Udviklingsbiologi

This new SpringerBrief in Physiology explores the newest research findings on how exercise influences the fetus in utero and beyond. Physiology of Prenatal Exercise and Fetal Development reviews the current findings of how maternal exercise throughout gestation influences fetal development of key organ systems, and also encompasses the relationship between maternal activity level and fetal, birth, and neonatal effects. This information will help researchers and scientists better understand the physiological effects of exercise during pregnancy on offspring development.

Induced Pluripotent Stem (iPS) cells are mature cells that have been genetically reprogrammed so that they return to their embryonic state. It is not yet known if iPS stem cells and embryonic stem cells differ significantly. Today many fundamental belief systems in biology are shifting towards accepting that mature body cells can be reverted to an embryonic state without the help of eggs or embryos. With their changed identities, iPS cells are then ready to serve as new tools for research in the fields of disease pathogenesis, drug discovery, oncology, and cell transplantation. One example of this would be using iPS from a patient's mature cells to repair damaged tissue; it is thought that there would be very low incidence of rejection of the 'new' tissue in these cases. For the last four years, this therapeutic promise has been studied by hundreds of researchers worldwide in an effort to understand the ability of these cells to reverse their biological clocks.

The story of this edition is a testament to an almost legendary gure in theoretical ecology and to the in uence his work and charisma has had on the eld. It is also a story that can only be told by a trip back in time, to the genesis of the First Edition and before. Akira kubo and I were students together, but never knew it at the time. He was a graduate student at The ohns Hopkins niversity, where I was an undergraduate in mathematics. e both studied modern physics, taught by Dino Franco asetti, and we decided years later that we must have been in the same class. Akira was then a chemical oceanographer, but ship time and his stomach did not agree. Sohe turned to theory,and the rest is history. His impact has been phenomenal, and the First Edition of this book was his most in uential work. Building on his famous work with dye-diusion e periments, he turned his attention to organisms and created a unique melding of ideas from physics and biology.

Rice (Oryza sativa) is one of the most important staple food crops in the world. Breeding efforts to improve the agronomical quality of rice have been conducted, and studies on rice from the viewpoint of basic biological interest have also been carried out. In 1991, a book entitled Rice (edited by Dr. Bajaj) was published as the 14th volume in the series Biotechnology in Agriculture and Forestry (BAF), detailing rice research activities at that time, and focusing mainly on cell and tissue culture and genetic variability. Studies on rice have fundamentally advanced since then, whose outcomes are mentioned below. This is a good reason to compile a new volume on rice. The situation regarding rice research has markedly changed in the last 16 years. First, the genomic sequences of rice were completely determined by the International Rice Genome Sequencing Project in 2004. Since the genome sequence of Arabidopsis thaliana had been determined in 2000, rice became the second species in the seed plants to have its genome well understood. Second, the technology to transform rice by the Agrobacterium-mediated method was developed and is now established. In classical phytopathology, Poaceae (including rice) has not been considered as a host for Agrobacterium. This transformation method is relatively easy and reproducible as compared to conventional transformation methods using protoplasts, and is now widely used in rice research.

Among all great ape species, the bonobo is still the least studied in both captivity and the wild. Nevertheless we have observed a considerable increase in knowledge across various fields of bonobo research in recent years. In part due to the ongoing peace process in the Democratic Republic of Congo, research and conservation activities on the bonobo have resumed and multiplied since 2001. Part One of The Bonobos: Behavior, Ecology, and Conservation focuses on scientific research. Behavioral studies in captivity propose to answer why bonobos have some unique characteristics such as high social status of females and flexible social relationships. The outcomes present important aspects to be investigated in running field studies. In the wild, analysis of population genetics across the bonobo's distribution range illuminates the species' evolutionary path and contributes to a global management plan. Site specific analysis reveals how genetics are used to re-identify individuals after an extended interruption of long-term research. Ecological studies at three independent sites, two in Salonga National Park, as well as one in the Luo Scientific Reserve, provide valuable information for the comprehension of ecological adaptation of bonobos. With the application of recent methods of mammalian feeding ecology as well as comparative approaches in other great ape species, these studies allow us to draw conclusions on ape ecological adaptation and evolution. Part Two of The Bonobos: Behavior, Ecology, and Conservation focuses on conservation. In overview, local and global aspects of the factors threatening the wild bonobo population are reviewed. Here the outcomes of large-scale efforts within the functioning ecosystem conservation paradigm focus on three landscapes within the range of the bonobo: the Salonga-Lukenie-Sankuru Landscape, the Maringa-Lopori-Wamba Landscape, and the Lac Télé-Lac Tumba Swamp Forest Landscape, are presented. Papers in thispart include the different aspects of various stakeholders and discuss the unique threats and actions taken to ensure bonobo survival. Pioneering the way, details from the first comprehensive assessment of bonobos in the Salonga National Park reveal a baseline from which to monitor future trends. Concerned about the indigenous' peoples aspects of conservation, an ethnographic study documents cultural, social, and economic practices for the purpose of reviving the local traditional knowledge to exemplify possible applications at the national level. To be inclusive of all aspects of range country concerns, the contributions of Kinshasa's bonobo sanctuary to national conservation efforts are presented. The outcome of these contributions taken together not only illuminate the current status of the bonobo but allow for critically designing the next steps for the continuation of its future.

Mammalian and Avian Transgenesis presents a collection of novel methods for the production of a wide range of transgenic animals. The manual focuses largely on mice, but also contains protocols for successful transgenesis in rats, cows, pigs and birds. The manual provides detailed, step-by-step protocols covering all aspects of the production of transgenic animals, including the use of lentiviral vectors in gene transfer, intracytoplasmic sperm injection, nuclear transfer, large insert transgenesis, conditional gene expression systems, the use of reporter genes in transgenesis and transgenesis in large animals and birds. The text is supplemented by superb color photos. While the focus is on newly established techniques, the fundamental methods of transgenesis are also covered for those new to the field. Thus this manual is perfectly suited for those wishing to adopt new technologies in transgenesis.

Systems biology is defined for the purpose of this study as the understanding of biological network behaviors, and in particular their dynamic aspects, which requires the utilization of mathematical modeling tightly linked to experiment. This involves a variety of approaches, such as the identification and validation of networks, the creation of appropriate datasets, the development of tools for data acquisition and software development, and the use of modeling and simulation software in close linkage with experiment. All of these are discussed in this volume. Of course, the definition becomes ambiguous at the margins, but at the core is the focus on networks, which makes it clear that the goal is to understand the operation of the systems, rather than the component parts.It was concluded that the U.S. is currently ahead of the rest of the world in systems biology, largely because of earlier investment by funding organizations and research institutions. This is reflected in a large number of active research groups, and educational programs, and a diverse and growing funding base. However, there is evidence of rapid development outside the U.S., much of it begun in the last two to three years. Overall, however, the picture is of an active field in the early stages of explosive growth.This volume is aimed at academic researchers, government research agency representatives and graduate students.