This book provides readers a fundamental understanding of the science and applications of medicinal and aromatic plant materials. Chapters of this handbook covers the basics of ethnobotany, (bio)active compounds and their natural sources. Information about the cosmetic, nutritional, medicinal and industrial uses (dyes, tannins and biocides) is also presented. Readers will also learn about concepts central to quality control processes, sustainable management, wild harvesting and the economic valuation of the industrial impact of endemic plants. The volume also presents a case study of the wormwood (Artemisia absinthium L.), which is helpful in explaining the above concepts. This book is intended as a handbook for undergraduate students and teaching professionals in research and higher education institutions involved in agricultural engineering, pharmacy, forestry, natural product chemistry. Non experts interested in aromatic and medicinal plant agriculture, transformation and commercialization will also find the content informative.

The endocannabinoid system comprises at least two G-protein-coupled receptors (the cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors) activated by marijuana’s psychoactive principle ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and the endogenous ligands known as endocannabinoids. The apex of endocannabinoid research seems to have been reached with the clinical development, and also in some cases, the marketing, of synthetic or natural pharmaceuticals targeting this signalling system, which followed the understanding of the physiological and pathological role of endocannabinoids in several conditions, a role that was investigated first in rodent experimental models and then in humans. </p><p> Endocannabinoids: Molecular, Pharmacological, Behavioral and Clinical Features is a monograph that presents interesting manuscripts selected by the editor on the subject. Chapters in this book include original research or reviews which report the relevance of the endocannabinoid system by describing the results of experimental evidence about the neurobiological role of the endocannabinoid system. The main topics include, but are not limited to: </p><p> *The genetics of cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors and their tissue distribution, their splicing variants and polymorphisms, and the possible implications of all this in determining different behaviours as well as various pathological conditions and the addiction to substances of abuse. </p><p> *Pharmacological approaches describing the potential use in the central nervous system disorders of endocannabinoid-based drugs, such as cannabinoid receptor agonists and antagonists, inhibitors of endocannabinoid inactivation processes, and even plant cannabinoids other than THC and with a molecular mechanism of action. </p><p> *The role of the endocannabinoid system in several neurological and neuropsychiatric conditions, such as epilepsy. </p><p> The volume would be a great interest to neuropharmacologists, physiologists and biochemists who aim to learn about the endocannabinoid system in detail.

This monograph explains the physiological, biochemical and behavioral processes of male bat reproduction. Chapters cover spermatogenesis, sperm ultrastructure, reproductive homeostasis, apoptotic processes, sperm maturation, sperm storage in female bats, and sexual selection processes. The volume also presents studies focused on the reproductive physiology of Mexican cave bat species. This monograph is a suitable reference for undergraduate and postgraduate students as well as researchers interested in chiropteran reproductive biology.

RNA interference (RNAi) is a biological process in which small nucleotide sequences destroy specific mRNA molecules and, therefore, interrupt genetic expression. RNAi has rapidly developed into a widely used technique in biotechnology, experimental biology, genomics and medicine. Frontiers in RNAi is a collection of research articles covering the applications of RNAi principles and technologies and has been compiled by members of the RNAi Global Initiative, a collection of academic and industrial groups with extensive experience in genome-wide RNAi screening. Chapters included in the first volume touch on some of the recent advances in RNAi technology (i.e., applications to 3D cell culture, drug repurposing, and bioproduction) and provide guidance on how to address the continued challenges associated with off-target effects, database structuring, and pooled shRNA screens.

The book provides an updated panorama of the functional relevance of molecular chaperones in the proper folding of client factors, protein-protein interactions, the regulation of key biological functions, the development of ligand-based structural complexes and the consequent pharmacological or biotechnological applications of these processes. The involvement of molecular chaperones in several processes ranging from regulation of transcription factors and protein-protein interactions in bacteria to proteostasis, signaling pathways and cancer are also addressed. The book is an essential consulting tool for researchers, working professionals in academia or industry, and students of all levels who wish to obtain the most relevant and updated information currently available about protein folding and chaperones.

Volume 1 - Frontiers on Recent Developments on Plant Science is an edited, peer-reviewed volume comprised of a collection of individual chapters from leading research groups across different continents. Due to its multidisciplinary nature, the combined experiences and expertise in plant science has an increasing importance both in agriculture and industry. This evidenced by inclusion of plant biotechnology in academic curricula from high school to undergraduate and postgraduate degree levels, and even in Ph.D. courses. Plant Biotechnology encompasses a wide range of narrow research areas such as agricultural biotechnology, industrial and environmental biotechnology, pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences and drug development from plant sources, plant-microbe host interactions studies, biochemical and molecular studies on gene expression using various plant models, gene targeting, homologous and non-homologous recombination studies on plant models, RNAi technology in plants, cereal biotechnology, biotechnology of endangered plant species, forestry, phytoremediation technologies, genetic engineering, gene delivery approaches, plant tissue culture and biological and biochemical techniques and methods/protocols involved in different focal area of plant science.

An understanding of biological systems at cellular and molecular levels helps researchers to model cellular behavior in different experimental conditions. This, in turn, can lead to insights about the influence of cell culture environment and the effect of knockout gene research when studying mutations that affect specific metabolic pathways. A systems biology approach, therefore, allows researchers to simulate experimental observations in order to predict outcomes at the cellular level. Fundamentals of Systems Analysis and Modeling of Biosystems and Metabolism presents the basic concepts required for a systems biology approach towards cellular modeling. The book is intended as a primer for systems biology and biomedical engineering graduates and researchers. The text introduces readers to concepts related to cellular metabolism and its regulation, (enzymatic regulation and transcriptional regulation) which are also incorporated into a main metabolic model of a cell. The book also has chapters dedicated to identifying and incorporating steady-state and dynamic characteristics when considering a biological model for a computer simulation. Readers will be able to (1) understand the basis of systems analysis towards creating appropriate biological models and simulations, (2) develop useful kinetic models based on cellular transport phenomena and metabolic regulation, (3) understand how to simulate a cell growth phenotype, and analyze it with experimental data.

This reference is a timely compilation of studies of genome size and genetic stability of regenerated plants. It presents 13 book chapters that cover recent advancements in CRISPR/Cas-based genome editing, the use of molecular markers to analyze somaclonal variation in tissue culture, and genetic stability assessment in various plant species, including medicinally valuable plants like Valeriana and Coffea. The book also highlights the role of flow cytometry in investigating polyploidy and provides valuable insights into genetic fidelity assessment of micropropagated woody plants and orchids. The contributors have shed light on the intra-specific and inter-specific genome and chromosome number variation with reference to gene duplication and DNA sequence loss. Molecular techniques for detecting ploidy levels and genetic homogeneity in regenerated plantlets are also discussed. Additional highlights of the book include brief guidelines for experimental protocols for flow cytometry and molecular markers, coverage of a wide range of plants, and supporting references. This is an excellent reference for biologists, geneticists, and plant scientists exploring genetic homogeneity and genome size variation in diverse plant groups.

Glucose homeostasis and insulin resistance presents a broad overview of the molecular, biochemical and clinical aspects of glucose metabolism and glucose resistance. The book serves to acquaint the reader with recent information on topics ranging from the glucose metabolism and glucose transporters, the hormonal regulation of glucose homeostasis, to insulin resistance and the characterization of novel pharmacological approaches on emerging targets for the treatment of diabetes. Also included in the book is a discussion on the role of mutations in insulin resistance. The book is particularly useful for clinical researchers, endocrinologists and diabetes specialists.

This Ebook aims to review basic understandings and give current opinions about several important aspects of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored (GPI) protein biology from leading experts in this exciting and emerging field. The scope ranges from micro-domain localization and signaling to proteomics aspects, biophysical behavior through trans-cellular mobility to chemical synthesis of GPI mimics and finally modification of multi-scaled membrane surfaces and potential medical and biotech uses. The applied slant makes it very useful to the current state of knowledge. It is hoped that it will prove to be of considerable interest to students and researchers in this field.