The PL-Grid was established to provide the Polish scientific community with a grid-based e-infrastructure, enabling the integration of experimental data and results of advanced computer simulations carried out by geographically distributed research teams. The 26 papers presented in this state-of-the-art survey describe the experience and scientific results obtained by researchers involved in the PL-Grid project. Topics covered include: integration of grid middleware
service operations
security mechanisms
infrastructure monitoring, storage provisioning, and integration of service level agreements
and training and dissemination. In addition, five chapters focus on the application of the PL-Grid middleware and infrastructure to current scientific problems such as grain morphology analysis, chemistry computations, and molecular dynamics modes. The book is rounded off with a useful glossary of terms.