Biotechnology and Plant Genetic Resources: Conservation and Use

Biotechnology and Plant Genetic Resources: Conservation and Use

Edited by J A Callow, School of Biological Sciences, University of Birmingham, UK; B V Ford-Lloyd, School of Biological Sciences, University of Birmingham, UK; H J Newbury, School of Biological Sciences, University of Birmingham, UK

Pub Date: July 1997
Hardback
320 pages

Readership
Advanced students and research workers in plant biotechnology and genetics

Main Description
Advances in molecular and cell biology have led to the development of a whole range of techniques for manipulating genomes, collectively termed “biotechnology”. Although much of the focus in the plant sciences has been on the direct manipulation of plant genomes, biotechnology has also catalyzed a renewed emphasis on the importance of biological and genetic diversity and its conservation. The methods of biotechnology now permit a greater understanding of both species and genetic diversity in plants, the mechanisms by which that variation is generated in nature, and the significance of that variation in the adaptation of plants to their environment.
They allow the development of rapid methods for screening germplasm for specific characters and promote more effective conservation strategies by defining the extent of genetic diversity. Tissue culture-based techniques are available for conserving germplasm that cannot be maintained by more traditional methods. Also sophisticated informatics systems enable information on plant genetics and molecular biology to be cross-related to systematic, ecological and other data through international networks.

Main Contents
• An Overview J A Callow, B V Ford-Lloyd and H J Newbury
• Use of molecular marker techniques for description of plant genetic variation A L Westman and S Kresovich
• Genetic diversity - population structure and conservation M D Hayward and N R Sackville Hamilton
• Genenomic relationships, conserved synteny and wide-hybrids D A Laurie, G J Bryan and J W Snape
• Molecular markers and the management of genetic resources in seed genebanks: a case study of rice B V Ford-Lloyd, M T Jackson and H J Newbury
• In vitro conservation methods F Engelmenn
• Conservation of DNA: DNA banking R P Adams
• Genetic resources and plant breeding M J Kearsey
• Gene identification, isolation and transfer I D Godwin
• Importance of biotechnology for germplasm health and quarantine H Barker and L Torrance
• Biodiversity for bioindustries G Tamayo, W F Naider and A Sittenfeld
• Internet resources for the biologist M L Anderson and S W Cartinhour