Current Research Topics In Plant Virology

Topics covered in this book include RNA silencing and its suppression in plant virus infection, virus replication mechanisms, the association of cellular membranes with virus replication and movement, plant genetic resistance to viruses, viral cell-to-cell spread, long distance movement in plants, virus induced ER stress, virus diversity and evolution, virus-vector interactions, cross protection, geminiviruses, negative strand RNA viruses, viroids, and the diagnosis of plant viral diseases using next generation sequencing. This book was anticipated to help plant pathologists, scholars, professors, teachers and advanced students in the field with a comprehensive state-of-the-art knowledge of the subject.

In calling this series Molecular Plant Virology, I had in mind aspects of plant virology of interest to biochemists, molecular geneticists, biophysicists, genetic engineers, or, collectively,molecular biologists. At the same time, the intention was to provide up-to-date reviews, by expert contributors, on current research topics in plant virology of interest and referential use to virologists and plant biologists. The selected topics are pitched mainly at a research level, but with sufficient introduction and cross-referencing to enable graduate students to enter this fascinating field and, hopefully, not get lost.

In calling this series Molecular Plant Virology, I had in mind aspects of plant virology of interest to biochemists, molecular geneticists, biophysicists, genetic engineers, or, collectively, �molecular biologists�. At the same time, the intention was to provide up-to-date reviews, by expert contributors, on current research topics in plant virology of interest and referential use to virologists and plant biologists. The selected topics are pitched mainly at a research level, but with sufficient introduction and cross-referencing to enable graduate students to enter this fascinating field and, hopefully, not get lost.

Viruses that infect plants are responsible for reduction in both yield and quality of crops around the world, and thus are of great economic importance. This has provided the impetus for the extensive research into the molecular and cellular biology of these pathogens and into their interaction with their plant hosts and their vectors. However, interest in plant viruses extends beyond their ability to damage crops. Many plant viruses - for example, tobacco mosaic virus - have been used as model systems to provide basic understanding of how viruses express genes and replicate. Others permitted the elucidation of the processes underlying RNA silencing, now recognized as a core epigenetic mechanism underpinning numerous areas of biology. This book attests to the huge diversity of research in plant molecular virology. Written by world authorities in the field, the book opens with two chapters on the translation and replication of viral RNA. Following chapters cover topics such as viral movement within and between plants, plant responses to viral infection, antiviral control measures, virus evolution, and newly emerging plant viruses. The book concludes with two chapters on biotechnological applications of plant viruses. Throughout, the focus is on the most recent, cutting-edge research, making this book essential reading for everyone working with plant viruses.

In calling this series Molecular Plant Virology, I had in mind aspects of plant virology of interest to biochemists, molecular geneticists, biophysicists, genetic engineers, or, collectively, �molecular biologists�. At the same time, the intention was to provide up-to-date reviews, by expert contributors, on current research topics in plant virology of interest and referential use to virologists and plant biologists. The selected topics are pitched mainly at a research level, but with sufficient introduction and cross-referencing to enable graduate students to enter this fascinating field and, hopefully, not get lost.

This volume discusses traditional and current techniques that are successfully used to diagnose plant viruses and study molecular plant-virus interactions. The chapters in this book cover topics such as in vivo detection of double-stranded RNA, developing rice mutant using CRISPR-Cas9-based technology, protein-protein interaction assays, purification and transfection of protoplasts, protocols for gene silencing, and transmission electron microscopy. 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 practical, Plant Virology: Methods and Protocols is a valuable resource for plant pathologists, microbiologists, virologists, graduate students, and teachers who are interested in learning more about the developments in plant virology research.

Vector transmission of pathogens affecting human, animal, and plant health continues to plague mankind both in industrialized and Third World coun tries. The diseases caused by these pathogens cost billions of dollars an nually in medical expenses and lost productivity. Some cause widespread of food-and fiber-producing plants and animals, whereas others destruction present direct and immediate threats to human life and further development in Third World countries. During the past 15 years or so, we have witnessed an explosive increase in interest in how vectors acquire, carry, and subsequently inoculate dis ease agents to human, animal, and plant hosts. This interest transcends the boundaries of anyone discipline and involves researchers from such varied fields as human and veterinary medicine, entomology, plant pa thology, virology, physiology, microbiology, parasitology, biochemistry, molecular biology, genetic engineering, ultrastructure, biophysics, bio systematics, biogeography, ecology, behavioral sciences, and others. Ac companying and perhaps generating this renewed interest is the realization that fundamental knowledge of pathogen-vector-host interrelationships is a first and necessary step in our quest for efficient, safe methods of disease control.

All the information you need on plant viruses in a single volume The Handbook of Plant Virology is a comprehensive guide to the terms and expressions commonly used in the study of plant virology, complete with descriptions of plant virus families down to the generic level. Rather than simply listing terms in alphabetical order, this unique book links each term to related terms within a theme and adds commentary from authors whose specific expertise adds additional dimensions to the topics. The result is an invaluable resource for research workers, educators, and students working in plant virology and pathology, crop protection, molecular biology, and plant breeding. The Handbook of Plant Virology provides enough details and background in the discussion of each topic to present a clear and thorough understanding of terms without the lengthy analysis found in most textbooks. The book’s first section covers: the mechanics of virus classification internal and external symptoms (with color illustrations) isolation and purification genome packaging replication and gene expression detection and identification various methods of virus transmission serology forecasting disease development recombination control strategies economic importance and much more The second section of The Handbook of Plant Virology is devoted to concise descriptions of the 81 genera and 18 families of plant viruses, including: positive-sense, single-stranded RNA viruses, such as Potyviridae, Sequiviridae, and Comoviridae double-stranded RNA viruses, such as Reoviridae and Partitiviridae negative-sense, single-stranded RNA viruses, such as Rhabdoviridae and Bunyaviridae single-stranded DNA viruses, such as Geminiviridae, Pseudoviridae, Metaviridae The Handbook of Plant Virology also includes photos, illustrations, figures, diagrams, and brief, but detailed, bibliographies. The book’s concise mix of information on currently assigned taxonomic families and the genera of plant viruses make it an essential reference tool for practitioners, researchers, educators, and students.