The Curious World of Bacteria

by Ludger Wess, Jamie McIntosh (Translator)

Overview

Bacteria were the first life on Earth. But what do we really know about them? In this captivating, science-driven book, you’ll learn everything you need to know about these often misunderstood—and incredibly interesting—microbes.

In this engagingly written and scientifically rigorous book, author and scientist Ludger Wess introduces an eclectic collection of impressive, useful, weird, and dangerous bacterial species. Wess reveals everything he knows about bacteria, including their ability to survive almost anywhere, to “sleep” for millions of years before becoming active again, to maintain their own immune systems (a discovery that has led to medical breakthroughs for humans), and to—hypothetically—live on other planets.

In part two, Wess moves on to his curious compendium of bacterial species, presenting fifty fascinating portraits grouped by useful categories: bacteria that are record holders, extreme-habitat dwellers, unusual consumers, people-helpers, and people-harmers. Beautiful black-and-white illustrations accompany each portrait. At the end of this engrossing read, Wess recognizes how much we still don’t know about bacteria. But by starting here, we can come closer to understanding the first life on Earth.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781771648257
Publisher:	Greystone Books
Publication date:	02/07/2023
Pages:	240
Sales rank:	619,783
Product dimensions:	5.70(w) x 8.60(h) x 0.80(d)
Lexile:	1280L (what's this?)

About the Author

Ludger Wess holds a degree in biology and chemistry and a PhD in social studies of sciences. He worked as a molecular biologist before turning to a career as a science writer, focusing on genetic engineering and biotechnology. A member of the National Association of Science Writers, his articles have appeared in BioWorld, BioTech International, Chemistry & Industry, and The Scientist, amongst other publications

Table of Contents

Preface ix

Introduction 1

Record Holders 41

Thiomargarita namibiensis 43

Eubostrichus dianeae epibacterium 46

Pelagibacter ubique 49

Nasuia deltocephalinicola 52

Minicystis rosea 55

JCVI-syn3.0 58

Lysinibacillus sphaericus 63

Extremists 67

Colwellia psychrerythraea 69

Methanopyrus kandleri 72

Paenibacillus xerothermodurans 75

Picrophilus torridus 78

Alkaliphilus transvaalensis 81

Shewanella benthica DB21MT-2 84

Janibacter hoylei 88

Halobacterium salinarum 91

Constrictibacter antarcticus 96

Cupriavidus metallidurans 99

Magnetospirillum magnetotacticum 102

Desulforudis audaxviator 105

Chromulinavorax destructans 109

Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus 112

Occupiers of Technological Habitats 115

Deinococcus radiodurans 117

Dehalococcoides mccartyi 120

Alcanivorax borkumensis 123

Ideonella sakaiensis 126

Burkholderia pseudomallei 129

Tersicoccus phoenicis 132

Pseudomonas aeruginosa 135

Exotic Eaters 139

Shewanella oneidensis 141

Candidatus Eremiobacter / Candidatus Dormibacter 144

Geobacter sulfurreducens 147

Ralstonia syzygii 150

Helpful Bacteria 153

Lactococcus lactis 155

Acetobacter aceti 158

Propionibacterium freudenreichii 161

Bradyrhizobium japonicum 164

Bacillus thuringiensis 167

Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans 170

Bacillus cohnii 173

Cytophaga hutchinsonii 176

Clostridium autoethanogenum 179

Dangerous Bacteria 183

Bacillus anthracis 185

Yersinia pestis 188

Listeria monocytogenes 192

Campylobacter jejuni 195

Legionella pneumophila 198

Helicobacter pylori 201

Staphylococcus aureus 204

Serratia marcescens 209

Escherichia coli 212

Epilogue 215

Bibliography 218

Resources 219

Index 220

Editorial Reviews

11/28/2022

Molecular biologist Wess makes his English-language debut with this captivating primer on the world of bacteria. He offers an overview of the evolution, biology, and functions of bacteria through 50 “portraits” of distinctive species. Spotlighting the “record holders” of the microscopic world, Wess notes that Pelagibacter ubique, found in salt water, is the “smallest independently living bacterium, but also the most efficient” in genome size and makeup. He explains how bacteria can help humans, describing how steelworks in China have put Clostridium autoethanogenum to work converting industrial exhaust fumes into ethanol and how a Dutch microbiologist has come up with a plan to incorporate Bacillus cohnii into concrete, where the bacteria’s ability to produce lime could help repair cracks. The author details bacteria that thrive under extreme conditions, such as Deinococcus radiodurans, which can withstand extreme levels of radiation, and Colwellia psychrerythraea, whose specialized polymers and enzymes enable it to survive temperatures of −320 ºF. Wess’s focus on the oddities of the bacterial world makes for an entertaining introduction to a critical, if underappreciated, facet of planetary life. Readers will come away with a deeper appreciation for the diversity of living organisms. (Feb.)

Publishers Weekly

"[C]aptivating... Wess's focus on the oddities of the bacterial world makes for an entertaining introduction to a critical, if underappreciated, facet of planetary life. Readers will come away with a deeper appreciation for the diversity of living organisms."
—Publishers Weekly

"We need more books like this... a great introduction to bacteria, complete with terrific illustrations."
—Jeff Lowenfels, author of Teaming with Bacteria

"Wow, wow, wow. Ludger Wess's deep dive into the lives of bacteria stretches the definition of life itself. Amazing."
—Eugenia Bone, author of Microbia: A Journey into the Unseen World Around You

"Reveals the unexpected marvels of the bacterial world, from the bottom of the Mariana Trench to the heights of the stratosphere, from the largest bacterium to the smallest."
—Keith Seifert, author of The Hidden Kingdom of Fungi: Exploring the Microscopic World in Our Forests, Homes, and Bodies

From the Publisher