Prerna Pandey

This book on biodiversity encompasses concepts and research findings on this topic. The CBD or Convention on Biological Diversity defines biological diversity as "the variability among living organisms from all sources including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part: this includes diversity within species, between species, and of ecosystems." This book comes at a time when the threats to biodiversity are enormous given the extensive destruction of nature under the name of "development." In addition to statistics, interesting organisms and facts with research findings, this book also briefly covers the threats and solutions to mitigate the threats.

Man has always been on a quest for answers and the search for molecules suitable to target ailments or their causes such as pathogens has intensified with the COVID-19 epidemic. The marine environment is home to 32 of the 33 animal phyla that are recognized with 15 types exclusively only marine! This diversity in genetics opens up the avenue for chemical diversity setting the stage for novel drugs. This book is the first to describe the promise of marine organisms as a treasure chest of molecules to target a slew of diseases. This is inclusive of what has been presented by research in terms of quelling symptoms of diabetes, CVD and rheumatoid arthritis-that are all chronic conditions still on the quest for a "perfect cure".

Whether it is a newspaper article or an internet "trend" or countless advertisements on social media-one molecule that most people know is "cholesterol". Given this background, this book is the first of the series on cholesterol. After a brief introduction of the key aspects of its synthesis and processing, research studies have been presented discussing the global cholesterol profiles, the roles of genes, as well as links between COVID-19 and cholesterol.

This book explains the various potential and existing applications of artificial intelligence across several fields ranging from agriculture to medicine to space exploration and crops. It is a first-ever book to compile all the applications to enable readers from scientific and non-scientific backgrounds to grasp the concepts and applications of "thinking machines".

We have heard the adages often of "the gut feeling" or "feeling sick in the stomach" or "butterflies in the stomach". Often when we are ill, the appetite is often a symptom. This makes our gut a vital indicator of health. Along with the genetic material we inherit the gut microbiota. With this background, research is uncovering alterations in our gut microbiota in several diseases. Apart from well-known inflammatory conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, this book looks at how our gut tenants are altered and the consequences in other conditions like nervous system diseases, diabetes, cancer, lung diseases, the latest COVID-19 epidemic, and depression.

Close to 77 million people lost their lives due to both world wars. Compare this with 30 million to 100 million loss of lives due to the Spanish flu epidemic. While epidemics are sudden outbreaks over one area, pandemics affect diseases across borders. According to research, epidemics not only target health but also socioeconomic systems. These factors coupled with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that has brought the world to a standstill several times make this book most timely. This book presents insights as to the current epidemic threats along with many diseases that are "neglected". A section has also been included on how healthcare providers: doctors and nurses are affected during such epidemics. Further, a chapter on the fear and stigma associated with such epidemic diseases has also been covered. This becomes relevant given and is also one of the unique aspects of the book given that the stigma associated with many diseases is more damaging than the disease!

Hypertension is described as the "silent killer" often showing no distinct symptoms or warning signs. The condition is estimated to affect 1.13 billion people across the globe with two-thirds in low/middle-income countries. This book presents research-backed data as to the trend in hypertension in children and adolescents along with associated factors such as sleep and even the impact of seasons! Another USP of this book is the connection between COVID-19 infection and hypertension. Overall, this book presents the current scenario of hypertension along with new advances and current gaps to help us to tackle the "silent killer".

This volume provides a comprehensive description of the basic tenets of molecular biology, from mechanisms to its elaborate role in gene regulation. The initial sections cover the history of genetics and molecular biology. The book then goes on to highlight the significance of molecular approaches for all biological processes in both simple and complex cells.The volume incorporates the most recent research from this ever-evolving field. The authors have described experimental approaches wherever necessary to present evidence that has led to the development of important concepts and significant advances in molecular biology.

This new volume, Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology: Fundamentals, Advances, and Practices for a Greener Future, looks at the application of a variety of technologies, both fundamental and advanced, that are being used for crop improvement, metabolic engineering, and the development of transgenic plants. The science of agriculture is among the oldest and most intensely studied by mankind. Human intervention has led to manipulation of plant gene structure for the use of plants for the production of bioenergy, food, textiles, among other industrial uses. A sound knowledge of enzymology as well as the various biosynthetic pathways is required to further utilize microbes as sources to provide the desired products for industrial utility. This volume provides an overview of all these aspects along with an updated review of the major plant biotechnology procedures and techniques, their impact on novel agricultural development, and crop plant improvement. Also discussed are the use of "white biotechnology" and "metabolic engineering" as prerequisites for a sustainable development. The importance of patenting of plant products, world food safety, and the role of several imminent organizations is also discussed. The volume provides an holistic view that makes it a valuable source of information for researchers of agriculture and biotechnology as well as agricultural engineers, environmental biologists, environmental engineers, and environmentalists. Short exercises at the end of the chapters help to make the book suitable for course work in agriculture biotechnology, genetics, biology, biotechnology, and plant science.

Molecular Diagnostics introduces the concept as a collection of techniques used to analyze biological markers in the genome and proteome. The book discusses in detail the various techniques of Nucleic acid-based methods, Gel based techniques and techniques related to Solid state systems. It further throws light on the applications in treating various diseases and in the food industry. Towards the end, a holistic overview of current market scenario and research is given.

This book examines the current state and future prospects of cell therapy. An essential guide to the data, basic science, outcome studies and decision-making processes in blood and marrow stem cell transplantation. Stem cell research also involves complex ethical and legal considerations since they involve adult, foetal tissue and embryonic sources. The book provides a resource for students that will help them learn the basics in a detailed manner that is required for scientists and clinicians.

This new volume, Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology: Fundamentals, Advances, and Practices for a Greener Future, looks at the application of a variety of technologies, both fundamental and advanced, that are being used for crop improvement, metabolic engineering, and the development of transgenic plants. The science of agriculture is among the oldest and most intensely studied by mankind. Human intervention has led to manipulation of plant gene structure for the use of plants for the production of bioenergy, food, textiles, among other industrial uses. A sound knowledge of enzymology as well as the various biosynthetic pathways is required to further utilize microbes as sources to provide the desired products for industrial utility. This volume provides an overview of all these aspects along with an updated review of the major plant biotechnology procedures and techniques, their impact on novel agricultural development, and crop plant improvement. Also discussed are the use of "white biotechnology" and "metabolic engineering" as prerequisites for a sustainable development. The importance of patenting of plant products, world food safety, and the role of several imminent organizations is also discussed. The volume provides an holistic view that makes it a valuable source of information for researchers of agriculture and biotechnology as well as agricultural engineers, environmental biologists, environmental engineers, and environmentalists. Short exercises at the end of the chapters help to make the book suitable for course work in agriculture biotechnology, genetics, biology, biotechnology, and plant science.

This volume provides a comprehensive description of the basic tenets of molecular biology, from mechanisms to its elaborate role in gene regulation. The initial sections cover the history of genetics and molecular biology. The book then goes on to highlight the significance of molecular approaches for all biological processes in both simple and complex cells.The volume incorporates the most recent research from this ever-evolving field. The authors have described experimental approaches wherever necessary to present evidence that has led to the development of important concepts and significant advances in molecular biology.

The potential of connecting technology between live beings and manufactured items opens up a vista of exciting research. The topic of “bionics” explores the study of mechanical systems that function like living organisms or specific parts of living organisms: that seems straight from scenes of a science fiction tale. But, with each passing day, the connection between technology and biology seems to open up several interesting and sometimes a boon to mankind.The field of bionics encompasses the construction and use of robotic arms that offer relief to the maimed, electrodes reroute nerves to achieve specific pathways, tissue engineering, cochlear implants, artificial hearts to bionic eyes to name a few. Bionics research has also propelled research in the field of aviation and computer science (an interesting field of artificial neural networks).This book shall include the history, research into the field of bionics along with various aspects of the products/technologies that use bionics and the scope of this field of research. Through this book, the editors hope to increase the interest and research in this field to open up vistas in research.

This book concentrates on research and developments in the measurement, synthesis, assembly and manipulation of molecular wires and nanostructures. Bringing together experiment and theory to enable applications in real-life devices, this handbook and ready reference provides essential information on how to control and direct charge transport. This book is aimed at chemists, computer scientists, surface scientists, physicists, and applied mathematicians.