Tobias Kieser, Mervyn J. Bibb, Mark J. Buttner, Keith F. Chater, David A. Hopwood
John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Colney, Norwich NR4 7UH, England

"The new manual is terrific" - Read the testimonials

This entirely new book replaces the highly successful "Genetic Manipulation of Streptomyces: a Laboratory Manual" of 1985 but is greatly expanded in scope. The five authors lead research teams at the John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK and compilation of the book has also benefited from extensive consultation with the world-wide community of Streptomyces researchers. As well as detailed protocols and hints for all aspects of Streptomyces genetics, including over 100 pages of maps and detailed information on marker genes, it extends into physiology, biochemistry and cytology. It is also a rich source of background information about the biology of this group of mycelial, antibiotic-producing bacteria.

Publication of "Practical Streptomyces Genetics" is especially timely in the year in which the sequence of the genome of Streptomyces coelicolor is due to be completed, an event that is expected to stimulate an upsurge of interest in Streptomyces genetics. The book will be a must in every laboratory involved in this growing field of research, from combinatorial biosynthesis to functional genomics. It also deserves a place on the bookshelves of all those interested in comparative prokaryotic molecular biology, including those of university and college lecturers.

Chapter Titles

1. General introduction to actinomycete biology

2. Growth and preservation of Streptomyces

3. Microscopical methods

4. Specialised biochemical techniques

5. Mutagenesis of Streptomyces by irradiation or chemicals

6. Transposon mutagenesis in Streptomyces

7. In vitro genetic analysis by conjugation and protoplast fusion

8. Preparation and analysis of genomic and plasmid DNA

9. General considerations about gene cloning in Streptomyces

10. Introduction of DNA into Streptomyces

11. Plasmids and their use for gene cloning

12. Streptomyces phages

13. Cloning with phage vectors

14. Gene disruption and gene replacement

15. Reporter systems

16. RNA methods

17. Production and secretion of proteins by Streptomyces

18. Analysing Streptomyces DNA

19. Media, buffers and suppliers

20. Genome maps and genetically marked strains

21. Maps of DNA fragments

22. Maps of plasmids, transposons and phage genomes

Each chapter has a comprehensive list of references