The long-term storage and maintenance of viable plant cells and organs is an area of active concern across the range of pure and applied plant sciences. In academic, government and commercial laboratories, the extended storage of propagules of one sort or another, with maximum protection of the genome from mutation and altered expression, is often a very necessary activity that can draw heavily on resources and effort. However, preservation per se is typically not an activity in its own right, but a facilitating technology that is part of a larger programme of work. Consequently, there are...

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) has been developed as a powerful technology which allows direct visualisation or localisation of genomic alterations. The technique has been adopted to a range of applications in both medicine, especially in the areas of diagnostic cytogenetics, and biology. Topics described in this manual include: FISH on native human tissues, such as blood, bone marrow, epithelial cells, hair root cells, amniotic fluid cells, human sperm cells; FISH on archival human tissues, such as formalin fixed and paraffin embedded tissue sections, cryofixed tissue;...

Various sophisticated techniques such as capillary electrophoresis, pulsed-field electrophoresis, fingerprinting using RFLP and RAPD, DNA sequencing, and mobility shift assay are described here in detail. Leading experts present the required apparatus, appropriate use, preparation of probes, gel staining, interpretation of results, tricks for troubleshooting, manufacturers' addresses, helpful Internet resources, as well as specific applications, e.g. in legal medicine, microbiology and agriculture.

Designed as an introductory text the authors cover all core strategies in the application of modern recombinant DNA technology. The first chapters directly address the applications of polymerase chain reaction to a variety of problems in DNA cloning that are, or have been, extremely challenging using more traditional approaches and technologies. These include cDNA cloning and transcript mapping, mutagenesis as well as the cloning of very long transcripts and protocols using limiting amounts of total RNA. Further chapters describe approaches to subtractive cloning technologies as well as novel...

"Protein Structure Analysis - Preparation and Characterization" is a compilation of practical approaches to the structural analysis of proteins and peptides. Here, about 20 authors describe and comment on techniques for sensitive protein purification and analysis. These methods are used worldwide in biochemical and biotechnical research currently being carried out in pharmaceu- tical and biomedical laboratories or protein sequencing facilities. The chapters have been written by scientists with extensive ex- perience in these fields, and the practical parts are well documen- ted so that the...

The standard protocols for the purification of all known cytoskeleton proteins are presented in this manual. Proteins are listed alphabetically and each protocol follows a common format. Thus, the manual provides a quick and easy reference to all relevant procedures for cytoskeleton protein purification.
The isolation procedure for each protein is shown in a clear flowchart, while the source of the protein, equipment and material needed, a list of suppliers, standard references, accession No. of sequences as well as further relevant facts and practical tips are given on a separate page.

Gene Transfer to Plants Within a decade of the first recoveries of transgenic "model" plants, gene trans- fer is an established and routine technique in numerous laboratories around the world. It contributes to the rapid progress in basic and applied plant sciences in disciplines as diverse as biochemistry, physiology, developmental biology, breeding, food sciences, and biotechnology (Lindsey 1992; Willmitzer and Topfer 1992; Kishore and Somerville 1993; Nessler 1994). Following years of unsuccessful experiments with variations in feeding iso- lated DNA to plant tissues and organs, gene...

Although previously thought to be merely passive structural components, membrane lipids have recently been found to be actively involved in cellular transport and signal transduction processes. Clear protocols for the study of membrane lipid properties, cellular transport or signal transduction are presented in this manual. Following a short introduction to membrane lipids, techniques for the isolation and extraction of membrane fractions, the analysis of the lipid composition, lipid turnover, and the involvement in signal transduction as well as the preparation of liposomes are described.

This manual provides all relevant protocols for basic and applied plant cell and molecular technologies, such as histology, electron microscopy, cytology, virus diagnosis, gene transfer and PCR. Also included are chapters on laboratory facilities, operation and management as well as a glossary and all the information needed to set up and carry out any of the procedures without having to use other resource books.
It is especially designed for professionals and advanced students who wish to acquire practical skills and first-hand experience in plant biotechnology.

A variety of powerful techniques for monitoring and analysing events during signal transduction at the single cell level are described in this lab manual. An introductionary section on cell handling includes guidelines for constructing a perfusion chamber. A main section of the book presents protocols on fluorescence techniques such as flow cytometry, microfluorescence, ion imaging and confocal microscopy. The electrophysiological section illustrates multiple applications of the patch-clamp technique in various cell types from both animals and plants. Emphasis is put on calibration and...