Bacterial Membrane Vesicles

This book focuses on the multitude of functionsbacterial membranevesicles perform in bacterial ecology and pathogenesis as well as in emerging medical and biotechnological applications. Both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria produce membrane-bound nanostructures, known as membrane vesicles,which have a range of functions that include serving as delivery vehicles, providing a means of communication over both spatial and temporal scales,and contributing tobacterial survival and evolution. Topics covered inthis bookrange from the biogenesis and compositionof bacterial membrane vesicles totheirabundance and biological rolesin microbial ecosystems, such as marine environments.In the individual chapters, the involvementof bacterial membrane vesiclesin host-pathogen interactions,promoting virulence andinfacilitating the establishment of infectionis explained.In addition, current knowledgeregarding membrane vesicles produced by commensal bacteria and their role in the maturation of the host immune system,as well asthe therapeutic potential of bacterial membrane vesicles as delivery systems and innovative nanotechnology-based therapeutics are discussed. This work appeals to a wide readership of students and researchers interested in microbial ecology, mechanism underlying pathogenesis and new avenues in applied microbiologyand nanotechnology.