Springer RNA-Based Technologies for Functional Genomics in Plants (Concepts and Strategies in Plant Sciences)

This book offers a unique and comprehensive overview of key RNA-based technologies, as well as their development and applications for the functional genomics of plant coding and non-coding genes. It focuses on the latest as well as classical RNA-based techniques used for studies on small RNAs, long non-coding RNAs and protein-coding genes. These techniques chiefly focus on target mimics (TMs) and short tandem target mimics (STTMs) for small RNAs, and artificial microRNAs (amiRNAs), RNA interference (RNAi)  and CRISPR/Cas for genes.     Furthermore, the book discusses the latest trends in the field and various modifications of the above-mentioned approaches, and explores how these RNA-based technologies have been developed, applied and validated as essential technologies in plant functional genomics. RNA-based technologies, their mechanisms of action, their advantages and disadvantages, and insights into the further development and applications of these technologies in plants are discussed. These techniques will enable the users to functionally characterize genes and small RNAs through silencing, overexpression and editing.   Gathering contributions by globally respected experts, the book will appeal to students, teachers and scientists in academia and industry who are interested in horticulture, genetics, pathology, entomology, physiology, molecular genetics and breeding, in vitro culture & genetic engineering, and functional genomics.  From the Back Cover This book offers a unique and comprehensive overview of key RNA-based technologies, as well as their development and applications for the functional genomics of plant coding and non-coding genes. It focuses on the latest as well as classical RNA-based techniques used for studies on small RNAs, long non-coding RNAs and protein-coding genes. These techniques chiefly focus on target mimics (TMs) and short tandem target mimics (STTMs) for small RNAs, and artificial microRNAs (amiRNAs), RNA interference (RNAi)  and CRISPR/Cas for genes.     Furthermore, the book discusses the latest trends in the field and various modifications of the above-mentioned approaches, and explores how these RNA-based technologies have been developed, applied and validated as essential technologies in plant functional genomics. RNA-based technologies, their mechanisms of action, their advantages and disadvantages, and insights into the further development and applications of these technologies in plants are discussed. These techniques will enable the users to functionally characterize genes and small RNAs through silencing, overexpression and editing.   Gathering contributions by globally respected experts, the book will appeal to students, teachers and scientists in academia and industry who are interested in horticulture, genetics, pathology, entomology, physiology, molecular genetics and breeding, in vitro culture & genetic engineering, and functional genomics.  About the Author Prof. Dr.Guiliang Tang is a professor in department of Biological Sciences, Michigan Technological University, U.S.A. He conducted his graduate research at the Weizmann Institute of Sciences, Israel. He then moved to the laboratory of Dr. Phillip D. Zamore at the University of Massachusetts Medical School for his post-doctoral research on plant RNAi and miRNA pathways. Currently, Prof. Tang focuses on five general fields: (1) Plant and animal gene silencing using amiRNAs and trans-acting siRNAs and STTMs for functional genomics of protein-coding genes and small RNAs and their related functional gene discoveries, (2) Development of plant dominant mutant resource for plant gene discoveries, (3) miRNA evolution, bioinformatics, designing and experimental testing, (4) miRNA profiling, functions, and regulation of target gene expression, and (5) Plant abiotic stresses. He developed STTM technology in his lab which is used world-wide to do