Section I: Cellular and Molecular Approaches to Plant Biotechnology

The Biology of Flowering Plants

• The Nature of Flowering Plants
• The Flowering Plant Body
• The Plant Cell and its Organelles
• Tissue Types of Flowering Plants
• Photosynthesis
• Growth and Development of the Plant Body
• Environmental Factors that Promote Growth and Development
• Environmental Factors that Compromise
• Growth and Development: Stress Responses

Molecular Biology Research Procedures

• DNA Structure and Function
• Manipulating Genes
• Tools and Procedures in Molecular Biology
• Construction of Recombinant DNA Molecules: Cloning Strategies
• Transformation Strategies for Higher Plants

In Vitro Mass Cultivation of Cells and Tissues

• Plant Cells and Tissue Cultures
• In Vitro Procedures for Plant Regeneration
• Somaclonal and Gametoclonal Variation

Plant-Pathogen Interactions in Plant Biotechnology

• Genetic Basis of Interaction
• Molecular Basis of Interaction
• Bacterial Pathogens as Models
• Fungi as Plant Pathogens
• Minimal Pathogens, the Viroids

Genetic Engineering for Crop Improvement: Strategies for Gene Isolation

• Positional Cloning of Plant Genes
• Insertional Mutagenesis in Plants
• Exploiting Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a System to Isolate and Analyze Plant Genes
• Analysis of Differential Gene Expression
• Subtractive Cloning of Plant Genes
• Targeted Inactivation of Genes in Plants
• Genomics, a Contemporary View in Genetics

Section II: Applications of Molecular Biotechnology for Plant Food Production

Transgenic Plants for the Improvement of Field Characteristics Limiting Crop Production

• Increased Tolerance to Abiotic Stress
• Transgenic Plants with Resistance to Insect Pests
• Transgenic Plants with Disease Resistance

Molecular Markers for Crop Improvement

• Types of Molecular Marker
• Applications of Molecular Markers for Crop Improvement

Physiology and Molecular Biology of Fruit Ripening

• Ripening Processes
• The Control of Ripening
• The Softening/Storage Compromise
• Role of Gene Expression During Ripening
• Isolation and Analysis of Genes Related with the Ripening Process
• Genetic Manipulation of Fruit Ripening
• Fruits and Other Edible Plant Tissues' Vaccine Delivery Systems

Molecular Aspects of Secondary Metabolites in Plant Food Production

• Flavors and Aroma
• Browning, Texture and Astringency
• Poisons and Deleterious Substances
• Perspectives

Plant Pigments: Characterization, Biosynthesis, Gene Regulation, and Applications as Food Additives

• The Anthocyanin Biosynthetic Pathway
• The Carotenoid Biosynthetic Pathway
• The Betalain Biosynthetic Pathway
• Application of Plant Pigments as Food Additives
• Analytical Methods

Genetic Modifications of Plant Seed Storage Proteins for Food Production

• Characteristics of Seed Storage Proteins
• Classification of Seed Storage Proteins
• Plant Storage Proteins Gene Structure
• Cereal Seed Storage Proteins and their Genes
• Major Seed Proteins from Dicotyledonous Plants
• Biotechnology of Storage Proteins and Protein Food Products

Chemistry, Biosynthesis, and Engineering of starches and Other Carbohydrates

• Starch Storage
• Biosynthesis of Starch
• Genetic Modification of Starch Structure
• Production of Non-Starch Carbohydrates

Chemistry and Engineering of Edible Oils and Fats

• Quality of Edible Oils and Fats
• Traditional and Novel Techniques to Enhance Functional Properties
• Improvement of Oilseed Quality by Genetic Engineering
• Uses of Engineered Products

Biotechnology for the Improvement of Nutritional Quality of Food Crop Plants

• Nutritionally Important Components in Plants
• Antinutritional Factors in Plants
• Pigments
• Allergenicity of Foods
• Regulation and Risks for Crop Transgenic Plants
• Human Health and Food-Crop Plants

Index