Plant Virology Protocols

The aim of Plant Virology Protocols is to provide a source of infor- tion to guide the reader through the wide range of methods involved in gen- ating transgenic plants that are resistant to plant viruses. To this end, we have commissioned a wide-ranging list of chapters that will cover the methods required for: plant virus isolation; RNA extraction; cloning coat p- tein genes; introduction of the coat protein gene into the plant genome; and testing transgenic plants for resistance. The book then moves on to treatments of the mechanisms of resistance, the problems encountered with field testing, and key ethical issues surrounding transgenic technology. Although Plant Virology Protocols deals with the cloning and expression of the coat protein gene, the techniques described can be equally applied to other viral genes and nucleotide sequences, many of which have also been shown to afford protection when introduced into plants. The coat protein has, however, been the most widely applied, and as such has been selected to illustrate the techniques involved. Plant Virology Protocols has been divided into six major sections, c- taining 55 chapters in total.

Plant Virology Protocols offers for the first time a comprehensive collection of state-of-the-art techniques for generating transgenic plants that are resistant to plant viruses via the cloning and expression of the coat protein gene. Its unfailingly reproducible methods, perfected by hands-on masters, cover the entire process from virus isolation, RNA extraction, and cloning coat protein genes, to the introduction of the coat protein gene into the plant genome and the testing of transgenic plants for resistance. Methods for testing for transformation by PCR and Southern blotting, the detection of RNA transcripts by Northern blotting, and the production of protein by Western analysis are provided, as are methods for challenging the transgenic plants produced and for detecting and measuring the levels of virus. The authoritative contributors also discuss the history and mechanisms of coat protein-mediated protection and the key ethical issues surrounding transgenic technology.

Unprecedented in its comprehensiveness and its many time-proven methods, Plant Virology Protocols is certain to become the authoritative standard reference for plant scientists who want to tap the enormous benefits this technology has to offer.