Mitochondria are critical organelles in the metabolic regulation of almost all eukaryotic organisms. Knowledge of their biochemistry and molecular biology in plants has been fuelled over recent years by the rapid progress made in genome sequencing and the ability to manipulate gene expression. Plant Mitochondria contains chapters written by many of the world’s leading researchers in this area, bringing together and reviewing for the first time many recent advances. Contents include coverage of mitochondrial dynamics, mitochondrial genome instability, expression of the plant mitochondrial genome, import of nuclear-encoded mitochondrial proteins, mitochondrial respiratory complex biogenesis, supramolecular structure of the OXPHOS system, mitochondrial electron transport and oxidative stress, mitochondrial metabolism, cytoplasmic male sterilities and mitochondrial gene mutations, and the mitochondrion in plant programmed cell death. Plant Mitochondria is an extremely important and timely addition to Blackwell Publishing’s Annual Plant Reviews series. David Logan, well known and respected internationally for his work in this area, has brought together a truly valuable volume of great use and interest to plant scientists, cell and molecular biologists, and biochemists. Libraries in all universities and research establishments where biological sciences are studied and taught should have copies of this important book on their shelves.
This invaluable resource introduces the eleven types of organism that cause plant disease, ranging from higher plants to viroids and describes examples of cash and staple crop diseases that have caused human catastrophes. Early chapters cover serological and molecular techniques for the diagnosis of plant pathogens, epidemiology, methods for estimating disease severity and its effect on crop yields and techniques for limiting inoculum. Later chapters are concerned with colonisation of the plant and symptom development and the underlying biochemical and genetic factors that control these events. Finally, the control of plant disease using a variety of techniques including genetic modification is discussed. Modern diagnostic techniques Epidemiology and the measurement of disease severity The biochemistry and molecular biology of plant disease Control through cultural, biological, genetic and molecular techniques A wealth of examples and applications including full colour photographs
Molecular Mechanisms of Photosynthesis stands as an ideal introduction to this subject. Robert Blankenship, a leading authority in photosynthesis research, offers a modern approach to photosynthesis in this accessible and well-illustrated text. The book provides a concise overview of the basic principles of energy storage and the history of the field, then progresses into more advanced topics such as electron transfer pathways, kinetics, genetic manipulations, and evolution. Throughout, Blankenship includes an interdisciplinary emphasis that makes this book appealing across fields. Leading authority in Photosynthesis and the the President of the International Society of Photosynthesis Research. First authoritative text to enter the market in 10 years. Stresses an interdisciplinary approach, which appeals to all science students. Emphasizes the recent advances in molecular structures and mechanisms. Only text to contain comprehensive coverage of both bacterial and plant photosynthesis. Includes the latest insights and research on structural information, improved spectroscopic techniques as well as advances in biochemical and genetic methods. Presents the most extensive treatment of the Origin and evolution of photosynthesis. Comprehensive appendix, which includes a detailed introduction to the physical basis of photosynthesis, including thermodynamics, kinetics and spectroscopy.
This comprehensive introduction covers all aspects of biopharmaceutical manufacturing, including legal and regulatory issues as well as costing procedures. Written by a leading expert at one of the largest pharmaceutical companies worldwide, this practical text is aimed at a wide audience, ranging from libraries, via biotech companies to students and technicians planning to enter biopharmaceutical manufacturing. In addition, it is well suited for academic teaching as well as internal training within larger biotech or pharmaceutical companies.
Written by leading experts from industry and academia, this first single comprehensive resource addresses recent developments in next generation DNA sequencing technology and their impact on genome research, drug discovery and health care. As such, it presents a detailed comparative analysis of commercially available platforms as well as insights into alternative, emerging sequencing techniques. In addition, the book not only covers the principles of DNA sequencing techniques but also social, ethical and commercial aspects, the concept of personalized medicine and a five-year perspective of DNA sequencing.
Focusing on all current applications, this book presents the various methods as well as their suitability and limitations for a specific question. One particular highlight is the presentation of all basic information on the structure of the relevant objects, thus allowing readers to choose the most suitable applications for any specific problem. They will also find in-depth background information on structure-function relationships, plus descriptions of sample preparations with respect to a particular technique and the necessary equipment. The whole is rounded off with an overview of the future application potential for devices and applications of upcoming interest in biotechnology.
While the choices of microbial and eukaryotic expression systems for production of recombinant proteins are many, most researchers in academic and industrial settings do not have ready access to pertinent biological and technical information since it is normally scattered throughout the scientific literature. This book closes the gap by providing information on the general biology of the host organism, a description of the expression platform, a methodological section – with strains, genetic elements, vectors and special methods, where applicable – as well as examples of proteins produced with the respective platform. The systems thus described are well balanced by the inclusion of three prokaryotes (two Gram-negatives and one Gram-positive), four yeasts, two filamentous fungi and two higher eukaryotic cell systems – mammalian and plant cells. Throughout, the book provides valuable practical and theoretical information on the criteria and schemes for selecting the appropriate expression platform, the possibility and practicality of a universal expression vector, and on comparative industrial-scale fermentation, with the production of a recombinant Hepatitis B vaccine chosen as an industrial example. With a foreword by Herbert P. Schweizer, Colorado State University, USA: «As a whole, this book is a valuable and overdue resource for a varied audience. It is a practical guide for academic and industrial researchers who are confronted with the design of the most suitable expression platform for their favorite protein for technical or pharmaceutical purposes. In addition, the book is also a valuable study resource for professors and students in the fields of applied biology and biotechnology.»
Brings together, analyzes, and contextualizes the latest findings and practical applications Polyphosphazenes, an emerging class of polymers, include macromolecules, which have been proven to be biocompatible, biodegradable, and bioactive. Their unprecedented structural diversity and unique properties make them suitable as vaccine adjuvants, microencapsulating agents, biodegradable materials, scaffolds for tissue engineering, biocompatible coatings, and carriers for gene delivery. Polyphosphazenes for Biomedical Applications offers a thorough review of polyphosphazene research findings in the life sciences, chemistry, and chemical engineering. It emphasizes biomedical applications as well as recent advances in polyphosphazene development such as high-throughput discovery and the latest controlled methods of synthesis. The book brings together, analyzes, and contextualizes a wealth of knowledge that previously could only be found scattered throughout the scientific literature. Following two introductory chapters, the book reviews: Vaccine delivery and immunomodulation Biomaterials Drug delivery systems Biodetection Well-defined polyphosphazenes: synthetic aspects and novel molecular architectures All the chapters have been written by leading researchers in the field. Editor Alexander Andrianov, who has led the effort to commercialize polyphosphazenes for biomedical applications, has carefully reviewed and edited all chapters to ensure readability, accuracy, and thoroughness. Polyphosphazenes for Biomedical Applications is not only intended for researchers working in polyphosphazene chemistry, but also for all researchers seeking solutions to problems arising in the areas of biomaterials, drug delivery systems, and controlled release formulations.
Giving an overview of the challenges in the control of bioprocesses, this comprehensive book presents key results in various fields, including: dynamic modeling; dynamic properties of bioprocess models; software sensors designed for the on-line estimation of parameters and state variables; control and supervision of bioprocesses.
While the sequence of the human genome sequence has hit the headlines, extensive exploitation of this for practical applications is still to come. Genomic and post-genomic technologies applied to viral and bacterial pathogens, which are almost equally important from a scientific perspective, have the potential to be translated into useful products and processes much more rapidly. Genomics, Proteomics and Vaccines introduces the history of vaccinology and discusses how vaccines are expected to evolve in the future. It describes the relevant technologies, including genome sequencing and analysis, DNA microarrays, 2D electrophoresis and 2D chromatography, mass spectrometry and high-throughput protein expression and purification. The book also features examples of the exploitation of genomics and post-genomics in vaccine discovery, and contains useful descriptions of the biology and pathogenesis of clinically important bacterial pathogens. This book should be of interest to all those working in vaccine discovery and development in pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies as well as in academic institutions