Diversity and Benefits of Microorganisms from the Tropics

This book addresses the diversity of tropical microorganisms and its applications in agriculture, renewable energy production and environmental protection. It covers several tropical habitats such as rain forests, mangroves, sea and river waters and describes how microorganisms isolated from these regions can be used to control insects and plant diseases, to improve sugar cane and biofuels production among other applications. The book also aims to bring researchers’ attention to the potential of tropical microorganisms for biotechnological purposes, an area that is still far from being well explored.

DR JOAO LUCIO AZEVEDO –  B.S. : University of  Sao Paulo Brazil, in Agronomy 1960; PhD : University of Sheffield (Great-Britain)Genetics 1971; Associated Professor; University of Sao Paulo (1974); Pos-doctor: University of Nottingham UK 1979 and University of Manchester, UK  1988; Full professor at University of Sao Paulo (1984); Senior Professor (2009) till now. Specialization and areas of particular interest: Microbial genetics, microorganisms of agricultural interest ; endophytic bacteria and fungi: interactions between microorganisms and plants  Biological control of insect-pests and  plant diseases. Honors and Awards: Member of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences; Member of the Academy of Sciences State of Sao Paulo-Brazil; Prize Scopus contribution to increase scientific production in the country and formation of new PhDs (2006); Prize Bunge; Contribution to tropical agriculture (2009); Prize Frederico Veiga EMBRAPA - Contribution to Brazilian Agriculture (1993);  Member of the Brazilian order of Scientific merit from 2000; Member emeritus of Brazilian Research Council- CNPq (2010); Professor Emeritus, Agriculture School, University of São Paulo. Brazil (2013); Luiz de Queiroz medal, Agriculture School, University of São Paulo (2014). Employment: Professor at  Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz  ESALQ/USP, Brazil (1960-present). Coordinator: Microbiology sector. Centro de Biotecnologia da Amazônia (CBA) (2008-2011).

DR MARIA CAROLINA QUECINE –Post-doctoral: Department of Genetics, Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz  ESALQ/USP  (2011-2013) and (2010 – 2011).  Graduation: Direct Ph.D. in Genetics and Plant Breeding ESALQ-USP (2005 – 2010). Under-Graduation: Bachelor and Licentiate in Agronomic Engineering, ESALQ-USP (2000 – 2004). Research Interests and Activities: Experience in microbial genetics and molecular biology. Recent knowledge in microbial genomics with emphases in high throughput sequencing, genome assembly and gene annotation. Major interest in molecular genetics of plant-associated microorganisms, biological control of plant disease, molecular analysis of secondary metabolite and enzymatic compounds production to agronomic and industrial application. Employment: Assistant Professor: Department of Genetics. Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz University of São Paulo, Brazil (2014). International experience:  ASM YA - Young Ambassador of American Society of Microbiology to Brazil (2013). Ph.D. Sandwich - United States Department of Agriculture - USDA-ARS Horticultural Crops Research Laboratory. Corvallis, Oregon, United States. Supervision: Dra. Joyce E. Loper. (2008-2008). Awards:  3o Top Ethanol – Academic work  (2012); Down Innovation and Sustainably (2010). José and Silvia Amador (2009); APS Annual Meeting (2009).11o Simpósio Internacional de Iniciação Científica da Universidade de São Paulo SIICUSP (2003).