Vast numbers of different prokaryotic microorganisms shape the biosphere, with diverse metabolic capabilities. Determination of genome sequences for a wide range of bacteria and archaea now requires an in-depth knowledge of prokaryotic metabolic function to give biochemical, physiological and ecological meaning to the genomic information. This new edition describes up-to-date knowledge of the key metabolic processes that occur under different conditions, and the cellular processes that determine prokaryotic roles in the environment, biotechnology and human health. Essential for students of microbiology, applied microbiology, biotechnology, genomics and systems biology, this advanced textbook covers prokaryotic structure, composition, nutrient transport, biosynthesis and growth. Newly characterised metabolic pathways are included, as well as the latest understanding of metabolic regulation and stress responses. Additionally, the link between energetics, growth and survival is discussed as well as the maintenance of genetic integrity by the bacterial immune system.

'Overall this is an excellent text for researchers to refer to and for more advanced students to understand the complexities that are presented by prokaryotic organisms.' Ellis O'Neill, The Biologist

Byung Hong Kim is Emeritus Research Scientist at Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, and Professor at the Fuel Cell Institute, National University of Malaysia. His research group was designated by the Korean Government as a National Research Laboratory, the Bioelectricity Laboratory, and he has served as President of the Korean Society for Microbiology and Biotechnology. He holds over twenty patents relating to applications of his research in environmental biotechnology. Geoffrey Michael Gadd is Professor in the School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee. He holds the Boyd Baxter Chair of Biology, leads the Geomicrobiology Group and was founding Head of the Division of Molecular Microbiology at the University of Dundee. He has served as President of the British Mycological Society and is an elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology, the American Academy of Microbiology, the Linnean Society, the Learned Society of Wales, the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and elected Member of the European Academy of Microbiology.