Targeting Chitin Containing Organisms

This book provides a comprehensive overview of chitin biology and chitin metabolism related enzymes. Chitin, the second most abundant biopolymer in nature after to cellulose, is a linear biopolymer composed of β-1,4-linked N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc), and an essential component in the exoskeletons of insects, mites, ticks and crustaceans, the egg shells of parasitic nematodes, and fungal cell walls. Although some chitin-containing organisms are a threat to human health, food safety and agricultural production, non-chitin containing organisms like humans, mammals and plants have an innate immune response to these hazardous organisms. The book provides researchers and students with information on the recent research advances concerning the biology of chitin-containing organisms as well as cross-talks between chitin-containing and non-chitin-containing organisms. Highlighting chitin remodeling enzymes and inhibitors, it also offers drug developers essential insights into designing specific molecules for the control of hazardous chitin-containing organisms.

The publication of the extensive seven-volume work Comprehensive Molecular Insect Science provided a complete reference encompassing important developments and achievements in modern insect science. One of the most swiftly moving areas in entomological and comparative research is molecular biology, and this volume, Insect Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, is designed for those who desire a comprehensive yet concise work on important aspects of this topic. This volume contains ten fully revised or rewritten chapters from the original series as well as five completely new chapters on topics such as insect immunology, insect genomics, RNAi, and molecular biology of circadian rhythms and circadian behavior. The topics included are key to an understanding of insect development, with emphasis on the cuticle, digestive properties, and the transport of lipids; extensive and integrated chapters on cytochrome P450s; and the role of transposable elements in the developmental processes as well as programmed cell death. This volume will be of great value to senior investigators, graduate students, post-doctoral fellows and advanced undergraduate research students. It can also be used as a reference for graduate courses and seminars on the topic. Chapters will also be valuable to the applied biologist or entomologist, providing the requisite understanding necessary for probing the more applied research areas related to insect control. Topics specially selected by the editor-in-chief of the original major reference work Fully revised and new contributions bring together the latest research in the rapidly moving fields of insect molecular biology and insect biochemistry, including coverage of development, physiology, immunity and proteomics Full-color provides readers with clear, useful illustrations to highlight important research findings

This book illustrates, that the fungal cell wall is critical for the biology and ecology of all fungi and especially for human fungal pathogens. Readers will learn, that the composition of the fungal cell wall is a unique structure, which cannot be found in the human host. Consequently, the chapters outline, how the immune systems of both animals and humans have evolved to recognize conserved and unique elements of the fungal cell wall. As an application example, the authors also show, that the three-dimensional structures of the cell wall are excellent targets for the development of antifungal agents and chemotherapeutic strategies. With the combination of biological findings and medical outlooks, this volume is a fascinating read for scientists, clinicians and biomedical students.

Chitin and Chitosan: Discoveries and Applications for Sustainability provides the most comprehensive knowledge on these organic biopolymers which come from the cellular makeup of crustaceans, mollusks and arthropods. This book synthesizes historical information, fundamental properties, industrial applications, and recent discoveries and uses. Written by an international expert on chitin and chitosan sources and uses, the book discusses landmark discoveries and early uses in the research and applications of chitin and chitosan. It then explores the international use of chitin and chitosan as organic solutions across various disciplines such as aquaculture, agriculture, food and beverage industries, cosmetics and medicine. Finally, the book assesses their environmental applications for sustainable solutions, such as wastewater treatments and future chitin and chitosan usage as an organic solution for a more sustainable, green, healthy planet. Offers a comprehensive review of these biopolymers, from their discovery to their use in our daily lives Details the main historical facts on their composition, structure and properties Emphasizes the chemical and biological properties and applications of chitosan Describes key challenges and future trends

Advances in Insect Physiology, Volume 62, the latest release in this ongoing series, highlights new advances in the field, with this new volume presenting interesting chapters on a variety of timely topics. Each chapter is written by an international board of authors. Provides the authority and expertise of leading contributors from an international board of authors Presents the latest release in the Advances in Insect Physiology series

This books bridges the gap between a clinician's knowledge and the biomaterial designer's by elucidating upon the different biomaterials used in anatomical systems and how those materials react to the human body. It explores established and future prospectives of biomaterial types/designs, considerations/characterization and synthesis, in order to guide students in understanding the relations of material science and the human body.

The book covers various biotechnological research efforts and their applications in fisheries and aquaculture, especially in the area of fish breeding, health management, nutrition and culture. Application of the recent biotechnological tools, like Transcriptomics, Transgenesis, Nanotechnology, Metabolomics, RNAi and CRISPRi Technologies in the field of fisheries research are included in the book. Topics like conservation genetics for management of fishery resources are also covered in the book. It aims at addressing the growing need of the biotechnology in advancing the cause of aquaculture with a view to provide food and nutritional security to the world. This book will be of immense use to teachers, researchers, academicians, development officials and policymakers, involved in R&D of fisheries and aquaculture sectors. Also, the book serves as an additional reading material for undergraduate and graduate students of fisheries, marine sciences, ecology, aquaculture, and environmental sciences. The research in aquaculture biotechnology is likely to have significant impact on aquaculture and fisheries by way of supporting nutritional food security to the growing population.