Methods in molecular biology, volume 286. Transgenic plants. Methods and protocols.
Peña L, ed. 2005.
Totowa, New Jersey: Humana Press. $115 (hardback). 448 pp
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The book is then divided into sections, each containing a broad range of chapters explaining in detail (1) the various methods of transformation, including Agrobacterium, particle bombardment, floral dip and chloroplast methods; (2) the transformation of a wide range of species from tomato to conifers to citrus fruit; (3) the detection of transient and stable integration of the gene of interest using either antibiotic, fluorescence or histochemical markers; (4) the molecular analysis of transgene integration and procedure to improve stable integration; and concludes by looking at (5) risk assessment and (6) the future of transgenic crops.
These chapters are all well structured. The protocols are well laid out, listing every fine detail of the procedure, with each chapter concluding with important technical notes and troubleshooting ideas for the reader's consideration. I found that the book covered the area of transgenic plant production well, presenting the reader with a good foundation and reservoir of information to appreciate the range and problems of transgenic production. It offers valuable information on the methods for transgene detection and on recent advancements in improving this detection, such as the use of matrix attachment regions (MARs), in situ hybridization and thermal asymmetric interlaced PCR. Chapters are well cited with plenty of further reading available for the knowledge-thirsty researcher.
The book is well balanced in its appraisal of transgenic crops by presenting the reader with an account of risk assessment that includes the problems that may be caused by dispersal through pollen, the persistence of Agrobacterium, and the future of transgenic crops in a world with an increasing demand on limited land by a growing population. The book concludes with a case study of transgenic crop impact on the environment in several locations including Hawaii, Jamaica and Venezuela.
However, the impact of those chapters dealing with visual markers, in situ hybridization and the case study is lessened by the use of black and white photographs. I felt there was nothing useful to extract from these photographs since the impact of these visual markers lays entirely in the colour differential being displayed. Perhaps the publishers should think of allowing contributing authors to include one or two colour photographs where appropriate.
On the whole, it is an interesting book that provides an insight into the underpinning science, research applications and concerns about the production of transgenic crops.
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