Current Opinion In Biotechnology

Huds, micropropagation of Hypericum perforatum L.

Modern analytical biotechnology is focused on the use of a set of enabling platform technologies that provide contemporary, state-of-the-art tools for genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, drug discovery, screening, and analysis of natural product molecules. Thus, analytical biotechnology covers all areas of bioanalysis from biochips and nano-chemistry to biology and high throughput screening. Moreover, it aims to apply advanced automation and micro fabrica tion technology to the development of robotic and fluidic devices as well as integrated systems. This book focuses on enhancement technology development by promoting cross-disciplinary approaches directed toward solving key problems in biology and medicine. The scope thus brings under one umbrella many different techniques in allied areas. The purpose is to support and teach the fundamental principles and practical uses of major instrumental techniques. Major platforms are the use of immobilized molecules in biotechnology and bioanalysis, im munological techniques, immunological strip tests, fluorescence detection and confocal techniques, optical and electrochemical biosensors, biochips, micro dotting, novel transducers such as nano clusters, atomic force microscopy based techniques and analysis in complex media such as fermentation broth, plasma and serum. Techniques related to HPLC, capillary electrophoresis, gel electrophoresis, and mass spectrometry have not been included in this book but will be covered by further publications. Fundamentals in analytical biotechnology include basic and practical aspects of characterizing and analyzing DNA, proteins, and small metabolites.

Green plants and photosynthetic organisms are the Earth's natural photoconverters of solar energy. In future, biomass and bioenergy will become increasingly significant energy sources, making a contribution both to carbon dioxide abatement and to the security, diversity and sustainability of global energy supplies. In this book, experts provide a series of authoritative chapters on the intricate mechanisms of photosynthesis and the potential for using and improving photosynthetic organisms, plants and trees to sequester carbon dioxide and to provide fuel and useful chemicals for the benefit of man. Contents:Photosynthesis and Photoconversion (J Barber & M D Archer)Light Absorption and Harvesting (A Holzwarth)Electron Transfer in Photosynthesis (W Leibl & P Mathis)Photosynthetic Carbon Assimilation (G E Edwards & D A Walker)Regulation of Photosynthesis in Higher Plants (D Godde & J F Bornman)The Role of Aquatic Photosynthesis in Solar Energy Conversion: A Geoevolutionary Perspective (P G Falkowski, R Geider & J A Raven)Useful Products from Algal Photosynthesis (R Martinez & Z Dubinsky)Hydrogen Production by Photosynthetic Microorganisms (V A Boichenko, E Greenbaum & M Seibert)Photoconversion and Energy Crops (M J Bullard)The Production of Biofuels by Thermal Chemical Processing of Biomass (A V Bridgwater & K Maniatis)Photosynthesis and the Global Carbon Cycle (D Schimel)Management of Terrestrial Vegetation to Mitigate Climate Change (R Tipper & R Carr)Biotechnology: Its Impact and Future Prospects (D J Murphy) Readership: Biologists, biochemists, plant scientists, environmentalists and ecologists.

Between 1973 and 2016, the ways to manipulate DNA to endow new characteristics in an organism (that is, biotechnology) have advanced, enabling the development of products that were not previously possible. What will the likely future products of biotechnology be over the next 5â€"10 years? What scientific capabilities, tools, and/or expertise may be needed by the regulatory agencies to ensure they make efficient and sound evaluations of the likely future products of biotechnology? Preparing for Future Products of Biotechnology analyzes the future landscape of biotechnology products and seeks to inform forthcoming policy making. This report identifies potential new risks and frameworks for risk assessment and areas in which the risks or lack of risks relating to the products of biotechnology are well understood.

Chemical Product Design: Towards a Perspective through Case Studies provides a framework for chemical product design problems which are clearly defined together with different solution approaches. This book covers the latest methods and tools currently available in the field and discusses future challenges that the chemical industry is faced with. It focuses on important issues of chemical product design and provides a good overview on industrial chemical product design problems through case studies supplied by leading experts. The editors of Chemical Product Design teach chemical product design at graduate level courses and also serve as consultants for various chemical companies. They have also developed experimental techniques for chemical product design as well as computer-aided design methods and tools. Highlights important issues of chemical product design through case studies Case studies supplied by leading experts in chemical product design Provides a complete framework for chemical product design

During the past twenty years Listeria monocytogenes has emerged as one of the most intensely studied bacterial pathogens. New windows are constantly being opened into the complexity of host cell biology and the interplay of the signals connecting the various cells and organs involved in the host response. This volume includes research from studies at the molecular level on the pathogenesis of Listeria monocytogenes and the response of the host to its infections.

In recent years much has happened to justify an examination of biological research in light of national security concerns. The destructive application of biotechnology research includes activities such as spreading common pathogens or transforming them into even more lethal forms. Policymakers and the scientific community at large must put forth a vigorous and immediate response to this challenge. This new book by the National Research Council recommends that the government expand existing regulations and rely on self-governance by scientists rather than adopt intrusive new policies. One key recommendation of the report is that the government should not attempt to regulate scientific publishing but should trust scientists and journals to screen their papers for security risks, a task some journals have already taken up. With biological information and tools widely distributed, regulating only U.S. researchers would have little effect. A new International Forum on Biosecurity should encourage the adoption of similar measures around the world. Seven types of risky studies would require approval by the Institutional Biosafety Committees that already oversee recombinant DNA research at some 400 U.S. institutions. These "experiments of concern" include making an infectious agent more lethal and rendering vaccines powerless.