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Books > Professional & Technical > Biochemical engineering > Biotechnology
This volume provides a variety of standard protocols used to
cryopreserve or freeze-dry different types of specimens. In
addition, it provides chapters focused on the fundamental
principles of cryopreservation, vitrification, and freeze-drying.
Several state of the art microscopic, spectroscopic as well as
calorimetric methods are highlighted that can be used to study
cellular and macromolecular changes in response to freezing or
drying. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular
Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their
respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents,
step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips
on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and
practical, Cryopreservation and Freeze-Drying Protocols, Third
Edition serves as a practical guideline for studies on freezing and
drying processes as well as preservation strategies for biological
specimens.
This book examines how biotechnology can improve livestock breeding
and farming, and thereby also animal products. In the first
chapters the reader will discover which techniques and approaches
are currently used to improve animal breeding, animal health and
the value of animal products. Particular attention is given to
reproduction techniques, animal nutrition and livestock vaccines
that not only enhance animal health but also have a significant
effect on human health by ensuring safe food procurement and
preventing zoonotic diseases. In addition, modern biotechnology can
increase not only productivity but also the consistency and quality
of animal food, fiber and medical products. In the second part of
the book, issues such as how animal biotechnology could affect the
environment and the important topic of animal waste management are
explored. In the concluding chapter, the authors discuss future
challenges related to animal biotechnology. This work will appeal
to a wide readership, from scientists and professionals working in
animal production, to those in farm animal management and
veterinary science.
Abiotic stresses such as drought (water deficit), extreme
temperatures (cold, frost and heat), salinity (sodicity) and
mineral (metal and metalloid) toxicity limit productivity of crop
plants worldwide and are big threats to global food security. With
worsening climate change scenarios, these stresses will further
increase in intensity and frequency. Improving tolerance to abiotic
stresses, therefore, has become a major objective in crop breeding
programs. A lot of research has been conducted on the regulatory
mechanisms, signaling pathways governing these abiotic stresses,
and cross talk among them in various model and non-model species.
Also, various 'omics' platforms have been utilized to unravel the
candidate genes underpinning various abiotic stresses, which have
increased our understanding of the tolerance mechanisms at
structural, physiological, transcriptional and molecular level.
Further, a wealth of information has been generated on the role of
chromatin assembly and its remodeling under stress and on the
epigenetic dynamics via histones modifications. The book
consolidates outlooks, perspectives and updates on the research
conducted by scientists in the abovementioned areas. The
information covered in this book will therefore interest workers in
all areas of plant sciences. The results presented on multiple
crops will be useful to scientists in building strategies to
counter these stresses in plants. In addition, students who are
beginners in the areas of abiotic stress tolerance will find this
book handy to clear their concepts and to get an update on the
research conducted in various crops at one place
The rapid growth of biotechnology and drug design, based on
rational principles of biopolymer interactions, has generated many
developments in the field of biophysical chemistry. This series
presents overviews of these developments and of other topical areas
that are attracting interest in the field, from methodological
developments in high-resolution NMR spectroscopy and molecular
modelling to advances in structural chemistry and mechanistic
studies of proteins and other biological compounds crucial for drug
design.
Baculovirus Expression Systems and Biopesticides Edited by Michael
L. Shuler, H. Alan Wood, Robert R. Granados, and Daniel A. Hammer
Baculovirus Expression Systems and Biopesticides provides an
integrated perspective on the use of the continually evolving
baculovirus-insect cell system in the production of recombinant
proteins and genetically engineered pesticides. Divided into three
main sections--Developing Effective Virus-Insect Culture Systems,
Bioreactor Design and Scale-Up Issues, and Commercial Application
of Insect Cell Culture--the book, written by highly regarded
editors in the field, describes:
* The molecular biology and genetics of baculoviruses
* The use of baculoviruses as expression systems
* Principles and methods for small- and large-scale insect
cultures
* The use of wild type and genetically engineered baculoviruses as
viral pesticides
The breadth of coverage in Baculovirus Expression Systems and
Biopesticides will meet the needs of molecular biologists, chemical
engineers, biotechnologists, virologists, and entomologists.
Integrating basic to applied science and technology in medicine,
pharmaceutics, molecular biology, biomedical engineering,
biophysics and irreversible thermodynamics, this book covers
cutting-edge research of the structure and function of biomaterials
at a molecular level. In addition, it examines for the first time
studies performed at the nano- and micro scale. With innovative
technologies and methodologies aiming to clarify the molecular
mechanism and macroscopic relationship, Nano/Micro Science and
Technology in Biorheology thoroughly covers the basic principles of
these studies, with helpful step-by-step explanations of
methodologies and insight into medical applications. Written by
pioneering researchers, the book is a valuable resource for
academics and industry scientists, as well as graduate students,
working or studying in bio-related fields.
This book examines the fundamental concepts of multimodality
small-animal molecular imaging technologies and their numerous
applications in biomedical research. Driven primarily by the
widespread availability of various small-animal models of human
diseases replicating accurately biological and biochemical
processes in vivo, this is a relatively new yet rapidly expanding
field that has excellent potential to become a powerful tool in
biomedical research and drug development. In addition to being a
powerful clinical tool, a number of imaging modalities including
but not limited to CT, MRI, SPECT and PET are also used in small
laboratory animal research to visualize and track certain molecular
processes associated with diseases such as cancer, heart disease
and neurological disorders in living small animal models of
disease. In vivo small-animal imaging is playing a pivotal role in
the scientific research paradigm enabling to understand human
molecular biology and pathophysiology using, for instance,
genetically engineered mice with spontaneous diseases that closely
mimic human diseases.
Although it is a relatively new approach to biometric knowledge
representation, multimodal biometric systems have emerged as an
innovative alternative that aids in developing a more reliable and
efficient security system. Multimodal Biometrics and Intelligent
Image Processing for Security Systems provides an in-depth
description of existing and fresh fusion approaches for multimodal
biometric systems. Covering relevant topics affecting the security
and intelligent industries, this reference will be useful for
readers from both academia and industry in the areas of pattern
recognition, security, and image processing domains.
In Chloroplast Biotechnology: Methods and Protocols, expert
researchers in the field detail many of the methods which are now
commonly used in chloroplast molecular biology. Chapters focus on
essential background information, applications in tobacco and
protocols for plastid transformation in crops and Chlamydomonas and
Bryophytes. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular
Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their
respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents,
step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols and key
tips on troubleshooting and avoidance of known pitfalls.
Authoritative and practical, Chloroplast Biotechnology: Methods and
Protocols seek to aid scientists who study chloroplast molecular
biology as well as those interested in applications in agriculture,
industrial biotechnology and healthcare.
From Dolly the sheep to Frankenfood, life-saving medicines, and
beyond, this insightful work describes the technology and
controversy behind genetic engineering. From the publication of
Aldous Huxley's Brave New World in 1932 to the cloning of Dolly the
sheep in 1996, the public has long been fascinated by the idea that
humans may one day be able to mold or even create life. In less
than 30 years, genetic engineering has itself mutated from science
fiction to science fact. Supporters claim such innovations as
genetically modified crops and gene therapy are poised to bring
unparalleled benefits by eliminating hunger and hereditary disease,
whereas critics warn the dream could easily become a nightmare.
Packed with key facts and analysis, Genetic Engineering: A
Reference Handbook, Second Edition provides an expert guide to the
very latest discoveries in genetic engineering and genetic
modification and the technology's complex ethical, scientific, and
economic implications. Includes an expert guide to print and online
resources on genetic engineering and related areas Features a
comprehensive glossary designed for the general reader
This book explores fascinating topics at the edge of life, guiding
the reader all the way from the relation of life processes to the
second law of thermodynamics and the abundance of complex organic
compounds in the universe through to the latest advances in
synthetic biology and metabolic engineering. The background to the
book is the extraordinary scientific adventures that are being
undertaken as progress is made toward the creation of an artificial
cell and the control of life processes. This journey involves input
from research areas as diverse as genetic engineering, physical
chemistry, and information theory. Life is to be thought of not
only as a chemical event but also as an information process, with
the genome a repository of information gathered over time through
evolution. Knowledge of the mechanisms affecting the increase in
complexity associated with evolutionary paths is improving, and
there appear to be analogies with the evolution of the technologies
promoting the development of our society. The book will be of wide
interest to students at all levels and to others with an interest
in the subject.
The discovery of ribozymes nearly 30 years ago triggered a huge
interest in the chemistry and biology of RNAs. Much of the recently
made progress focusing on metal ions is addressed in MILS 9. This
book, written by 28 internationally recognized experts from 8
nations, provides a most up-to-date view and is thus of special
relevance for colleagues teaching courses in biological inorganic
chemistry and for researchers dealing, e.g., with nucleic acids,
gene expression, and enzymology, but also for those in analytical
and bioinorganic chemistry or biophysics. Structural and Catalytic
Roles of Metal Ions in RNA describes in an authoritative and timely
manner in 12 stimulating chapters, supported by nearly 1600
references, 13 tables, and 75 illustrations, mostly in color, metal
ion-binding motifs, methods to detect and characterize metal
ion-binding sites, and the role of metal ions in folding and
catalysis. It deals with diffuse metal ion binding, RNA
quadruplexes, the regulation of riboswitches, metal ions and
ribozymes, including artificial ribozymes. The spliceosome, the
ribosome, ribozymes involving redox cofactors as well as the
binding of kinetically inert metal ions to RNA are also covered.
There is an increasing interest of biotechnologists in the
potential of cold-adapted organisms, since they play a major role
in the processes of nutrient turnover and primary biomass
production in cold ecosystems. Essential advantages of the
application of such organisms are the rapid microbial metabolism at
low temperatures, the low activation energy for enzymatic substrate
hydrolysis and the low thermostability of enzymes from cold-adapted
organisms. Benefits can also be deduced from the frost hardiness
and frost resistance of cold-adapted plants and animals.
This important reference is the first comprehensive resource
worldwide that reflects research achievements in neglected and
underutilized crop biotechnology, documenting research events
during the last three decades, current status, and future outlook.
This book has 16 chapters divided into 4 sections. Section 1 has
three chapters dealing with Chenopodium as a potential food source,
thin cell layer technology in micropropagation of Jatropha, and
Panax vietnamensis. Section 2 deals with molecular biology and
physiology of Haberlea rhodopensis, cell trait prediction in vitro
and in vivo of legumes, and application of TILLING in orphan crops.
Section 3 has five chapters on biotechnology of neglected oil
crops, Quinoa, Erucia sativa, Stylosanthes, and Miscanthus. And
Section 4 contains five chapters mainly on genetic transformation
of Safflower, Jatropha, Bael, and Taro. This section also includes
a chapter on genetic engineering of Mangroves.
The existence of life at high temperatures is quiet fascinating. At
elevated temperatures, only microorganisms are capable of growth
and survival. A variety of microbes survive and grow at such high
temperatures. Many thermophilic microbial genera have been isolated
from man-made (washing machines, factory effluents, waste streams
and acid mine effluents) and natural (volcanic areas, geothermal
areas, terrestrial hot springs, submarine hydrothermal vents,
geothermally heated oil reserves and oil wells, sun-heated litter
and soils/sediments) thermal habitats throughout the world. Both
culture-dependent and culture-independent approaches have been
employed for understanding the diversity of microbes in hot
environments. These organisms not only tolerate such high
temperatures but also usually require these for their growth and
survival. They are known as thermophiles/thermophilic microbes,
which include a wide variety of prokaryotes (Bacteria and Archaea)
as well as eukaryotes (Fungi, Algae, Protozoa). Interest in their
diversity, ecology, and physiology has increased enormously during
the past few decades as indicated by the deliberations in
international conferences on extremophiles and thermophiles every
alternate year. The Phylogenetic relationship of the known
microorganisms indicates the presence of thermophilic
microorganisms at the position close to the Last Universal Common
Ancestor (LUCA). It is widely accepted that metal-reducing
microorganisms have a large impact on the geochemistry of
subsurface environments through the cycling of metals and organic
matter, and thereby affect water quality and taste. Furthermore,
metal-reducing micro-organisms have potential applications in
bioremediation, mineral leaching and energy generation processes
and are of evolutionary interest as metal reduction is considered
to be a very ancient form of respiration. Protein characterization
surprisingly indicated that possible additional functionality and
alternate site promiscuity could contribute to the diverse
biochemical abilities of the bacteria, especially with respect to
microbe-metal interactions. Thermophilic bacteria are also able to
reduce a wide spectrum of other metals including Mn (IV), Cr (VI),
U (VI), Tc (VII), Co (III), Mo (VI), Au (I, III), and Hg (II) which
can be used for immobilization of toxic metals/radionuclides, e.g.
for the bioremediation of hot waste water of disposal sites of
radioactive wastes having temperature range favorable for
thermophiles for a long period of time. The main sources of CO in
hot environments inhabited by anaerobic thermophiles are volcanic
exhalations and thermal degradation of organic matter. A number of
phylogenetically diverse anaerobic prokaryotes, both Bacteria and
Archaea, are known to metabolize CO. CO transformation may be
coupled to methanogenesis, acetogenesis, hydrogenogenesis, sulfate
or ferric iron reduction. The key enzyme of anaerobic CO
utilization, the Ni-containing CO dehydrogenase, is synthesized in
hydrogenogens as an enzyme complex with the energy-converting
hydrogenase. The genomic analysis shows this enzymatic complex to
be encoded by a single gene cluster. Themophilic moulds and
bacteria have been extensively studied in plant biomass
bioconversion processes, as sources of industrial enzymes and as
gene donors for the heterologous expression of thermostable
enzymes. In the development of third generation biofuels such as
bioethanol, thermophilic fungal and bacterial enzymes are of
particular interest. The entire genomes of several thermophilic
bacteria and archaea have already been sequenced. The analysis of
the genomic data provided resources for novel and useful proteins
and enzymes. The entire genomic data have also provided specific
feature of microbes and important information on the evolution of
thermophilic microorganisms. In some thermophilic archaea, multiple
types of chaperonins have been identified. The chaperonins have
been found to change according to the environmental conditions,
suggesting that the mechanism for maintaining correct structure of
thermostable proteins in the thermophilic archaea is regulated by
changing chaperonine molecules. These organisms have evolved
several structural and chemical adaptations, which allow them to
survive and grow at elevated temperatures. Thermostable enzymes
play an important role in the biosynthesis of fine chemicals. They
are generally more robust against the conditions of industrial
biocatalysis utilized by the industry, which can be solvent based
or at elevated temperatures. Many non-natural industrially
interesting substrates are often not soluble under aqueous
conditions and at ambient temperatures. The thermophilic Archaea
are a good source of these enzymes, which have been cloned and
over-expressed in Escherichia coli. These include alcohol
dehydrogenases for chiral alcohol production, aminoacylases for
optically pure amino acids and amino acid analogues, transaminases
for chiral amine production and gamma lactamases for chiral gamma
lactam building blocks which are subsequently incorporated into
carbocyclic nucleotides. Considerable interest has been generated
in the mechanism that nature utilizes to increase the stability of
enzymes found in thermophilic and hyperthermophilic species. A
comparative approach has been used to carry out a detailed study of
specific enzymes from a range of organisms in order to understand
acquired stability at a structural level. A directed or
site-specific mutagenesis approach has been used for stabilizing
mesophilic proteins. The specific mutations have been introduced by
looking at the most primitive forms of life, which are thought to
have evolved in a thermophilic environment. The book is aimed at
bringing together scattered up-to-date information on various
aspects of thermophiles such as the diversity of thermophiles and
viruses of thermophiles, their potential roles in pollution control
and bioremediation, composting and microb
Volume 8, solely devoted to the toxicology of metals and metalloids
as well as their compounds, focuses on human health. Not
surprisingly, all related research areas are rapidly developing due
to the role of metals and metalloids in the environment, for the
work place, for food and water supply, etc. Written by 40
internationally recognized experts, the 14 stimulating chapters
provide an authoritative and timely resource for scientists working
in the wide range from analytical, physical, inorganic, and
environmental biochemistry all the way through to toxicology,
physiology, and medicine. Volume 8 highlights, supported by nearly
1900 references, in a comprehensive and timely manner the
principles of risk assessment regarding the effects of metals on
human health. It examines how metal ions and their compounds affect
the pulmonary, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal (including liver),
hematological, immune, and neurological systems, the kidney, skin
and eyes, as well as human reproduction and development. MILS-8
terminates with the role of metal ions as endocrine disrupters, in
genotoxicity, and cancer risk.
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