Bacterial community changes in a paddy soil oxygen gradient, assessed by cultivation and mRNA expression profiling [Elektronische Ressource] / by Pravin Malla Shrestha

Bacterial community changes in a paddy soil oxygen gradient, assessed by cultivation and mRNA expression profiling Doctoral thesis for the fulfillment of the grade of Doctor (Dr. rer. nat.) of the Philipps University of Marburg Submitted to the faculty of Biology of the Philipps University of Marburg/Lahn By Pravin Malla Shrestha from Kathmandu, Nepal. Marburg/Lahn 2007 Pledge Pledge I certify that the present thesis entitled: “Bacterial community changes in a paddy soil oxygen gradient, assessed by cultivation and mRNA expression profiling” was carried out without any unlawful devices. I did not use any other than the described literature sources or technical devices. This work has never been submitted before in this or similar form to any other university and has not been used before any examination. Marburg, 10.01.2007 Pravin Malla Shrestha ii Acknowledgements Acknowledgements I wish to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to my supervisor, PD Dr. Werner Liesack, for the valuable suggestions, comments, patience, deep understanding, and guidance he gave to me during the entire duration of my Ph.D. work. I am deeply indebted to my distinguished committee members who are serving as judges of my Ph.D. work, especially Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Buckel, Prof. Dr. Renate Renkawitz-Pohl, and Prof. Dr.