Synopsis Microbiologist have made significant contributions to basic biological sciences as well as in the applied areas of public health and medical sciences, agriculture, industry and environmental sciences. The most dramatic current development in applied microbiology is due to development of genetic engineering and recombinant DNA technology. The book "Advances in Microbiology" provides a comprehensive and critical review of the work done on different areas of microbiology including agriculture, industry medical science, bioremediation etc. The book contains 24 chapters. Chapters cover information on the status of microbial diversity, application of biosensors, Azolla as biofertilizer, Frankia. –nitrogen fixing actinomycetes, extraction of metals from ores using bacteria, alkaliphiles, Citric acid fermentation, biodiversity of cyanobacteria, microbial degradation of xenobiotics etc. Aspects, covering biotechnological applications of microbes for improved plant productivity and new approaches for development of vaccines have been specially included to project their role and use in the twenty-first century. Comprehensive account of microbes in the management of soil borne diseases and plant parasitic nematodes throw, light on the importance of microbes in the management of plant pests. This book will be useful to researchers, teachers and students of microbiology, botany, zoology and agriculture.