Two decades ago, recombinant DNA technology or genetic engineering ushered in a new era in the study of plant viruses. The major breakthrough came in the eighties, primarily due to the development of new methods for RNA reverse transcription and cDNA cloning, along with restriction enzyme mapping and rapid nucleotide sequencing. An information explosion in various molecular aspects of plant viruses was caused by these studies. Current research efforts investigate the study of viral genomes, genetic maps, genes and gene expression, gene products, and genetic basis of virus functions and biological properties. Molecular Biology of Plant Viruses analyzes, collates and reviews such published information. Additionally, it demonstrates the mechanisms of genetic variability; brings out the molecular basis of virus transport in plants and of virus transmission by vectors and of disease symptomatology; and discusses molecular biology of viroids and transgenic plants. It also treats the recently discovered genetic phenomenon of gene silencing and the gene-for-gene interactions between the hosts and plant viruses. Molecular Biology of Plant Viruses is an excellent reference, providing insight into the exciting research developments made in the field.

The seminal text Plant Virology is now in its fifth edition. It has been 10 years since the publication of the fourth edition, during which there has been an explosion of conceptual and factual advances. The fifth edition of Plant Virology updates and revises many details of the previous edition while retaining the important earlier results that constitute the field's conceptual foundation. Revamped art, along with fully updated references and increased focus on molecular biology, transgenic resistance, aphid transmission, and new, cutting-edge topics, bring the volume up to date and maintain its value as an essential reference for researchers and students in the field. - Thumbnail sketches of each genera and family groups - Genome maps of all genera for which they are known - Genetic engineered resistance strategies for virus disease control - Latest understanding of virus interactions with plants, including gene silencing - Interactions between viruses and insect, fungal, and nematode vectors - Contains over 300 full-color illustrations

Viruses: Molecular Biology, Host Interactions, and Applications to Biotechnology provides an up-to-date introduction to human, animal and plant viruses within the context of recent advances in high-throughput sequencing that have demonstrated that viruses are vastly greater and more diverse than previously recognized. It covers discoveries such as the Mimivirus and its virophage which have stimulated new discussions on the definition of viruses, their place in the current view, and their inherent and derived 'interactomics' as defined by the molecules and the processes by which virus gene products interact with themselves and their host's cellular gene products. Further, the book includes perspectives on basic aspects of virology, including the structure of viruses, the organization of their genomes, and basic strategies in replication and expression, emphasizing the diversity and versatility of viruses, how they cause disease and how their hosts react to such disease, and exploring developments in the field of host-microbe interactions in recent years. The book is likely to appeal, and be useful, to a wide audience that includes students, academics and researchers studying the molecular biology and applications of viruses - Provides key insights into recent technological advances, including high-throughput sequencing - Presents viruses not only as formidable foes, but also as entities that can be beneficial to their hosts and humankind that are helping to shape the tree of life - Features exposition on the diversity and versatility of viruses, how they cause disease, and an exploration of virus-host interactions

Molecular Biology of Plants presents the formal scientific presentations delivered on the symposium on plant molecular biology, held at the University of Minnesota in 1976. The topics in this book are organized around the central dogma of molecular biology. Section I describes the organization and replication of DNA in plant chromosomes, including chloroplast genomes; Section II discusses molecular aspects of transcription and translation, ribosomal RNA gene systems and hormonal control of protein synthesis. Section III examines plant viruses and bacterial agents, in particular the crown gall system, viroids, and the replication of plant RNA viruses. Each of these specific topics contributes to an integrated knowledge of plant molecular biology. The book will be of interest to geneticists, cell biologists, plant breeders, plant physiologists, plant pathologists, and biochemists.

Viruses interact with host cells in ways that uniquely reveal a great deal about general aspects of molecular and cellular structure and function. Molecular and Cellular Biology of Viruses leads students on an exploration of viruses by supporting engaging and interactive learning. All the major classes of viruses are covered, with separate chapters for their replication and expression strategies, and chapters for mechanisms such as attachment that are independent of the virus genome type. Specific cases drawn from primary literature foster student engagement. End-of-chapter questions focus on analysis and interpretation with answers being given at the back of the book. Examples come from the most-studied and medically important viruses such as HIV, influenza, and poliovirus. Plant viruses and bacteriophages are also included. There are chapters on the overall effect of viral infection on the host cell. Coverage of the immune system is focused on the interplay between host defenses and viruses, with a separate chapter on medical applications such as anti-viral drugs and vaccine development. The final chapter is on virus diversity and evolution, incorporating contemporary insights from metagenomic research. Key selling feature: Readable but rigorous coverage of the molecular and cellular biology of viruses Molecular mechanisms of all major groups, including plant viruses and bacteriophages, illustrated by example Host-pathogen interactions at the cellular and molecular level emphasized throughout Medical implications and consequences included Quality illustrations available to instructors Extensive questions and answers for each chapter

The domestication of grapes dates back five thousand years ago and has spread to nearly all continents. In recent years, grape acreage has increased dramatically in new regions, including the United States of America, Chile, Asia (China and India), and Turkey. A major limiting factor to the sustained production of premium grapes and wines is infections by viruses. The advent of powerful molecular and metagenomics technologies, such as molecular cloning and next generation sequencing, allowed the discovery of new viruses from grapes. To date, grapevine is susceptible to 64 viruses that belong to highly diverse taxonomic groups. The most damaging diseases include: (1) infectious degeneration; (2) leafroll disease complex; and (3) rugose wood complex. Recently, two new disease syndromes have been recognized: Syrah decline and red blotch. Losses due to fanleaf degeneration are estimated at $1 billion annually in France alone. Other diseases including leafroll, rugose wood, Syrah de cline and red blotch can result in total crop loss several years post-infection. This situation is further exacerbated by mixed infections with multiple viruses and other biotic as well as adverse abiotic environmental conditions, such as drought and winter damage, causing even greater destruction. The book builds upon the last handbook (written over twenty years ago) on the part of diagnostics and extensively expands its scope by inclusion of molecular biology aspects of select viruses that are widespread and economically most important. This includes most current information on the biology, transmission, genome replication, transcription, subcellular localization, as well as virus-host interactions. It also touches on several novel areas of scientific inquiry. It also contains suggested directions for future research in the field of grapevine virology.

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.