Fungi: Biology and Applications was first published in 2005 and since that date has sold over 1500 copies. The second edition was published in 2011 and has sold in excess of 750 copies and has also been translated into Turkish (total sales of two editions >2500 copies). This book has been extremely successful and is a recommended text in many third level institutions. The book is designed to appeal to undergraduate students and to those working with fungi for the first time (e.g. postgraduates, industrial scientists). Traditionally, fungal book have been very specific but this book provides chapters on a wide range of areas at a level sufficient for undergraduate and postgraduate study. For example chapters cover topics such as physiology, genetics, proteomics, medical mycology, plant pathology, genomic, and antifungal therapy. The provision of revision questions and extra reading at the end of each chapter also facilitates the learning process.
The third edition is warranted to take account of recent developments in a wide range of areas. For example new developments in proteomics and genomics are revolutionizing our understanding of fungi and their interaction with the environment and/or the host. Antifungal drug resistance is emerging as a major problem in the treatment of fungal infections. New fungal pathogens of plants are emerging as problems in temperate parts of the World due to the effect of climate change.
In addition to updating and revising the chapters in the second edition three new chapters will be included in the new edition: Fungi as food, Fungi and the immune response and Fungi in the environment. These further broaden the scope of the book.
An updated edition is now warranted to take account of recent developments in fungal biology. Many existing books in this area are subject specific whereas this book covers a wide range of topics. The addition of extra chapters in areas such as Fungi and food, Fungi and the immune system and Fungi in the environment broadens the appeal of the book and means that the reader now has a book covering all of the main areas of fungal biology thus making this book an essential addition to microbiology libraries. The book will be an excellent resource for undergraduate microbiology students and also for those working with fungi in Industry or Academia.
