Microbial Production

In this book the reader will find an introduction and review of recent research and development of the technology for bio-production of manufacturing microorganisms, a field in which Japan leads the world. Presented here are novel concepts and technology for breeding fermentation strains as well as the analytical methodology for gene function and genome design of producer strains.

Successful results are shown in diverse fields of application such as microbiological production, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, foods, and cosmetics. Two methodologies announced in the twenty-first century have dramatically improved the productivity of fermentation strains. One is a method of synthesizing the entire genome of the fermentation strain as proposed by Venter, famous for his work in human genome sequencing. Another is the minimum genome factory, which provides the basis for breeding a strain whose genome optimizes production of the target material.

Each chapter has been written by specialists in academia or by active researchers in industry, creating a work that is informative for researchers interested in the industrialization of novel concepts or technologies by a microbial production system. The book consists of three parts. The first presents the innovative concepts and technology for improvement of the fermentation strain, with supporting technology and other information. The second describes novel technologies useful for analysis of cell activities, and the third provides practical applications of those technologies and success stories for microbial production.