Springer Biotechnological Approaches for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conservation, Genetic Improvement and Utilization

For the majority of the world’s population, medicinal and aromatic plants are the most important source of life-saving drugs. Biotechnological tools represent important resources for selecting, multiplying and conserving the critical genotypes of medicinal plants. In this regard, in-vitro regeneration holds tremendous potential for the production of high-quality plant-based medicines, while cryopreservation – a long-term conservation method using liquid nitrogen – provides an opportunity to conserve endangered medicinal and aromatic plants. In-vitro production of secondary metabolites in plant cell suspension cultures has been reported for various medicinal plants, and bioreactors represent a key step toward the commercial production of secondary metabolites by means of plant biotechnology. Addressing these key aspects, the book contains 29 chapters, divided into three sections. Section 1: In-vitro production of secondary metabolites Section 2: In-vitro propagation, genetic transformation and germplasm conservation Section 3: Conventional and molecular approaches From the Back Cover For the majority of the world’s population, medicinal and aromatic plants are the most important source of life-saving drugs. Biotechnological tools represent important resources for selecting, multiplying and conserving the critical genotypes of medicinal plants. In this regard, in-vitro regeneration holds tremendous potential for the production of high-quality plant-based medicines, while cryopreservation – a long-term conservation method using liquid nitrogen – provides an opportunity to conserve endangered medicinal and aromatic plants. In-vitro production of secondary metabolites in plant cell suspension cultures has been reported for various medicinal plants, and bioreactors represent a key step toward the commercial production of secondary metabolites by means of plant biotechnology. Addressing these key aspects, the book contains 29 chapters, divided into three sections. Section 1: In-vitro production of secondary metabolites Section 2: In-vitro propagation, genetic transformation and germplasm conservation Section 3: Conventional and molecular approaches About the Author Dr. Nitish Kumar has eight years of teaching and research experience in Plant Biotechnology, and is currently working as an Assistant Professor at the Centre for Biological Science, Biotechnology Programme, Central University of South Bihar, India. He received his PhD degree in Botany from CSIR-CSMCRI/Bhavnagar University, India. He received the Outstanding Faculty in Biological Sciences Award from the Venus International Foundation, Chennai, India in 2017. He has received many other awards\fellowships during his academic career from organizations including the CSIR, DBT, ICAR and DST, as well as a Fast Track Young Scientist Award from the DST, Govt. of India in 2013. Dr. Kumar has published more than 40 research papers in peer-reviewed journals of national & international repute. He is a member of several academic bodies/societies and serves as an Associate Editor for the journal “GENE”.