Plant Biotechnology: Recent Advancements and Developments, 1st ed. 2017

This book presents an overview of the latest advances and developments in plant biotechnology. The respective chapters explore emerging areas of plant biotechnology such as RNAi technology, fermentation technology, genetic engineering, nanoparticles and their applications, climate resilient crops, bio-films, bio-plastic, bio-remediation, flavonoids, antioxidants etc. All chapters were written by respected experts and address the latest developments in plant biotechnology that are of industrial importance, especially with regard to crop yields and post-harvest strategies. As such, the book offers a valuable guide for students, educators and researchers in all disciplines of the life sciences, agricultural sciences, medicine, and biotechnology at universities, research institutions and biotechnology companies.

Chapter 1. Advances in Computational Tools for Plant microRNA Identification.- Chapter 2. Control of Gene Expression by RNAi: A Revolution in Functional Genomics.- Chapter 3. Engineering Abiotic Stress Tolerance Traits for Mitigating Climate Change.- Chapter 4. Developing Climate Smart Aerobic Rice Varieties for Addressing the Problems of Water Scarcity and Global Warming.- Chapter 5. Biotechnological Aspects for Enhancement of Mineral Bioavailability from Cereals and Legumes.- Chapter 6. Recent Biotechnological Approaches to Study Taxonomy of Legume Nodule Forming Rhizobia.- Chapter 7. Applications of Trichoderma Species for Environment and Food Security.- Chapter 8. Fermentation in Cereals: A Tool to Enhance Bioactive Compounds.- Chapter 9. Molecular Structure, Biological Functions and Metabolic Regulation of Flavonoids.- Chapter 10. Enzymatic Approaches for the Synthesis of High Fructose Syrup.- Chapter 11. Starch Nanoparticles and Their Applications.- Chapter  12. Recent Updates on Molecular Biotechnological Intervention in Isabgol.- Chapter 13. Flavonoids: A Nutraceutical and Its Role as Anti-inflammatory and Anti-cancer Agent.- Chapter 14. Recent Advances in Biodegradable Films, Coatings and their Applications.- Chapter 15. Bioplastics: A Sustainable Approach Towards Healthier Environment.- Chapter 16. Biotechnological Strategies for Remediation of Toxic Metal(loid)s from Environment.- Chapter 17. Genetic Engineering of Poplar: Current Achievements and Future Goals.

Prof. (Dr.) S.K. Gahlawat is Chairperson, Department of Biotechnology and Dean, Faculty of Life Sciences, Chaudhary Devi Lal University (CDLU), Sirsa, India. He received postdoctoral BOYSCAST fellowship and DBT Overseas Associateship from the Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India for carrying out research at FRS Marine Laboratory, Aberdeen, UK. He has completed four R&D projects from UGC, ICAR and Government of Haryana. His research interests include development of molecular diagnostic methods for bacterial and viral diseases. He has published more than 70 research papers in journals of National and International repute, five books and supervised the MPhil and PhD research work of twelve students.

Dr. R. K. Salar, Ph.D., is a Professor at the Department of Biotechnology, CDLU, Sirsa, India. He was awarded postdoctoral fellowship from the Ministry of Education, Slovakia to pursue postdoctoral research at Slovak University of Technology, Bratislava and also visited Japan, Norway, Austria, Hungary for academic pursuits. Dr. Salar received several R&D projects from UGC, New Delhi, HSCST, Chandigarh and DST, New Delhi. He was felicitated with King Abdullaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) award for best paper published in 3 Biotech. He has supervised several Ph.D. and M.Phil. students for their research. Dr. Salar is also a reviewer of several international journals published by Springer, Elsevier, Wiley-VCH and Taylor & Francis.