Prospects in Bioscience: Addressing the Issues


Book Description

The book entitled “Prospects in Bioscience: Addressing the issues” is a collection of selected research papers presented at the International Conference on Advances in Biological Sciences (ICABS) organized by the Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology and the Inter University Centre for Bioscience, Kannur University, Kerala, India. ICABS witnessed a unique spectrum of Scientific Programmes on the most recent and exciting developments in modern biology. The conference displayed the numerous breakthroughs and significant developments in the important areas of modern biology and their relevance to the welfare of global society. The Book contains 50 well written chapters, each one discussing scientifically organized findings of original research work done in reputed laboratories. Needless to say, they deal with advances in various disciplines of modern biology including Cell and Molecular Biology, Structural Biology, Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, Food and Agricultural Biotechnology and Medical Biotechnology. As the title rightly indicates, the chapters project the prospects in the respective areas and the issues in them. Specific issues discussed in the book includes development of transgenic plants, bioremediation of toxic industrial effluents, biotransformation for novel antibiotics, biofertilizer development, molecular drug designing and structure elucidation, molecular identification of pathogens, production of anti microbials, biocontrol agents and bioactive molecules, cancer biology, plant breeding and hybrid seed production etc. The book with its contents spreading across the vast arena of modern biology is expected to cater to the need of researchers, technologists and students.




Secretory Proteins


Book Description

Secretory Proteins, Volume 133 in the Advances in Protein Chemistry and Structural Biology series highlights new advances in the field, including chapters on Proprotein Convertases regulate trafficking and maturation of key proteins within the secretory pathway, Secretory Proteins in Cancer Diagnosis, Senescent Cells and SASP in Cancer Microenvironment: new approaches in cancer therapy, Autophagy for secretory protein: Therapeutic targets in cancer, Secretory proteins and pathways of secretion of osteosarcoma, Monocyte secretory proteins as drug targets for arresting progression of atherosclerosis, The secretory phenotypes of envenomed cells: insights into venom cytotoxicity, Macromolecules for secretory pathway in SARS-CoV-2 infection, and much more. Other sections cover Exploring the role of secretory proteins in the human infectious diseases diagnosis and therapeutics, Secretory proteins in orchestration of microbial pathogenesis- the curious case of Staphylococcus aureus, Influence of pathological mutations in Aspartylglucosylamine Deaspartylase causing Aspartylglucosaminuria: an in silico approach, and Change in conformational dynamics of Lipase A secretory protein upon mutation causing Wolman disease. Provides the authority and expertise of leading contributors from an international board of authors Presents the latest release in the Advances in Protein Chemistry and Structural Biology series Updated release includes the latest information on the Secretory Proteins




Medically Important Plant Biomes: Source of Secondary Metabolites


Book Description

This book provides insights into various aspects of medicinal plant-associated microbes, known to be a unique source of biological active compounds, including their biotechnological uses and their potential in pharmaceutical, agricultural and industrial applications. Featuring review papers and original research by leading experts in the field, it discusses medicinal plants and their interactions with the environment; medicinal plants as a source of biologically active compounds; medicinal plant-associated microbes (diversity and metabolites); their pharmaceutical, agricultural and industrial applications as well as their potential applications as plant growth stimulators and biocontrol agents. As such the book offers a valuable, up-to-date overview of the current research on medicinal plants, their ecology, biochemistry and associated biomes.




Nutritional Value of Amaranth


Book Description

Pseudocereals, belonging to the genus Amaranthus, have been cultivated for their grains for 8,000 years or more. The grain was a staple food of the Aztecs and was also considered an integral part of Aztec religious ceremonies. The book primarily focuses on the nutrient properties of amaranth and expresses its viewpoint in considering this crop as a remedy for many nutrient deficiencies and curbing food insecurity. The functional properties of the grain are immense and it is clear that the crop would be a valuable agricultural product around the world.




Bioactive Compounds in Bryophytes and Pteridophytes


Book Description

This reference work provides a comprehensive overview of bioactive compounds investigated in bryophytes and pteridophytes and explores their nutritional, biological, pharmacological and ecological effects. Bryophytes are cosmopolitan lower plants that are rich in phytochemicals including fatty acids, tocopherols, phenolics, terpenoids. Additionally, these plants contain bibenzyls, bis-benzyls, and polyketides which have been demonstrated to have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic activities. Pteridophytes are another group of lower vascular plants which were reported to have useful secondary compounds such as flavonoids, steroids, phenolics, terpenoids, and these plants impart medicinal values including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and anti-HIV activities. This book contains comprehensive contributions compiled by expert scientists and researchers in this field.The book offers a useful resource for plant biotechnologists, plant biologists, pharmacologists, pharmacists, food technologists, nutritionists, research investigators of the healthcare industry, academia, faculty, and students of biology and biomedical sciences. It also provides a strategic framework for further research and development activities of bryophytes and pteridophytes of the world.




Advances in Medicinal and Aromatic Plants


Book Description

This new two-volume book categorically provides detailed information on highly demanded and medicinally important plants and their natural habits and habitats, taxonomy, cultivation practices, essential oils, active ingredients, biomolecules, modes of action, drug development, and value additions for marketing purpose. Examples of such plants include Achillea spp. (yarrow), Acorus calamus (sweet flag), Ocimum spp. (basil), Dioscorea spp., Eucalyptus spp., Commiphora spp. (guggul), Kaempferia galanga (aromatic ginger), and Lavandula spp. (lavender). Many others are included in the volume as well. With contributions from international experts, these two volumes present chapters that detail the history of these major medicinal and aromatic plants and also report on systematic botany, advanced production and propagation technologies, plant nutrition, moisture management, intercultivation, plant protection, postharvest technology, processing-value addition, and marketing trade. Further, the book presents promising low-cost and ecofriendly plant products and biomolecules, which are free from side-effects for use as pharmaceuticals and herbal drugs. The most ancient form of medical therapies involving herbs has been neglected for a few decades back and has regained enormous popularity because of the effectiveness and fewer hazardous properties of many medicinal and aromatic plants. Nature has all sorts of protective medicinal compounds within its huge bioresources, which are still being identified for beneficial health purposes. Herbs containing aromatic properties because of their essential oils also have medicinal uses apart from being used as dependable sources of natural fragrance for cosmetics, perfumery, and food industries competing with synthetic aroma chemicals. These volumes will be an excellent and comprehensive compendium for academicians and professionals working in plant resources. The compilation will also be valuable for students, researchers, medical practitioners, farmers, entrepreneurs, traders, industrialists, and NGOs who are involved in research and development and production and pharmaceutics of medicinally important plants.




Bioremediation and Phytoremediation Technologies in Sustainable Soil Management


Book Description

Phytoremediation has evolved into an important tool to improve the bioremediation process since it is an innovative green technology that uses a wide variety of plants to remediate radioactive metals and elements, organics, and chemicals from soil, sediment, surface water, and groundwater environmental pollutants. Together, bioremediation and phytoremediation technologies provide an effective approach to contaminant abatement. Volume 3 of the four-volume set identifies and draws a fresh image of existing developments in theoretical and functional implementation systems from recent scientific research studies that consider different facets of bioremediation. It also discusses the latest technology and prospects of new soil bioremediation technology and analyzes their domains, along with their associated challenges and consequences. Other volumes in the 4-volume set: • Volume 1: Fundamental Aspects and Contaminated Sites • Volume 2: Microbial Approaches and Recent Trends • Volume 4: Degradation of Pesticides and Polychlorinated Biphenyls Together, these four volumes provide in-depth coverage of the mechanisms, advantages, and disadvantages of the bioremediation and phytoremediation technologies for safe and sustainable soil management. The diverse topics help to arm biologists, agricultural engineers, environmental and soil scientists and chemists with the information and tools they need to address soil toxins that are a dangerous risk to plants, wildlife, humans and, of course, the soil itself.




Bacilli in Agrobiotechnology


Book Description

The third volume of the series ‘Bacilli and Agrobiotechnology’ is comprised of 25 chapters that bring a unique perspective to the readers about Bacillus-mediated biotic and abiotic plant stress tolerance, bioremediation and bioprospecting. These chapters are prepared by the leading scientists of global repute. The negative impacts of agrochemicals such as chemical fertilizers and pesticides on human health and environment are paramount. Bacillus and allied genera of beneficial plant-associated microbes are presenting beacon of hope to the farmers, plant scientists and stewards of environment. Several chapters of this volume focus on the induction of various signaling pathways in plants by Bacillus spp. to alleviate biotic and abiotic stresses impacted by global climate change Agricultural lands contaminated with heavy metals affect the ecological food chain starting from crop cultivation. How the toxic effects of trace metals originating from industrial effluents and agrochemicals can be remediated? This book addresses how to overcome these issues by applying elite strains of Bacillus. Bioprospecting is a systematic and organized search for conversion of bioresources to industrially important products by utilizing microbe-derived metabolites. This volume is enriched by including the bioprospecting aspects mediated by Bacillus spp. with novel insights.




Global Perspectives on Underutilized Crops


Book Description

Increase in world population, extreme weather conditions, decrease in fresh water supplies, and changes of dietary habits are major issues that affect global food security. We are expected to face the challenges of land use by 2050 because population will reach 9 billion while agricultural productivity losses are expected due to overuse of lands. How can we feed the next generations in a manner that respects our finite natural resources? Managing our resources in a sustainable way have only begun for selected crops. Much remains to be done to increase food yield. Cropping practices capable of sustainable production need to be elaborated, especially in fragile ecosystems. Typical applications will include the improvement and use of genetic resources; crop management and diversification; diffusion of improved varieties; development of cropping systems; sustainable cropping systems for areas prone to environmental degradation; use of agro-ecological data for crop production forecasting; and networks for regional coordination, and data exchange. The impetus behind this book is to bring attention to a cropping system that bears direct relevance to sustainable agriculture and food security. “Underutilized” crops are found in numerous agricultural ecosystems and often survive mainly in marginal areas. It is timely to review their status because, in recent decades, scientific and economic interests have emerged which focus on lesser-known cultivated species. Underutilized crops have a great potential to alleviate hunger directly, through increasing food production in challenging environments where major crops are severely limited. “Global Perspectives on Underutilized Crops” is therefore topical and highlights the unmet agricultural challenges that we face today. This book is an important resource for students and researchers of crop science and agricultural policy makers.




Bridges to Independence


Book Description

A rising median age at which PhD's receive their first research grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is among the factors forcing academic biomedical researchers to spend longer periods of time before they can set their own research directions and establish there independence. The fear that promising prospective scientists will choose other career paths has raised concerns about the future of biomedical research in the United States. At the request of NIH, the National Academies conducted a study on ways to address these issues. The report recommends that NIH make fostering independence of biomedical researchers an agencywide goal, and that it take steps to provide postdocs and early-career investigators with more financial support for their own research, improve postdoc mentoring and establish programs for new investigators and staff scientists among other mechanisms.