Cold adapted microorganisms, plants and animals are widely distributed in nature since more than 80% of the biosphere show temperatures below soc. These organ isms playa major role in the processes of nutrient turnover and primary biomass production in cold ecosystems and have adapted to their environment in such a way that metabolic processes, reproduction and survival strategies are optimal. Cold adapted organisms have received little attention so far. Only within the past few years it has been recognized that these organisms and their products provide a large potential for biotechnological applications. Biochemical reactions can be per formed at low temperatures and terminated by mild heat treatment, without the risk of contaminations by mesophiles or thermophiles. Thus, the practical utiliza tion of cold-adapted organisms would constitute a considerable progress towards the saving of energy. In this book, prominent authors from industries and universities present new concepts and developments. Their articles summarize the actual and potential applications of cold-adapted organisms and viruses in several fields of biotechnol ogy, such as enzymes, health, food, agriculture and environment. Further chapters cover the application of cold-adapted microorganisms for bio-mining and as genetic tools. We are most grateful to the authors for their excellent contributions, to Brigitte Marschall and Alexander Koren (vanillapaint) for skilful preparation of the layout, and to the publishers, especially to Dr. Dieter Czeschlik, for their cooperation.

Genetic Tools

Development of regulatable expression systems for cloned genes in cold-adapted bacteria
Enzyme Biotechnology
Biotechnology of enzymes from cold-adapted microorganisms
Low temperature organic phase biocatalysts using cold-adapted enzymes
Lipases A and B from the yeast Candida antarctica
Peptide hydrolases from antarctic krill - an important new tool with promising medical potential
Heat-labile uracil-DNA glycosilase from a psychrophilic marine bacterium
Health Biotechnology
Principle of cold-adaptation in the derivation of live-attenuated respiratory virus vaccines
Food Biotechnology
Cold-adapted microorganisms for use in food biotechnology
Low temperature fermentation of wine and beer by cold-adapted and immobilized yeast cells
Agricultural Biotechnology
Cold-resistant plant development by genetic manipulation of membrane lipids
The potential use of cold-adapted rhizobia to improve symbiotic nitrogen fixation in legumes cultivated in temperate regions
Plant protection by cold-adapted fungi
Snow mold-crop-environment interactions
Environmental Biotechnology
Simulation analysis of operation conditions for a municipal wastewater treatment plant at low temperatures
The potentials of submesophilic and/or psychrophilic anaerobic treatment of low strength wastewaters
Effectiveness of wastewater lagoons in cold regions
Low temperature anaerobic treatment of swine manure
Biodegradation of organic pollutants at low temperatures
Bio-Mining
Biohydrometallurgical processes and temperature
Multidisciplinary Applications
Applications of biological ice nucleators
Applications of antifreeze proteins.