With its complex and extensively regulated metabolism, the study of the RNA lifecycle demands tools that allow for the localization of RNAs to be observed either in an in situ setting or, preferably, under in vivo conditions. In RNA Detection and Visualization: Methods and Protocols, the best and brightest investigators provide an up-to-date and in-depth description of basic methods and protocols used for detecting and visualizing mRNAs in both fixed and live cells, from bacteria to mammals. For novices and experts alike, this mix of classic in situ hybridization and advanced live imaging techniques, cell fractionation and affinity purification procedures, and bioinformatics tools gives researchers the most complete and extensive array of research aids possible. As a volume written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and expert tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and cutting-edge, RNA Detection and Visualization: Methods and Protocols offers well-honed techniques in order to inspire researchers around the world to further our knowledge of the vital biological significance of RNA.

This book provides the first and only comprehensive description and detailed summary of the genetics, structure, function, mechanisms of action, evolution and engineering of homing endonucleases and inteins. These two unique protein superfamilies, which are tied together through their frequent fusion and coevolution, have generated considerable excitement for their fundamental, structural, and functional properties, their evolution as parasitic elements, and their widespread applications as gene targeting agents and as instruments for the generation of modified proteins and novel protein combinations.

Stephen Jay Gould (1941-2002) was a leading critic of human behavioral genetics, human sociobiology, evolutionary psychology, and the modern evolutionary synthesis. "Why Gould Was Wrong" explains why Gould's claims were horribly wrong.

Population Genomics With R presents a multidisciplinary approach to the analysis of population genomics. The methods treated cover a large number of topics from traditional population genetics to large-scale genomics with high-throughput sequencing data. Several dozen R packages are examined and integrated to provide a coherent software environment with a wide range of computational, statistical, and graphical tools. Small examples are used to illustrate the basics and published data are used as case studies. Readers are expected to have a basic knowledge of biology, genetics, and statistical inference methods. Graduate students and post-doctorate researchers will find resources to analyze their population genetic and genomic data as well as help them design new studies. The first four chapters review the basics of population genomics, data acquisition, and the use of R to store and manipulate genomic data. Chapter 5 treats the exploration of genomic data, an important issue when analysing large data sets. The other five chapters cover linkage disequilibrium, population genomic structure, geographical structure, past demographic events, and natural selection. These chapters include supervised and unsupervised methods, admixture analysis, an in-depth treatment of multivariate methods, and advice on how to handle GIS data. The analysis of natural selection, a traditional issue in evolutionary biology, has known a revival with modern population genomic data. All chapters include exercises. Supplemental materials are available on-line (http://ape-package.ird.fr/PGR.html).

Over the past few decades, chromatin modulation has emerged as an important regulator of gene expression. This second edition provides detailed information on the epigenetic mechanisms in plants, illustrating the value of this research in plants of agronomic importance. It examines recent advances regarding plants' epigenetic regulation in response to abiotic and biotic types of stress; the epigenetic basis of plant immunity; evolution and functions of plant histones; epigenetic variation and plant breeding; and epigenome editing and crop improvement. The content is intended to promote the development of future biotechnologies to manipulate and selectively activate/inhibit proteins and metabolic pathways to counter pathogens, to treat important diseases, and to increase crop productivity. The development of new fields, like epigenome editing and RNA epigenetics, will certainly improve our understanding of currently known epigenetic modifications and their roles in e.g. host-pathogen interactions, crop productivity, and in response to environmental stimuli. This volume contains twelve new/revised chapters, written by an international team of experts on plant epigenetics, and addresses the needs of researchers and professionals in the fields of agronomics, crop breeding, epigenetics, plant biochemistry, plant developmental biology, and related disciplines.

This new series, based on a bi-annual conference and its topics, represents a major contribution to the emerging science of cancer research and regenerative medicine. Each volume brings together some of the most pre-eminent scientists working on cancer biology, cancer treatment, cancer diagnosis, cancer prevention and regenerative medicine to share information on currently ongoing work which will help shape future therapies. These volumes are invaluable resources not only for already active researchers or clinicians but also for those entering these fields, plus those in industry. Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine is a proceedings volume which reflects papers presented at the 3rd bi-annual Innovations in Regenerative Medicine and Cancer Research conference; taken with its companion volume Stem Cells: Biology and Engineering it provides a complete overview of the papers from that meeting of international experts.

Emphasizes recent advances in biotechnology that could ameliorate the high level global food insecurity through the deployment of the technology in Nigeria. Provides detailed information on how to domesticate biotechnology and boost training of the biotechnology workforce in the universities and research institutes Introduces new frontiers in the area of organizing informal biotechnology capacity building courses and professional certification Reviews biosafety and bioethical guidelines that could enhance adoption of biotechnology in alignment with national priorities and research agenda Discuss current biotechnology policy advocacy, enlightenment and public engagement with stakeholders and Policy makers

Emphasizes recent advances in metagenomics and microbiomes and their emerging applications in medicine, agriculture, industry and environment Provides detailed information on prebiotics and probiotics for enhanced human health Introduces microbiomes as the next frontiers in medicine, agriculture, industry and environment Reviews microbiota transplantation, health implications and the way forward Discuss microbiome - epigenetic-host interactions essential for the physiological functions of the body in health and disease

Global food security is increasingly challenging in light of population increase, the impact of climate change on crop production, and limited land available for agricultural expansion. Plant breeding and other agricultural technologies have contributed considerably for food and nutritional security over the last few decades. Genetic engineering approaches are powerful tools that we have at our disposal to overcome substantial obstacles in the way of efficiency and productivity of current agricultural practices. Genome engineering via CRISPR/Cas9, Cpf1, base editing and prime editing, and OMICs through genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, phenomics, an metabolomics have helped to discover underlying mechanisms controlling traits of economic importance. Principle and Practices of OMICs and Genome Editing for Crop Improvement provides recent research from eminent scholars from around the world, from various geographical regions, with established expertise on genome editing and OMICs technologies. This book offers a wide range of information on OMICs techniques and their applications to develop biotic, abiotic and climate resilient crops, metabolomics and next generation sequencing for sustainable crop production, integration bioinformatics, and multi-omics for precision plant breeding. Other topics include application of genome editing technologies for food and nutritional security, speed breeding, hybrid seed production, resource use efficiency, epigenetic modifications, transgene free breeding, database and bioinformatics for genome editing, and regulations adopted by various countries around globe for genome edited crops. Both OMICs and genome editing are vigorously utilized by researchers for crop improvement programs; however, there is limited literature available in a single source. This book provides a valuable resource not only for students at undergraduate and postgraduate level but also for researchers, stakeholders, policy makers, and practitioners interested in the potential of genome editing and OMICs for crop improvement programs.

This book provides a comprehensive coverage of the advances in genetics and genomics research on rice. The chapters feature the latest developments in rice research and cover such topics as the tools and resources for the functional analysis of rice genes, the identification of useful genes for rice improvement, the present understanding of rice development and biological processes, and the application of this present understanding towards rice improvement. The volume also features a perspective on synthesis and prospects, laying the groundwork for future advances in rice genetics and genomics. Written by authorities in the field, Genetics and Genomics of Rice will serve as an invaluable reference for rice researchers for years to come.

Longlisted for the National Book Award for Nonfiction and A New York Times Notable Book of 2018. Our understanding of the 'tree of life', with powerful implications for human genetics, human health and our own human nature, has recently completely changed. This book is about a new method of telling the story of life on earth - through molecular phylogenetics. It involves a fairly simple method - the reading of the deep history of life by looking at the variation in protein molecules found in living organisms. For instance, we now know that roughly eight per cent of the human genome arrived not through traditional inheritance from directly ancestral forms, but sideways by viral infection. In The Tangled Tree, acclaimed science writer David Quammen chronicles these discoveries through the lives of the researchers who made them - such as Carl Woese, the most important little-known biologist of the twentieth century; Lynn Margulis, the notorious maverick whose wild ideas about 'mosaic' creatures proved to be true; and Tsutomu Wantanabe, who discovered that the scourge of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is a direct result of horizontal gene transfer, bringing the deep study of genome histories to bear on a global crisis in public health. Quammen explains how molecular studies of evolution have brought startling recognitions about the tangled tree of life - including where we humans fit into it. Thanks to new technologies, we now have the ability to alter even our genetic composition - through sideways insertions, as nature has long been doing. The Tangled Tree is a brilliant exploration of our transformed understanding of evolution and of life's history itself.

Bioactive compounds produced by natural sources, such as plants, microbes, endophytic fungi, etc., can potentially be applied in various fields, including agriculture, biotechnology and biomedicine. Several bioactive compounds have proved to be invaluable in mediating plant-microbe interactions, and promoting plant growth and development. Due to their numerous health-promoting properties, these compounds have been widely used as a source of medication since ancient times. However, there is an unprecedented need to meet the growing demand for natural bioactive compounds in the flavor and fragrance, food, and pharmaceutical industries. Moreover, discovering new lead molecules from natural sources is essential to overcoming the rising number of new diseases. In this regard, natural bioactive compounds hold tremendous potential for new drug discovery. Therefore, this field of research has become a vital area for researchers interested in understanding the chemistry, biosynthetic mechanisms, and pharmacological activities of these bioactive metabolites. This book describes the basics of bioactive plant compounds, their chemical properties, and their pharmacological biotechnological properties with regard to various human diseases and applications in the drug, cosmetics and herbal industries. It offers a valuable asset for all students, educators, researchers, and healthcare experts involved in agronomy, ecology, crop science, molecular biology, stress physiology, and natural products.

This book is an overview of primary sensory maps of vertebrates, characterized by continuous and discrete properties. The eight primary sensory maps of vertebrates have unique features and use distinct molecular cues, cell cycle exit, and activity combinations during development, regeneration, and plasticity. As an introduction and overview, the book provides a short overview for all eight sensory senses and presents through evolution and gene regulatory networks, the molecular cues needed for sensory processing. Independent contributions are included for olfactory, vision, trigeminal, taste, vestibular, auditory, lateral line, and electroreception.

This volume examines the international impact of Lysenkoism in its namesake's heyday and the reasons behind Lysenko's rehabilitation in Russia today. By presenting the rise and fall of T.D. Lysenko in its various aspects, the authors provide a fresh perspective on one of the most notorious episodes in the history of science.

This monograph introduces current genome editing technologies-clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-CRISPR-associated (Cas) systems, transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), and zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs)-and provides an assessment of the risk of misuse of these technologies based on the following parameters: accessibility, ease of misuse, magnitude of potential harm, and imminence of potential misuse. The findings from this assessment are applied to analyze and evaluate the threat posed by the intentional misuse of genome editing technologies to develop biological weapons. Furthermore, the book discusses the implications of misuse for different applications of genome editing, such as making existing pathogens more dangerous, modifying the human microbiome, weaponizing gene drives, engineering super soldiers, and augmenting the general population to confer economic advantages. Technologies that enable genome editing with programmable nucleases-including CRISPR, TALEN, and ZFN-allow for the precise genetic modification of organisms and cultured cells. While these technologies are used for a variety of beneficial applications, intelligence and defense experts have raised concerns that genome editing technologies, especially CRISPR, could be misused to develop new and improved biological weapons. Furthermore, experts worry that the number and type of actors who could potentially misuse genome editing is dramatically increasing given the democratization of biology, which is allowing biology to become more accessible to everyone including nonexperts. The book provides a comprehensive assessment of how feasible it is for users with different levels of knowledge and skill to acquire and then to apply the technologies to develop a biological weapon. It also provides an assessment of governability and a tailored set of recommendations that address security concerns. These recommendations are sensitive to the cost-benefit trade-off of regulating genome editing technologies. The book targets researchers as well as intelligence analysts, defense and security personnel, and policymakers.

This detailed book explores a diverse range of topics related to wound healing. Some areas include wound generation as a tool to study cellular interactions and growth, mechanisms by which different tissues regenerate, ischemic wounds and their treatment, repairing corneal wound, as well as a number of emerging technologies to help promote wound regeneration, such as techniques with miRNA, nanomaterials, biomaterials, and stem cell therapies. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters feature 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, Wound Regeneration: Methods and Protocols serves as a vital collection of wound model development and regeneration studies that will be of great use in both the academic and industrial fields of research.

This volume contains a comprehensive compilation of chromogenic and fluorescent RNA in situ hybridization (ISH) technology in many of its various shades, forms, and applications. The book is organized into a number of parts and chapters focusing on the application of ISH methodologies to different animal species as used in Evolutionary Development (EvoDevo) and Biomedical research, and covering new developments in RNA visualization by fluorescent ISH (FISH). The described (F)ISH protocols employ effective strategies for signal enhancement and target amplification allowing for high signal intensities and drastically improved signal-to-noise ratios. Chromogenic and fluorescent ISH, as specified in the various chapters, are most essential for RNA expression profiling, applied to many fields of research including cellular, developmental, and evolutionary biology, neurobiology and neuropathology. Written for the popular Neuromethods series, chapters include the kind of detail and key implementation advice that ensures successful results in the laboratory. Essential and authoritative, In Situ Hybridization Methods provides detailed protocols for newcomers to ISH, and inspires researchers familiar with the technique to seek and find up-to-date methodology for new and specialized applications.

Genetic Ancestry focuses on the scientific nature and limitations of genetic ancestry testing. Co-authored by a genetic anthropologist and a cultural anthropologist, it examines the social, historical, and cultural dimensions of how people interpret genetic ancestry data. Utilizing examples from popular culture around the world and case studies from the Caribbean, the chapters highlight how genetic technology can sometimes bolster racial thinking and serve as tool of resistance and social justice.

The Evolution of Human Cleverness presents a unique introduction to the way human cognitive abilities have evolved. The book comprises a series of mini-essays on distinct topics in which technical terms are simplified, considering how humans made the long journey from our ape-like ancestors to become capable of higher-level reasoning and problem solving. All the topics are cross-linked, allowing the reader to dip in and out, but certain key concepts run through the underlying reasoning. Chiefly, these are adaptation and selection, the distinction between ultimate and proximate causes of behaviour, gene-culture co-evolution, and domain-general versus domain-specific cognitive processes. The book should help the reader draw lessons for the human species as a whole, especially in view of the environmental threats to its own existence. Entries have been carefully crafted to cut through scientific jargon, providing bite-sized and digestible chunks of knowledge, making the topic accessible for students and lay readers alike. The author draws on research from diverse fields including Psychology, Anthropology, Archaeology, Biology, and Neuroscience to provide an unbiased account of the field, making it an ideal text for students of all levels.

ONE OF AMAZON'S TOP 100 BOOKS OF 2014 Neanderthal Man tells the story of geneticist Svante Paabo's mission to answer this question: what can we learn from the genomes of our closest evolutionary relatives? Beginning with the study of DNA in Egyptian mummies in the early 1980s and culminating in the sequencing of the Neanderthal genome in 2010, Neanderthal Man describes the events, intrigues, failures, and triumphs of these scientifically rich years through the lens of the pioneer and inventor of the field of ancient DNA. We learn that Neanderthal genes offer a unique window into the lives of our hominid relatives and may hold the key to unlocking the mystery of why humans survived while Neanderthals went extinct. Paabo's findings have not only redrawn our family tree, but recast the fundamentals of human history,the biological beginnings of fully modern Homo sapiens , the direct ancestors of all people alive today.

This volume explores novel concepts of pericyte biology. The present book is an attempt to describe the most recent developments in the area of pericyte biology which is one of the emergent hot topics in the field of molecular and cellular biology today. Here, we present a selected collection of detailed chapters on what we know so far about the pericytes. Together with its companion volumes Pericyte Biology in Different Organs and Pericyte Biology in Disease, Pericyte Biology - Novel Concepts presents a comprehensive update on the latest information and most novel functions attributed to pericytes. To those researchers newer to this area, it will be useful to have the background information on these cells' unique history. It will be invaluable for both advanced cell biology students as well as researchers in cell biology, stem cells and researchers or clinicians involved with specific diseases.

The European Molecular Biology Open Software Suite (EMBOSS) is a high quality package of open source software tools for molecular biology. It includes over 200 applications integrated with a range of popular third party software packages under a consistent and powerful command line interface. The tools are available from a wide range of graphical interfaces, including easy to use web interfaces and powerful workflow software. The EMBOSS Administrator's Guide is the official, definitive and comprehensive guide to EMBOSS installation and maintenance: * Find all the information needed to configure, install and maintain EMBOSS, including recent additions for version 6.2 * Step-by-step instructions with real-world examples - saves readers time and helps them avoid the pitfalls on all the common platforms * In-depth reference to database configuration - learn how to set up and use databases under EMBOSS * Includes EMBOSS Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) with answers - quickly find solutions to common problems

This volume explores the latest techniques used for sustainable development of eco-friendly pest management systems. Chapters in this book look at the design of novel RNAi-mediated pest control strategies and related issues. Some of the topics covered in this book are identification and characterization of differentially expressed non-coding RNAs in insect genomes; functional small RNA design; analysis of endogenous RNAi pathways; RNAi screening; plant models of RNAi-mediated pest control; and dsRNA delivery. 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. Cutting-edge and comprehensive, RNAi Strategies for Pest Management: Methods and Protocols is a valuable resource for any scientist or researcher interested in learning more about this exciting and developing field. Chapter 18 is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.