The shoot apex, although tiny and enclosed in the apical bud, forms the whole of the shoot system of plants and has a key role in producing leaves and flowers. An appreciation of how it functions is essential to an understanding of plant growth. In this book, the questions of the manner and the speed at which the shoot apex grows, and the likely cellular processes that are involved in the formation of leaves and flowers, are examined at the biochemical, physiological, biophysical, molecular, and genetic levels. This book is the only one currently available that is wholly devoted to the growth and physiology of the shoot apex and its key role in the formation of leaves and flowers.

The recent application of molecular genetics to problems of developmental biology has provided us with greater insight into the molecular mechanisms by which cells determine their developmental fate. This is particularly evident in the recent progress in understanding of developmental processes in model animal systems such as Drosophila melanogaster and Caenorhabditis elegans. De spite the use of plants in some of the earliest genetics experiments, the elucida tion of the molecular bases of plant development has lagged behind that of animal development. However, the emergence of model systems such as Arabi dopsis thaliana, amenable to developmental genetics, has led to the beginning of the unraveling of the mysteries behind plant morphogenesis. This atlas of the morphology and development of the weed Arabidopsis is in tended to be a reference book, both for scientists already familiar with plant anatomy and for those utilizing Arabidopsis who have come from other fields. The primary concentration is on descriptions rather than interpretations, as interpretations evolve and change relatively rapidly, whereas the evolution of plant form takes place on a much longer time scale. Molecular genetics and the use of mutants to probe wild-type gene function rely on the wild-type being well characterized. With this in mind, an attempt was made to present detailed descriptions of wild-type structure and development, to provide a foundation for comparison with the selected mutants in the atlas. More importantly, it is hoped that the atlas will serve as a valuable resource in the characterization of new mutants.

Auxin is an important signaling compound in plants and vital for plant development and growth. The present book, Auxin and its Role in Plant Development, provides the reader with detailed and comprehensive insight into the functioning of the molecule on the whole and specifically in plant development. In the first part, the functioning, metabolism and signaling pathways of auxin in plants are explained, the second part depicts the specific role of auxin in plant development and the third part describes the interaction and functioning of the signaling compound upon stimuli of the environment. Each chapter is written by international experts in the respective field and designed for scientists and researchers in plant biology, plant development and cell biology to summarize the recent progress in understanding the role of auxin and suggest future perspectives for auxin research.

This book provides a multifaceted look into the world of stem cells and explains the similarities and differences between plant and human stem cells. It explores the intersection between animals and plants and explains their cooperative role in bioengineering studies. The book treats both theoretical and practical aspects of stem cell research. It covers the advantages and limitations of many common applications related to stem cells: their sources, categories, engineering of these cells, reprogramming of their functions, and their role as novel cellular therapeutic approach. Written by experts in the field, the book focuses on aspects of stem cells ranging from expansion-propagation to metabolic reprogramming. It introduces the emergence of cancer stem cells and different modalities in targeted cancer stem cell therapies. It is a valuable source of fresh information for academics and researchers, examining molecular mechanisms of animal and plant stem cell regulation and their usage for therapeutic applications. Students at all levels of medical or engineering backgrounds will enjoy the case studies that illustrate and explain mechanisms, interactions, targeted effects, and multimodal therapeutic approaches. Academics, researchers, and professionals who want to expand their knowledge in this field will find this book an exceptional resource.

Handbook of Maize: Its Biology centers on the past, present and future of maize as a model for plant science research and crop improvement. The book includes brief, focused chapters from the foremost maize experts and features a succinct collection of informative images representing the maize germplasm collection.

There are few more emotive, or important, crops in the world than rice – the staple food for a huge proportion of the world’s population. This volume presents the latest results of research in crop improvement as well as in molecular and cellular activities in rice. It consists of 26 chapters and is divided into the following four sections: Genome-wide and genome-based research; Signal transduction and development; Evolution and ecology; Improvement of rice.