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Biotechnology: building the professional literature
Biotechnology Advances 19 (2001) 663 – 664
Book review Biotechnology: building the professional literature Biotechnology: Vol. 10. Special Processes H.-J. Rehm, G. Reed, P. Pu¨hler, and P. Stadler, editors, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, 2001 xvi+606 pages, ISBN 3-527-28320-X
Biotechnology, a well-known multivolume treatise, has established itself as a major reference work on all aspects of biotechnology. The second edition (16 volumes in all) of Biotechnology is more comprehensive than the first edition and has been revamped completely. Volume 10 of this work is focused on ‘‘Special Processes,’’ or topics that did not quite fit in any of the other volumes. The book contains 20 chapters contributed by 43 authors. The authors are overwhelmingly (79%) from German institutions, misleadingly suggesting that Germany somehow leads in the kind of biotechnology expertise covered by the book. The topics discussed include bioelectrochemical fuel cells; maintenance of cell cultures (mainly animal cells); new screening methods for bioactive compounds; biocatalysis under extreme environments; cyanobacteria, microalgae, and related production systems; culture of protozoa; microbiological conversion of coal; microbial leaching of metals; accumulation and transformation of metals by microorganisms; microbial corrosion; microbial production of vitamins and related compounds; biochemistry of enzymes for polyketide synthesis; production of terpenoid flavor and fragrance compounds; biodegradable polymers from microbial and chemical sources; marine biotechnology; biotechnology of plant production; biotechnology in space; biotechnology in pulp and paper industry; and production and use of encapsulated cells in therapy. A brief final chapter entitled ‘‘Comments on Other Fields of Biotechnology’’ mentions some of the other topics (e.g., apoptosis, shear stress effects on cells, high-density cell cultivation) that each deserved a separate chapter. The various chapters are generally supported with extensive references to the relevant literature; however, not all chapters are equally thorough. For example, the chapter on culture of phototrophs barely mentions the relevant photobioreactor design issues. Similarly, few other chapters provide substantive quantitative details on engineering of the processes discussed. This is a significant shortcoming of most of the volumes in this series. Obviously, this has to do with a lopsided selection of the authorship. Unfortunately, a background in process biology is grossly insufficient for implementing and practicing successful bioprocesses. Indeed, the value of biotechnology literature should be measured increasingly on how well the literature serves the needs of bioprocess engineers and process practitioners. 0734-9750/01/$ – see front matter D 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved. PII: S 0 7 3 4 - 9 7 5 0 ( 0 1 ) 0 0 0 7 8 - 7
664
Book review / Biotechnology Advances 19 (2001) 663 – 664
The book is hardbound and has a useful 20-pp. index. All volumes of this series are produced to a high quality and this book is no exception. The book is a recommended acquisition for every reference library serving biotechnologists and bioprocess engineers. At A278.65, only the institutional buyers are likely to afford this book. Yusuf Chisti Institute of Technology and Engineering Massey University, Private Bag 11 222 Palmerston North, New Zealand E-mail address: [email protected]
Book review Biotechnology: building the professional literature Biotechnology: Vol. 10. Special Processes H.-J. Rehm, G. Reed, P. Pu¨hler, and P. Stadler, editors, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, 2001 xvi+606 pages, ISBN 3-527-28320-X
Biotechnology, a well-known multivolume treatise, has established itself as a major reference work on all aspects of biotechnology. The second edition (16 volumes in all) of Biotechnology is more comprehensive than the first edition and has been revamped completely. Volume 10 of this work is focused on ‘‘Special Processes,’’ or topics that did not quite fit in any of the other volumes. The book contains 20 chapters contributed by 43 authors. The authors are overwhelmingly (79%) from German institutions, misleadingly suggesting that Germany somehow leads in the kind of biotechnology expertise covered by the book. The topics discussed include bioelectrochemical fuel cells; maintenance of cell cultures (mainly animal cells); new screening methods for bioactive compounds; biocatalysis under extreme environments; cyanobacteria, microalgae, and related production systems; culture of protozoa; microbiological conversion of coal; microbial leaching of metals; accumulation and transformation of metals by microorganisms; microbial corrosion; microbial production of vitamins and related compounds; biochemistry of enzymes for polyketide synthesis; production of terpenoid flavor and fragrance compounds; biodegradable polymers from microbial and chemical sources; marine biotechnology; biotechnology of plant production; biotechnology in space; biotechnology in pulp and paper industry; and production and use of encapsulated cells in therapy. A brief final chapter entitled ‘‘Comments on Other Fields of Biotechnology’’ mentions some of the other topics (e.g., apoptosis, shear stress effects on cells, high-density cell cultivation) that each deserved a separate chapter. The various chapters are generally supported with extensive references to the relevant literature; however, not all chapters are equally thorough. For example, the chapter on culture of phototrophs barely mentions the relevant photobioreactor design issues. Similarly, few other chapters provide substantive quantitative details on engineering of the processes discussed. This is a significant shortcoming of most of the volumes in this series. Obviously, this has to do with a lopsided selection of the authorship. Unfortunately, a background in process biology is grossly insufficient for implementing and practicing successful bioprocesses. Indeed, the value of biotechnology literature should be measured increasingly on how well the literature serves the needs of bioprocess engineers and process practitioners. 0734-9750/01/$ – see front matter D 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved. PII: S 0 7 3 4 - 9 7 5 0 ( 0 1 ) 0 0 0 7 8 - 7
664
Book review / Biotechnology Advances 19 (2001) 663 – 664
The book is hardbound and has a useful 20-pp. index. All volumes of this series are produced to a high quality and this book is no exception. The book is a recommended acquisition for every reference library serving biotechnologists and bioprocess engineers. At A278.65, only the institutional buyers are likely to afford this book. Yusuf Chisti Institute of Technology and Engineering Massey University, Private Bag 11 222 Palmerston North, New Zealand E-mail address: [email protected]