The gb-glucuronidase (GUS) gene is extremely useful as a reporter of the expression of introduced genes and can be used in organisms where other reporter genes are useless. Thus, the GUS gene is the reporter gene of choice for transgenic plant research. Not only can this assay be used to detect whether a gene is being expressed, but it can be used to determine the location of the gene product within cells. Low cost is another advantage of this assay. GUS Protocols provides instructions and essential background information that will enable researchers to effectively use the GUS gene as a reporter of the expression of introduced genes. - First book on the GUS reporter system - Up-to-date reference lists following each of the fourteen chapters - Comb-bound for convenient bench-top use - Written by leading authorities including R.A. Jefferson, inventor of the GUS assay - Illustrated with color - GUS detection by fluorometric, spectrophotometric, and histochemical methods - Fast, automated assays

For several decades, Arabidopsis thaliana has been the organism of choice in the laboratories of many plant geneticists, physiologists, developmental biologists, and biochemists around the world. During this time, a huge amount of knowledge has been acquired on the biology of this plant species, which has resulted in the development of molecular tools that account for much more efficient research. The significance that Arabidopsis would attain in biological research may have been difficult to foresee in the 1980s, when its use in the laboratory started. In the meantime, it has become the model plant organism, much the same way as Drosophila, Caenorhabditis, or mouse have for animal systems. Today, it is difficult to envision research at the cutting edge of plant biology without the use of Arabidopsis. Since the first edition of Arabidopsis Protocols appeared, new developments have fostered an impressive advance in plant biology that prompted us to prepare Arabidopsis Protocols, Second Edition. Completion of the Arabidopsis genome sequence offered for the first time the opportunity to have in hand all of the genetic information required for studying plant function. In addition, the development of whole systems approaches that allow global analysis of gene expression and protein and metabolite dynamics has encouraged scientists to explore new scenarios that are extending the limits of our knowledge.

A proper understanding of the structural organization of the plant body is essential to any study in plant biology. Experimental studies in vivo and in situ will lead to structural, physiological, and cellular changes of the experimental material. To study macroscopic and microscopic changes, different histological methods and microtechniques can be used as they provide valuable information of the experimental system. In addition, the observed structural changes allow investigators to set hypothesis for further studies based on one’s own observation. Thus, proper selection and utilization of microtechniques are a must for the success of a research program. At present, an up-to-date collection of protocols are not readily available in the literature. The latest work in plant microtechniques was published in 1999 by Ruzin but many others are no longer in print [e.g., Jensen (1964); O’Brien and McCully (1981)]. Furthermore, a majority of published works focus on techniques related to general processing and staining procedures. A comprehensive treatment that encompasses broader applications of microtechniques to other disciplines is lacking [e.g., archeology, wood science, etc.]. There is a need to create a comprehensive volume of botanical methods and protocols which includes traditional and novel techniques that can be used by researchers in plant science and investigators in other disciplines that require plant microtechniques in their research and teaching. This book covers a wide variety of applications and brings them up-to-date to make them understandable and relevant, especially to students using the methods for the first time. It is our intention to create a useful reference for plant histology and related methods that will serve as a foundation for plant scholars, researchers, and teachers in the plant sciences.​

The aim of Plant Virology Protocols is to provide a source of infor- tion to guide the reader through the wide range of methods involved in gen- ating transgenic plants that are resistant to plant viruses. To this end, we have commissioned a wide-ranging list of chapters that will cover the methods required for: plant virus isolation; RNA extraction; cloning coat p- tein genes; introduction of the coat protein gene into the plant genome; and testing transgenic plants for resistance. The book then moves on to treatments of the mechanisms of resistance, the problems encountered with field testing, and key ethical issues surrounding transgenic technology. Although Plant Virology Protocols deals with the cloning and expression of the coat protein gene, the techniques described can be equally applied to other viral genes and nucleotide sequences, many of which have also been shown to afford protection when introduced into plants. The coat protein has, however, been the most widely applied, and as such has been selected to illustrate the techniques involved. Plant Virology Protocols has been divided into six major sections, c- taining 55 chapters in total.

Agrobacterium tumefaciens is a soil bacterium that for more than a century has been known as a pathogen causing the plant crown gall disease. Unlike many other pathogens, Agrobacterium has the ability to deliver DNA to plant cells and permanently alter the plant genome. The discovery of this unique feature 30 years ago has provided plant scientists with a powerful tool to genetically transform plants for both basic research purposes and for agric- tural development. Compared to physical transformation methods such as particle bomba- ment or electroporation, Agrobacterium-mediated DNA delivery has a number of advantages. One of the features is its propensity to generate single or a low copy number of integrated transgenes with defined ends. Integration of a single transgene copy into the plant genome is less likely to trigger “gene silencing” often associated with multiple gene insertions. When the first edition of Agrobacterium Protocols was published in 1995, only a handful of plants could be routinely transformed using Agrobacterium. Ag- bacterium-mediated transformation is now commonly used to introduce DNA into many plant species, including monocotyledon crop species that were previously considered non-hosts for Agrobacterium. Most remarkable are recent devel- ments indicating that Agrobacterium can also be used to deliver DNA to non-plant species including bacteria, fungi, and even mammalian cells.

As applied life science progresses, becoming fully integrated into the biological, chemical, and engineering sciences, there is a growing need for expanding life sciences research techniques. Anticipating the demands of various life science disciplines, Laboratory Protocols in Applied Life Sciences explores this development. This book covers a wide spectrum of areas in the interdisciplinary fields of life sciences, pharmacy, medical and paramedical sciences, and biotechnology. It examines the principles, concepts, and every aspect of applicable techniques in these areas. Covering elementary concepts to advanced research techniques, the text analyzes data through experimentation and explains the theory behind each exercise. It presents each experiment with an introduction to the topic, concise objectives, and a list of necessary materials and reagents, and introduces step-by-step, readily feasible laboratory protocols. Focusing on the chemical characteristics of enzymes, metabolic processes, product and raw materials, and on the basic mechanisms and analytical techniques involved in life science technological transformations, this text provides information on the biological characteristics of living cells of different origin and the development of new life forms by genetic engineering techniques. It also examines product development using biological systems, including pharmaceutical, food, and beverage industries. Laboratory Protocols in Applied Life Sciences presents a nonmathematical account of the underlying principles of a variety of experimental techniques in disciplines, including: Biotechnology Analytical biochemistry Clinical biochemistry Biophysics Molecular biology Genetic engineering Bioprocess technology Industrial processes Animal Plant Microbial biology Computational biology Biosensors Each chapter is self-contained and written in a style that helps students progress from basic to advanced techniques, and eventually design and execute their own experiments in a given field of biology.