Bifidobacteria: Genomics and Molecular Aspects (Hardcover)

Description

Bifidobacteria are among the most studied “beneficial” gut microbes, yet they have historically been difficult to investigate in the lab due to their fastidious growth requirements and oxygen sensitivity. Bifidobacteria: Genomics and Molecular Aspects captures the moment the field changed: as whole-genome sequencing and comparative genomics unlocked a surge of data that finally made rigorous molecular work feasible at scale. 

Edited by Baltasar Mayo and Douwe van Sinderen, this hardback 2010 volume brings together leading researchers to synthesize current understanding of bifidobacterial biology—from ecological distribution in the mammalian gut to the genomic foundations of metabolism, stress tolerance, and host interaction. The book also tackles practical, high-value topics for applied microbiology: acid and bile resistance, probiotic functionality, antimicrobial activity, safety assessment, and viability in commercial preparations. 

Where it really earns its place on a serious shelf is in bridging genome-era discovery with mechanistic interpretation. Readers will find authoritative reviews on mobile genetic elements, antibiotic resistance/susceptibility profiles, and the expanding toolbox for genetic manipulation and vector design—critical for moving from association claims to testable function. 

This is a true reference work: ideal for postgraduate study, lab libraries, and researchers working in probiotics, microbiome science, microbial genomics, and food/medical microbiology—especially anyone needing a structured map of the field rather than scattered papers.