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Model plant species are valuable not only because they lead to discoveries in basic biology, but also because they provide resources that facilitate translational research to improve crops of economic importance. Plant scientists are drawn to models because of their ease of manipulation, simple genome organization, rapid life cycles, and the availability of multiple genetic and genomic tools. 

Edited by Frans J. de Bruijn, research director at LIPM, this new book provides a comprehensive overview of the model legume Medicago truncatula. It features reviews as well as research chapters describing experiments carried out by the authors with a clear description of materials and methods. Most of the chapters are based on advanced molecular techniques and biochemical analyses to approach a variety of aspects of Medicago truncatula.

The first volume of the Model Legume Medicago truncatula starts with an examination of M. truncatula plant development (including seed development, root development, leaf development, and flower development); biosynthesis and role of natural products; abiotic (salt and drought) stress and biotic stress (including the interaction with pathogens and pests, including root and foliar fungal, oomycete and viral pathogens; aphids, parasitic plants, rust interactions, powdery mildew resistance; and lepidopteran herbivores).  It continues with the M. truncatula-Sinorhizobium (Ensifer) meliloti symbiosis (including signaling and early infection events, lysin motif receptor-like kinases, Nod factor hydrolysis, role of E3 ubiquitin ligase and nuclear calcium oscillations).  This section is followed by the symbiosis of M. truncatula with arbuscular mycorrhiza (including early signaling and infection events, and role of hormones) and the common symbiotic signaling (CSSP or Sym) pathway.  

The second volume starts with infection and subsequent events in the M.truncatula-S. meliloti symbiosis (including infection thread development, nodule and bacteroid functioning, nodule senescence, and structure of indeterminate M. truncatula nodules and the organization and ultrastructure of M. truncatula root and nodule meristems); followed by hormones and the rhizobial and mycorrhizal symbioses, as well as autoregulation of nodule numbers.  This is followed by a large section on the genetics and genomics of M. truncatula (including the genetic map and genome sequence of M. truncatula, QTL analysis, genome-wide association studies, transposons in M. truncatula, M. truncatula and evolution, translational genomics, genomics and genetic markers in M. truncatula, small RNAs, mutagenesis and forward/reverse genetics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics).  The second volume ends with a short section on databases and a section on M. truncatula transformation.  

About the Author:

Frans J de Bruijn received his Ph.D.  (Cellular and Developmental Biology; Microbial Genetics) from Harvard University in 1983. His resume reflects an array of experiences as a researcher, teacher, board member and a plethora of other accomplishments, including four other Books published by Wiley-Blackwell and sponsored by TULIP. He is currently a Director of Research at the INRAE/CNRS Laboratory of Plant-Microbe Interactions in Toulouse, France.