This book will cater to the needs of researchers, students and industry involved in bioremediation of toxic metal(loid)s. The book covers comprehensively current developments and recent advances in the field of bioremediation of toxic metal(loid)s. This book offers a bird's eye view on various bioremediation technologies based on variety of biological agents viz. plants, bacteria, algae, fungi etc., used for environmental clean-up of toxic metal(loid)s.

This important book traces the history of genetics and genomics policy in Britain. Detailing the scientific, political, and economic factors that have informed policy and the development of new health services, the book highlights the particular importance of the field of Public Health Genomics. Although focused primarily on events in Britain, the book reveals a number of globally applicable lessons. The authors explain how and why Public Health Genomics developed and the ways in which genetics and genomics have come to have a central place in many important health debates. Consideration of their ethical, social, and legal implications and ensuring that new services that are equitable, appropriate, and well-targeted will be central to effective health planning and policymaking in future. The book features: Interviews with leading individuals who were intimately involved in the development of genetics and genomics policy and Public Health Genomics Insights from experts who participated in a pair of 'witness seminars' Historical analysis exploiting a wide range of primary sources Written in a clear and accessible style, this book will be of interest to those involved in the research and practice of genetics, genomics, bioethics, and population health, but also to NHS staff, policymakers, politicians, and the public. It will also be valuable supplementary reading for students of the History of Medicine and Health, Public Health, and Biomedical Sciences.

This second edition explores up-to-date tools in various function-based technologies currently used in metagenomics. The chapters in this book discuss all of the working steps involved in these technologies, such as: DNA isolation from soils and marine samples followed by the construction and screening of libraries for diverse enzymes and biomolecules; current methods used to isolate DNA and construct large- and small-insert libraries from terrestrial and marine habitats; methods for establishing metagenome libraries in none-E.coli hosts; new molecular tools used for function-driven mining of metagenomic DNA; and screening protocols for a wide array of different genes encoding enzymes with relevance to biotechnology and ecology. Metagenomics: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition also provides detailed screening protocols for phosphatases, poly-hydroxyalkanoate, metabolism-related enzymes, stereoselective hydrolases, and microbial signals for the discovery of secondary metabolites. 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. Comprehensive and cutting-edge, Metagenomics: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition is a collection of up-to-date metagenome protocols and tools for the recovery of numerous major types of biocatalysts, and allows researchers to easily setup these screens in any microbiology laboratory.

Key features: 1. Reviews recently developed approaches/strategies/ technologies to solve five major trends in the field of wastewater treatment, including nutrient removal and resource recovery, organometallic compounds detoxification, energy-saving and production, sustainability, and community involvement. 2. Useful for students, researchers, scientists a wide range of professionals responsible for regulating, monitoring, and designing industrial waste facilities. 3. Provides a comprehensive review of new trends and advances in microbial biotechnology through discussion of recent developments in this field of wastewater treatment, recycling, and reuse for sustainable development.

This new volume highlights the various emerging techniques and molecular applications that are currently being used in plant abiotic stress physiology. It provides a thorough overview of omics approaches in response to stressors such as low water accessibility (drought), excess water (flooding/waterlogging), extremes of temperatures (cold, chill, frost, and heat), salinity, mineral deficiency, and heavy metal toxicity-many of which are the result of climate change. The book, with chapters contributed by specialists in the field, emphasizes the broad variety of themes using an omics analysis of plants under abiotic stress factors at the cellular and molecular levels. The chapter authors explore a variety of approaches to address plant abiotic stress, including proteomic approaches, genome editing applications, and system biology approaches. The volume takes into consideration, from omics perspective, how to use the plant-microbe interaction to make plants more resilient to changing climates. It also looks at the role of ionomics (the study of complete mineral nutrient and trace elemental composition of a plant species) and osmoprotectants to address multiple abiotic stress tolerance in plants. Omics Analysis of Plants under Abiotic Stress provides the fundamental information for all who are working in or have interest in this specific field. Unquestionably, this volume will be beneficial for common use of research students, teachers, and persons who have interest in plant abiotic stress physiology.

Biotechnology of Microbial Enzymes: Production, Biocatalysis, and Industrial Applications, Second Edition provides a complete survey of the latest innovations on microbial enzymes, highlighting biotechnological advances in their production and purification along with information on successful applications as biocatalysts in several chemical and industrial processes under mild and green conditions. The application of recombinant DNA technology within industrial fermentation and the production of enzymes over the last three decades have produced a host of useful chemical and biochemical substances. The power of these technologies results in novel transformations, better enzymes, a wide variety of applications, and the unprecedented development of biocatalysts through the ongoing integration of molecular biology methodology, all of which is covered insightfully and in-depth within the book. This fully revised, second edition is updated to address the latest research developments and applications in the field, from microbial enzymes recently applied in drug discovery to penicillin biosynthetic enzymes and penicillin acylase, xylose reductase, and microbial enzymes used in antitubercular drug design. Across the chapters, the use of microbial enzymes in sustainable development and production processes is fully considered, with recent successes and ongoing challenges highlighted.

Mitosis and Meiosis, Part B, Volume 145, a new volume in the Methods in Cell Biology series, continues the legacy of this premier serial with quality chapters authored by leaders in the field. Unique to this updated volume are chapters on Mitotic live cell imaging at different time scales, the characterization of mitotic spindle by multi-mode correlative microscopy, STED microscopy of mitosis, Correlating light microscopy with serial block face scanning electron microscopy to study mitotic spindle architecture, quantification of three-dimensional spindle architecture, Imaging based assays for mitotic chromosome condensation and dynamics, and more.

The Cellular Secretome and Organ Crosstalk focuses on the release of peptides and proteins from different organs and their specific functions in metabolic regulation and cell- and organ crosstalk. The book is written for experts in the field, however, for each topic, helpful references are included. The book also includes technical sections that summarize the state-of-the-art of secretome and crosstalk analysis. This book fulfills the need for a resource that comprehensively describes the current knowledge of secretome biology in health and disease. Communication between different organs involves lipids and other small molecules and a host of proteins and peptides comprising the secretome of different organs (organokinome). More than 600 adipokines have been identified, and an increasing number of hepatokines and myokines have recently been discovered with mostly unknown physiological impact. Importantly, an aberrant signature of the organokinome may be critically underlying a variety of metabolic diseases and may determine the individual susceptibility to disease development.

Includes recent research and development in the areas of omics and microbial bioremediation Covers the broad environmental pollution control approach such as metagenomics, metabolomics, fluxomics, bioremediation, and biodegradation of industrial wastes Reviews metagenomics and waste management, and recycling for environmental cleanup Describes the metagenomic methodologies and best-practices, from sample collection to data analysis for taxonomies Explores various microbial degradation pathways and detoxification mechanisms for organic and inorganic contaminants of wastewater with their gene expression

This detailed volume introduces different methods to assess the structure and folding of bacterial amyloids and analyze their functions, either in vitro or in vivo. Despite their initial association with neurodegenerative diseases, there is now increasing evidence of alternative roles for amyloids, with beneficial aspects for cells. In particular, prokaryotes use amyloids as functional assemblies, where they are key players in the cell's physiology. 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 up-to-date, Bacterial Amyloids: Methods and Protocols is an ideal guide for experts and novices alike to further explore these crucial protein assemblies.

Human Embryonic Stem Cells in Development, Volume 129, the latest release in the Current Topics in Developmental Biology series, highlights new advances in the field, with this new volume presenting interesting chapters on topics such as recapitulating pancreas development from human embryonic stem cells in a dish, modeling mammalian gastrulation with embryonic stem cells, and a section on what stem cells tell us about human germ cell biology. Each chapter is written by an international board of authors.

As this book. Antibacterial Peptide Protocols, will attest, my enthusi asm for the field of antibacterial peptides is based on a conviction (and I am unashamed to say, prejudice) that these substances are in essence antibiotics produced by the host that then participate in host defense against infectious agents. Because of their capacity to exert antibiotic-like action against patho genic microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses), there is reason to believe that these agents will soon be used clinically to treat infectious diseases. In fact, in recent years, biotechnology companies have been formed for the sole purpose of developing antibacterial peptides for clinical use. It should be emphasized that antibacterial peptides will likely play a major role in the treatment of infectious diseases, particularly with the increasing prob lem of multidrug-resistant microbes and the relative dearth of new antibiotics being provided by pharmaceutical companies. The topic of this volume of Methods in Molecular Biology, the diverse methods used in research on antibacterial peptides, is thus quite timely. As the subject of antibacterial peptides develops into its own discipline (something strongly suggested by the explosion in the number of papers published over the past decade), it is essential that reliable techniques and strategies be made available not only to those of us in the field, but also to the newcomers and researchers in complementary disciplines."

Scientists within the field of plant biotechnology are in a constant search for techniques that can, in the simplest manner possible, answer the genetic and biochemical questions that underlie developmental processes. Thin Cell Layer Culture System not only takes an in-depth look at a technique that has had so much success in attempting, through various practical models and systems, to answer these issues, but also represents a celebration of almost 30 years of research that has covered a massive scope of plant species and areas of study. The initial studies conducted on tobacco thin cell layers (TCLs) - proving that organogenesis can be strictly controlled in vitro - allowed plant research to benefit from this finding, expanding this knowledge in a practical and applied manner into the biotechnological fields of tissue culture and micropropagation, cell and organ genetics and biochemistry.

The chapters in this book tell the enigmatic tale of TCLs. An historical perspective opens the scene for an inquiry into the possible cellular, biochemical and genetic processes that allow for the controlled development of a TCL into any organ type. The success of the system is further demonstrated in both monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous species, covering successful organogenesis and in vitro flowering in species within ornamental, leguminous and wood crops, cereals and grasses. Methodologies are outlined in detail, as is the rationale behind the TCL-organogenesis-developmental sequel. The TCL method, shown to be superior to many conventional micropropagation systems, has also shown to be vital in the recovery of transgenic plants.

This book is an essential part of every plant, cell anddevelopmental biologist, geneticist and tissue culturalist's shelf as it addresses the primary issue of any plant: the cell, the tissue, and their subsequent development into a highly organized system.

Marine enzymes and specialized metabolism - Part A, Volume 604 highlights experimental methods on diverse marine enzymes involved in the construction of bioactive natural product molecules. These detailed protocols are written by experts who actively study and apply marine enzymes in biosynthesis and biotechnology. Comprehensive chapters in this latest release cover Chemoenzymatic synthesis of starting materials and characterization of halogenases requiring acyl carrier protein tethered substrates, Assaying biradical aryl coupling activity of CYP450 enzymes, the Characterization and application of marine microbial omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid synthesis, Catalase-related allene oxide synthase: on a biosynthetic route to fatty acid cyclopentenones, Haloalkane dehalogenases from marine microorganisms, and more.

This volume introduces Translational Bioinformatics as it relates to therapeutic development, and addresses the techniques needed to effectively translate large data sets to relevant biological networks. Chapters detail clinical informatics infrastructure, and leverage pathology, immunology, pharmacology, genomic, proteomic, and metabolomic informatics approaches. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, application details for both the expert and non-expert reader, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Translational Bioinformatics for Therapeutic Development: Methods and Protocols aims to ensure success in the study of Translational Bioinformatics.

First published in 1943, Vitamins and Hormones is the longest-running serial published by Academic Press. The Series provides up-to-date information on vitamin and hormone research spanning data from molecular biology to the clinic. A volume can focus on a single molecule or on a disease that is related to vitamins or hormones. A hormone is interpreted broadly so that related substances, such as transmitters, cytokines, growth factors and others can be reviewed. This volume focuses on hormone and transport systems.

This detailed book presents recent methodologies for the task of inspecting the genomic world of plants, extracting valuable information, and presenting it in a readable way. With a focus on bioinformatics tools, the volume explores phylogenetics and evolution, Omics analysis, as well as experimental procedures for trait characterization. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include the kind of vital expert implementation advice that will lead to successful results. Authoritative and practical, Plant Comparative Genomics serves as an ideal resource for researchers looking to implement comparative tools in order to explore their genomic data for their daily scientific work.

The extreme microbiomes are those microorganisms thriving under extreme conditions where no other living being will have any chance to survive. The extreme habitats are those presenting high temperatures (thermophiles), low temperature (psychrophiles), hypersaline environments (halophiles), low and high pH (Acidophiles/alkaliphiles), high pressure (Piezophiles) are distributed worldwide. The extreme habitats have proved to offer a unique reservoir of genetic diversity and biological source of extremophiles. The extremophilic microbial diversity and their biotechnological potential use in agricultural and industrial applications will be a milestone for future needs. Extremophiles and their cell components, therefore, are expected to play an important role in the chemical, food, pharmaceutical, paper and textile industries as well as environmental biotechnology.

Drawing on contributions from more than thirty scholars and experts in the field, this book examines the role of business as an enabler, as an inhibitor, and ultimately as a co-actor in global sustainability transformations expected over the next few decades. The Role of Business in Global Sustainability Transformations employs several theoretical perspectives and provides abundant examples and cases to discuss a variety of emerging concepts, phenomena, and trends shaping business sustainability. Weaving through the chapters, the editors present core tensions and sources of inertia towards transformative change, and acknowledge that envisioning multiple solutions and pathways are possible and desirable. They advocate for the need to align visions, actions and time horizons between policy, society and business in addressing the interlinked socio-ecological challenges that our society currently faces. This book will be an important resource for scholars and professionals working in the field of sustainability and sustainable business, and a vital educational text for students interested in this discipline.

This volume addresses the latest state-of-the-art systems biology-oriented approaches that--driven by big data and bioinformatics--are utilized by Computational Systems Biology, an interdisciplinary field that bridges experimental tools with computational tools to tackle complex questions at the frontiers of knowledge in medicine and biotechnology. The chapters in this book are organized into six parts: systems biology of the genome, epigenome, and redox proteome; metabolic networks; aging and longevity; systems biology of diseases; spatiotemporal patterns of rhythms, morphogenesis, and complex dynamics; and genome scale metabolic modeling in biotechnology. In every chapter, readers will find varied methodological approaches applied at different levels, from molecular, cellular, organ to organisms, genome to phenome, and health and disease. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics; criteria utilized for applying specific methodologies; lists of the necessary materials, reagents, software, databases, algorithms, mathematical models, and dedicated analytical procedures; step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory, bioinformatics, and computational protocols all delivered in didactic and clear style and abundantly illustrated with express case studies and tutorials; and tips on troubleshooting and advice for achieving reproducibility while avoiding mistakes and misinterpretations. The overarching goal driving this volume is to excite the expert and stimulate the newcomer to the field of Computational Systems Biology. Cutting-edge and authoritative, Computational Systems Biology in Medicine and Biotechnology: Methods and Protocols is a valuable resource for pre- and post-graduate students in medicine and biotechnology, and in diverse areas ranging from microbiology to cellular and organismal biology, as well as computational and experimental biologists, and researchers interested in utilizing comprehensive systems biology oriented methods.

Recent advances in understanding the thermodynamics of macromolecules, the topological properties of gene networks, the organization and mutation capabilities of genomes, and the structure of populations make it possible to incorporate these key elements into a broader and deeply interdisciplinary view of molecular evolution. This book gives an account of such a new approach, through clear tutorial contributions by leading scientists.

Phenotypic plasticity - the ability of an individual organism to alter its features in direct response to a change in its environment - is ubiquitous. Understanding how and why this phenomenon exists is crucial because it unites all levels of biological inquiry. This book brings together researchers who approach plasticity from diverse perspectives to explore new ideas and recent findings about the causes and consequences of plasticity. Contributors also discuss such controversial topics as how plasticity shapes ecological and evolutionary processes; whether specific plastic responses can be passed to offspring; and whether plasticity has left an important imprint on the history of life. Importantly, each chapter highlights key questions for future research. Drawing on numerous studies of plasticity in natural populations of plants and animals, this book aims to foster greater appreciation for this important, but frequently misunderstood phenomenon. Key Features Written in an accessible style with numerous illustrations, including many in color Reviews the history of the study of plasticity, including Darwin's views Most chapters conclude with recommendations for future research

This book summarizes the basics of actinobacteria, from microbiology to synthetic biology. It focuses on diversity, NRPS, sesquiterpenes, lantipeptide, bioinformatics apparatuses, cloning, CRISPR, reverse engineering, FDA supported medications, and marine actinobacteria. It also covers the latest trends in drug discovery from actinobacteria, and introduces several recently developed bioinformatics and synthetic biology tools to explore new antibiotics from actinobacteria. Many natural products such as polyketides, isoprenoids, phenazines, peptides, indolocarbarbazoles, sterols, and others have been isolated and characterized from actinobacteria. Some products are synthesized by the non-ribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs), polyketide synthases (PKSs), or other functional genes. Although genome sequencing has uncovered the differing qualities of these chemicals, recognizing new items and their biosynthetic pathways is still under examination. Cryptic metabolic pathways have been explored using molecular techniques or culture-dependent approaches. In recent years, researchers' primary interest is to identify the specific conditions or agents that wake the cryptic antibiotics. Several bioinformatics and synthetic biology tools were developed to explore new antibiotics from actinobacteria. The book comprises 14 chapters with different aspects of application and utilization of actinomycetes from the microbiology; systems biology, pharmacology of natural products, bioinformatics, actinomycete and its diversity, CRISPR, artificial Intelligence, synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, expressional studies, and biosynthetic gene clusters. The book delivers useful information on actinomyces to researchers, novices in genome designing, specialists, clinicians, policymakers, and professionals.

Forkhead FOXO Transcription Factors in Development and Disease, Volume 127, the latest release in the Current Topics in Developmental Biology series, provides a comprehensive set of reviews on transcription factors FOXO and their various functions in health and disease. Each chapter is contributed by a leading expert in the field, with specific sections covering Exceptional Longevity: Insights from Hydra to Humans, FOXO in neural cells and diseases of the nervous system, maintaining the equilibrium for better or for worse, and The Role of FoxOs in Bone Health and Disease, amongst other topics. This compilation provides a unique, up-to-date view of this enigmatic, highly evolutionary conserved family of transcription factors with a diverse array of functions in aging and longevity, cancer, and metabolism.

The new techniques of molecular cytogenetics, mainly fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) of DNA probes to metaphase chromosomes or interphase nuclei, have been developed in the past two decades. Many FISH techniques have been implemented for diagnostic services, whereas some others are mainly used for investigational purposes. Several hundreds of FISH probes and hybridization kits are now commercially available, and the list is growing rapidly. FISH has been widely used as a powerful diagnostic tool in many areas of medicine including pediatrics, medical genetics, maternal-fetal medicine, reproductive medicine, pathology, hematology, and oncology. Frequently, a physician may be puzzled by the variety of FISH techniques and wonder what test to order. It is not uncommon that a sample is referred to a laboratory for FISH without indicating a specific test. On the other hand, a cytogeneticist or a technologist in a laboratory needs, from case to case, to determine which procedure to perform and which probe to use for an informative result. To obtain the best results, one must use the right DNA probes and have reliable protocols and measures of quality assurance in place. Also, one must have sufficient knowledge in both traditional and molecular cytogenetics, as well as the particular areas of medicine for which the test is used in order to appropriately interpret the FISH results, and to correlate them with clinical diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.