Organisms and their component cells exist in a dynamic and unpredictable environment. Many of these environmental changes are potentially harmful or lethal. It is therefore unsurprising that cells are capable of adaptation to many of these potentially harmful environmental conditions. This adaptation requires both the ability to gather information about the environment, and the ability to convert the information gathered into the appropriate cellular response. Cells have developed specific signal transduction pathways that respond to a specific environmental stimulus and effect a specific, corresponding cellular response. Such signal transduction pathways are quantitative, in that cells do not simply display binary information processing but are capable of more subtle interpretation of different magnitudes of a particular stimulus. In particular, many signaling pathways enable adaptation to changing levels of environmental nutrients by control of cellular gene expression. We employed the single-cell eukaryote Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model to study several facets of nutrient-responsive signal transduction in a quantitative manner. In the following text, we present our study of the sources of heterogeneity in gene expression in a population of genetically identical cells. In addition, we review recent advances in understanding of heterogeneity or noise in gene expression. Also, we present work characterizing the zinc-responsive signaling pathway in a quantitative manner, and studies uncovering the presence of positive feedback in the phosphate-responsive (PHO) signaling pathway.

This text emphasises the importance of staying informed about Saccharomyces cerevisiae as it provides the intellectual basis for much of the molecular and cellular biology of eukaryotes. It offers yeast users a concise account of the metabolism and physiology of this organism. Chapters include: life cycle and morphogenesis; carbon metabolism, nitrogen metabolism; lipids and membranes; protein trafficking; and phosphorlation and dephosphorylation of protein and stress response. This book is for second and final year undergraduates in microbiology, biotechnology and applied biology, postgraduate and doctural researchers working on yeast, and researchers and managers in industries which use and exploit Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

This book covers both the molecular basics of fungal stress response strategies as well as biotechnological applications thereof. The complex regulatory mechanisms of stress response pathways are presented in a concise and well-readable manner. Also, light will be shed on the interconnection of pathways responding to different types of stress. Profound knowledge of stress responses in yeast and filamentous fungi is crucial for further optimization of industrial processes. Applications are manifold, for example in fungicide development, for improving the resistance of crop plants to fungal pathogens, but also in medicine to help curing fungal infections. The book targets researchers from academia and industry, as well as graduate students interested in microbiology, mycology and biomedicine.

Advances in Botanical Research is a multi-volume publication that brings together reviews by recognized experts on subjects of importance to those involved in botanical research. For more than thirty years, Advances in Botanical Research has earned a reputation for excellence in the field. For those working on plant pathology, Advances in Plant Pathology has also carved a niche in the plant sciences during its decade of publication. Academic Press has merged Advances in Plant Pathology into Advances in Botanical Research. The plant science community will find that the merger of these two serials will provide one comprehensive resource for the field. To ensure complete coverage, John Andrews and Inez Tommerup, the editors of Advances in Plant Pathology, have joined the editorial board of the new series, which will include equal coverage of plant pathology and botany in both thematic and mixed volumes. The first few volumes of the new series will be slanted toward botany or plant pathology; however, future eclectic volumes will be fully integrated.The resulting synergy of these two serials greatly benefits the plant science community by providing a more comprehensive resource under one roof. The joint aim is to continue to include the very best articles, thereby maintaining the status of a high impact factor review series.

Advances in Botanical Research is a multi-volume publication that brings together reviews by recognized experts on subjects of importance to those involved in botanical research. For more than thirty years, Advances in Botanical Research has earned a reputation for excellence in the field. For those working on plant pathology, Advances in Plant Pathology has also carved a niche in the plant sciences during its decade of publication. Academic Press has merged Advances in Plant Pathology into Advances in Botanical Research. The plant science community will find that the merger of these two serials will provide one comprehensive resource for the field. To ensure complete coverage, John Andrews and Inez Tommerup, the editors of Advances in Plant Pathology, have joined the editorial board of the new series, which will include equal coverage of plant pathology and botany in both thematic and mixed volumes. The first few volumes of the new series will be slanted toward botany or plant pathology; however, future eclectic volumes will be fully integrated. The resulting synergy of these two serials greatly benefits the plant science community by providing a more comprehensive resource under one roof. The joint aim is to continue to include the very best articles, thereby maintaining the status of a high impact factor review series.

Mathematical models have become invaluable tools for understanding the intricate dynamic behavior of complex biochemical and biological systems. Among computational strategies, logical modeling has been recently gaining interest as an alternative approach to address network dynamics. Due to its advantages, including scalability and independence of kinetic parameters, the logical modeling framework is becoming increasingly popular to study the dynamics of highly interconnected systems, such as cell cycle progression, T cell differentiation and gene regulation. Novel tools and standards have been developed to increase the interoperability of logical models, which can now be employ to respond a variety of biological questions. This Research Topic brings together the most recent and cutting-edge approaches in the area of logical modeling including, among others, novel biological applications, software development and model analysis techniques.