This book presents a comprehensive overview of DNA barcoding and molecular phylogeny, along with a number of case studies. It discusses a number of areas where DNA barcoding can be applied, such as clinical microbiology, especially in relation to infection management; DNA database management; and plant -animal interactions, and also presents valuable information on the DNA barcoding and molecular phylogeny of microbes, algae, elasmobranchs, fishes, birds and ruminant mammals. Furthermore it features unique case studies describing DNA barcoding of reptiles dwelling in Saudi Arabian deserts, genetic variation studies in both wild and hatchery populations of Anabas testudineus, DNA barcoding and molecular phylogeny of Ichthyoplankton and juvenile fishes of Kuantan River in Malaysia, and barcoding and molecular phylogenetic analysis of indigenous bacteria from fishes dwelling in a tropical tidal river. Moreover, since prompt identification and management of invasive species is vital to prevent economic and ecological loss, the book includes a chapter on DNA barcoding of invasive species. Given its scope, this book will appeal not only to researchers, teachers and students around the globe, but also to general readers.

A DNA barcode in its simplest definition is one or more short gene sequences taken from a standardized portion of the genome that is used to identify species through reference to DNA sequence libraries or databases. In DNA Barcodes: Methods and Protocols expert researchers in the field detail many of the methods which are now commonly used with DNA barcodes. These methods include the latest information on techniques for generating, applying, and analyzing DNA barcodes across the Tree of Life including animals, fungi, protists, algae, and plants. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular BiologyTM series format, the chapters include the kind of detailed description and implementation advice that is crucial for getting optimal results in the laboratory. Thorough and intuitive, DNA Barcodes: Methods and Protocols aids scientists in continuing to study methods from wet-lab protocols, statistical, and ecological analyses along with guides to future, large-scale collections campaigns.

COMPUTATION IN BIOINFORMATICS Bioinformatics is a platform between the biology and information technology and this book provides readers with an understanding of the use of bioinformatics tools in new drug design. The discovery of new solutions to pandemics is facilitated through the use of promising bioinformatics techniques and integrated approaches. This book covers a broad spectrum of the bioinformatics field, starting with the basic principles, concepts, and application areas. Also covered is the role of bioinformatics in drug design and discovery, including aspects of molecular modeling. Some of the chapters provide detailed information on bioinformatics related topics, such as silicon design, protein modeling, DNA microarray analysis, DNA-RNA barcoding, and gene sequencing, all of which are currently needed in the industry. Also included are specialized topics, such as bioinformatics in cancer detection, genomics, and proteomics. Moreover, a few chapters explain highly advanced topics, like machine learning and covalent approaches to drug design and discovery, all of which are significant in pharma and biotech research and development. Audience Researchers and engineers in computation biology, information technology, bioinformatics, drug design, biotechnology, pharmaceutical sciences.

Molecular cloning and DNA-based analysis have become part of every molecular life science laboratory. The rapid adoption of DNA-based techniques has been facilitated by the introduction of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which has made cloning and characterization of DNA quick and relatively simple. PCR is virtually part of every variation of the plethora of approaches used for DNA fingerprinting today. Plant DNA Fingerprinting: Methods and Protocols aims to bring together the different currently available genome-based techniques into one repository. This volume contains detailed protocols for the preparation of plant genomic DNA, fingerprinting of plants for the detection of intra-species variations, the use of DNA barcoding, as well as methods for the bioinformatic analysis of data. Also included are several discussions on the broader issues of genome-based approaches in order to provide a sound understanding of the principles of these methods. Written in the successful Methods in Molecular BiologyTM series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and easily accessible, Plant DNA Fingerprinting: Methods and Protocols is tailored principally for those who seek to augment their current methods of plant analysis and quality control using genome-based approaches as well as for scientists and researchers in different plant sciences.

DNA barcoding has become a well-accepted and popular tool for the identification of species and the detection of cryptic taxonomic diversity. As such, it has a tremendous potential for a wide variety of applications in taxonomy, agronomy, conservation biology, forensics etc. Therefore, several countries, institutions and organizations have launched DNA barcoding projects in the context of the international ?Consortium for the Barcode of Life? (CBOL) initiative. Also Belgium has done so with the establishment of the FWO research community ?Belgian Network for DNA barcoding?. In 2012, this network organized the ?Third European Conference for the Barcode of Life? (ECBOL3) in Brussels. During this event a call was made to publish a collection of papers under the thematic title ?DNA barcoding: a practical tool for fundamental and applied biodiversity research?. With the financial support of the EC project ?ViBRANT? (Virtual Biodiversity Research and Access Network for Taxonomy), 21 papers were bundled to form this special ?ZooKeys? issue with the aim to present various applications, advantages and limitations of DNA barcoding. Hence, it is the editors? hope that this issue provides a modest, but timely, contribution to the already vast literature on DNA barcoding.