Corynebacteria: Genomics and Molecular Biology

Corynebacteria are a diverse group Gram-positive bacteria found in a range of different ecological niches such as soil vegetables sewage skin and cheese smear. Some such as Corynebacterium diphtheriae are important pathogens while others such as Corynebacterium glutamicum are of immense industrial importance. In fact C. glutamicum is one of the biotechnologically most important bacterial species in use today with an annual production of more than two million tons of amino acids mainly L-glutamate and L-lysine. Due to its industrial importance C. glutamicum has been studied extensively over the years and the publication of the C. glutamicum genome sequence in 2003 provided renewed impetus to these studies. To date the complete genome sequences of four different species have been published and sequencing of at least two more species is ongoing. These genomic data have enabled a dramatic improvement in our understanding of the corynebacterial genome architecture metabolic processes species-specific traits industrial capabilities and potential roles in pathogenicity of humans and animals. In addition these genome sequences allied with newly developed genetic tools will consolidate C. glutamicum as a model organism for systems biology. Research in this area has never been more exciting. This volume brings together leading experts to provide a description of the current state-of-the-art molecular biology toolbox available for Corynebacterium research including global analyses techniques such as comparative genomics transcriptome proteome and metabolome analysis as well as the most recent knowledge on Corynebacterium promoter structures and vector systems. Furthermore topics such as regulatory networks controlling carbon nitrogen phosphorus sulphur and iron metabolism cell wall structure proteolysis and environmental stress response are covered. The book will be essential reading for all Corynebacterium scientists and everyone with an interest in global analysis techniques global regulation and systems biology.