dsRNA Genetic Elements: Concepts and Applications in Agriculture, Forestry, and Medicine

Published:
September 27, 2001 by CRC Press - 304 Pages
Editor(s):
Stellos M. Tavantzis, University of Maine, Orono, Maine, USA

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$219.95
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ISBN 9780849322051
Cat# 2205
 

Features

  • Unifies current knowledge of double-stranded RNAs found in fungi, plants, and animals
  • Conveys a clear message to biologists of all fields: dsRNAs are powerful means of modulating gene expression
  • Illustrates that our current knowledge on dsRNA biology might allow us to create solutions for problems ranging from plant disease management to correction of genetic deficiencies in humans

    • Summary

    Our understanding of the nature, origin, and biological roles of double-stranded RNA found in fungi, plants, and animals has advanced greatly during the last five years. Because these genetic elements are capable of replication, they can be used to manage fungal diseases of crops, vegetables, turfgrass, fruit, and forest trees using genetic means rather than by environmentally hazardous chemicals. And recent evidence suggests that the presence of small amounts of dsRNA elicits sequence-specific gene silencing, which may lead to the development of treatments aimed at silencing harmful genes causing serious diseases in animals and humans.

    dsRNA Genetic Elements: Concepts and Applications in Agriculture, Forestry, and Medicine compiles and unifies current knowledge of dsRNA genetic factors from different biological systems and discusses high-impact applications to agriculture, forestry, and medicine. It is a compilation of the latest advances on dsRNA systems from yeast, filamentous fungi, plants, and animals. This authoritative text is a valuable source of knowledge for a diverse audience from many areas of biology including molecular biology, genetics, and virology, as well as from applied fields in agriculture, forestry, and pharmaceutics.

    Table of Contents

    RNAi and Cosuppression: Double-Stranded RNA as an Agent of Sequence-Specific Genetic Silencing in Animals and Plants, Jeffrey A. Norman and Mary K. Montgomery

    The Double-Stranded RNA-Activated Protein Kinase PKR, Randal J. Kaufman

    The Double-Stranded RNA Viruses of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, Reed B. Wickner, Juan Carlos Ribas, and Anjanette Searfoss

    The Double-Stranded RNA Viruses of Ustilago Maydis and Their
    Killer Toxins, Jeremy Bruenn

    Molecular Basis of Symptom Expression by the Cryphonectria Hypovirus, Patricia M. McCabe and Neal K. Van Alfen

    Engineering Hypoviruses for Fundamental and Practical Applications, Donald L. Nuss, Baoshan Chen, Lynn M. Geletka, Todd B. Parsley, and Nobuhiro Suzuki

    Viruses of the Dutch Elm Disease Fungi, Kenneth W. Buck and Clive M. Brasier

    Double-Stranded RNA Elements Modulating Virulence in Rhizoctonia Solani, Stellos M. Tavantzis, Dilip K. Lakshman, and Chunyu Liu

    Molecular Genetics of the Viruses Infecting the Plant Pathogenic Fungus Helminthosporium Victoriae, Said A. Ghabrial, Ana I. Soldevila, and Wendy M. Havens

    Unraveling the Viral Complex Associated with La France Disease
    of the Cultivated Mushroom, Agaricus Bisporus, C.P. Romaine and M.M. Goodin

    Large dsRNA Genetic Elements in Plants, Pierre Pfeiffer

    Index

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