New Directions for Biosciences Research in Agriculture -- Copyright -- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- Contents -- Executive Summary -- SETTING PRIORITIES -- RESEARCH IN THE BIOSCIENCES -- Genetic Engineering -- Food Animals -- Disease -- Growth and Metabolism -- Development and Reproduction -- Crops -- Carbon and Nitrogen Input -- Growth and Development -- Physicochemical Stress -- Plant Diseases and Insect Pests -- Plant-Pathogen Interactions -- Biological Control -- Insect Neurobiology -- Pesticides -- OPTIMAL CLIMATE FOR BASIC RESEARCH -- Periodic Outside Review -- Leadership -- Ars Centers -- Staff and Activities -- Budget Flexibility -- Outside Relationships -- 1 Introduction -- 2 Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering -- STRUCTURE, ORGANIZATION, AND EXPRESSION OF GENES -- ISOLATION -- Cloning -- Transfer -- Expression -- OPPORTUNITIES IN THE PLANT SCIENCES -- Gene Isolation -- Gene Transfer -- Plasmids as Vectors -- Transposable Elements as Vectors -- Viruses as Vectors -- Other Vectors: Microinjection and Direct DNA Uptake -- Cell Culture and Plant Regeneration -- Gene Expression -- Effect of Location on Gene Expression -- Regulatory Sequences -- Transient Expression Assays -- Multiple Gene Traits -- Research Status -- ASPECTS OF MOLECULAR GENETICS OF FOOD ANIMALS -- Gene Transfer -- Microinjection into the Germ Line -- Retroviral-based Vectors -- Other Vectors -- Gene Identification and Cross Cloning -- Gene Expression -- Research Status -- POTENTIAL IMPACT ON U.S. AGRICULTURE -- 3 Animal Science -- MOLECULAR BASIS OF DISEASE -- Genes Regulating the Immune Response -- Major Histocompatibility Complex -- Lymphocyte Hormones -- Antibodies -- Pathogens and Vectors -- Disease Control -- Molecular Diagnostics -- Therapeutic Agents -- Research Status -- MOLECULAR BASIS FOR METABOLIC REGULATION.

Characterization of Endogenous Chemical Mediators -- Metabolic Control and Function of Cells -- Factors Influencing Intake and Digestion -- Research Status -- DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY AND REPRODUCTION -- Differentiation -- In Vitro Manipulation of Gametes and Embryos -- Addition of Genetic Information to Embryos -- Reproductive Efficiency -- Research Status -- 4 Plant Science -- CARBON AND NITROGEN INPUT FOR PLANT GROWTH -- Photosynthesis -- Chloroplast Functions -- Carbon Fixation -- Photosynthetic Efficiency -- Harvest Index -- Nitrogen Metabolism -- Biological Nitrogen Fixation -- Improving Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation -- Host Plant Improvement -- Other Aspects of Nitrogen Metabolism -- Essential Amino Acids -- Nitrates and Nitrites -- Fertilizer Nitrogen Losses -- Research Status -- REGULATION OF PLANT GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT -- Biosynthetic Pathways -- Chemical Analysis -- Genetic Variants -- Gene Expression -- Photomorphogenesis -- Cell Culture and Plant Regeneration -- Research Status -- PHYSICOCHEMICAL STRESS -- Plant Responses to Stress Factors -- Drought -- Salinity -- Low Temperature -- High Temperature -- Stress-Tolerance Mechanisms -- Research Status -- 5 Plant Diseases and Insect Pests -- MOLECULAR BASES OF PLANT-PATHOGEN INTERACTIONS -- Molecular Determinants of Resistance and Susceptibility -- Genetics -- Gene Products -- Gene Structure -- Gene Transfer -- MOLECULAR BASIS OF CELLULAR DAMAGE IN SUSCEPTIBLE HOSTS -- Mode of Action of Toxins -- Nucleic Acid Interactions -- Bacterial Interactions -- Research Status -- MODIFICATION OF MICROORGANISMS FOR BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AND ORGANIC PESTICIDE DISPOSAL -- Microbial Agents for Biological Control -- Control of Pathogens -- Control of Insect Pests -- Control of Nematodes -- Plant Health Microorganisms -- Biological Degradation of Organic Pesticides -- Research Status.

MOLECULAR BASIS OF PESTICIDE ACTION -- Research Status -- INSECT NEUROBIOLOGY AND THE REGULATION OF DEVELOPMENT AND REPRODUCTION -- Insect Neurobiology -- Endocrine Regulation of Metamorphosis, Diapause, and Reproduction -- Research Status -- 6 The Optimal Climate for Basic Research -- INTRODUCTION -- RECOMMENDATIONS -- Periodic Outside Review -- Leadership -- National Program Staff -- New Centers -- Interdisciplinary Activities -- Consolidation -- Leveraging -- Postdoctoral Program -- Appointment of New Staff -- Budget -- Support Staff -- Sabbaticals/Retraining -- Scientific Meeting Attendance -- Publications -- University Relationships -- Industry Relationships -- Public Relations -- CONCLUSION -- Appendix -- AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE LABORATORY GROUPS VISITED.