Root Development is an extremely exciting new title in Blackwell Publishing's Annual Plant Reviews Series (Series Editor Profesor Jeremy Roberts). The book consists of contributions from author groups based at many of the World's formeost laboratories working in the root development area. The book's editor Tom Beeckman, himself very well known and respected for his work in this area, has drawn together an exceptional set of core cutting edge reviews of the subject, providing a state of the art reference tool for all those researching in this area.
Plant Systems Biology is an excellent new addition to theincreasingly well-known and respected Annual Plant Reviews.Split into two parts, this title offers the reader: A fundamental conceptual framework for Systems Biologyincluding Network Theory The progress achieved for diverse model organisms: Prokaryotes, C. elegans and Arabidopsis The diverse sources of “omic” information necessaryfor a systems understanding of plants Insights into the software tools developed for systemsbiology Interesting case studies regarding applications includingnitrogen-use, flowering-time and root development Ecological and evolutionary considerations regarding livingsystems This volume captures the cutting edge of systems biologyresearch and aims to be an introductory material for undergraduateand graduate students as well as plant and agricultural scientists,molecular biologists, geneticists and microbiologists. It alsoserves as a foundation in the biological aspects of the field forinterested computer scientists. Libraries in all universities andresearch establishments where biological and agricultural sciencesare studied and taught and integrated with Computer Sciences shouldhave copies of this important volume on their shelves.
The cell cycle in plants consists of an ordered set of events, including DNA replication and mitosis, that culminates in cell division. As cell division is a fundamental part of a plant’s existence and the basis for tissue repair, development and growth, a full understanding of all aspects of this process is of pivotal importance. Cell Cycle Control and Plant Development commences with an introductory chapter and is broadly divided into two parts. Part 1 details the basic cell machinery, with chapters covering cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), cyclins, CDK inhibitors, proteolysis, CDK phosphorylation, and E2F/DP transcription factors. Part 2, which describes the cell cycle and plant development, covers cell cycle activation, cell cycle control during leaf development, endoreduplication, the cell cycle and trichome, fruit and endosperm development, the hormonal control of cell division and environmental stress, and cell cycle exit. The editor of this important book, Professor Dirk Inzé, well known and respected internationally, has brought together an impressive team of contributing authors, providing an excellent new volume in Blackwell Publishing’s Annual Plant Reviews Series. The book is an essential purchase for research teams working in the areas of plant sciences and molecular, cell and developmental biology. All libraries in universities and research establishments where biological sciences are studied and taught should have copies of this essential and timely volume.
Annual Plant Reviews, Volume 12 A fundamental feature of developmental biology is that of theestablishment of polarity. It can be described at different levels- polarity of the organism, polarity in tissue patterning and organdevelopment, and polarity of the cell. This volume provides an account of current research into themechanisms by which polarity is generated at the level of the cell,organ and organism in plants, drawing especially on recent workwith model organisms.The emphasis is on the use of the techniquesof molecular genetics to dissect molecular mechanisms. This is the first volume to bring together the diverse aspects ofpolarity in plant development. It is directed at researchers andprofessionals in plant developmental biology, cell biology andmolecular biology. Visit www.blackwellplantsci.com the plant science site fromBlackwell Publishing.
The formation, dispersal and germination of seeds are crucial stages in the life cycles of gymnosperm and angiosperm plants. The unique properties of seeds, particularly their tolerance to desiccation, their mobility, and their ability to schedule their germination to coincide with times when environmental conditions are favorable to their survival as seedlings, have no doubt contributed significantly to the success of seed-bearing plants. Humans are also dependent upon seeds, which constitute the majority of the world’s staple foods (e.g., cereals and legumes). Seeds are an excellent system for studying fundamental developmental processes in plant biology, as they develop from a single fertilized zygote into an embryo and endosperm, in association with the surrounding maternal tissues. As genetic and molecular approaches have become increasingly powerful tools for biological research, seeds have become an attractive system in which to study a wide array of metabolic processes and regulatory systems. Seed Development, Dormancy and Germination provides a comprehensive overview of seed biology from the point of view of the developmental and regulatory processes that are involved in the transition from a developing seed through dormancy and into germination and seedling growth. It examines the complexity of the environmental, physiological, molecular and genetic interactions that occur through the life cycle of seeds, along with the concepts and approaches used to analyze seed dormancy and germination behavior. It also identifies the current challenges and remaining questions for future research. The book is directed at plant developmental biologists, geneticists, plant breeders, seed biologists and graduate students.
Annual Plant Reviews, Volume 10 The cytoskeleton is a dynamic filamentous structure composed of at least actin and microtubule networks. Actin and microtubules are no different structurally from their animal and fungal counterparts. However, the strategies of cell differentiation and development in plants require this network to respond appropriately to plant-specific developmental cues and to environmental factors. This book views the cytoskeleton from different perspectives but, on the whole, as a network composed of structural and regulatory proteins controlled by internal and external stimuli that result in different aspects of cell differentiation. This is a volume for researchers and professionals in plant biochemistry, cell biology and genetics.
The field of plant nitrogen metabolism continues to be a compelling focus for basic research activities because there is a strong demand for immediate solutions, particularly in key areas, such as improving plant nitrogen use efficiency, which are crucial to future agricultural sustainability and the future economic success of agriculture. The 13 reviews which comprise this excellent and carefully edited new volume bring together the expertise and enthusiasm of an international team of leading researchers. Topics covered include nitrogen sensing and signalling, uptake and membrane systems, nitric oxide, primary nitrogen assimilation and C/N balance and interactions, and regulation of root and plant architecture. Together, these reviews provide an insight into how plants sense, uptake and assimilate nitrogen into the organic compounds required for growth, co-ordinate nitrogen and carbon metabolism and regulate growth and development according to nitrogen availability. The transcription factors that act to integrate environmental nutrient (nitrogen) signals to co-ordinate primary and secondary metabolism are discussed, together with new concepts of cross-talk, transport and signalling, and how such molecular networks influence nitrogen and carbon cycling processes in the environment. Annual Plant Reviews, Volume 42: Nitrogen Metabolism in Plants in the Post-genomic Era is an essential purchase for advanced students, researchers and professionals in plant sciences, biochemistry, physiology, molecular biology, genetics and agricultural sciences, working in the academic and industrial sectors. Libraries in all universities and research establishments where these subjects are studied and taught will need copies of this excellent volume on their shelves.
The development of phosphorus (P)-efficient crop varieties is urgently needed to reduce agriculture's current over-reliance on expensive, environmentally destructive, non-renewable and inefficient P-containing fertilizers. The sustainable management of P in agriculture necessitates an exploitation of P-adaptive traits that will enhance the P-acquisition and P-use efficiency of crop plants. Action in this area is crucial to ensure sufficient food production for the world’s ever-expanding population, and the overall economic success of agriculture in the 21st century. This informative and up-to-date volume presents pivotal research directions that will facilitate the development of effective strategies for bioengineering P-efficient crop species. The 14 chapters reflect the expertise of an international team of leading authorities in the field, who review information from current literature, develop novel hypotheses, and outline key areas for future research. By evaluating aspects of vascular plant and green algal P uptake and metabolism, this book provides insights as to how plants sense, acquire, recycle, scavenge and use P, particularly under the naturally occurring condition of soluble inorganic phosphate deficiency that characterises the vast majority of unfertilised soils, worldwide. The reader is provided with a full appreciation of the diverse information concerning plant P-starvation responses, as well as the crucial role that plant–microbe interactions play in plant P acquisition. Annual Plant Reviews, Volume 48: Phosphorus Metabolism in Plants is an important resource for plant geneticists, biochemists and physiologists, as well as horticultural and environmental research workers, advanced students of plant science and university lecturers in related disciplines. It is an essential addition to the shelves of university and research institute libraries and agricultural and ecological institutions teaching and researching plant science.
Annual Plant Reviews, Volume 16 Intercellular communication in plants plays a vital role in the co-ordination of processes leading to the formation of a functional organism. The signalling systems must function at a local level to co-ordinate events of cellular differentiation, over long distances to co-ordinate developmental and physiological responses in different parts of the plant, and they must even operate between separate individuals - for example, to control fertilization as part of the evolutionary strategy of a particular species. To cope with the diverse requirements for intercellular signalling, plants have evolved a spectrum of molecular mechanisms, and significant progress has been made over the last few years in our understanding of these processes. This volume provides an overview of our current understanding of intercellular communication in plants, with an emphasis on those research areas showing significant recent progress and promise. It is directed at researchers and professionals in plant biochemistry, physiology, cell biology and molecular biology.
Cell separation is an important process that occurs throughout the life cycle of a plant. It enables the radicle to emerge from the germinating seed, vascular tissue to differentiate, sculpturing of leaves and flowers to take place, pollen to be shed from the mature anther, fruit to soften, senescent and non-functional organs to be lost, and seeds to be shed. In addition to its intrinsic scientific interest, many of the developmental processes to which it contributes have importance for agriculture and horticulture. This is the first volume to focus exclusively on these processes and to link improvements in our scientific understanding with methods that may allow us to manipulate cell separation and adhesion to the benefit of the agricultural and horticultural industries. It will therefore be of interest to the experimental scientist and to those who wish to apply these techniques commercially.
