New Approaches in Biological Research

Biological science primarily deals with the morphology, physiology and biochemistry of living organisms, including their distribution, taxonomy, evolution, structure, growth, function and metabolism. All living organisms undergo metabolism, maintain homeostasis, have the capacity to grow, respond to stimuli, communicate through various means, reproduce and adapt to their environment through natural selection. The organisms that photosynthesise are the primary producers and represent life support systems from aesthetics to food to medicine. The book deals with the topics pertaining to biotechnology, molecular biology, ecology, plant pathology, bionanotechnology and stress biology. Technology-assisted research had led to the evolution of new disciplines of biological sciences with narrow specialisation. The requirement of food, medicines, natural products, the quest to resolve and develop a better understanding of life and other biological processes need to conserve genes, plants and ecosystems; the apprehension of land, water and the environment have led to the strengthening of traditional disciplines as well as the emergence of diverse disciplines such as stress biology, molecular biology, biotechnology and bioinformatics. The chapters in this book impart the recent developments and the state-of-the art knowledge in biological sciences. In addition, this book provides newer techniques and uses for these tools in achieving the potential of biotechnology to understand some of the basic problems in biological sciences.