Nematodes are small multicellular organisms that have been used as biological models since the 1960s. For example, Caenorhabditis elegans is a free-living nematode worm, about 1mm in length, that lives in temperate soil environments. It is made up of about 1000 cells, and has a short life cycle of only two weeks. It was the first multicellular organism to have its whole genome sequenced. The book summarizes the importance of nematodes as model organisms in the fields of genetics, developmental biology, neurobiology, pharmacology, nutrition, ecology and parasitology. Of interest to a broad audience across a wide spectrum of disciplines, this book is useful for biologists working on comparative studies to investigate biological processes across organisms; medical scientists and pharmacologists for exploration of drugs and medicine (including the use of genome editing to eliminate diseases); ecologists considering nematodes as indicators for environment changes; and parasitologists for host-parasite interactions. Many other researchers can use this book as a benchmark for the broad implications of nematology research on other aspects of science.

Since 1997, scientists of different disciplines sharing a deep interest in concepts and knowledge related to evolutionary biology have held the annual Evolutionary Biology Meetings in Marseille in order to discuss their research and promote collaboration. Lately scientists especially focusing on applications have also joined the group. This book starts with the report of the "12th Evolutionary Biology Meeting", which gives a general idea of the meeting’s epistemological stance. This is followed by 22 chapters, a selection of the most representative contributions, which are grouped under the following four themes: Part I Concepts and Knowledge - Part II Modelization - Part III Applied Evolutionary Biology - Part IV Applications in Other Fields -Part IV transcends the field of biology, presenting applications of evolutionary biology in economics and astronomy.

Achieving a sustainable agriculture requires integrating advances in multiples disciplines, covering both fundamental and applied research in a common objective: enhancing crop health for better productions. This first volume of the Series “Sustainability in plant and crop protection” presents a comprehensive and multi-disciplinary compendium about the recent achievements in the use of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) as biological control in a global scale. The volume is organized in a first section discussing the last discoveries on the biology and ecology of the EPN, a second section covering the advances on the EPN productions and release, and a third section with multiples case-studies in which the concepts and ideas on the two previous sections are integrated and discussed. An essential tool for researchers and professionals working to advance in the sustainable use of our resources.

This book provides essential insights into microbial pathogenesis, host-pathogen interactions, and the anti-microbial drug resistance of various human pathogens on the basis of various model organisms. The initial sections of the book introduce readers to the mechanisms of microbial pathogenesis, host-pathogen interactions, anti-microbial drug resistance, and the dynamics of biofilm formation. Due to the emergence of various microbial resistant strains, it is especially important to understand the prognosis for microbial infections, disease progression profiles, and mechanisms of resistance to antibiotic therapy in order to develop novel therapeutic strategies. In turn, the second part of the book presents a comparative analysis of various animal models to help readers understand microbial pathogenesis, host-pathogen interactions, anti-microbial drug discovery, anti-biofilm therapeutics, and treatment regimes. Given its scope, the book represents a valuable asset for microbiologists, biotechnologists, medical professionals, drug development researchers, and pharmacologists alike.

Nematodes as Biological Models, Volume 2: Aging and Other Model Systems contains discussions on free-living nematodes as biological models for pharmacologic and toxicant testing, and for studies on gerontology and nutrition. The book presents specific chapters that cover topics on nematodes as models to study aging; nematodes as nutritional models; physiology and morphology of nematodes; and models and mechanisms on longevity and survival in nematodes. Geneticists, cell and developmental biologists, neurologists, endocrinologists, toxicologists, nutritionists, and gerontologists will find the book invaluable.

The editors of this book, who are world renown for their creativity with entomopathogenic nematodes, have assembled the foremost authorities from four continents to contribute on basic and applied concepts. The authors have taken advantage of this opportunity to express their views to a wide scientific audience. They have combined their international experience so that the latest developments in this fascinating and rapidly expanding field are present in comprehensive manner with diverse topics ranging from biological control theory to organismal and molecular biology.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of state-of-the-art applications of nanotechnology in biology and medicine, as well as model organisms that can help us understand the biological activity and associated toxicity of nanoparticles, and devise strategies to minimize toxicity and enhance therapies. Thanks to their high surface-to-volume ratio, nanoparticles are characterized by excellent biocompatibility and bioavailability, a high therapeutic index, and relatively low toxicity, which has led to their widespread application in the early diagnosis of diseases, comprehensive monitoring of disease progression, and improved therapeutics. The book also explores nanoparticle-based insecticides and their mechanisms of action, and provides a comparative analysis of the various model organisms that are used to understand the biological properties of nanoparticles. Further, it describes various in-vivo models that yield important insights into nanomaterial-mediated toxicity, promoting the optimal utilization of nanoparticles. In closing, the book discusses future perspectives and regulatory issues concerning the use of nanomaterials in translational research.

Nematodes are the most wide spread multicellular animals in Nature and analysis of nematodes in terrestrial, freshwater and marine environments as well as their role and function in ecosystems can be used for environmental monitoring. Classical and molecular approaches to nematode community analysis will be addressed and the contemporary field of nematodes as biosensors and genomic and post genomic aspects of nematode bioindicators will also be included. Case studies stress the importance of these bioindicators and demonstrate the commercial potential of these technologies.

The offered volume intends to review the biological control theme of phytonematodes from several prospects: ecological; applicative as well as commercial state of the art; understanding the mode-of-action of various biocontrol systems; interaction between the plant host, nematodes’ surface and microorganism’s; candidates for biocontrol; extrapolation of the wide knowledge existed in another systems for understanding biocontrol processes: C. elegans as a model and lessons from other natural systems; and exploiting advanced genomic tools to promote understanding biocontrol processes and thereafter improve specific biological control agents.

Zinc-Based Nanostructures for Environmental and Agricultural Applications shows how zinc nanostructures are being used in agriculture, food and the environment. The book has been divided into two parts: Part I deals with the synthesis and characterization of zinc-based nanostructures such as biogenic, plant, microbial, and actinobacteria mediated synthesis of zinc nanoparticles, Part II is focused on agri-food applications such as antibacterial, antifungal, antimicrobial, plant disease management, controlling post-harvest diseases, pesticide sensing and degradations, plant promotions, ZnO nanostructure for food packaging application, safe animal food and feed supplement, elimination of mycotoxins, and veterinary applications. Part III reviews technological developments in environmental applications such as risks and benefits for aquatic organisms and the marine environment, antiseptic activity and toxicity mechanisms, wastewater treatment, and zinc oxide-based nanomaterials for photocatalytic degradation of environmental and agricultural pollutants. The book discusses various aspects, including the application of zinc-based nanostructures to enhance plant health and growth, the effect on soil microbial activity, antimicrobial mechanism, phytotoxicity and accumulation in plants, the possible impact of zinc-based nanostructures in the agricultural sector as nanofertilizer, enhancing crop productivity, and other possible antimicrobial mechanisms of ZnO nanomaterials. - Explores the impact of a large variety of zinc-based nanostructures on agri-food and environment sectors - Outlines how the properties of zinc-based nanostructures mean they are particularly efficient in environmental and agricultural application areas - Assesses the major challenges of synthesizing and processing zinc-based nanostructured materials