protozoa and fungi
* Spanish translation of Microbiology (5th ed.). McGraw-Hill, New York,
are extensively described as well. Within each chapter, dis-
NY, USA. 2002. ISBN 0-07-232041-9
eases are covered according to their mode of transmission.
“Microbiology often has been defined as the study of organ- Finally, part XI, describes the applications of microbial activ-
isms and agents too small to be seen clearly by the unaided ities to improving food and industrial production. Microbio-
eye. […] Because objects less than about one millimeter in logy offers insight into an invisible world that many humans
diameter cannot be seen clearly and must be examined with never learn about or whose existence they have never sus-
a microscope, microbiology is concerned primarily with pected. Microbiología is recommended not only to students
organisms and agents this small and smaller. Its subjects are of biology or health sciences, but to anybody who wishes to
viruses, bacteria, many algae and fungi, and protozoa. […] expand his or her knowledge of the biology of microorgan-
Yet other members of these groups, particularly some of the isms, mainly because it is a comprehensive textbook. It con-
algae and fungi, are larger and quite visible. For example, tains excellent illustrations; there are also tables and graphs
bread molds and filamentous algae are studied by microbiol- that condense information into an easily understandable for-
ogists, yet are visible to the naked eye. Two bacteria that are mat. Most of the chapters contain boxes that highlight items of
visible without a microscope, Thiomargarita and Epulopis- interest, offering anecdotes from the field and descriptions of
cium, also have been discovered” [Microbiología, chapter 1 extraordinary or unusual microorganisms.
p. 2]. It is not easy to provide a unique definition of microbi- Each new edition of Microbiology has been revised and
ology. The fields it encompasses are so diverse and complex updated in order to keep up with the pace of microbiological
that no single book on the subject can offer everything to advances. The 5th edition introduces two new topics : (i) Part
everyone. Microbiología, however, is a good place to start in V pays tribute to what has been referred to as the Golden Age
that it discusses all of the general topics that should be of genomics, in which knowledge about bacterial genomes
included in an introduction to microbiology. The careful accumulated with breathtaking results, beginning in July
reader of this book will be prepared to understand the micro- 1995 with the complete sequencing of Haemophilus influen-
bial world, what microbes are, what they do. And he or she zae. As of August 2004, 210 complete genome have been
may even dare to offer yet another definition of microbiology. published; these include the genomes of 19 archaeal, 159
The book is organized into 44 chapters comprising eleven bacterial and 32 eukaryal organisms. (ii) Part VIII is entitled
units. Part I contains basic information about prokaryotic and “Ecología y simbiosis”. Historically, microorganisms
eukaryotic cells. Part II discusses the growth and nutritional became known to the public after they were incriminated as
requirements of bacterial microorganisms as well as the agents of disease. Today, it is common knowledge that the
“control” of microorganisms by physical methods, such as majority of microorganisms play essential roles in maintain-
temperature, and chemical agents, such as disinfectants. The ing terrestrial life. We and our fellow “macrobes” are ulti-
ability to control the numbers of microorganisms is indispen- mately reliant on the manifold activities of the unseen micro-
sable to maintaining hygienic conditions in the food, pharmacy bial world. The miniscule size of its members belies their
and electronics industries. Several chapters later (part X), the tremendous importance.
mechanism of action of antibiotics that control infectious dis- MERCEDES BERLANGA
eases are described. Part III discusses microbial metabolism. University of Barcelona
The essential and current topics of microbial genetics and [email protected]

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