Human Microbes - The Power Within

Dr. Appanna has been teaching and researching for over 30 years on various aspects of how microbes go about surviving in extreme environments. He is in fact ‘a bacterial whisperer’ and has been able to ‘talk’ microbes into executing a variety of challenging tasks. For instance, he has tailored microbes to grow in metal-polluted areas, live on glycerol and adopt a lifestyle on limited oxygen. Dr. Appanna has published in excess of hundred articles in scientific journals and lectured extensively around the globe including France, India, Russia, Chile and China. He is the academic editor of numerous journal publications. He has served as Department Chair and Dean of the Faculty of Science & Engineering at Laurentian University. As a prolific researcher he has trained and mentored over 150 highly qualified research personnel. He has also helped identify some of the mechanisms metal pollutants invoke to trigger obesity and neurological diseases. His passion and knowledge of microbes havetaken him around the globe in pursuit of biotechnological solutions. Whether it is the search for microbes to mitigate pollution in the Black Sea or to extend the life of oil reserve in Sarov, Russia or to improve water quality in the aquaculture industry in Vietnam, or to mine valuable metals in the Atacama desert, Chile, Dr. Appanna has been a pioneer in cajoling microbes in performing a desired chore. In this book he has summoned his extensive teaching skills, microbial expertise and background in human health to weave the fascinating facets of our invisible organ.