Academic Press Genetic Engineering and Genome Editing for Zinc Biofortification of Rice

Product Description Genetic Engineering and Genome Editing for Zinc Biofortification of Rice provides the first single-volume, comprehensive resource on genetic engineering approaches, including novel genome editing techniques, that are carried out in rice, a staple crop for much of the world’s population. Dietary zinc deficiency can lead to negative health outcomes, including increased risk of stunting, respiratory diseases, diarrhea, mortality during childhood, and preterm births in pregnancy. By providing a complete view of the need for zinc biofortification in rice, sections in this book discuss state-of-the-art scientific advances, and then go further, placing them in their proper scientific, regulatory and socioeconomic contexts. While zinc biofortification can be achieved through conventional breeding, genetic engineering and agronomic practices, this is the first reference to bring all the latest insights and understanding to a comprehensive resource that is based on real-world experience and targeted applications. Review A comprehensive view on Zinc biofortification using transgenic technology From the Back Cover Genetic Engineering and Genome Editing for Zinc Biofortification of Rice provides the first single-volume comprehensive resource on genetic engineering approaches, including novel genome editing techniques, to be carried out in rice, a staple crop for much of the world’s population. Dietary Zinc deficiency can lead to negative health outcomes, including increased risk of stunting, respiratory diseases, diarrhoea and mortality during childhood, and preterm births in pregnancy. Although providing access to diverse diet is an ideal solution to alleviate zinc deficiency, it may not be a viable solution option in developing countries. Zinc biofortification, a process of increasing zinc concentration in the edible part of food crops, has been proposed as a sustainable approach that can reach people living in remote rural areas, complementing other interventions, such as supplementation and industrial fortification. While Zinc biofortification can be achieved through conventional breeding, genetic engineering, and agronomic practices, this is the first reference to bring all the latest insights and understanding to a comprehensive resource, based on real-world experience and with targeted application. Providing a complete view of the need for Zinc biofortification in rice, sections in this book discuss state-of-the-art scientific advances, and then goes further, placing them in their proper scientific, regulatory, and socio-economic contexts. About the Author PhD in Genetics, Osmania University, Hyderabad, India MSc in Genetics and Plant Breeding, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, Karnataka, India; BSc (Agriculture), University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India Professional Experience: Currently Senior Scientist I-Senior Breeder, IRRI, Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines Scientist II- Rice Breeder, IRRI, Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines Scientist I-Rice Breeder, at IRRI, Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines Postdoctoral Fellow - at IRRI, Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines Visiting Research Fellow - at IRRI, Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines Senior Research Fellow (CSIR)- Indian Institute of Rice Research, Hyderabad, India Junior Research Fellow (CSIR)- Indian Institute of Rice Research, Hyderabad, India Senior Research Fellow (ICAR) –Indian Institute of Rice Research, Hyderabad, India Main research topics: Breeding for healthier rice varieties, high beta-carotene, iron and zinc. Dr. Anca Macovei earned a degree in Biology and a Masters Degree in Plant Genetic Engineering at the ‘Babes-Bolyai’ University in Cluj-Napoca (Romania) followed by a PhD Degree in Genetics and Molecular Biology at the University of Pavia (Italy). Post-doc fellowships were at the International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, India and Inter