Analytical chemists and materials scientists will find this a useful addition to their armory. The contributors have sought to highlight the present state of affairs in the validation and quality assurance of fluorescence measurements, as well as the need for future standards. Methods included range from steady-state fluorometry and microfluorometry, microscopy, and micro-array technology, to time-resolved fluorescence and fluorescence depolarization imaging techniques.

Advances in Clinical Chemistry, Volume 101, the latest installment in this internationally acclaimed series, contains chapters authored by world-renowned clinical laboratory scientists, physicians and research scientists. The serial discusses the latest and most up-to-date technologies related to the field of clinical chemistry, with this new release including chapters on Exosomes in cancer, Parathyroid hormone, Clinical relevance of biochemical and metabolic changes in osteoarthritis, Early diagnosis with ultrasensitive ELISA, Cytokines and the immune response in obesity-related disorders, Metabolic profiling of organic and fatty acids in chronic and autoimmune diseases, and more.

Leading practitioners detail revolutionary new spectrometric techniques for the identification and covalent structural characterization of macromolecules, proteins, glycoconjugates, and nucleic acids. Based on the Fourth International Symposium on Mass Spectrometry in the Health and Life Sciences held in San Francisco in 1998, this invaluable book contains tested strategies for solving many significant biomedical research problems. The techniques use mass spectrometry, automated computer processing of spectral information, and gene, protein, and EST databases for genomic and proteomic correlations. Mass Spectrometry in Biology and Medicine offers a unique opportunity to explore and apply these new techniques of mass spectrometry that are revolutionizing the identification and structural characterization of proteins, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids.

This is a pioneering cognitive psychological study of Ayahuasca, a plant-based Amazonian psychotropic brew. Benny Shanon presents a comprehensive charting of the various facets of the special state of mind induced by Ayahuasca, and analyzes them from a cognitive psychological perspective. He also presents some philosophical reflections. Empirically, the research presented in this book is based on the systematic recording of the author's extensive experiences with the brew and on the interviewing of a large number of informants: indigenous people, shamans, members of different religious sects using Ayahuasca, and travellers. In addition to its being the most thorough study of the Ayahuasca experience to date, the book lays the theoretical foundations for the psychological study of non-ordinary states of consciousness in general.

This book encompasses the exciting developments and challenges in the fast-moving and rapidly expanding research field of single-molecule kinetic analysis of cell signaling that promises to be one of the most significant and exciting areas of biological research for the foreseeable future. Cell signaling is carried out by complicated reaction networks of macromolecules, and single-molecule analyses has already demonstrated its power to unravel complex reaction dynamics in purified systems. To date, most of the published research in the field of single-molecule processes in cells, focus on the dynamic properties (translational movements of the centre of mass) of biological molecules. However, we hope that this book presents as many kinetic analyses of cell signaling as possible. Although single-molecule kinetic analysis of cellular systems is a relatively young field when compared with the analysis of single-molecule movements in cells, this type of analysis is highly important because it directly relates to the molecular functions that control cellular behavior and in the future, single-molecule kinetic analysis will be largely directed towards cellular systems. Thus, we hope that this book will be of interest to all those working in the fields of molecular and cell biology, as well as biophysics and biochemistry.

"Corynebacterium glutamicum "was discovered in Japan in 1956 as a natural glutamate producer. Its microbial factory qualities, such as its physiological plasticity and robust catalytic functionalities, have since facilitated the development of efficient production processes for amino acids, nucleotides and vitamins.

This monograph illustrates how the information gleaned from complete genome sequencing allows the rational engineering of the entire cellular metabolism and how systems biology permits the further optimization of "C. glutamicum" as a biocatalyst. Aspects of gene regulation, metabolic pathways, sugar uptake, protein secretion, cell division and biorefinery applications highlight the enormous biotechnological and biorefinery potential. "

This book covers a wide range of state-of-the-art methodologies and detailed protocols currently used to study the actions that lipid-activated nuclear receptors and their co-regulators have in tissues and immune cell types considered classic metabolic "powerhouses". This includes the liver, adipose tissue, and monocytes/macrophages present in these and other metabolic tissues. While the main focus is on the oxysterol receptor or Liver X Receptor (LXR), the majority of the methods described can be easily applied to multiple nuclear receptors, as well as to other tissues or cell types. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, 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. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Lipid-Activated Nuclear Receptors: Methods and Protocols serves as an ideal guide for researchers pursuing the vital study of nuclear receptor biology and beyond.

A role for vitamin A in living organisms has been known throughout human history. In the last 100 years, the biochemical nature of vitamin A and its active derivative, retinoic acid, its physiological impact on growth processes and the essential details of its mechanism of action have been revealed by investigations carried out by researchers using vertebrate and more recently invertebrate models to study a multiplicity of processes and conditions, encompassing embryogenesis, postnatal development to old age. A wealth of intercellular interactions, intracellular signaling systems and molecular mechanisms have been described and the overall conclusion is that retinoic acid is essential for life. This book series, with chapters authored by experts in every aspect of this complex field, unifies the knowledge base and mechanisms currently known in detailed, engaging, well-illustrated, focused chapters that synthesize information for each specific area. In view of the recent explosion in this field, it is timely to publish a contemporary, comprehensive, book series recapitulating the most exciting developments in the field and covering fundamental research in molecular mechanisms of vitamin A action, its role in physiology, development and continued well-being and the potential of vitamin A derivatives and synthetic mimetics to serve as therapeutic treatments for cancers and other debilitating human diseases.

VOLUME I:

Here, we present the first volume of a multi-volume series on Retinoic Acid Signaling that will cover all aspects of this broad and diverse field. One aim of Volume I is to present a compilation of topics related to the biochemistry of nuclear retinoic acid receptors, from their architecture when bound to DNA and associated with their coregulators to their ability to regulate target gene transcription. A second aim is to provide insight into recent advances that have been made in identifying novel targets and non-genomic effects of retinoic acid. Volume I is divided into ten chapters contributed by prominent experts in their respective fields. Each chapter starts with the history of the area of research. Then, the key findings that contributed to development of the field are described, followed by a detailed look at key findings and progress that are being made in current, ongoing research. Each chapter is concluded with a discussion of the relevance of the research and a perspective on missing pieces and lingering gaps that the author recommends will be important in defining future directions in vitamin A research.

This series presents critical reviews of the present position and future trends in modern chemical research. The short and concise reports on chemistry are each written by world renowned experts. This series is still valid and useful after 5 or 10 years. More information as well as the electronic version of the whole content available at: springerlink.com.

The subject of this volume is a comprehensive examination of the biochemistry and biology of all classes of known PAS proteins, with the intention that readers will find insight into their own work and ideas from study of the multitude of PAS protein functions. PAS proteins control numerous physiological and developmental events, and span phylogeny from bacteria to man. Bacterial and plant PAS proteins act as sensors of environmental stimuli, including light, oxygen, and energy status.

Not surprising, given these roles, there is intense investigation of the roles of bHLH-PAS proteins in issues of human health including: (1) cancer induction, (2) cancer growth and vascularity, (3) birth defects, including Down syndrome, (4) appetite control and obesity, (5) sleep rhythm disorders, and (6) mental health disorders such as social interactions and learning.

PAS proteins encompass many fields of biology, and scientists who work in these fields (circadian rhythms, oxygen regulation, toxin metabolism, bacterial sensors, and development) are an audience, particularly those who actively work on PAS proteins and researchers interested in transcriptional control, signal transduction, and evolution.

This book, by a leading thinker with 30 years experience in the field, is the first devoted to fibrous composites in biology. It tackles a major unsolved problem in developmental biology - how does chemistry create architecture outside cells? Fibrous composites occur in all skeletal systems including plant cell walls, insect cuticles, moth eggshells, bone and cornea. They function like man-made fibreglass, with fibres set in a matrix. The fibrous molecules are long, extracellular and water-insoluble and to be effective they must be orientated strategically. The underlying hypothesis of this book is that the fibres are orientated by self-assembly just outside the cells during a mobile liquid crystalline phase prior to stabilization. The commonest orientations of the fibres are plywood laminates (orthogonal and helicoidal), and as parallel fibres. These may be imitated in vitro by liquid crystalline chemicals. The book takes an interdisciplinary approach and will be relevant to biologists, biochemists, biophysicists, material scientists and to liquid crystals chemists.

Nitric oxide is involved in the regulation of the circulation in physiologic and pathophysiological conditions. Evidence indicates that alterations in endothelial production of nitric oxide may be involved in the pathogenesis of central hypertension, pulmonary hypertension, renal disease and coronary vasopastic disorders. In addition to being involved in regulation of the circulation in physiologic and pathophysiologic conditions, the inducible form of the enzyme may play a role in the refractory hypertension.

This book presents the timeline of immunodiagnostics evolution, including advancements in immunological/nucleic acid probes, assay design, labelling techniques, and devices for signal transduction and acquisition. In the past few years, enzyme and nanocatalyst-based immune assays have undergone numerous modifications to enhance their sensitivity and potential for automation. Further, to reduce production costs and the use of laboratory animals, engineering small antibodies and nucleic acid probes (aptamers) has become increasingly popular in the development of novel and powerful bioassays. In light of the notable advancements in immunodiagnostics, this book highlights the combined efforts of clinicians, biotechnologists, material scientists, nanotechnologists and basic scientists in a coherent and highly structured way. The book takes readers on the journey of immunodiagnostic technologies, from their introduction to the present.

The book presents a succinct summary of methods for the synthesis and biological activities of various different-sized bioactive heterocycles using different green chemistry synthetic methodologies, like microwave, ultrasonic, water mediated, ionic liquids, etc. The book also provides an insight of how green chemistry techniques are specific to the bioactive heterocyclic compounds.

DNA Structure and Function, a timely and comprehensive resource, is intended for any student or scientist interested in DNA structure and its biological implications. The book provides a simple yet comprehensive introduction to nearly all aspects of DNA structure. It also explains current ideas on the biological significance of classic and alternative DNA conformations. Suitable for graduate courses on DNA structure and nucleic acids, the text is also excellent supplemental reading for courses in general biochemistry, molecular biology, and genetics.
Special Features
* Explains basic DNA Structure and function clearly and simply
* Contains up-to-date coverage of cruciforms, Z-DNA, triplex DNA, and other DNA conformations
* Discusses DNA-protein interactions, chromosomal organization, and biological implications of structure
* Highlights key experiments and ideas within boxed sections
* Illustrated with 150 diagrams and figures that convey structural and experimental concepts

This 8-volume set provides a systematic description on 8,350 active marine natural products from 3,025 various kinds of marine organisms. The diversity of structures, biological resources and pharmacological activities are discussed in detail. Molecular structural classification system with 264 structural types are developed as well. The 3rd volume mainly illustrates the molecular formula and structures of alkaloids. .

Chemical and Synthetic Biology Approaches To Understand Cellular Functions - Part B, Volume 622, the latest release in the Methods in Enzymology series, highlights new advances in the field, with this new volume presenting chapters that cover the Design of optogenetic proteins, the Application of optogenetic proteins, Antibody aggregation mechanism probed by a fluorescently-labeled antibody with fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, Bimane labeling of B-arrestins to measure their interaction with GPCRs, Reversible biotinylation of proteins for investigating their interaction with partners, Chemical biology approaches to study RNA cytidine acetylation, Salt sensitive intein in robotic production of peptides, and much more.

This book focuses on thielocin B1 (TB1), which was found to be an inhibitor of protein-protein interactions (PPIs) of proteasome assembling chaperone (PAC) 3 homodimer, and elucidates the mechanism by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies. Interfaces of PPIs recently have been expected to be novel therapeutic targets, while it is difficult to apply conventional methodology based on lock and key theory. The author achieved the first total synthesis of TB1 and its spin-labeled derivative to carry out NMR experiments because the supply of TB1 from natural sources was limited. Unique 2,2',6,6'-tetrasubstituted diphenyl ether moiety of TB1 was synthesized from a depsidone skeleton by chemoselective reduction of lactone. In the process of elongating side wings, efficient formylation utilizing dichloromethyl methyl ether-silver trifluoromethanesulfonate was developed for the sterically hindered aromatic compound. NMR titration experiments and paramagnetic relaxation enhancement observation of PAC3 homodimer were performed with synthesized TB1 and its molecular probe, respectively. The results of the above NMR studies and additional in silico docking studies suggested that TB1 promotes the dissociation to monomeric PAC3 after interaction with PAC3 homodimer. The rare mechanism shown in this book indicates a potential novel drug target in the interfaces of PPIs with no cavity or groove.

This volume, new to The Receptors series, focuses on several areas, including the birth, maturation, and structure of Chemokines; Neutrophil, Dendritic, and Lymphocyte trafficking; and Chemokine Receptors in diseases such as AIDs and lung cancer. In particular the book contains cutting-edge information ranging from basic molecular and cellular mechanisms to physiological and pathological roles of chemokines.

Heat Shock Proteins and Plants provides the most up-to-date and concise reviews and progress on the role of heat shock proteins in plant biology, structure and function and is subdivided into chapters focused on Small Plant HSPs (Part I), Larger Plant HSPs (Part II) and HSPs for Therapeutic Gain (Part III). This book is written by eminent leaders and experts from around the world and is an important reference book and a must-read for undergraduate, postgraduate students and researchers in the fields of Agriculture, Botany, Crop Research, Plant Genetics and Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Drug Development and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

This volume describes and discusses recent advances in angiogenesis research. The chapters are organized to address all biological length scales of angiogenesis: molecular, cellular and tissue in both in vivo and in vitro settings. Specific emphasis is given to novel methodologies and biomaterials that have been developed and applied to angiogenesis research. Angiogenesis experts from diverse fields including engineering, cell and developmental biology, chemistry and physics will be invited to contribute chapters which focus on the mechanical and chemical signals which affect and promote angiogenesis.

Regulated turnover of extracellular matrix (ECM) is an important component of tissue homeostasis. In recent years, the enzymes that participate in, and control ECM turnover have been the focus of research that touches on development, tissue remodeling, inflammation and disease. This volume in the Biology of Extracellular Matrix series provides a review of the known classes of proteases that degrade ECM both outside and inside the cell. The specific EMC proteases that are discussed include cathepsins, bacterial collagenases, matrix metalloproteinases, meprins, serine proteases, and elastases. The volume also discusses the domains responsible for specific biochemical characteristics of the proteases and the physical interactions that occur when the protease interacts with substrate. The topics covered in this volume provide an important context for understanding the role that matrix-degrading proteases play in normal tissue remodeling and in diseases such as cancer and lung disease. The series Biology of Extracellular Matrix is published in collaboration with the American Society for Matrix Biology.

Directed evolution comprises two distinct steps that are typically applied in an iterative fashion: (1) generating molecular diversity and (2) finding among the ensemble of mutant sequences those proteins that perform the desired fu- tion according to the specified criteria. In many ways, the second step is the most challenging. No matter how cleverly designed or diverse the starting library, without an effective screening strategy the ability to isolate useful clones is severely diminished. The best screens are (1) high throughput, to increase the likelihood that useful clones will be found; (2) sufficiently sen- tive (i. e. , good signal to noise) to allow the isolation of lower activity clones early in evolution; (3) sufficiently reproducible to allow one to find small improvements; (4) robust, which means that the signal afforded by active clones is not dependent on difficult-to-control environmental variables; and, most importantly, (5) sensitive to the desired function. Regarding this last point, almost anyone who has attempted a directed evolution experiment has learned firsthand the truth of the dictum "you get what you screen for. " The protocols in Directed Enzyme Evolution describe a series of detailed p- cedures of proven utility for directed evolution purposes. The volume begins with several selection strategies for enzyme evolution and continues with assay methods that can be used to screen enzyme libraries. Genetic selections offer the advantage that functional proteins can be isolated from very large libraries s- ply by growing a population of cells under selective conditions.

This fifth edition of the successful, long-selling classic has been completely revised and expanded, omitting some topics on obsolete DNA electrophoresis, but now with a completely new section on electrophoretic micro-methods and on-the-chip electrophoresis. The text is geared towards advanced students and professionals and contains extended background sections, protocols and a trouble-shooting section. It is now also backed by a supplementary website providing all the figures for teaching purposes, as well as a selection of animated figures tested in many workshops to explain the underlying principles of the different electrophoretic methods.

This book will provide latest insights in the functional potentials of ribonucleic acids in medine and the use of Spiegelmer and Spiegelzyme systems. It will also deal with a new type of delivery systems for cellular targeting.