Overview
- Editors:
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Russell Paterson
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Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
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Nelson Lima
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Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- Provides parameters to obtain antibiotics for resistant diseases
- Includes even more reasons to preserve existing ecosystems
- Shows how economic and societal benefits can be obtained for all
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Table of contents (14 chapters)
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- Daria Firsova, Nipun Mahajan, Hiren Solanki, Christine Morrow, Olivier P. Thomas
Pages 29-50
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- Jörg Overmann, David Smith
Pages 51-79
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- André Antunes, Marta F. Simões, Stefan W. Grötzinger, Jörg Eppinger, Judith Bragança, Vladimir B. Bajic
Pages 81-112
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- Chiara Borsetto, Elizabeth M. H. Wellington
Pages 113-136
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- Mikkel Bentzon-Tilia, Lone Gram
Pages 137-166
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- João Vicente Braga de Souza, Diego Rayan Teixeira de Sousa, Jessyca dos Reis Celestino, Walter Oliva Pinto Filho Segundo, Érica Simplício de Souza
Pages 197-211
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- Andrea A. Stierle, Donald B. Stierle
Pages 213-243
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- Luís D. R. Melo, Hugo Oliveira, Sílvio B. Santos, Sanna Sillankorva, Joana Azeredo
Pages 269-294
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- Russell Paterson, Nelson Lima
Pages 299-303
About this book
This book considers all aspects of bioprospecting in 14 succinct chapters and a forward by David Hawksworth. The organisms addressed include plants, insects, fungi, bacteria and phages. Bioprospecting has never been more relevant and is of renewed interest, because of the extremely worrying rise in novel, resistant pathogenic microorganisms. The practices in pharmaceutical companies have failed to deliver novel antibiotics to control these infections. We need to look for new sources of drugs from the environment on a massive scale as drug discovery is “too important to fail”. Furthermore, the field can add great value to ecosystems in terms of economics, while providing additional reasons for maintaining associated services, such as food provision, benign climate, effective nutrient cycling and cultural practices. Bioprospecting provides another reason why climate change must be reduced in order to preserve relevant environments. Previous bioprospecting projects should be re-visited and established biodiversity centres have a major role. Many different ecosystems exist which contain unique organisms with the potential to supply novel antibiotics, enzymes, food, and cosmetics, or they may simply have aesthetic value. The book stresses the difficulties in obtaining successful products and yet describes why natural products should be investigated over combinatorial chemistry. Personal experience of bioprospecting projects are given significance. Issues such as how to share the benefits equitably with local communities are described and why pharmaceutical companies can be reluctant to be involved. Legal issues are discussed. Finally, there has never been a better time for a new book on bioprospecting, because of the need to preserve ecosystems, and from the emergence of resistant pathogenic microorganisms.
About the editors
Editors:
Dr. Russell Paterson, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
Dr. Nelson Lima, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
