Atul Bhargava – författare

Biotechnology is a multidisciplinary field encompassing microbiology, bichemistry, genetics, molecular biology, chemistry, immunology, cell and tissue culture physiology. This book describes the recent developments in these areas. Current research topics such as Quorum sensing, Integrons, Phytomining are discussed, which would serve as an excellent reference work for both academicians and researchers in the field.

Amaranthus: Origins to Optimization is the first comprehensive work on this important ancient crop, tracing Amaranthus from its origin to up-to-date information. It has been cultivated for centuries in Asia and the Americas as an important food and medicinal crop. From a position of prominence in the Maya and Aztec civilizations, to relegation in the Middle Ages, and resurgence in modern times, this crop has seen great transformation in usage across continents. Amaranthus is nutritionally important due to the high protein content in the seeds and the abundance of essential amino acids, vitamins, carbohydrates, minerals and natural antioxidants.The highly proteinaceous grain and leaf of Amaranthus can help to make diets more balanced in many parts of the world and can play an important role in combating ‘silent hunger’ among several populations who have little access to protein-rich diet. The seed, flour, leaf and oil of the plant are in great demand by pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food and beverage industries.

Biotechnology is one of the fastest emerging fields that has attracted attention of conventional biologists, biochemists, microbiologists, medical and agricultural scientists. The coming decades are likely to witness a boom in biotechnology, which is expected to surpass information technology as the new engine of the global economy. Biotechnology is experiencing a revolution that will affect every facet of our lives, from crop improvement to commerce, drugs and sustainable development. New approaches and a plethora of information available at a frantic pace demands its dissemination to the scientific community. The current book has been written with the specific objective of providing information on the recent developments in biotechnology to the readers.The proposed book presents a multidisciplinary approach to the latest information and developments in biotechnology in an easy-to-read, succinct format. The book has been divided into 6 sections and 15 chapters giving an in-depth analysis of the latest research and developments in the biotechnological realm. The topics have been presented in a lucid, easy-to-read methodical way with illustrations and suitable case studies to provide additional help and clarity. The authors have tried to present state-of-the-art and integrative information in a manner that familiarizes the reader with the important concepts and tools of recent biotechnological studies. Apart from biotechnological personnel, the book would also be useful for readers of diverse disciplines such as bioinformatics, agriculture, environmental science, pharmaceutical sciences, biochemistry and general biology.FeaturesA systematic overview of the recent state-of-the-art technologiesNovel contents with maximum coherenceExtensive use of examples and case studies to illustrate how each technique has been used in practiceIncorporation of the latest information on these topics from recent research papersThis book serves as a reference book and presents information in an accessible way for students, researchers and scientific investigators in biotechnology. It may also be used as a textbook for postgraduate-level courses in biological sciences.

Biotechnology is a multidisciplinary field encompassing microbiology, bichemistry, genetics, molecular biology, chemistry, immunology, cell and tissue culture physiology. This book describes the recent developments in these areas. Current research topics such as Quorum sensing, Integrons, Phytomining are discussed, which would serve as an excellent reference work for both academicians and researchers in the field.

* Quinoa is an invaluable crop, highlighted by the FAO as one of the world’s main crops for future food security * Timely publication – The year 2013 has been declared "The International Year of the Quinoa" (IYQ), recognizing the Andean indigenous peoples, who have maintained, controlled, protected and preserved quinoa as food for present and future generations thanks to their traditional knowledge and practices of living well in harmony with mother earth and nature. * Covers the history, phylogeny and systematics, botany and agrotechnology

Plant breeding has played a significant role in the development of human civilizations. Conventional plant breeding has significantly improved crop yield by genetically manipulating agronomically important traits. However, it has often been criticized for ignoring indigenous germplasm, failing to address the needs of the marginal and the poor farmers, and emphasizing selection for broad instead of local adaptation. Participatory plant breeding (PPB) is the process by which the producers and other stakeholders are actively involved in a plant-breeding programme, with opportunities to make decisions throughout. The Working Group on Participatory Plant Breeding (PPBwg) was established in 1996 under the framework of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). Research in PPB can promote informed participation and trust in research among consumers and producers, and in recent years, PPB has had a significant impact on food production by quickly and cost-effectively producing improved crop varieties. At the same time, there has been significant  research in the area. PPB offers significant advantages that are particularly relevant to developing countries where large investments in plant breeding have not led to increased production, especially in the marginal environments. In addition to the economic benefits, participatory research has a number of psychological, moral, and ethical benefits, which are the consequence of a progressive empowerment of the farming communities. PPB can empower groups such as women or less well-off farmers that are traditionally left out of the development process.This book explores the potential of PPB in the coming decades. The topic is more relevant since international breeding efforts for major crops are aimed at decentralizing local breeding methods to better incorporate the perspective of end users into the varietal development process. The first book incorporating the upcoming research on this novel breeding approach, it reviews the important tools and applications of PPB in an easy-to-read, succinct format, with illustrations to clarify these complex topics. It provides readers with a basic idea of participatory plant breeding as well as advances in the field and insights into the future to facilitate the successful integration of farmers into breeding programmes.This book is a valuable reference resource for agriculturists, agricultural advisers, policy makers, NGOs, post-doctoral students and scientists in agriculture, horticulture, forestry and botany.

This book discusses the fundamental concepts of the green synthesis of nanoparticles and presents the latest advances in this emerging field.