This book reviews the current knowledge on tunable hydrogels, including the range of different materials and applications, as well as the existing challenges and limitations in the field. It covers various aspects of the material design, particularly highlighting biological responsiveness, degradability and responsiveness to external stimuli. In this book, readers will discover original research data and state-of-the-art reviews in the area of hydrogel technology, with a specific focus on biotechnology and medicine. Written by leading experts, the contributions outline strategies for designing tunable hydrogels and offer a detailed evaluation of the physical and synthetic methods currently employed to achieve specific hydrogel properties and responsiveness. This highly informative book provides important theoretical and practical insights for scholars and researchers working with hydrogels for biomedical and biotechnological applications.

This detailed book explores techniques for understanding and engineering programs that naturally control and drive formation of tissues and organs in order to open powerful opportunities to produce physiologically relevant tissues of interest, generate models to study human disease, and set the path for the manufacturing of advanced tissue and organs. Beginning with chapters to help understand signaling events and patterns in morphogenetic systems, the volume continues by covering programming signaling events and patterns to drive morphogenesis, techniques for engineering organoids, tissue barriers, and disease models, as well as in vivo therapeutic applications. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, 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, Programmed Morphogenesis: Methods and Protocols aims not only to communicate knowledge but also to inspire approaches to new challenges and to empower readers with the capability to approach those challenges.

This second edition volume expands on the previous edition with updated research and techniques to help laboratory workers design and implement a successful purification strategy, emphasize critical aspects on practical problems, and answers questions encountered at the lab bench. The chapters in this book are divided into five parts: Part One discusses an overview of screening and design of purification strategies and covers initial aspects on high-throughput screening, methods development, and media selection; Parts Two and Three explore low- and high-resolution methods, with emphasis on affinity chromatography; Part Four describes analytical techniques of purified proteins; and Part Five presents selected examples and case studies to discuss the aforementioned. 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 comprehensive, Protein Downstream Processing: Design, Development, and Application of High and Low-Resolution Methods, Second Edition is an ideal source of information to advanced students, junior researchers, and scientists involved in health sciences, cellular and molecular biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, and other related areas in both academia and industry.

Dental Implants: Materials, Coatings, Surface Modifications and Interfaces with Oral Tissues provides readers with information on past and contemporary advances in the design and modification of dental implants to enhance osseointegration and biocompatibility. The book begins with a look at the current status of dental implants, materials and fabrication methods. Chapters then cover surface modification techniques and a variety of inorganic, organic and biological coatings. Final sections cover tissue-implant interfaces. Written by a multidisciplinary team of materials scientists, dental clinicians and implantologists, this book is an essential reference for materials scientists, dental practitioners and researchers and students in academia.

Advances in Trichoderma Biology for Agricultural Applications covers the beneficial properties of Trichoderma in enhancing global agricultural productivity. Trichoderma are biotechnologically significant fungi, being widely used both agriculturally and industrially. In many cases Trichoderma are also a potential drug source of clinical importance. In recent years, driven by advances in genetics and genomics, research on these fungi has opened new avenues for its various applications. This book covers i) Current state of Trichoderma taxonomy, and species identification, ii) Trichoderma and plant-pathogenic fungi interactions, iii) Trichoderma interactions with plants, including rhizosphere competence of Trichoderma, antagonistic potentials, plant growth promotion, and management of various abiotic stresses in plants, iv) Practical aspects of Trichoderma commercialization in agriculture, v) Biosynthesis of metal-based nanoparticles and its application, and vi) Negative impact of Trichoderma strains in the environments. Reading this book should kindle further discussions among researchers working in fungal biotechnology, microbiology, agriculture, environmental science, forestry, and other allied subjects and thus lead to a broader scope of Trichoderma-based products and technologies. The knowledge shared in this book should also provide a warning on the potential risks associated with Trichoderma.

This volume discusses both the latest experimental research in bioelectrosynthesis and current applications. Beginning with an introduction into the "electrification of biotechnology" as well as the underlying fundamentals, the volume then discusses a wide range of topics based on the interfacing of biotechnological and electrochemical reaction steps. It includes contributions on the different aspects of bioelectrochemical applications for synthesis purposes, i.e. the production of fine and platform chemicals based on enzymatically or microbially catalyzed reactions driven by electric energy. The volume finishes with a summary and outlook chapter which gives an overview of the current status of the field and future perspectives. Edited by experts in the field, and authored by a wide range of international researchers, this volume assesses how research from today's lab bench can be developed into industrial applications, and is of interest to researchers in academia and industry.

Algae are simple, primitive, heterogeneous, autotrophic, eukaryotic or prokaryotic organisms that lead a symbiotic, parasitic or free-living mode of life. Microalgae and macroalgae possess great potential in various fields of application. Microalgae are ubiquitous and extremely diverse microorganisms that can accumulate toxic contaminants and heavy metals from wastewater, making them a superior candidate to become a powerful nanofactory. Algae were discovered to reduce the presence of metal ions, and afterwards aid in the biosynthesis of nanoparticles. Since algae-mediated biogenic nanoparticles are eco-friendly, cost-effective, high-yielding, speedy and energy-efficient, a large number of studies have been published on them in the last few years. This book focuses on recent progress on the utilization of algae for the synthesis of nanoparticles, their characterization and the possible mechanisms involved. Bioprospecting Algae for Nanosized Materials describes the synthesis of algal nanomaterials and its application in various fields for sustainable development. This book outlines the procedures to prepare phyconanomaterials, techniques to utilize the nanomaterials, and applications in agriculture, environment and medicine.

This volume provides a collection of cross-country analyses of innovation, showing that the effects of innovation upon firms vary from one country to another. Incumbents perish in one country, while they thrive in the same industry in another country. Startups thrive in response to new technological breakthroughs in one country and struggle in another country. Drawing upon studies of semiconductors, disk drives and biotechnology, and examining institutions such as patent systems and venture capital, this volume takes issue with predictions of convergence, and convincingly demonstrates the multiple paths that technologies and innovations can follow.

Organoid Technology for Disease Modelling and Personalised Treatment provides a comprehensive overview of current knowledge of the organoid as a human-organ-in-a-dish, a powerful new technology for studying fundamental aspects of human organ development and disease progression in the search for drugs for personalised treatment. This preclinical tool is extensively being utilised as a model for studying human diseases in a dish, which is critical for accurate predictive modelling in precision medicine. The chapters in this book introduces readers to the numerous applications of organoids in various fields of study, as well as ethical considerations associated with organoids. In stem cell biology and regenerative medicine, where chimaera research, biomaterials for tissue vascularisation, gene-editing technologies, and their use in clinical procedures especially issues related to ethical concern over the use of human organoids have gotten much attention. Organoid Technology for Disease Modelling and Personalised Treatment is an excellent resource for in-depth research on one of the most interesting and significant topics in stem cell and regenerative medicine. This book's chapter collection covers a fresh viewpoint on organoid technology that scholars will require reading.

This book explores a sampling of the most powerful and enterprising efforts to achieve biotechnological goals by means of various interdisciplinary approaches. From the fabrication of extremely small units to achieve specific objectives through nano-bio-technology, to devices with artificial intelligence, gene therapy for cerebrovascular anomalies, biodegradable plastics, the use of phyto-stem cells in cosmetology, CarT cell immune therapy, targeted therapies for cancer, 3D printed bones developed by the University of Wollongong in Australia, the sickle cell chip developed by IIT Bombay, and innovative sustainable energy solutions, the book includes a colorful spectrum of reviews on current and future biotech products. Gathering contributions by an international team of researchers, this book offers its audience, and particularly younger readers, revealing information on current and upcoming smart technologies.

This volume presents a timely recognition, warning and mapping of the fast approaching wave, or "bio-tsunami", of global socio-technical transformation, built by a much wider spectrum of converging powers, including biotechnology, new agriculture, novel foods, health, quality of life, environment, energy, sustainability, education, knowledge management, and design of smart applications. The book contains eight sections corresponding to different clusters of bioeconomic and socio-technical change, as identified by the editors' "Scanning the Horizon" foresight research; it also offers an integrated view of the future bioeconomy landscape though the convergence of several technologies that affect everyday life. The clusters offer methodologies for forecasting the future bioeconomy, and how these predictions can affect target-setting and the orientation of policies and actions to manage cultural and societal change, and achieve sustainable development in less developed areas. The book will be of interest to researchers, producers, logistics experts, policy makers, regulators, business and financial institutions, and biotechnologists (e.g. geneticists, food experts, etc.).

Phyto-pathogens are one of the dominating components which badly affect crop production. In light of the global food demand, sustainable agricultural plans utilizing agrochemicals became necessary. The role of beneficial microbes in the defense priming of host plants has been well documented. This book details new aspects of microbial-assisted plant protection and their role in agricultural production, economy, and environmental sustainability.

This book describes the development of genetic resources in amaranths, with a major focus on genomics, reverse, and forward genetics tools and strategies that have been developed for crop improvement. Amaranth is an ancient crop native to the New World. Interest in amaranths is being renewed, due to their adaptability, stress tolerance, and nutritional value. There are about 65 species in the genus, including Amaranthus caudatus L., A. cruentus L., and A. hypochondriacus L., which are primarily grown as protein-rich grains or pseudocereals. The genus also includes major noxious weeds (e.g., A. palmeri). The amaranths are within the Caryophyllales order and thus many species (e.g., A. tricolor) produce red (betacyanin) or yellow (betaxanthin) betalain pigments, which are chemically distinct from the anthocyanins responsible for red pigmentation in other plants. A. hypochondriacus, which shows disomic inheritance (2n = 32; n= 466 Mb), has been sequenced and annotated with 23,059 protein-coding genes. Additional members of the genus are now also been sequenced including weedy amaranths, other grain amaranths, and their putative progenitors.

This book reviews the latest technological developments of bioengineering approaches in cell and tissue research. It is meant to have life and spirit, and to become a pioneer in technology and sciences, especially the life science. The chapters are written by excellent scientists on advanced, frontier technology and address scientific questions that need considerable thinking in terms of engineering. The aims are to provide the readers, including students, faculty, and all scientists working in academia and industry, new information on bioengineering in cell and tissue research to enhance their understanding and innovation.

Biomining uses microorganisms to recover metals, in particular copper and gold, from ores and concentrates. This book takes a strong applied approach to the study of biomining. It describes emerging and established industrial processes, as well as the underlying theory of the process, along with the biology of the microorganisms involved. Chapters have been contributed by experts from leading biomining companies, consultants and internationally recognized researchers and academics.

This book offers a comprehensive analysis of the application level for various agricultural biotechnologies across Sub-Saharan Africa. The authors examine the capacity available as well as the enabling environment, including policy and investments, for facilitating agricultural biotechnology development and use in the region. For each Sub-Saharan country, the status of biotechnology application is assessed in four major sectors; Crops, Livestock, Forestry and Aquaculture. Examples such as the number and requisite skill levels of trained personnel, biosafety frameworks and public awareness are surfaced in these chapters. This work also discusses the impact of push-pull factors on research, training and food security and identifies opportunities for investment in biotechnology and local agribusiness. Development partners, policy makers, agricultural consultants as well as scientists and private sector investors with an interest in biotechnology initiatives in Sub-Saharan Africa will find this collection an important account to identify key gaps in capacity and policy, as well as priority areas going forward. The volume highlights ways to develop technology and increase agricultural production capacity through international cooperation and inclusive economic growth, making it a valuable practice guide in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, in particular SDG 2 Zero Hunger and SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth. Clear case studies round off the reading experience.

Sustainable increase in agricultural production while keeping the environmental quality, agro-ecosystem function and biodiversity is a real challenge in current agricultural practices. Application of PGPR can help in meeting the expected demand for increasing agricultural productivity to feed the world's booming population. Global concern over the demerits of chemicals in agriculture has diverted the attention of researchers towards sustainable agriculture by utilizing the potential of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR). Use of PGPR as biofertilizers, biopesticides, soil, and plant health managers has gained considerable agricultural and commercial significance. The book Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR): Prospects for Sustainable Agriculture has contributions in the form of book chapter from 25 eminent global researchers, that discusses about the PGPRs and their role in growth promotion of various crop plants, suppression of wide range of phytopathogens, their formulation, effect of various factors on growth and performance of PGPR, assessment of diversity of PGPR through microsatellites and role of PGPR in mitigating biotic and abiotic stress.This book will be helpful for students, teachers, researchers, and entrepreneurs involved in PGPR and allied fields. The book will be highly useful to researchers, teachers, students, entrepreneurs, and policymakers.

This comprehensive guide to gene cloning provides beginning and advanced readers with the background, standard techniques, practical applications, and ethical and safety considerations in the field. A one-stop reference for students, researchers in academia and industry, and anyone interested in a thorough but accessible overview.

This edited book highlights the gravity and efficacy of next-generation breeding tools for the enhancement of stress-resilience in cereals, especially in the context of climate change, pests, diseases, and abiotic stresses. The content of the book helps in understanding the application of emerging genetic concepts and neoteric genomic approaches in cereal breeding. It collates all the latest information about enhancing the stress resilience in cereal crops for overcoming food security issues. Cereals have predominantly been used as a staple food since time immemorial and contribute more than 50% of the caloric requirement of the global population. However, in cereals, the yield losses due to various stresses are very high, considering the crop growth stage and stress sensitivity. Therefore, to feed and nourish the generations in the era of climate change, it is imperative to develop stress-resilient cereal cultivars. This book explores newly developed next-generation breeding tools, viz., genome-wide association studies, genomic prediction, genome editing, and accelerated generation advancement methodologies, which revealed promising outcomes by enhancing the stress resilience in cereals with yield potential. This book is useful for postgraduate students specializing in plant breeding, plant stress physiology, plant genomics, agriculture, and agronomy. It is of immense value to scientific community involved in teaching, research, and extension activities related to cereal cultivation.

Artificial Protein and Peptide Nanofibers: Design, Fabrication, Characterization, and Applications provides comprehensive knowledge of the preparation, modification and applications of protein and peptide nanofibers. The book reviews the synthesis and strategies necessary to create protein and peptide nanofibers, such as self-assembly (including supramolecular assembly), electrospinning, template synthesis, and enzymatic synthesis. Then, the key chemical modification and molecular design methods are highlighted that can be utilized to improve the bio-functions of these synthetic fibers. Finally, fabrication methods for key applications, such as sensing, drug delivery, imaging, tissue engineering and electronic devices are reviewed. This book will be an ideal resource for those working in materials science, polymer science, chemical engineering, nanotechnology and biomedicine.

This third edition is a comprehensive and extended study about the best known approaches for preparing the main types of glycosides, covering the classic and more recent glycosylation reactions used for preparing simple and challenging glycosides currently used as potent antiviral and antineoplastic drugs, or fluorogenic substrates used for enzymatic detection in cell biology. Besides, this new edition provides more examples of the glycosidic methodologies followed for preparing complex glycoconjugates such as glycoproteins and glycosphingolipids and gangliosides used as adjuvants or as synthetic vaccines candidates. Also, additional mechanistic evidence is presented for better understanding of the glycosylation reaction, trying to identify the variables mainly depending on protecting and leaving groups, as well as catalyst and reaction condition which altogether directs the anomeric stereo control. A chapter on the glycoside hydrolysis is included in view of the increasing interest in the use of biomass as a natural and renewable source for obtaining important intermediates or products used in food or valuable materials. The author includes information in the characterization of glycosides section with the aim of giving additional tools for the structural assignment through NMR, X-Ray and mass spectra techniques.

This book provides a broad overview how extremophiles can be used in biotechnology, including for the production and degradation of compounds. It reviews various recent discoveries and applications related to a large variety of extremophiles, considering both prokaryotes as well as eukaryotes.

Healthy environment is important for any kind of biota on earth. It provides the basic elements of life such as clean water, fresh air, fertile soil and supports ecosystem of the food chain. Pollution drastically alters quality of the environment by changing the physico-chemical and biological aspects of these components. Accordingly, toxic metals, combustible and putrescible substances, hazardous wastes, explosives and petroleum products are all examples of inorganic and organic compounds that cause contaminations. Specifically, pollution of toxic and heavy metal in the environment is a growing problem worldwide, currently at an alarming rate. Toxic metals threaten the aquatic ecosystems, agriculture and ultimately human health. Traditional treatment techniques offer certain advantages such as rapid processing, ease of operation and control and flexibility. But, they could not maintain the quality of the environment due to the high operational costs of chemicals used, high energy consumption and handling costs for sludge disposal and overburden of chemical substances which irreversibly affect and destroy biodiversity, which ultimately render the soil useless as a medium for plant growth. Therefore, bioremediation and biotechnology, carried out by living assets to clean up, stabilize and restore contaminated ecosystems, have emerged as promising, environmental friendly and affordable approaches. Furthermore, the use of microbes, algae, transgenic plants and weeds adapted to stressful environments could be employed to enhance accumulation efficiency. Hence, sustainable and inexpensive processes are fast emerging as a viable alternative to conventional remediation methods, and will be most suitable for developing countries. In the current volume, we discuss pollution remediation challenges and how living organisms and the latest biotechnological techniques could be helpful in remediating the pollution in ecofriendly and sustainable ways.