Rapid changes and significant progress have been made in the Agrobacterium field, such as genetically transforming plants for both basic research purposes and agricultural development. In Agrobacterium Protocols, Third Edition, Volumes 1 and 2, a team of leading experts and veteran researchers describe in detail techniques for delivering DNA to plant cells and permanently altering their genomes. This edition emphasizes agricultural crops and plant species with economic values, with updated protocols on 32 plant species and protocols involving 19 new species. Together with the 1st and 2nd editions, these two volumes offer Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation protocols for a total of 76 plant species. For a number of important plants such as rice, barley, wheat and citrus, multiple protocols using different starting plant materials for transformation are included. Volume 2 contains 29 chapters with updated techniques for industrial plants, root plants, nuts and fruits, tropic plants, and other important plant species. 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 cutting-edge, Agrobacterium Protocols, Third Edition facilitates the transfer of this rapidly developing technology to all researchers in both fundamental and applied biology.

CMOS-based sensors offer significant advantages to life science applications, such as non-invasive long-term recordings, fast responses and label-free processes. They have been widely applied in many biological and medical fields for the study of living cell samples such as neural cell recording and stimulation, monitoring metabolic activity, cell manipulation, and extracellular pH monitoring. Compared to other sensing techniques, capacitive sensors are low-complexity, high-precision, label-free sensing methods for monitoring cellular activities such as cell viability, proliferation and morphology. The development of capacitive sensors for use in life sciences requires thorough knowledge of both the intended biological applications and CMOS circuitry. This book addresses the principles, design, implementation and testing, and packaging of CMOS circuits for these applications. Existing applications, markets, and potential future developments are also covered, plus the relevant biological protocols. Emerging CMOS Capacitive Sensors for Biomedical Applications provides information and guidance for researchers and advanced students in the field of microelectronics who are looking to specialise in biological applications. It is also relevant to academic and industrial researchers already working in the biosensors field, who wish to expand their knowledge and keep abreast of new developments.

Fungi are distinct eukaryotic organisms renowned for their remarkable biodiversity and extensive habitat range. Many fungal species have long been exploited for food and medicines. This volume considers other important applications of fungal biotechnology especially in an environmental context, showcasing the essential contributions of these amazingly versatile organisms. It explores how fungi offer sustainable solutions to tackle various environmental concerns. Written by eminent experts in their fields, this work presents a broad array of current advances and future prospects in fungal environmental biotechnology and discusses their limitations and potential. The book is organized in five parts, each addressing a theme of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG): strengthen food security (Zero Hunger), wastewater treatment (Clean Water & Sanitation), pollution reduction (Life on Land), biofuel production (Affordable & Clean Energy) and biosynthesis of novel biomolecules (Responsible Consumption & Production).

Bioremediation is an eco-friendly, cost-effective and natural technology targeted to remove heavy metals, radionuclides, xenobiotic compounds, organic waste, pesticides etc. from contaminated sites or industrial discharges through biological means. Since this technology is used in in-situ conditions, it does not physically disturb the site unlike conventional methods i.e. chemical or mechanical methods.

Drug Delivery Systems, Second Edition expands upon the previous edition with current, detailed methods and technologies to further study drug delivery. With new chapters on nanobiotechnology techniques, experimental methods and the clinical use for the intrathecal delivery of analgesics. 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, Drug Delivery Systems, Second Edition will be useful for pharmaceutical scientists as well as well as physicians both in the academic institutions and in the industry.

The advances in genomic technologies, such as microarrays and high throughput sequencing,
have expanded the realm of possibilities for capturing data and analyzing it using automated
computer driven bioinformatics tools. With the completion of the sequencing of genomes of
human and several model organisms, a quest for scientific discoveries being fueled by
integrative and multidimensional techniques in mathematics and computational sciences. In
this volume, leading researchers and experts have provided an overview of significant
concepts from biological, mathematical, and computational perspectives. It provides a high level view of fungal genomic data integration and annotation, classification of proteins and identification of vaccine targets, identification of secretome or secreted proteins in fungal genomes, as well as tools for analyzing microarray expression
profiles.
* Provides a survey of theoretical underpinnings on the technological tools and applications
* Discusses the tools utilized for the annotation of fungal genomes and addresses issues related to automated annotation generation in a high throughput biotechnology environment
* describing the applications of the concepts and methodologies presented throughout the book

Biotechnology is a diverse, complex and rapidly evolving field. Students and experienced researchers alike face the challenges of staying on top of developments in their field of specialty and maintaining a broader overview of the field as a whole. Volumes containing competent reviews on a diverse range of topics in the field fulfill the dual role of broadening and updating biotechnologists' knowledge. The current volume is an excellent example of such a book. The topics covered range from classical issues in biotechnology - such as, recent advances in all-protein chromophore technology- to topics that are focused on coencapsulation of hepatocytes and bone marrow cell. The information presented in this book will therefore will be of great value to both experienced biotechnologists and biotechnologists in training.
* Includes over 80 illustrations and photographs
* Discusses the recent developments in biodegradable synthetic polymers
* Offers a detailed discussion on emerging options in protein bioseparation

Biosensors are portable and convenient devices that permit the rapid and reliable analysis of substances. They are increasingly used in healthcare, drug design, environmental monitoring and the detection of biological, chemical, and toxic agents. Fractal Binding and Dissociation Kinetics for Different Biosensor Applications focuses on two areas of expanding biosensor development that include (a) the detection of biological and chemical pathogens in the atmosphere, and (b) biomedical applications, especially in healthcare. The author provides numerous examples of practical uses, particularly biomedical applications and the detection of biological or chemical pathogens. This book also contains valuable information dedicated to the economics of biosensors. After reading this book, the reader will gain invaluable insight into how biosensors work and how they may be used more effectively.
* No other book provides a detailed kinetic analysis of the binding and dissociation reactions occurring on the biosensor surfaces
* Packed with examples of practical uses of biosensors
* Includes chapters dedicated to the economics of biosensors

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the benefits of biofertilizers as an alternative to chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Agricultural production has increased massively over the last century due to increased use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, but these gains have come at a price. The chemicals are not only expensive; they also reduce microbial activity in agricultural soils and accumulate in the food chain, with potentially harmful effects for humans. Accordingly, it is high time to explore alternatives and to find solutions to overcome our increasing dependence on these chemicals. Biofertilizers, which consist of plant remains, organic matter and microorganisms, might offer an alternative. They are natural, organic, biodegradable, eco-friendly and cost-effective. Further, the microbes present in the biofertilizers are important, because they produce nutrients required for plant growth (e.g., nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium), as well as substances essential for plant growth and development (e.g., auxins and cytokinins). Biofertilizers also improve the physical properties, fertility and productivity of soil, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers while maintaining high crop yield. This makes biofertilizers a powerful tool for sustainable agriculture and a sustainable environment. The book covers the latest research on biofertilizers, ranging from beneficial fungal, bacterial and algal inoculants; to microbes for bioremediation, wastewater treatment; and recycling of biodegradable municipal, agricultural and industrial waste; as well as biocontrol agents and bio-pesticides. As such, it offers a valuable resource for researchers, academics and students in the broad fields of microbiology and agriculture.

Medical textiles are a major growth area within the technical textiles industry and the range of applications continues to grow and increase in diversity with every new development. Recent innovations include novel chitosan-alginate fibres for advanced wound dressings, ultrasonic energy for bleaching cotton medical textiles, durable and rechargeable biocidal textiles, spider silk supportive matrix for cartilage regeneration, barbed bi-directional surgical sutures and intelligent textiles for medical applications.
Medical textiles and biomaterials for healthcare is a culmination of the worldwide research into medical textiles and biomaterials. It is divided into eight parts covering the main areas of basic biomaterials, healthcare and hygiene products, infection control and barrier materials, bandaging and pressure garments, woundcare materials, implantable and medical devices and smart technologies. Each part contains a comprehensive overview written by leading experts in the area. The overviews are then followed by a selection of the best papers from the 2003 MEDTEX Conference, hosted by the University of Bolton. It has been extensively edited to produce what is expected to be the leading reference on this subject.
Discusses worldwide research into medical textiles and biomaterialsInvaluable reference for this developing area of technical textilesA selection of the best papers from the 2003 MEDTEX Conference, hosted by University of Bolton are included

Over the past 50 years, biotechnology has been the major driving force for increasing crop productivity. Particularly, advances in plant genetic engineering technologies have opened up vast new opportunities for plant researchers and breeders to create new crop varieties with desirable traits. Recent development of precise genome modification methods, such as targeted gene knock-out/knock-in and precise gene replacement, moves genetic engineering to another level and offers even more potentials for improving crop production. The work provides an overview of the latest advances on precise genomic engineering technologies in plants. Topics include recombinase and engineered nucleases-mediated targeted modification, negative/positive selection-based homologous recombination and oligo nucleotide-mediated recombination. Finally, challenges and impacts of the new technologies on present regulations for genetic modification organisms (GMOs) will be discussed.

This two-volume work surveys the entire range of general aspects of chromosome research on plants. This first volume is divided into two sections. Section A consists of 11 chapters covering the entire range of general aspects of chromosome research in plants (including a chapter on genetic engineering in crop improvement). Section B is devoted to cytogenetics of cereals and millets (wheat, rye, barley, triticale, oats, maize, rice, pearl millet, and minor millets). More than one chapter is devoted to the same crop to give a detailed treatment of chromosome research (including molecular biology) in these crops.

The second volume deals with cytogenetics of plant materials including legumes, vegetable and oil crops, sugar crops, forage crops, fibre crops, medicinal crops and ornamentals. This work will be useful both as a reference work and a teaching aid to satisfy a wide range of workers. Every chapter has been written by an expert who has been involved in chromosome research on a particular plant material for many years.

Enzymes and whole cells are able to catalyze the most complex chemical processes under the most benign experimental and environmental conditions. In this way, enzymes and cells could be excellent catalysts for a much more sustainable chemical industry. However, enzymes and cells also have some limitations for nonbiological applications: fine chemistry, food chemistry, analysis, therapeutics, and so on. Enzymes and cells may be unstable, difficult to handle under nonconventional conditions, poorly selective toward synthetic substrates, and so forth. From this point of view, the transformation-from the laboratory to industry-of chemical processes catalyzed by enzymes and cells may be one of the most complex and exciting goals in biotechnology. For many industrial applications, enzymes and cells have to be immobilized, via very simple and cost-effective protocols, in order to be re-used over very long periods of time. From this point of view, immobilization, simplicity, and stabilization have to be strongly related concepts. Over the last 30 years, a number of protocols for the immobilization of cells and enzymes have been reported in scientific literature. However, only very few protocols are simple and useful enough to greatly improve the functional properties of enzymes and cells, activity, stability, selectivity, and related properties.

This is the first text and monograph about DNA computing, a molecular approach that might revolutionize our thinking and ideas about computing. Although it is too soon to predict whether computer hardware to change from silicon to carbon and from microchips to DNA molecules, the theoretical premises have already been studied extensively. The book starts with an introduction to DNA-related matters, the basics of biochemistry and language and computation theory, and progresses to the most advanced mathematical theory developed so far in the area. All three authors are pioneers in the theory of DNA computing. Apart from being well-known scientists, they are known for their lucid writing. Many of their previous books have become classics in their field, and this book too is sure to follow their example.

This volume arranged into three sections describes biochemical, in vitro, and in vivo protocols on Semaphorins. Chapters focus on approaches that would allow the novice to study Semaphorins and employ robust assays to characterize mechanisms of action. 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 cutting-edge, Semaphorin Signaling: Methods and Protocols aims to ensure successful results in the further study of this vital field.

sector. This ensured eventual transfer of the technology demonstrated at the wo- shops and Technical Meetings to marketable devices. BIOSET provided assistance for researchers from European laboratories to meet to exchange ideas, use equ- ment, and establish a basis for new joint projects. The secretariat of the Concerted Action BIOSET supported the Technical Meetings. There were three Technical Meetings held, two in Berlin in 1997 and 1998, and the third in Barcelona, in April 2000. The goal of these technical meetings was to join different research and industrial teams to evaluate the performance of their biosensor technology in field conditions with common and standardized surface and waste waters. As a result of these field experiments, the additional information that biosensors can offer to environmental monitoring was also evaluated. Thus, these three Technical Meetings were useful accompanying measures and practical additions to the currently organized yearly workshops. The concerted action BIOSET was f- lowed by the SENSPOL network. The 1st SENSPOL Workshop was held on the 9-11 May 2001 on Sensing Technologies for Contaminated Sites and Groundwater at the University of Alcala. There was one special Workshop on "Genotoxicity Biosensing (TECHNOTOX)" supported by the European Commission DG XII D-1 and BIOSET in the year 2000. The TECHNOTOX meeting at the Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO) in Mol was organized by Phillippe Corbisier (VITO), Peter-D. Hansen (TU Berlin) and Damia Barcelo (CSIC Barcelona).

Bioethanol has been recognized as a potential alternative to petroleum-derived transportation fuels. Even if cellulosic biomass is less expensive than corn and sugarcane, the higher costs for its conversion make the near-term price of cellulosic ethanol higher than that of corn ethanol and even more than that of sugarcane ethanol. Conventional process for bioethanol production from lignocellulose includes a chemical/physical pre-treatment of lignocellulose for lignin removal, mostly based on auto hydrolysis and acid hydrolysis, followed by saccharification of the free accessible cellulose portions of the biomass. The highest yields of fermentable sugars from cellulose portion are achieved by means of enzymatic hydrolysis, currently carried out using a mix of cellulases from the fungus Trichoderma reesei. Reduction of (hemi)cellulases production costs is strongly required to increase competitiveness of second generation bioethanol production. The final step is the fermentation of sugars obtained from saccharification, typically performed by the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The current process is optimized for 6-carbon sugars fermentation, since most of yeasts cannot ferment 5-carbon sugars. Thus, research is aimed at exploring new engineered yeasts abilities to co-ferment 5- and 6-carbon sugars. Among the main routes to advance cellulosic ethanol, consolidate bio-processing, namely direct conversion of biomass into ethanol by a genetically modified microbes, holds tremendous potential to reduce ethanol production costs. Finally, the use of all the components of lignocellulose to produce a large spectra of biobased products is another challenge for further improving competitiveness of second generation bioethanol production, developing a biorefinery.

Biomaterials for Surgical Operation offers a review of the latest advances made in developing bioabsorbable devices for surgical operations which include surgical adhesives (sealants), barriers for the prevention of tissue adhesion, polymers for fractured bone fixation, growth factors for the promotion of wound healing, and sutures. Over the years, many descriptions of biomaterials have appeared in academic journals and books, but most of them have been devoted to limited clinical areas. This is in marked contrast with this volume which covers a wide range of bioabsorbable devices used in surgery from a practical point of view. The currently applied polymeric devices are critical in surgery, but all involve serious problems due to their poor performance. For instance, fibrin glue, the most widely used surgical sealant, can produce only a weak gel with low adhesive strength to tissues, accentuating the limited effectiveness of current treatment options. Likewise, the currently available barrier membranes cannot fully prevent tissue adhesion at the acceptable level and are, moreover, not easy to handle with endoscopes due to their poor mechanical properties. Biomaterials for Surgical Operation is aimed at those who are interested in expanding their knowledge of how the problems associated with the currently used devices for surgical operation can be solved. It primarily focuses on the absorbable biomaterials which are the main components of these medical devices.

Synthetic biology is becoming one of the most dynamic new fields of biology, with the potential to revolutionize the way we do biotechnology today. By applying the toolbox of engineering disciplines to biology, a whole set of potential applications become possible ranging very widely across scientific and engineering disciplines. Some of the potential benefits of synthetic biology, such as the development of low-cost drugs or the production of chemicals and energy by engineered bacteria are enormous. There are, however, also potential and perceived risks due to deliberate or accidental damage. Also, ethical issues of synthetic biology just start being explored, with hardly any ethicists specifically focusing on the area of synthetic biology. This book will be the first of its kind focusing particularly on the safety, security and ethical concerns and other relevant societal aspects of this new emerging field. The foreseen impact of this book will be to stimulate a debate on these societal issues at an early stage. Past experiences, especially in the field of GM-crops and stem cells, have shown the importance of an early societal debate. The community and informed stakeholders recognize this need, but up to now discussions are fragmentary. This book will be the first comprehensive overview on relevant societal issues of synthetic biology, setting the scene for further important discussions within the scientific community and with civil society.

Advances in Applied Microbiology offers intensive reviews of the latest techniques and discoveries in this rapidly moving field. The editors are recognized experts and the format is comprehensive and instructive.

This timely volume explores the use of CRISPR-Cas9 for genome editing, presenting cutting-edge techniques and their applications in treatment of disease. The chapters describe latest methods such as use of targetable nucleases, investigation of the non-coding genome, mouse genome editing, increasing of knock-in efficiency in mouse zygotes, and generation of reporter stem cells; the text contextualizes these methods in treatment of cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, retinitis pigmentosa, and others. The final chapters round out the book with a discussion of controversies and future directions. Genome Editing is an essential, of-the-moment contribution to this rapidly growing field. Drawing from a wealth of international perspectives, it presents novel techniques and applications for the engineering of the human genome. This book is essential reading for all clinicians and researchers in stem cells, regenerative medicine, genomics, biochemical and biomedical engineering- especially those interested in learning more about genome editing and applying it in a targeted, specific way.

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Advanced biotechnologies enable breeders to produce a whole generation of new crops for specialist needs (designer crops), including raw materials for the energy, chemical and pharmaceutical industries. This book provides concerns useful to promote an increase of the productivity of crops by using functional genomics (to understand the regulation of plant metabolism at molecular, cellular and whole plants), and the improvement of photosynthetic efficiency (to design new plants with enhanced raw materials percent and recovery). Fundamental thematics have been addressed: metabolic engineering, plant breeding tools, renewable biomass for energy generation, fibres and composites, biopharmaceuticals. The gained know how is relevant to identify bottlenecks in the major production chains and to propose actions for moving these issues forward.