Material Properties of Alginates -- Alginate Production: Precursor Biosynthesis, Polymerization and Secretion -- Bacterial System for Alginate Uptake and Degradation -- Enzymatic Alginate Modification -- Alginate Gene Regulation -- Role of Alginate in Bacterial Biofilms -- Microbial Production of Alginates: Physiology and Process Aspects -- Alginate-Based Blends and Nano/Microbeads -- Applications of Alginates in Food -- Alginate and Its Comonomer Mannuronic Acid: Medical Relevance as Drugs. Alginates: Biology and Applications provides an overview of the state of art of alginate material properties, genetics and the molecular mechanisms underlying alginate biosynthesis as well as applications of tailor-made alginates in medicine, food and biotechnology. Topics treated are: material properties of alginates alginate production: precursor biosynthesis, polymerization and secretion bacterial system for alginate uptake and degradation enzymatic alginate modification alginate gene regulation role of alginate in bacterial biofilms microbial production of alginates: physiology and process aspects alginate-based blends and nano/microbeads applications of alginates in food alginate and its comonomer mannuronic acid: medical relevance as drugs