New Frontiers In Developmental Biology

The study of the process through which animals and plants develop and grow is known as developmental biology. There are various aspects which are covered under developmental biology such as asexual reproduction, metamorphosis and the biology of regeneration. Some of the processes which are studied under this discipline are morphogenesis, cell differentiation and regional specification. Research in developmental biology makes use of a small number of model organisms. These non-human organisms are chosen with the aim that discoveries which are made in the study of these models will provide insights into the workings of other organisms. This book unfolds the innovative aspects of developmental biology which will be crucial for the progress of this field in the future. It presents researches and studies performed by experts across the globe. Those in search of information to further their knowledge will be greatly assisted by this book.

New Frontiers and Applications of Synthetic Biology presents a collection of chapters from eminent synthetic biologists across the globe who have established experience and expertise working with synthetic biology. This book offers several important areas of synthetic biology which allow us to read and understand easily. It covers the introduction of synthetic biology and design of promoter, new DNA synthesis and sequencing technology, genome assembly, minimal cells, small synthetic RNA, directed evolution, protein engineering, computational tools, de novo synthesis, phage engineering, a sensor for microorganisms, next-generation diagnostic tools, CRISPR-Cas systems, and more. This book is a good source for not only researchers in designing synthetic biology, but also for researchers, students, synthetic biologists, metabolic engineers, genome engineers, clinicians, industrialists, stakeholders and policymakers interested in harnessing the potential of synthetic biology in many areas. Offers basic understanding and knowledge in several aspects of synthetic biology Covers state-of-the-art tools and technologies of synthetic biology, including promoter design, DNA synthesis, DNA sequencing, genome design, directed evolution, protein engineering, computational tools, phage design, CRISPR-Cas systems, and more Discusses the applications of synthetic biology for smart drugs, vaccines, therapeutics, drug discovery, self-assembled materials, cell free systems, microfluidics, and more

Scientific Frontiers in Developmental Toxicology and Risk Assessment reviews advances made during the last 10-15 years in fields such as developmental biology, molecular biology, and genetics. It describes a novel approach for how these advances might be used in combination with existing methodologies to further the understanding of mechanisms of developmental toxicity, to improve the assessment of chemicals for their ability to cause developmental toxicity, and to improve risk assessment for developmental defects. For example, based on the recent advances, even the smallest, simplest laboratory animals such as the fruit fly, roundworm, and zebrafish might be able to serve as developmental toxicological models for human biological systems. Use of such organisms might allow for rapid and inexpensive testing of large numbers of chemicals for their potential to cause developmental toxicity; presently, there are little or no developmental toxicity data available for the majority of natural and manufactured chemicals in use. This new approach to developmental toxicology and risk assessment will require simultaneous research on several fronts by experts from multiple scientific disciplines, including developmental toxicologists, developmental biologists, geneticists, epidemiologists, and biostatisticians.

Current Topics in Developmental Biology, Volume 143, the latest release in this acclaimed series, highlights new advances in the field, with this new volume presenting new sections on Building a ciliated epithelium: Transcriptional regulation and radial intercalation of multiciliated cells, Biomechanics of Amphibian Morphogenesis, Planar cell polarity during neural tube closure, Left-right asymmetry research in Xenopus: Questions solved and new frontiers, Xenopus neural crest and its relevance to human disease, Endoderm organogenesis, From egg to embryo in marsupial frogs, Evo-devo lessons from the analysis of Xenopus genomes, Transcriptional regulation during zygotic genome activation, and much more. Provides the authority and expertise of leading contributors from an international board of authors Presents the latest release in the Current Topics in Developmental Biology series

This topical volume in the respected Encyclopedia series is the first in many years to bring together all important aspects of developmental biology in one source, from morphogenesis and organogenesis, via epigenetic regulation of gene expression to evolutionary developmental biology. The editor-in-chief has assembled an outstanding team of contributors to review these topics, creating an authoritative work for many years to come. The result is a unique, top-level reference in developmental biology for researchers, students and professionals alike.

The mosses (Bryophatea, Musci) are a diverse and widely distributed group of land plants. Mosses are attractive experimental plants because they exhibit the traditional attributes of good model systems (Le. ease of growth & maintenance, fast generation time, and amenable genetics) with the added advantage of a haploid gametophyte that allowed developmental mutants to be recovered with relative ease. In addition, mosses with the ability to tolerate extreme environmental conditions offer realistic models for the analysis of environmental stress-tolerance; particularly when compared to tracheophytes such as Arabidopsis thaliana in which these important plant phenotypes are either not clearly expressed or entirely lacking. And, in one of the most exciting developments in Plant Biology, efficient homologous recombination occurs in the moss Physcomitrella patens. The ability to perform efficient homologous recombination (Le. gene knock-outs) in P. patens is at present unique amongst all plants and represents an extremely powerful technique for the functional analysis of many plant genes. Over the past 5 years, a world-wide community of moss researchers has evolved. A highly successful "Moss" conference has been held annually (l998-Mumbai, India; 1999-Carbondale, IL, USA; 2000-Villars, Switzerland; 200l-0kazaki, Japan; 2002-Ambleside, UK; 2003-St. Louis, MO, USA) with "Moss 2004" planned to be held in Frieburg Germany. These conferences have been instrumental in the creation & development of strong collaborative ties, and the free exchange of both ideas and materials.

Rapid advances in stem cell biology have raised exciting possibilities of replacing damaged or lost tissues and cells by activation of in vitro-expanded stem cells or their progeny. This book examines many of the unresolved problems as well as future applications of regenerative medicine. In addition to animal experiments, results of research on human tissues and organs are included.

No field of contemporary biomedical science has been more revolutionized by the techniques of molecular biology than developmental biology. This is an outstanding concise introduction to developmental biology that takes a contemporary approach to describing the complex process that transforms an egg into an adult organism. The book features exceptionally clear two-color illustrations, and is designed for use in both undergraduate and graduate level courses. The book is especially noteworthy for its treatment of development in model organisms, whose contributions to developmental biology were recognized in the 1995 Nobel Prize for physiology and medicine.