Abstract
Where there is life, there are viruses. Thermophilic viruses are essential in regulating the structure and composition of microbial communities in the terrestrial and marine hot environments. Moreover, they constitute an important source of novel enzymes of high biotechnological and industrial potential. This chapter focuses on the application potential of thermophilic viruses. Central to this topic are the many novel genetic and morphological features discovered in thermophilic viruses. In order to fully appreciate the huge potential these viruses have in basic research and biotechnology, we will introduce recent results derived from studies of structural adaptations, functional genomics, metagenomics, virus-host interactions and virus life cycle, all areas with remarkable characteristics. In the end, a section will cover more specific application areas including thermophilic viruses as nanobuilding blocks.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Thermophilic Microbes in Environmental and Industrial Biotechnology : Biotechnology of Thermophiles |
| Editors | Tulasi Satyanarayana, Jennifer Littlechild, Yutaka Kawarabayasi |
| Number of pages | 34 |
| Publisher | Springer |
| Publication date | 1 Jan 2013 |
| Pages | 271-304 |
| ISBN (Print) | 978-94-007-5898-8 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 978-94-007-5899-5 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2013 |
