Covering state-of-the-art technologies and a broad range of practical applications, the Third Edition of Gene Biotechnology presents tools that researchers and students need to understand and apply today's biotechnology techniques. Many of the currently available books in molecular biology contain only protocol recipes, failing to explain the principles and concepts behind the methods outlined or to inform the reader of possible pitfalls in the methods described. Filling these gaps, this book: Discusses a wide variety of approaches, from very basic methods to the latest, most sophisticated technologies Contains clearly detailed, step-by-step protocols with helpful troubleshooting tips Addresses the needs of researchers in academic and commercial environments Guides graduate students in designing, implementing, and evaluating experimental projects. Each chapter covers the principles underlying methods and techniques, and includes step-by-step descriptions of each protocol, notes, tips, and a troubleshooting guide. The book includes sections on how to write a research paper for publication in English-language journals, how to protect research discoveries and inventions via patents, and practical methods of bio-calculation. Written by a team of internationally recognized scientists, Gene Biotechnology presents protocols as well as clear and simple explanations of the key principles and concepts behind the methods. It is a single, logically organized source for the most important new methodologies. This unique resource provides the tools to help ensure success in contemporary molecular and cellular biology research.

2008 NOMINEE The Council on Botanical and Horticultural Libraries Annual Award for a Significant Work in Botanical or Horticultural Literature From medicinal, industrial, and culinary uses to cutting-edge laboratory techniques in modern research and plant conservation strategies, Natural Products from Plants, Second Edition reveals a vastly expanded understanding of the natural products that plants produce. In a single volume, this bookoffers a thorough inventory of the various types of plant-derived compounds. It covers their chemical composition, structure, and properties alongside the most effective ways to identify, extract, analyze, and characterize new plant-derived compounds. The authors examine new information on the chemical mechanisms plants use to deter predators and pathogens, attract symbiotic organisms, and defend themselves against environmental stress-insights which are key for adapting such mechanisms to human health. Along with updated and revised information from the highly acclaimed first edition, the second edition presents seven new chapters and features more than 50% new material relating to plant constituents, natural product biochemistry, and molecular biology. The book incorporates in-depth treatment of natural product biosynthesis with new collection and extraction protocols, advanced separation and analytical techniques, up-to-date bioassays, as well as modern molecular biology and plant biotechnology for the production of natural products. Unique in its breadth and coverage, Natural Products from Plants, Second Edition belongs on the shelf of interested researchers, policymakers, and consumers- particularly those involved in disease prevention, treatment, and pharmaceutical applications-who need a complete guide to the properties, uses, and study of plant natural products.

Several milestones in biology have been achieved since the first publication of the Handbook of Molecular and Cellular Methods in Biology and Medicine. This is true particularly with respect to genome-level sequencing of higher eukaryotes, the invention of DNA microarray technology, advances in bioinformatics, and the development of RNAi technology. Now in its third edition, this volume provides researchers with an updated tool kit that incorporates conventional as well as modern approaches to tackle biological and medicinal research in the post-genomics era. Significantly revised to address these recent changes, the editors have evaluated, revised, and sometimes replaced protocols with more efficient, more reliable, or simpler ones. The book has also been reorganized with section headings focusing on different biological levels connected to one another, taking into account the central dogma of biology (DNA RNA protein metabolites). The book first explores traditional approaches and then moves to the modern "omics" approaches, including genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics. It also discusses the manipulation of biological systems (including RNAi) and macromolecular analyses, focusing on the use of microscopy. In each chapter, various notes and cautionary considerations are presented for potentially hazardous reagents. Filled with diagrams, tables, and figures to clarify methods, most chapters also contain Troubleshooting Guides indicating problems, possible causes, and solutions that may be incurred in carrying out the procedures. Researchers and scientists who master the techniques in this book are putting themselves at the cutting edge of biological and medicinal research.

Plant biotechnology applies to three major areas of plants and their uses: (1) control of plant growth and development; (2) protection of plants against biotic and abiotic stresses; and (3) expansion of ways by which specialty foods, biochemicals, and pharmaceuticals are produced. The topic of recent advances in plant biotechnology is ripe for consideration because of the rapid developments in this ?eld that have revolutionized our concepts of sustainable food production, cost-effective alt- native energy strategies, environmental bioremediation, and production of pla- derived medicines through plant cell biotechnology. Many of the more traditional approaches to plant biotechnology are woefully out of date and even obsolete. Fresh approaches are therefore required. To this end, we have brought together a group of contributors who address the most recent advances in plant biotechnology and what they mean for human progress, and hopefully, a more sustainable future. Achievements today in plant biotechnology have already surpassed all previous expectations. These are based on promising accomplishments in the last several decades and the fact that plant biotechnology has emerged as an exciting area of research by creating unprecedented opportunities for the manipulation of biological systems. In connection with its recent advances, plant biotechnology now allows for the transfer of a greater variety of genetic information in a more precise, controlled manner. The potential for improving plant productivity and its proper use in agric- ture relies largely on newly developed DNA biotechnology and molecular markers.

Thisisadiscoverybookaboutplants. Itisforeveryone For those interested in the methods used and the interestedinplantsincludinghighschoolandcollege/ sourcesofplantmaterialsintheillustrations, anexp- university students, artists and scienti?c illustrators, nationfollows. Foradevelopmentalseriesofdrawings, senior citizens, wildlife biologists, ecologists, profes- there are several methods. One is collecting several sionalbiologists, horticulturistsandlandscapedesign- specimensatonetimeindifferentstagesofdevel- ers/architects, engineersandmedicalpractitioners, and ment;forexample, severalbudsand?owersofaplant physicaltherapistsandtheirpatients. Hereisanoppor- (see29)andbuttontomatureformsofmushrooms(see tunitytobrowseandchoosesubjectsofpersonalinter- 50,51). Then, somearecutopentoobservepartsand est, toseeandlearnaboutplantsastheyaredescribed. decidehowtopresentthem, whileothersaretousefor By adding color to the drawings, plant structures be- ?naldrawings. Anothermethodiswaitingfortheplantto come more apparent and show how they function in change, whichinvolves"forcing"stems(see14), ger- life. Thecolorcodecluestellhowtocolorforde?nition natingseeds(see40), watchingoneleafexpand(see andanillusionofdepth. Formoreinformation, thetext 69), anddrawinga?owerinoneseasonanditsmature explains the illustrations. The size of the drawings in fruitinanother(see104,109,110,111). Analternative relation to the true size of the structures is indicated towaitingforfruitistouseacollectionofdryorfrozen by x1(thesamesize)to x3000(enlargementfrom specimens, sothatasspring?owersappear, thelater truesize)and xn/n(reductionfromtruesize). maturingfruitscanbeseenatthesametime(see102, 105,106). The contents re?ect a balanced selection of bota- calsubjectmatterwithemphasison?oweringplants, Inthe?rstsection, introductiontoplants, thereares- the dominant plants of the earth. After a page about eral sources for various types of drawings. Hypoth- plantnamesandterms, thebookisdividedintothree ical diagrams show cells, organelles, chromosomes, sections. The ?rst is an introduction to plants, show- the plant body indicating tissue systems and expe- ingstructureandfunction;then, majorgroups, provid- mentswithplants, and?owerplacentationandrep- inganoverviewofthediverseforms;andlastly, one- ductivestructures. Forexample, thereisnoaverageor seventhofthe?oweringplantfamilies, withtheaccent standard-looking ?ower; so, to clearly show the parts onthoseofeconomicimportance. Thesequenceinthe ofa?ower(see27), adiagramshowsastretchedout sectionsissimpletocomplex(celltoseed), primitiveto and exaggerated version of a pink (Dianthus) ?ower advanced(blue-greensto?oweringplants), andunspe- (see 87). A basswood (Tilia) ?ower is the basis for cializedtospecialized(magnoliastoastersandwater- diagrams of ?ower types and ovary positions (see plantainstoorchids). Whereappropriate, an"ofinter- 28). Another source for drawings is the use of p- est"paragraphlistswaysthesegeneraarerelevantin paredmicroscopeslidesofactualplanttissues. Some ourlives(categoriesincludeuseasfood, ornamentals, are traced from microscope slide photographs such lumber, medicines, herbs, dyes, fertilizers;noticeofwild ascross-sections, vascularbundles, andtransections. or poisonous; and importance in the

Plant biotechnology applies to three major areas of plants and their uses: (1) control of plant growth and development; (2) protection of plants against biotic and abiotic stresses; and (3) expansion of ways by which specialty foods, biochemicals, and pharmaceuticals are produced. The topic of recent advances in plant biotechnology is ripe for consideration because of the rapid developments in this ?eld that have revolutionized our concepts of sustainable food production, cost-effective alt- native energy strategies, environmental bioremediation, and production of pla- derived medicines through plant cell biotechnology. Many of the more traditional approaches to plant biotechnology are woefully out of date and even obsolete. Fresh approaches are therefore required. To this end, we have brought together a group of contributors who address the most recent advances in plant biotechnology and what they mean for human progress, and hopefully, a more sustainable future. Achievements today in plant biotechnology have already surpassed all previous expectations. These are based on promising accomplishments in the last several decades and the fact that plant biotechnology has emerged as an exciting area of research by creating unprecedented opportunities for the manipulation of biological systems. In connection with its recent advances, plant biotechnology now allows for the transfer of a greater variety of genetic information in a more precise, controlled manner. The potential for improving plant productivity and its proper use in agric- ture relies largely on newly developed DNA biotechnology and molecular markers.