As the title suggests, this book presents an open ended system in which computer techniques facilitate encoding, entry, management, and analysis of microbiological data derived from the study of bacteria, algae, fungi, and protozoa. The system is not constrained by any taxonomie point of view or proprietary computer technology and is freely and easily adaptable to the special needs of special problems. This enables investigators to deal efficiently with unforeseen areas of their investigation or with new data generated by old or new technology. We are sincerely grateful for the invaluable advice and encouragement of Professor V.B.D. Skerman. Many individuals contributed ideas and technical knowledge, and users of the system have contributed data and responsive criticism for more than a decade. Particularly, we acknowledge Lesley Jones for some editorial help; Keith E. McNeil for contributions to Section 7; Elwyn G. McIntyre for invaluable assistance with Section 8; Dr. B. Amdur for major contributions to Section 21; Dr. A.J. Wicken for assistance in expanding and updating Section 23; Dr. S. Feingold for some features of anaerobic bacteria in Section 24; Drs. J.

Directions for Coding Data.- Coding Numerical Data.- Recording Specimen and Associated Microbial Data.- Directions for Coding Reference System Data.- Example Set of Code Sheets.- Section.- 1: General Information Code Sheet.- 2: Specific Strain Information.- 3: Individual Cell Morphology.- 4: Individual Vegetative Cell Size.- 5: Insoluble Intracellular And Extracellular Depositions.- 6: Endospores And Cysts.- 7: Myxospores, Sporocysts, Fruiting Bodies, Spores, Sporozoites, Trophozoites, And Gametocytes.- 8: Branching, Hyphae, and Production of Asexual Spores.- 9: Stalks.- 10: Sheaths.- 11: Capsules.- 12: Stain Reactions.- 13: Motility, Flagellation and External Organelles.- 14: Mode Of Cell Division.- 15: Arrangement.- 16: Cultural Conditions, Inhibitors, Nutrition, Growth, Life Cycles.- 17: Vegetative Cell Temperature Relations.- 18: Sodium Chloride & other Osmotic Agents - Tolerance and Requirements.- 19/40: Antibiotic Sensitivity.- 20: Pigments and Odors.- 21: Cell Contents.- 22: Lysis.- 23: Cell Surface (Wall or Membrane).- 24: Metabolic Reactions.- 25: Carbohydrate Metabolism.- 26: Alcohol Metabolism.- 27: Aldehyde Metabolism.- 28: Carboxylic Acid or Ester Metabolism.- 29: Amino Acid Metabolism.- 30: Amine, Amide, Lactam, Purine, Pyrimidine Metabolism.- 31: Hydrocarbon and Ketone Metabolism.- 32: Fat and Oil Metabolism.- 33: Preservation of Strains.- 34: Metabolic Pathways and Enzymes.- 35: Quantitative Antibiotic Sensitivity.- 36: Internal Organelles.- 37: Nucleus.- 38: Nucleic Acids.- Reference System.- 101: Salmonella.- 0 Antigens - Polyvalent Antisera - Bacto.- 0 Antigens - Polyvalent Antisera - CDC.- 0 Antigens - Polyvalent Antisera - Wellcome.- Spicer-Edwards Polyvalent H Antisera.- H Antigens - Wellcome.- List of Manufacturers1 Specific Antisera.- 0 Antigens.- H Antigens.- Pooled H Antigens.- 103: Streptococcus.- Neufeld Quellung Reaction.- Lancefield Groups.- 105: Staphylococcus.- Staphylococcal Toxin.- Immunodiffusion.- Phage Typing - Lytic Groups.- Phage Types.- 106: Escherichia.- 0 Antigens - Bacto.- H Antigens - Polyvalent Antisera - Bacto.- H Antigens - Single Factors - Bacto.- OK Antigens - Polyvalent Antisera - Bacto.- Specific OK Antigens - Bacto.- 107: Campylobacter.- Penner Method - Hemagglutination - CDC.- Lior Method - Polyvalent Antisera.- Lior Method - Single Factor Antisera.- Appendix - Synonyms of Compounds.- References.