This volume of "Advances in Cell Aging and Gerontology" provides a timely review on the molecular and cellular basis of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Age itself is the leading risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, which include loss of vasomotor function, athero- and arterio-sclerosis, hypertension, congestive heart failure and stroke. Together these pathologies comprise the leading causes of permanent disability, hospitalization and death for individuals over the age of 65. Thus, there is a critical need to assess both the age-associated causes leading to CVD as well as the current state of knowledge on preventive regimens designed to slow or modulate disease progression.

This book concisely summarizes the current knowledge related to the major aspects contributing to cardiovascular disfunction in the elderly as well as potential ways of maintaining or improving human cardiovascular healthspan.

This volume of Methods in Enzymology is thesecond of 3 parts looking at current methodology for the imaging and spectroscopic analysis of live cells. The chapters provide hints and tricks not available in primary research publications. It is an invaluable resource for academics, researchers and students alike.
Expert authors who are leaders in the fieldExtensively referenced and useful figures and tablesProvides hints and tricks to facilitate reproduction of methods"

This volume presents detailed, recently-developed protocols ranging from isolation of nuclei to purification of chromatin regions containing single genes, with a particular focus on some less well-explored aspects of the nucleus. The methods described include new strategies for isolation of nuclei, for purification of cell type-specific nuclei from a mixture, and for rapid isolation and fractionation of nucleoli. For gene delivery into and expression in nuclei, a novel gentle approach using gold nanowires is presented. As the concentration and localization of water and ions are crucial for macromolecular interactions in the nucleus, a new approach to measure these parameters by correlative optical and cryo-electron microscopy is described. The Nucleus, Second Edition presents methods and software for high-throughput quantitative analysis of 3D fluorescence microscopy images, for quantification of the formation of amyloid fibrils in the nucleus, and for quantitative analysis of chromosome territory localization. Written in the 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 protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and easily accessible, The Nucleus, Second Edition seeks to serve both professionals and novices with its well-honed methods for the study of the nucleus.

Since the identification of the first matrix metalloprotease (insterstitial collagenase or MMP-1) more than 20 closely related and evolutionarily conserved vertebrate MMPs have been discovered. Chapters in this volume detail methods and protocols on recent advances in the expression and purification of MMPs, biophysical methods such as X-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy and small angle X-ray scattering, computational and experimental methods for determining MMP specificity, methods for detecting MMP activity in vitro and in vivo, and methods for the development and characterization of MMP-based inhibitors as potential therapeutics for the treatment of various diseases. 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 practical, Matrix Metalloproteases: Methods and Protocols aims to ensure successful results in the further study of this vital field.

"Advances in Immunology, " a long-established and highly respected publication, presents current developments as well as comprehensive reviews in immunology. Articles address the wide range of topics that comprise immunology, including molecular and cellular activation mechanisms, phylogeny and molecular evolution, and clinical modalities. Edited and authored by the foremost scientists in the field, each volume provides up-to-date information and directions for the future.

Key features:

* Contributions from leading authorities * Informs and updates on all the latest developments in the field

This volume of Methods in Enzymology looks at Protein Engineering for Therapeutics. The chapters providean invaluable resource for academics, researchers and students alike. With an international board of authors, this volume is split into sections that cover subjects such asPeptides, and Scaffolds
Chapters providean invaluable resource for academics, researchers and students alike Iinternational board of authorsThis volume is split into sections that cover subjects such aspeptides, and scaffolds"

This volume of "Progress in Molecular Biology and Translational Science" covers the recent advances in the expanding fields of nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics. Forty authors from eight countries have contributed to the publication, representing the most cutting-edge research available.

Key features:

* Contributions from leading authorities * Informs and updates on all the latest developments in the field

"Biotransformation of Pesticides" is an updated, "one-stop" resource for academic, industry and regulatory scientists involved in research and regulatory activities related to pesticide biotransformation and human health. This book provides anin depth look at how pesticides are biotransformed, which is essential to understanding exposure, dose, toxicity and health risks. This essential reference contains the biotransformation of pesticides from uptake to excretion, including toxicokinetics and emphasizes metabolism in non-target species, including experimental animals and humans.
Includes four new chapters and expanded material on pesticide biotransformation and disposition, an active area of pesticide toxicology that is becoming increasingly important for human health risk assessment

Offers a practical and portable guide covering the most up-to-date research results on metabolic transformations of pesticides

Provides scientists and regulatory researchers with the information they need to conduct accurate risk assessments and make informed decisions on which exposures to study further in human populations "

"Advances in Immunology, " a long-established and highly respected publication, presents current developments as well as comprehensive reviews in immunology. Articles address the wide range of topics that comprise immunology, including molecular and cellular activation mechanisms, phylogeny and molecular evolution, and clinical modalities. Edited and authored by the foremost scientists in the field, each volume provides up-to-date information and directions for the future.

This volume focuses on synthetic vaccines.

Key features:

* Contributions from leading authorities * Informs and updates on all the latest developments in the field

Cell-free protein expression promises to narrow the technological gap between DNA and protein technologies and provide a platform for broad application of synthetic biology principles in the Life Sciences. It is a rapid and high throughput methodology for the conversion of DNA encoded genetic information into protein-mediated biochemical activities. Cell-Free Protein Synthesis: Methods and Protocols brings together the key opinion leaders of cell-free technology development and provides case studies and detailed protocols for the application of cell-free methodology. Chapters cover the main directions in the development of cell-free technologies including several recently developed cell-free systems, as well as a number of applications of cell-free systems ranging from discovery of biofuel enzymes to in vitro assembly of viruses. Written in the 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 protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and easily accessible, Cell-Free Protein Synthesis: Methods and Protocols seeks to serve a wide variety of scientists with its well-honed methodologies.

In this second edition methods are described to measure the synthesis of lipids such as the phosphoinositides, ceramides and sphingomyelin, as well as techniques to molecularly characterize the various kinases and phosphatases that regulate the intracellular metabolism of these lipids. Lipid Signaling Protocols, Second Edition guides readers through detailed experimental protocols, which are complimented by review chapters that highlight the technical considerations, challenges and potential pitfalls associated with using these laboratory-based approaches. 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. Authoritative and practical, Lipid Signaling Protocols, Second Edition aims to ensure successful results in the further study of this vital field.

In this volume, a detailed description of cutting-edge computational methods applied to protein modeling as well as specific applications are presented. Chapters include: the application of Car-Parrinello techniques to enzyme mechanisms, the outline and application of QM/MM methods, polarizable force fields, recent methods of ligand docking, molecular dynamics related to NMR spectroscopy, computer optimization of absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion extended by toxicity for drugs, enzyme design and bioinformatics applied to protein structure prediction. A keen emphasis is laid on the clear presentation of complex concepts, since the book is primarily aimed at Ph.D. students, who need an insight in up-to-date protein modeling. The inclusion of descriptive, color figures will allow the reader to get a pictorial representation of complicated structural issues.

A great deal of effort is being invested in understanding the molecular mechanisms through which plants interact with pathogenic microbes. In Plant Immunity: Methods and Protocols, expert researchers in the field describe emerging technologies that can be applied to the most significant outstanding questions faced by scientists studying immunity in plants. The technologies in this detailed volume include methods for examining protein localization, protein complex purification, protein-protein interactions, transient and inducible gene expression, chromatin immunoprecipitation, microaspiration, laser microdissection, purification of fungal haustoria, and genetic manipulation of bacterial and oomycete pathogens. These techniques are applicable to a wide range of topics, including molecular functionality of NB-LRR proteins and other immune signaling components, and functional characterization of effector proteins and other pathogen components that sabotage host immunity. 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.

In his thesis, Xiaoyu Sun conducts the first total synthesis of all possible stereoisomers of plakortide E and also confirms the absolute configuration of natural plakortide E. Xiaoyu Sun subsequently converts Plakortide E methyl ester to plakortone B in a biomimetic conversion. Construction and functionalization of cyclic peroxides are notoriously difficult due to the very low O-O bond dissociation energy. Plaktoride E is isolated from the Jamaican marine sponge platorits halichondrioides and contains a five-membered peroxide ring, with oxygen atoms linked to tertiary C4 and C6 centers. The methodology used for synthesizing highly substituted cyclic peroxides is novel and useful, and not only extends the field of Pd-catalyzed reactions, but also provides a convenient synthetic approach for the preparation of the 1,2-dioxolanes series. Plakortide E and plakortone B are bioactive, which means that the synthetic studies on them and their analogs are pivotal in drug discovery.

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

Serpins are a group of proteins with similar structures that were first identified as a set of proteins able to inhibit proteases. This volume in the "Methods in Enzymology" series comprehensively covers this topic. With an international board of authors, this volume covers subjects such asCrystallography of serpins and serpin complexes, Serpins as hormone transporters, and Production of serpins using cell free systems.

This volume in the "Methods in Enzymology" series comprehensively covers the topic of serpins

With an international board of authors, this volume covers subjects such asCrystallography of serpins and serpin complexes, Serpins as hormone transporters, and Production of serpins using cell free systems"

This volume of Methods in Enzymology looks at Protein Engineering for Therapeutics. The chapters providean invaluable resource for academics, researchers and students alike. With an international board of authors, this volume is split into sections that cover subjects such as Antibodies, Protein conjugates, Peptides, Enzymes and Scaffolds
Chapters providean invaluable resource for academics, researchers and students alike. Iinternational board of authors. This volume is split into sections that cover subjects such as Antibodies, Protein conjugates, Peptides, Enzymes and Scaffolds"

This book encapsulates over three decades of the author's work on comparative functional respiratory morphology. It provides insights into the mechanism(s) by which respiratory means and processes originated and advanced to their modern states. Pertinent cross-disciplinary details and facts have been integrated and reexamined in order to arrive at more robust answers to questions regarding the basis of the functional designs of gas exchangers. The utilization of oxygen for energy production is an ancient process, the development and progression of which were underpinned by dynamic events in the biological, physical, and chemical worlds. Many books that have broached the subject of comparative functional respiratory biology have only described the form and function of the end-product, ' the gas exchanger; they have scarcely delved into the factors and the conditions that motivated and steered the development from primeval to modern respiratory means and processes. This book addresses and answers broad questions concerning the critical synthesis of multidisciplinary data, and clarifies previously cryptic aspects of comparative respiratory biology.

The proteome consists of a complex mixture of proteins each of which need to be folded correctly in order to function for the health of the organism, and many of these proteins require molecular chaperones to reach the correct conformation and, in some cases, to remain in a folded form. In "Molecular Chaperones: Methods and Protocols," expert researchers address a wide variety of approaches to the study these mechanisms, featuring the workings of heat shock proteins and heat shock transcription factors, "in vitro" and "in vivo." Written in the highly successful "Methods in Molecular Biology " series format, chapters features 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, "Molecular Chaperones: Methods and Protocols" serves as an ideal guide for all scientists who wish to pursue this vital biological action and its impact on human health and disease."

Lipids are a broad group of naturally occurring molecules which includes fats, waxes, sterols, fat-soluble vitamins (such as vitamins A, D, E and K), monoglycerides, diglycerides, phospholipids, and others. The main biological functions of lipids include energy storage, as structural components of cell membranes, and as important signaling molecules. This volume of Methods in Cell Biology covers such areas as Membrane structure and dynamics, Imaging, and Lipid Protein Interactions. It will be an essential tool for researchers and students alike.
Covers such areas as membrane structure and dynamics, imaging, and lipid protein interactionsAn essential tool for researchers and students alikeInternational authorsRenowned editors