This book presents in an easy-to-read format a summary of the important central aspects of microbial glycobiology, i.e. the study of carbohydrates as related to the biology of microorganisms. Microbial glycobiology represents a multidisciplinary and emerging area with implications for a range of basic and applied research fields, as well as having industrial, medical and biotechnological implications.
Key Features and Benefits
* Individual chapters provided by leading international scientists in the field yield insightful, concise and stimulating reviews.
- Provides researchers with an overview and synthesis of the latest research
* Each chapter begins with a brief 200 word Summary/Abstractdetailing the topic and focus of the chapter, as well as the concepts to be addressed.
- Allows researchers to see at a glance what each chapter will cover
* Each chapter includes a Research Focus Box
- Identifies important problems that still need to be solved and areas that require further investigation"

Biological membranes are the essential structuring elements of all living cells. Many enzymatic reactions take place at the membrane-water interface. To gain detailed insight into membrane properties, it is therefore of great importance to understand the complex nature of the interactions of membrane proteins with lipids. Lipid-Protein Interactions: Methods and Protocols provides a selection of protocols to examine protein-lipid interactions, membrane and membrane protein structure, how membrane proteins affect lipids and how they are in turn affected by the lipid bilayer and lipid properties. The methods described here are all actively used, complementary, and necessary to obtain comprehensive information about membrane structure and function. They include label-free approaches, imaging techniques and spectroscopic methodologies. Written in the successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) 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, Lipid-Protein Interactions: Methods and Protocols seeks to serve both professional and novices with its wide range of the methods frequently used in this area of research.

This book describes applications of acridines for the treatment of various neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and various prion diseases, and discusses the potential of acridines in neuro-regenerative medicine. Using modern data-mining software, it presents structures of acridines with nucleic acids and proteins and compares them with the native structures. Furthermore, the book presents modern methods of acridine synthesis, comparing them with the most useful conventional methods. Acridines interact with both nucleic acids and proteins, and due to their direct interactions with various enzymes, they can be suitable for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, inflammation, immunological disorders, and protozoal diseases. The characteristic spectral properties of acridines can be employed in labeling proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and even cells and their compartments. Moreover, they can be applied in photodynamic therapy.

This volume of "The Enzymes" features high-caliber thematic articles on the topic of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchoring of proteins.
* Contributions from leading authorities
* Informs and updates on all the latest developments in the field

The book presents a comprehensive, systematic and authoritative survey of information about a family of chemically related, but functionally diverse, naturally occurring polysaccharides--the (1-3)-glucans. International contributors describe the chemical and physicochemical properties of these glucans and their derivatives and the molecular biological and structural aspects of the enzymes involved in their formation and breakdown. A detailed analysis of their physiological roles in the various biological situations in which they are found will be provided. Additionally, evolutionary relationships among the family of these glucans will be described.
* Topics of medical relevance include detailing the glucans' interactions with the immune system and research for cancer therapy applications
* Web resource links allow scientists to explore additional beta glucan research
* Separate indexes divided into Species and Subject for enhanced searchability

Systems biology is changing the way biological systems are studied by allowing us to examine the cell and organism as a whole. Systems biotechnology allows optimal design and development of upstream to downstream bioprocesses by taking a systems-approach. E. coli has been a model organism for almost all biological and biotechnological studies. This book brings together for the first time the state-of-the-art reviews by the world-leading experts on systems biology and biotechnological applications of E. coli. The topics covered include genomics and functional genomics, resources for systems biology, network analysis, genome-scale metabolic reconstruction, modelling and simulation, dynamic modelling and simulation, systems-level analysis of evolution, plasmids and expression systems, protein synthesis, production and export, engineering the central metabolism, synthetic biology, and systems metabolic engineering of E. coli. This book provides readers with guidance on how a complex biological system can be studied using E. coli as a model organism. It also presents how to perform synthetic biology and systems metabolic engineering studies on E. coli with successful examples, the approaches of which can be extended to other organisms. This book will be a complete resource for anyone interested in systems biology and biotechnology.

Exploring these type II trans-membrane proteins, The TNF Superfamily: Methods and Protocols focuses on various techniques to investigate aspects of the TNF Superfamily members in health and disease. Opening with protocols to understand the signaling process of TNF family members, this detailed volume continues with technical examples of investigating the role of TNF family members in physiopathologies, protocols on modulation of TNF signaling by pathogens, experimental applications of TNF-reporter mice, as well as methodologies for various assays of TNF family members and the production of recombinant molecules. Written for the Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Practical and ready to use, The TNF Superfamily: Methods and Protocols will aid researchers investigating this key family of proteins, involved in vital processes such as providing signals for activation, differentiation, survival and death of cells, modulation of immune response and inflammation, hematopoiesis and osteoclastogenesis.

After his first book on the topic "Specific Intermolecular Interactions of Organic Compounds", Baev extends in this book the development of the thermodynamic theory of specific intermolecular interactions to a wider spectrum of nitrogenated and bioorganic compounds: amino alcohols, amino acids, peptides and urea derivatives. The fundamentals of an unconventional approach to the theory of H-bonding and specific interactions are formulated based on a concept of penta- coordinated carbon atoms. New types of hydrogen bonds and specific interactions are substantiated and on the basis of the developed methodology their energies are determined. The new concept of the extra stabilizing effect of isomeric methyl groups on the structure and stability of nitrogenated organic molecules and bioorganic compounds is introduced and the destabilization action on specific interactions is outlined.

Volume 4 of Biomembranes covers endocytosis, exocytosis and related processes. A major role of the plasma membrane is as a permeability barrier, keeping the inside of the cell inside and the outside, outside. Mechanisms must then exist to allow movement of material between the cell and its environment. One mechanism for export from the cell is by exocytosis, a process in which the membranes of secretory vesicles fuse with the plasma membrane releasing the contents of the vesicle into the extracellular medium. The process has been studied in particular depth for the release of neurotransmitters at the synapse. Import into the cell is possible by the process of receptor-mediated endocytosis in which selected plasma membrane proteins are internalizes; when these proteins are receptors for macromolecules, the result is uptake of the macromolecule. Transferring, the low-density lipoprotein, and asialoglycoproteins are all taken up into cells in this way. Phagocytosis, the ingestion of cells and cell fragments by neutrophils and macrophages, also involves receptors - on the phagocytic membrane - of which the best studied are those for the Fc domain of IgG, for the third component of complement, and for the mannose/fructose carbohydrates. Protection of a host against infection can also be achieved by damaging the integrity of the plasma membrane of the invading organism. This is the strategy evolved by the cytotoxic T lymphocytes, which produce a pore-forming toxin, perforin. Volume 4 of Biomembranes explores the structures and mechanisms involved in these biologically and medically important processes.

In the past several years, there has been an explosion in the ability of biologists, molecular biologists and biochemists to collect vast amounts of data on their systems. This volume presents sophisticated methods for estimating the thermodynamic parameters of specific protein-protein, protein-DNA and small molecule interactions.
The use of thermodynamics in biological research is used as an energy book-keeping system. While the structure and function of a molecule is important, it is equally important to know what drives the energy force. These methods look to answer: What are the sources of energy that drive the function? Which of the
pathways are of biological significance? As the base of macromolecular structures continues to expand through powerful techniques of molecular biology, such as X-ray crystal data and spectroscopy methods, the importance of tested and reliable methods for answering these questions will continue to expand as well."

Life scientists believe that life is driven, directed, and shaped by biomolecules working on their own or in concert. It is only in the last few decades that technological breakthroughs in sensitive fluorescence microscopy and single-molecule manipulation techniques have made it possible to observe and manipulate single biomolecules and measure their individual properties. The methodologies presented in Single Molecule Techniques: Methods and Protocols are being applied more and more to the study of biologically relevant molecules, such as DNA, DNA-binding proteins, and motor proteins, and are becoming commonplace in molecular biophysics, biochemistry, and molecular and cell biology. The aim of Single Molecule Techniques: Methods and Protocols is to provide a broad overview of single-molecule approaches applied to biomolecules on the basis of clear and concise protocols, including a solid introduction to the most widely used single-molecule techniques, such as optical tweezers, single-molecule fluorescence tools, atomic force microscopy, magnetic tweezers, and tethered particle motion. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series format, chapters contain introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and accessible, Single Molecule Techniques: Methods and Protocols serves as an ideal guide to scientists of all backgrounds and provides a broad and thorough overview of the exciting and still-emerging field of single-molecule biology.

Interfacial electrochemistry of redox metalloproteins and DNA-based molecules is presently moving towards new levels of structural and functional resolution. This is the result of powerful interdisciplinary efforts. Underlying fundamentals of biological electron and proton transfer is increasingly well understood although with outstanding unresolved issues. Comprehensive bioelectrochemical studies have mapped the working environments for bioelectrochemical electron transfer, supported by the availability of mutant proteins and other powerful biotechnology. Introduction of surface spectroscopy, the scanning probe microscopies, and other solid state and surface physics methodology has finally offered exciting new fundamental and technological openings in interfacial bioelectrochemistry of both redox proteins and DNA-based molecules.Inorganic Bioelectrochemistry provides a thorough and didactic overview of state-of-the-art bioelectrochemistry with prospects for forthcoming development. The book is organized in eight chapters written by leading international experts and covers crucial relevant topics such as electron and proton transfer in metalloprotein systems, electrochemistry and electrocatalysis of redox enzymes, and electrochemistry of DNA-based molecules.

In this book, the molecular recognition of DNA using small molecules is discussed, with a study of the photochemistry of BrU-labeled DNA. The purposes of the study were to develop small molecules for regenerative medicine, to develop a method to detect the recognition site of small molecules, and to detect the most important biological phenomena using the photochemistry of BrU-labeled DNA. The study began with the design and development of small molecules that can induce pluripotency genes. To deal with the important issue of cell permeability of the original compound, a new analogue of the original with improved gene expression was designed and synthesized. Using the photochemistry of BrU-labeled DNA, crucial biological phenomena such as cooperativity between transcription factors were detected. For the first time, the cooperativity was examined by excess electron transfer assay. DNA was also studied very carefully in order to understand the mechanism of the double-strand break in the UVA micro-irradiation technique. The mechanism of the double strand remained untouched. Nevertheless, the double-strand break mechanism was clearly demonstrated by Hoechst dye, as shown in this book.

Every day many people suffer from intestinal diseases. These disorders can result from pathogens like bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses, but the causes of non-infectious intestinal disorders and colorectal cancers remain to be elucidated. Disturbances to the normal gut flora (the microbiota) are central to the development of many, if not all, of these disorders.

Disturbed gut microbiota is a prelude to public health issues like traveller's-, antibiotic- and "Clostridium difficile"-associated diarrhoea, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, and colorectal cancers. This book discusses the way intestinal disorders affect the microbiota, how the disturbed microbiotal balance leads to enteric disorders and the ways to prevent these disorders.

Further his book explores the potential ofprobiotics (live microorganisms that when ingested bring a health benefit) in treating enteric disorders by analysing the probiotic genome through proteomics, metabolomics and functional assays. Discussed is how the ingestion of specific microorganisms repairs the disturbed microbiota and subsequently ameliorates enteric disorders. Finally this book addresses how genetic engineering and biotechnology will contribute to the development of effective and safe designer probiotics. "

Contents

Philip C. Sharpe, Rosemary S. Harrison, and David P. Fairlie: Amyloid Peptides and Proteins in Review. - Marilena Kampa, Artemissia-Phoebe Nifli, George Notas, Elias Castanas: Polyphenols and Cancer Cell Growth. - Michal Janitz: Assigning Functions to Genes The Main Challenge of the Post-Genomic Era. - Brigittte M. Jockusch, Kai Murk and Martin Rothkegel: The Profile of Profilins.

Nicola Salvi's thesis offers a remarkably cogent view of highly sophisticated NMR methods. Salvi developed these methods in order to characterize the amplitudes and frequency ranges of local motions in biomolecules such as proteins. These local motions play an essential role since they can explain many of the remarkable properties of proteins and enable them to carry out all sorts of vital functions, from enzymatic catalysis to intermolecular recognition and signalling in cells. Salvi's work has led to numerous publications in high-impact journals.

Carbohydrate Chemistry provides review coverage of all publications relevant to the chemistry of monosaccharides and oligosaccharides in a given year.
The amount of research in this field appearing in the organic chemical literature is increasing because of the enhanced importance of the subject, especially in areas of medicinal chemistry and biology. In no part of the field is this more apparent than in the synthesis of oligosaccharides required by scientists working in glycobiology. Clycomedicinal chemistry and its reliance on carbohydrate synthesis is now very well established, for example, by the preparation of specific carbohydrate- based antigens, especially cancer-specific oligosaccharides and glycoconjugates. Coverage of topics such as nucleosides, amino-sugars, alditols and cyclitols also covers much research of relevance to biological and medicinal chemistry.
Each volume of the series brings together references to all published work in given areas of the subject and serves as a comprehensive database for the active research chemist.
Specialist Periodical Reports provide systematic and detailed review coverage in major areas of chemical research. Compiled by teams of leading authorities in the relevant subject areas, the series creates a unique service for the active research chemist, with regular, in-depth accounts of progress in particular fields of chemistry. Subject coverage within different volumes of a given title is similar and publication is on an annual or biennial basis.

The field of protein NMR spectroscopy has rapidly expanded into new areas of biochemistry, molecular biology and cell biology research that were impossible to study as recently as ten years ago. This third edition of Protein NMR Techniques, expands upon the previous editions with current, detailed authoritative but down-to-earth descriptions of new methodologies. These include techniques for NMR sample preparation, solution and solid state NMR methodologies and data processing. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and key tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Protein NMR Techniques,Third Edition, seeks to aid scientists in understanding the latest innovations in the field of protein NMR.

At the intersection of metabolite analysis, metabolic fingerprinting, and metabolomics, the study of metabolic profiling has evolved steadily over the course of time as have the methods and technologies involved in its study. In Metabolic Profiling: Methods and Protocols, expert researchers in the field present protocols that are illustrative of the evolution of metabolic profiling from single molecule analysis to global metabolome profiling. Comprised of the most essential techniques, this volume covers topics from inborn errors of metabolism and drug metabolite analysis to nuclear magnetic resonance metabolic profiles. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series format, chapters include introductions to their respective subjects, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Metabolic Profiling: Methods and Protocols serves as a resource for both established and new investigators in this vital and ever-developing field.

With the number of natural carotenoid structures reported rising above 700, there is a clear need for a single reference work containing data on all these compounds. This Handbook includes all natural carotenoids and common isolation artefacts for which structures have been assigned up to the end of 2001. For each compound, it provides selected key references and critically assessed information about natural occurrence and isolation, and spectroscopic data for identification. A standard full-page entry is given for each compound that has been characterised unambiguously, showing

- Common name
- IUPAC name
- Structure, including stereochemistry, when assigned
- Spectroscopic data: UV/Vis (with illustration); MS; CD; NMR (type and references)
- Chemical synthesis (references)
- Natural sources and outline of isolation procedure
- Remarks, e.g. further spectroscopic data, stability, properties, derivatives
- Selected key references

More than just coincidence connects a Tate & Lyle lawsuit and artificial sweetener to Jamaican-born Chemist Bert Fraser-Reid. From his first experience of Chemistry through his diabetic father, to his determination and drive as a Chemistry student in Canada, Fraser-Reid weaves a remarkable tale integrating science, law and autobiographical anecdotes. This book arises from the lawsuit brought by Tate & Lyle against companies accused of infringing its patents for sucralose, the sweet ingredient in the artificial sweetener SPLENDA which is made by chlorinating sugar. From a 1958 undergraduate intern witnessing the pioneering experiments on sugar chlorination, to being the 1991 recipient of the world's premiere prize for carbohydrate chemistry, Fraser-Reid was groomed for his role as expert witness in the mentioned lawsuit. Nevertheless, it seems more than his career links Fraser-Reid to the case.

Patch Clamp Methods and Protocols surveys the typical patch clamp applications and advises scientists on identifying problems and selecting the best technique in each instance. The experiments described aid the researcher in pursuing new areas of electrophysiology and using the patch clamp technique effectively.

The volume includes an extensive theoretical treatise concerning single channel kinetic analysis.

Quantitation of Amino Acids and Amines by Chromatography: Methods and Protocols is intended to serve as a ready-to-use guide for the identification and quantification of amino acids and amines in various matrices, providing an overview on the theory and protocol of available methods. It presents chromatograms with exact elution programs enabling visual analysis and compares the advantages-disadvantages of various chromatographic techniques. In accordance with the chronological order of the development of chromatographic methods, different techniques are discussed: The possibilities of gas chromatography (GC), followed by those of the high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and the most recent techniques capillary electrophoresis (CE), capillary, electrochromatography (CEC).
The characteristics of the given chromatographic procedure, relating to the topic in question, are classified according to the preliminary preparation/derivatization process(es), which means the simple methods, suitable for the analysis of the selected compound(s) in natural form, are followed by various derivatization proposals. Detailed protocols provide the reader with guidance in beginning tasks and on how to improve current methods. This book appeals to a wide audience and is recommended for those looking towards the wider reaches of identification and quantification of amino acids and amines.
* Provides a systematic, and comprehensive summary of chromatographic techniques and derivatization processes
* Compares advantages/disadvantages of various chromatographic techniques
* Readers can undertake practical tasks using detailed protocols given in the book

This groundbreaking book covers every aspect of deadly toxic chemicals used as weapons of mass destruction and employed in conflicts, warfare and terrorism. Including findings from experimental as well as clinical studies, this one-of-a-kind handbook is prepared in a very user- friendly format that can easily be followed by students, teachers and researchers, as well as lay people. Stand-alone chapters on individual chemicals and major topics allow the reader to easily access required information without searching through the entire book.
This is the first book that offers in-depth coverage of individual toxicants, target organ toxicity, major incidents, toxic effects in humans, animals and wildlife, biosensors, biomarkers, on-site and laboratory analytical methods, decontamination and detoxification procedures, prophylactic, therapeutic and countermeasures, and the role of homeland security.
Presents a comprehensive look at all aspects of chemical warfare toxicology in one reference work. This saves researchers time in quickly accessing the very latest definitive details on toxicity of specific agents used in chemical warfare as opposed to searching through thousands of journal articles. Will include the most agent-specific information on the market.
Includes detailed coverage of the most exhaustive list of agents possibly used as chemical warfare agents in one source. Section 4: Agents That Can Be Used as Weapons of Mass Destruction ? 25 chapters long. Other books on the market only include a sample selection of specific agents. Offering all possible agents detailed under one cover makes this appealing to a wider audience and saves researchers time.

The Forward will be written by Dr. Tetsuo Satoh, Chiba University, Japan. He is one of the most respected, recognizable authorities on chemical warfare agents which will set the authoritative tone for the book.

Covers risk to humans, animals and the environment equally. Researchers involved in assessing the risks involved with a possible chemical warfare attack and those who are developing response plans to such attacks must look at not only the risks to human health but to our wildlife and environment as well. The holistic approach taken in this book ensures that the researchers have ready access to the details no matter which aspect of the effects of CWA's they might be concerned with.

Provides an understanding of (mostly) enzymatic reactions that are responsible for the function and maintenance of living things This innovative text for non-biochemistry majors includes introductory material at the beginning of each chapter that contextualizes chapter themes in real-life scenarios Online supporting materials with further opportunities for research and investigation Synthesis questions at the end of each chapter that encourage students to make connections between concepts and ideas, as well as develop critical-thinking skills