Epigenetics is a new field that explains gene expression at the chromatin structure and organization level. Three principal epigenetic mechanisms are known and hundreds of combinations among them can develop different phenotypic characteristics. DNA methylation, histone modifications and small RNAs have been identified, and their functions are being studied in order to understand the mechanisms of interaction and regulation among the different biological processes in plants. Although, fundamental epigenetic mechanisms in crop plants are beginning to be elucidated, the comprehension of the different epigenetic mechanisms, by which plant gene regulation and phenotype are modified, is a major topic to develop in the near future in order to increase crop productivity. Thus, the importance of epigenetics in improving crop productivity is undoubtedly growing. Current research on epigenetics suggest that DNA methylation, histone modifications and small RNAs are involved in almost every aspect of plant life including agronomically important traits such as flowering time, fruit development, responses to environmental factors, defense response and plant growth. The aim of this Research Topic is to explore the recent advances concerning the role of epigenetics in crop biotechnology, as well as to enhance and promote interactions among high quality researchers from different disciplines such as genetics, cell biology, pathology, microbiology, and evolutionary biology in order to join forces and decipher the epigenetic mechanisms in crop productivity.

Legumes have played an important part as human food and animal feed in cropping systems since the dawn of agriculture. The legume family is arguably one of the most abundantly domesticated crop plant families. Their ability to symbiotically fix nitrogen and improve soil fertility has been rewarded since antiquity and makes them a key protein source. Pea was the original model organism used in Mendel´s discovery of the laws of inheritance, making it the foundation of modern plant genetics. This book based on Special Issue provides up-to-date information on legume biology, genetic advances, and the legacy of Mendel.

Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology has evolved to become an established go-to open access publishing option for multidisciplinary bioengineering and biotechnology research and in the process has grown considerably over the last few years achieving our first Journal Impact Factor 2018 in 2019. Here we are pleased to introduce this special eBook entitled ‘Highlights from Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology in 2020’ edited by our 10 Specialty Chief Editors of Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology aiming to support Frontiers’ strong community by recognizing highly deserving authors. The work presented here highlights the broad diversity of exciting research performed across the journal and aims to put a spotlight on few areas of interest within each section. This collection showcases one or two exceptional articles published in 2020 per section of the journal. Each article has been specially handpicked by each of our 10 Specialty Chief Editors who have written a short paragraph to explain their selection and why this article is a particularly important and exciting addition to their respective fields. Our eBook thus spans Biomaterials, Biomechanics, Bionics and Biomimetics, Bioprocess Engineering, Biosafety and Biosecurity, Industrial Biotechnology, Nanobiotechnology, Preclinical Cell and Gene Therapy, Synthetic Biology and Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine. All research presented here displays advances in the field of Bioengineering and Biotechnology. We hope you enjoy our selection of key articles; please ensure you are signed into your Frontiers Loop profile to download the free eBook. We also thank all authors, editors and reviewers of Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology for their contributions to our journal and look forward to another exciting year in 2021. Dr. Ranieri Cancedda (Field Chief Editor)

Genetic Engineering of Horticultural Crops provides key insights into commercialized crops, their improved productivity, disease and pest resistance, and enhanced nutritional or medicinal benefits. It includes insights into key technologies, such as marker traits identification and genetic traits transfer for increased productivity, examining the latest transgenic advances in a variety of crops and providing foundational information that can be applied to new areas of study. As modern biotechnology has helped to increase crop productivity by introducing novel gene(s) with high quality disease resistance and increased drought tolerance, this is an ideal resource for researchers and industry professionals. - Provides examples of current technologies and methodologies, addressing abiotic and biotic stresses, pest resistance and yield improvement - Presents protocols on plant genetic engineering in a variety of wide-use crops - Includes biosafety rule regulation of genetically modified crops in the USA and third world countries

DNA is the essence of life and the original ‘big data’. New technologies are allowing scientists to access and make sense of this information like never before, and they are using it to solve the world’s greatest environmental challenges. Applied Environmental Genomics synthesises the latest and most exciting uses of genomic technologies for environmental science and management. With an emphasis on diversity of applications and real-world demonstrations, leading researchers have contributed detailed chapters on innovative approaches to obtaining critical management-relevant information about the natural world. These chapters are complemented by perspective sections written by environmental managers who describe their experiences using genomics to support evidence-based decisions. Ideal for students, researchers and professionals working in natural resource management and policy, Applied Environmental Genomics is a comprehensive introduction to a fast-moving field that is transforming the practice of environmental management, with profound relevance to industry, government and the public.

Progress in Food Biotechnology covers recent advances in the food processing sector. Readers will gain an academic and industrial perspective on how biotechnology improves food product quality, yield, and process efficiency. Novel opportunities for utilizing value-added products in the food industry, such as microbial cultures, enzymes, flavour compounds, and other food ingredients are also explained. Chapters in the volume cover topics related to (1) food bioactive peptides and functional properties of proteins, (2) classification, biosynthesis, and application of bacterial exopolysaccharides, (3) enzymatic modification of phospholipids, and related applications, (4) microbial culture research and application in food fermentation, (5) probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics, (6) biotechnological production of food additives, (7) phenolic-based nanoparticles and relevant applications, (8) enzyme discovery approaches and industrial dairy enzyme applications, (9) bioconversion of major industrial and agro-industrial by-products into various bio-products as examples of a bio-based economy, and (10) plant epigenetics and future prospects of epigenetics to improve crop quality. Information is presented in a simple language supported by graphs, tables, numbers, market trends, and accounts of successful product launches. This volume is a handy resource for a broad range of industrial researchers, students, and biotech professionals from both academia and industry who are involved in the multidisciplinary fields of food biotechnology and food chemistry.

Plants are an indispensable part of human and animal lives for nutrition and health. But pests, diseases and abiotic stress adversely affect crop yield, which ultimately places significant pressure on society to provide food to an increasing population. Moreover, it also encourages increased chemical/pesticide usage on crops, which we see in the biomagnification of toxic and hazardous compounds polluting water bodies, soil and the environment. This condition will continue to worsen in the future due to the resistance-acquiring ability of pathogens against plant defense and chemical treatments. In addition, environmental disturbances and consumer health issues are being reported more promptly than before due to intensive use of pesticides in food production. Plant diseases affect our daily lives, as the use of insecticides and pesticides has become part of our food chain. As a result, precise disease diagnosis and management is crucial in order to avoid huge losses in plant production and related commodities. Accurate detection, precise diagnosis and proper management can play a significant role in keeping plants free from pathogens. In this book, scientists, researchers and scholars share their research knowledge, offering a valuable resource for understanding plant diseases, pathogen interaction and responses to stress through an omics perspective, contributing to further advancements in the field Diseases in plants may be caused by various factors, such as viruses, bacteria, fungi and abiotic stress. Disease causes low crop yield, production of poor-quality fruits and grains, and deficiency of nutrients, which have a direct impact on human and animal health. A genomics-based approach can be applied to disease diagnosis; disease outbreak; evolution of plant and pathogen genome for disease outbreak in relation to climate change; and development of long-term strategies for plant health and defense. This book presents an overview of omics technologies and approaches used to understand: 1) the relation between plants and their environment in terms of diseases 2) responses to abiotic stress 3) the genomics of plant–pathogen interaction 4) herbicide-resistance mechanisms 5) the epigenetics of plant–pathogen interaction 6) gene regulation during abiotic stress response 7) the oxidative stress response

The book presents comprehensive information on fundamental, and applied knowledge for developing varieties resistant individually as well as to all the major pathogens of crucifers, such as Albugo, Alternaria, Erysiphe, Hyaloperonospora, Plasmodiophora, Leptosphaeria, Sclerotinia, Turnip mosaic virus, Verticillium, and Xanthomonas through the use of latest biotechnological approaches including identification of R genes and their incorporation into agronomically superior varieties. The chapters include the information’s viz., principles of host resistance, identification of R-genes sources, inheritance of disease resistance, host resistance signaling network system to multiple stresses. The book also covers transfer of disease resistance, and management of disease resistance. Standardized, reproducible techniques are also included for the researchers of cruciferous crops for developing resistant cultivars. The book deals with the gaps in understanding, knowledge of genomics, and offers suggestions for future research priorities in order to initiate the advance research on disease resistance. This book is immensely useful to the researchers especially Brassica breeders, teachers, extension specialists, students, industrialists, farmers, and all others who are interested to grow healthy, and profitable cruciferous crops all over the world.