Nanocomposites for Musculoskeletal Tissue Regeneration discusses the advanced biomaterials scientists are exploring for use as tools to mimic the structure of musculoskeletal tissues. Bone and other musculoskeletal tissues naturally have a nanocomposite structure, therefore nanocomposites are ideally suited as a material for replacing and regenerating these natural tissues. In addition, biological properties such as biointegration and the ability to tailor and dope the materials make them highly desirable for musculoskeletal tissue regeneration.

Michael Lebuhn, Stefan Weiss, Bernhard Munk, Georg M. Guebitz Microbiology and Molecular Biology Tools for Biogas Process Analysis, Diagnosis and Control Veronika Dollhofer, Sabine Marie Podmirseg, Tony Martin Callaghan, Gareth Wyn Griffith & Katerina Fliegerova Anaerobic Fungi and their Potential for Biogas Production Bianca Froeschle, Monika Heiermann, Michael Lebuhn, Ute Messelhausser, Matthias Ploechl Hygiene and Sanitation in Biogas Plants Charles-David Dube and Serge R. Guiot Direct Interspecies Electron Transfer in Anaerobic Digestion: A Review Simon K.-M. R. Rittmann A Critical Assessment of Microbiological Biogas to Biomethane Upgrading Systems Manfred Lubken, Pascal Kosse, Konrad Koch, Tito Gehring, Marc Wichern Influent Fractionation for Modeling Continuous Anaerobic Digestion Processes Fermoso, F. G, van Hullebusch, E. D, Guibaud, G, Collins, G, Svensson, B. H, Carliell-Marquet, C, Vink, J.P.M, Esposito, G, Frunzo, L Fate of Trace Metals in Anaerobic Digestion

The second volume in a series which aims to focus on advances in computational biology. This volume discusses such topics as: statistical analysis of protein sequences; progress in large-scale sequence analysis; and the architecture of loops in proteins.

UHMWPE Biomaterials Handbook, Third Edition, describes the science, development, properties, and application of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) used in artificial joints. UHMWPE is now the material of choice for joint replacements, and is increasingly being used in fibers for sutures. This book is a one-stop reference for information on this advanced material, covering both introductory topics and the most advanced developments. The third edition adds six new chapters on a range of topics, including the latest in anti-oxidant technologies for stabilizing HXLPE and up-to-date systematic reviews of the clinical literature for HXLPE in hips and knees. The book chronicles the rise and fall of all-metal hip implants, as well as the increased use of ceramic biomaterials and UHMWPE for this application. This book also brings orthopedic researchers and practitioners up to date on the stabilization of UHMWPE with antioxidants, as well as the choices of antioxidant available for practitioners. The book also thoroughly assesses the clinical performance of HXLPE, as well as alternative bearings in knee replacement and UHMWPE articulations with polyether ether ketone (PEEK). Written and edited by the top experts in the field of UHMWPE, this is the only state-of-the-art reference for professionals, researchers, and clinicians working with this material.

The series Topics in Current Chemistry Collections presents critical reviews from the journal Topics in Current Chemistry organized in topical volumes. The scope of coverage is all areas of chemical science including the interfaces with related disciplines such as biology, medicine and materials science. The goal of each thematic volume is to give the non-specialist reader, whether in academia or industry, a comprehensive insight into an area where new research is emerging which is of interest to a larger scientific audience. Each review within the volume critically surveys one aspect of that topic and places it within the context of the volume as a whole. The most significant developments of the last 5 to 10 years are presented using selected examples to illustrate the principles discussed. The coverage is not intended to be an exhaustive summary of the field or include large quantities of data, but should rather be conceptual, concentrating on the methodological thinking that will allow the non-specialist reader to understand the information presented. Contributions also offer an outlook on potential future developments in the field. The chapter "Polymeric Nanoparticle-Mediated Gene Delivery for Lung Cancer Treatment" is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.

Modern Applications of Plant Biotechnology in Pharmaceutical Sciences explores advanced techniques in plant biotechnology, their applications to pharmaceutical sciences, and how these methods can lead to more effective, safe, and affordable drugs. The book covers modern approaches in a practical, step-by-step manner, and includes illustrations, examples, and case studies to enhance understanding. Key topics include plant-made pharmaceuticals, classical and non-classical techniques for secondary metabolite production in plant cell culture and their relevance to pharmaceutical science, edible vaccines, novel delivery systems for plant-based products, international industry regulatory guidelines, and more. Readers will find the book to be a comprehensive and valuable resource for the study of modern plant biotechnology approaches and their pharmaceutical applications.

Microorganisms play an important role in the maintenance of the ecosystem structure and function. Bacteria constitute the major part of the microorganisms and possess tremendous potential in many important applications from environmental clean up to the drug discovery. Much advancement has been taken place in the field of research on bacterial systems. This book summarizes the experimental setups required for applied microbiological studies. Important background information, representative results, step by step protocol in this book will be of great use to the students, early career researchers as well as the academicians. The book describes many experiments covering the basic microbiological experiments to the applications of microbial systems for advanced research. Researchers in any field who utilize bacterial systems will find this book very useful. In addition to microbiology and bacteriology, this book will also find useful in molecular biology, genetics, and pathology and the volume should prove to be a valuable laboratory resource in clinical and environmental microbiology, microbial genetics and agricultural research. Unique features * Easy to follow by the users as the experiments have been written in simple language and step-wise manner. * Role of each reagents to be used in each experiment have been described which will help the beginners to understand quickly and design their own experiment. * Each experiment has been equipped with the coloured illustrations for proper understanding of the concept. * Trouble-shootings at the end of each experiment will be helpful in overcoming the problems faced by the users. * Flow-chart of each experiment will quickly guide the users in performing the experiments.

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 review series presents current trends in modern biotechnology. The aim is to cover all aspects of this interdisciplinary technology where knowledge, methods and expertise are required from chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, genetics, chemical engineering and computer science. Volumes are organized topically and provide a comprehensive discussion of developments in the respective field over the past 3-5 years. The series also discusses new discoveries and applications. Special volumes are dedicated to selected topics which focus on new biotechnological products and new processes for their synthesis and purification. In general, special volumes are edited by well-known guest editors. The series editor and publisher will however always be pleased to receive suggestions and supplementary information. Manuscripts are accepted in English.

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.

This Volume presents methods for quantifying microbial populations and characterising microbial communities by extracting and analysing biomarkers such as RNA, DNA and lipids. The chapters cover a wide range of topics, including: cell separation from oil-rich environments, enumeration of hydrocarbon degraders and sulphate reducers using most-probable-number techniques, and quantification by means of real-time PCR. A variety of molecular methods are described for microbial community profiling, such as phospholipid fatty acid analysis, DGGE, T-RFLP and SSCP. One chapter examines high-throughput sequencing, and provides important information on the associated procedures required for thorough data analysis. A further chapter is devoted to the characterisation of protistan communities, while the closing chapter describes multiplex fluorescent antibody microarrays for detecting microbial biomarkers. Hydrocarbon and Lipid Microbiology Protocols There are tens of thousands of structurally different hydrocarbons, hydrocarbon derivatives and lipids, and a wide array of these molecules are required for cells to function. The global hydrocarbon cycle, which is largely driven by microorganisms, has a major impact on our environment and climate. Microbes are responsible for cleaning up the environmental pollution caused by the exploitation of hydrocarbon reservoirs and will also be pivotal in reducing our reliance on fossil fuels by providing biofuels, plastics and industrial chemicals. Gaining an understanding of the relevant functions of the wide range of microbes that produce, consume and modify hydrocarbons and related compounds will be key to responding to these challenges. This comprehensive collection of current and emerging protocols will facilitate acquisition of this understanding and exploitation of useful activities of such microbes.

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.

This volume presents a comprehensive perspective of the biopesticides Bacillus thuringiensis and Lysinibacillus sphaericus, from their basic biology to agriculture, forestry and public-health applications. It covers their ecology, virulence factors, and genetic characterization. The topics related to agriculture and forestry include mode of action, receptors of insect pests, and heterologous expression of toxins in insect cells and plants. Public-health researchers will find information on vector control programs with an emphasis on the Neotropical region. The book also discusses new products and the global market.

This book presents a comprehensive study on microextrusion-based 3D bioprinting technologies for bioinks with various crosslinking mechanisms, chiefly focusing on the bioprinting process and bioink properties to provide readers with a better understanding of this state-of-the-art technology. Further, it summarizes a number of general criteria and research routes for microextrusion-based 3D bioprinting using three experimental studies based on shear-thinning, thermo-sensitive and non-viscous hydrogel bioinks. The book also presents sample applications in the areas of stem cells and cell matrix interaction. The book highlights pioneering results in the development of bioprinting technologies and bioinks, which were published in high-quality journals such as Advanced Materials, Biofabrication and ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering. These include an in-situ crosslinking strategy that overcomes the viscosity limits for bioinks, which is virtually impossible using conventional strategies, and can be generalized for other bioink formulations.

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.

The entire range of the developmental process in plants is regulated by a shift in the hormonal concentration, tissue sensitivity and their interaction with the factors operating around the plants. Phytohormones play a crucial role in regulating the direction of plant in a coordinated fashion in association with metabolism that provides energy and the building blocks to generate the form that we recognize as a plant. Out of the recognized hormones, attention has largely been focused on Auxins, Gibberellins, Cytokinins, Abscisic acid, Ethylene and more recently on Brassinosteroids. In this book we are providing the information about a brassinosteroids that again confirm its status as phytohormones because it has significant impact on various aspects of the plant life and its ubiquitous distribution throughout the plant kingdom. Brassinosteroids are generating a significant impact on plant growth and development, photosynthesis, transpiration, ion uptake and transport, induces specific changes in leaf anatomy and chloroplast structure. This book is not an encyclopedia of reviews but includes a selected collection of newly written, integrated, illustrated reviews describing our knowledge of brassinosteroids. The aim of this book is to tell all about brassinosteroids, by the present time. The various chapters incorporate both theoretical and practical aspects and may serve as baseline information for future researches through which significant development is possible. It is intended that this book will be useful to the students, teachers and researchers, both in universities and research institutes, especially in relation to biological and agricultural sciences.

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.