Overview

This is an insiders account of 50 years of genetic studies of the soil-inhabiting microbes that produce most of the antibiotics used to treat infections, as well as anti-cancer, anti-parasitic and immunosuppressant drugs. The book begins by describing how these microbes the actinomycetes were discovered in the latter part of the nineteenth century, but remained a Cinderella group until, in the 1940s, they shot to prominence with the discovery of streptomycin, the first effective treatment for tuberculosis and only the second antibiotic, after penicillin, to become a medical marvel. There followed a massive effort over several decades to find further treatments for infectious diseases and cancer, tempered by the rise of antibiotic resistance consequent on antibiotic misuse and over-use. The book goes on to describe the discovery of gene exchange in the actinomycetes in the context of the rise of microbial genetics in the mid-20th century, leading to determination of the complete DNA sequence of a model member of the group at the turn of the millennium. There follow chapters in which the intricate molecular machinery that adapts the organisms metabolism and development to life in the soil, including antibiotic production, is illuminated by the DNA blueprint. Then come an up-to-the minute account of the use of genetic engineering to make novel, hybrid, antibiotics, and a topical description of techniques to learn the roles of the thousands of genes in a genome sequence, throwing a powerful light on the biology of the organisms and their harnessing for increasing antibiotic productivity. In the final chapter we return to the mycobacteria that cause tuberculosis and leprosy, the first actinomycetes to be discovered, and how methodology, in part derived from the study of the streptomycetes, is being applied to understand and control these still deadly pathogens.

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9780195150667

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Reviews

"""Overall this is an extremely well written book, with a clear and concise narrative that is immensely readable. I would highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in the history of bacteriology, microbial genetics or antibiotics.""--Microbiology Today ""The book is excellently written throughout and the attention to detail is phenomenal...I thoroughly recommend this book to those with an interest in the history of microbiology, microbial genetics, and antibiotics...It will not disappoint and should be on the reading list of all new graduate students in steptomyces laboratories the world over.""--Microbe ""...an insider's account of the discoveries in Steptomyces genetics over the last half-century, and the applications of genetic technologies to develop novel medicinies...Overall, the language is very accessible to the non-specialist reader. New concepts are fully introduced and explained clearly...I enormously enjoyed reading this book.""--Immunology News ""Overall this is an extremely well written book, with a clear and concise narrative that is immensely readable. I would highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in the history of bacteriology, microbial genetics or antibiotics.""--Microbiology Today ""The book is excellently written throughout and the attention to detail is phenomenal...I thoroughly recommend this book to those with an interest in the history of microbiology, microbial genetics, and antibiotics...It will not disappoint and should be on the reading list of all new graduate students in steptomyces laboratories the world over.""--Microbe ""...an insider's account of the discoveries in Steptomyces genetics over the last half-century, and the applications of genetic technologies to develop novel medicines...Overall, the language is very accessible to the non-specialist reader. New concepts are fully introduced and explained clearly...I enormously enjoyed reading this book.""--Immunology News"

This work will be welcomed by scientists with an interest in the development of antibiotic microbiology and genetics. Journal of the History of Medicine ...very accessible to the non-specialist reader. New concepts are fully introduced and explained clearly. The book has many black and white illustrations which efficiently aid understanding of the concepts presented...enormously enjoyable. Immunology News Overall this is an extremely well-written book, with a clear and concise narrative that is immensely readable. I would highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in the history of bacteriology, microbial genetics or antibiotics. Microbiology Today

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