The role of metal ions in protein folding and structure is a critical topic to a range of scientists in numerous fields, particularly those working in structural biology and bioinorganic chemistry, those studying protein folding and disease, and those involved in the molecular and cellular aspects of metals in biological systems. Protein Folding and Metal Ions: Mechanisms, Biology and Disease presents the contributions of a cadre of international experts who offer a comprehensive exploration of this timely subject at the forefront of current research. Divided into four sections, this volume: Provides case study examples of protein folding and stability studies in particular systems or proteins that comprise different metal ions of co-factors Reviews the proteins that shuttle metal ions in the cell to a particular target metalloprotein Illustrates how metal binding can be connected to pathological protein conformations in unrelated diseases, from cancer to protein deposition disorders such as Parkinson's disease Addresses protein redesign of metal-containing proteins by computational methods, folding simulation studies, and work on model peptides - dissecting the relative energetic contribution of metals sites to protein folding and stability Together, the 13 chapters in this text cogently describe the state of the science today, illuminate current challenges, propose future possibilities, and encourage further study in this area that offers much promise especially with regard to novel approaches to the treatment of some of the most challenging and tragic diseases.

Biotechnology is expected, by many observers, to have a significant impact on the world dairy industry over the next decade. In this timely volume, Lovell Jarvis analyzes the potential effect of two biotechnologies-multiple ovulation and embryo transfers (MOET) and recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST-on the dairy industry around the world. According to Jarvis's research, the effects of these two technologies will vary greatly between the developed and developing nations. He predicts that the technologies will be most profitable for the developed nations, where their use will increase milk production and strengthen their positions in dairy export markets. Developing country dairy sectors will probably lose from the use of these two biotechnologies, as their own international trade position will be weakened, though their own consumers should benefit. Jarvis concludes his study with a look at alternative approaches that might improve the competitive position of developing countries in the dairy sector.

First Published in 1985, this book offers comprehensive insight into the process of administering chemical ingredients. Carefully compiled and filled with a vast repertoire of notes, diagrams, and references this book serves as a useful reference for students of pharmacology and other practitioners in their respective fields.

Highly recommended by CHOICE, Oct 2018 Extremophiles are nature's ultimate survivors, thriving in environments ranging from the frozen Antarctic to abyssal hot hydrothermal vents. Their lifeforms span bacteria to fishes, and are categorized as halophiles from hypersaline environments, acidophiles from acidic waters, psychrophiles from cold habitats, and thermophiles from warm waters. Extremophiles: From Biology to Biotechnology comprehensively covers the basic biology, physiology, habitats, secondary metabolites for bioprospecting, and biotechnology of these extreme survivors. The chapters focus on the novel genetic and biochemical traits that lend these organisms to biotechnological applications. Couples studies of marine extremophile biology/genomics and extremophile culture for biotechnological applications with the latest advances in bio-prospecting and bio-product development Includes practical experiments that a laboratory can use to replicate extreme habitats for research purposes Presents latest advances in extremophile genomics to give the reader a better understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of extremophiles Offers insights into the production of commercially important extremozymes, carotenoids, bioactive compounds and secondary metabolites of medicinal value. This unique guide serves as a resource for biotechnologists who wish to explore extremophiles for their commercial potential, as well as a valuable reference for teaching undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate students.

Offers coverage of the development of protein purification processes for large-scale commercial operations, and addresses process development, scale-up, applications and mathematical descriptions. Technologies currently used at the commercial scale are covered in depth.

A comprehensive survey of the use of ultrasound in management of infertile patients is presented in this publication. Particular atten-tion is given to recently developed techniques such as assessment of endometrial changes, ovarian blood flow measurements, and per-cutaneous oocyte retrieval for in vitro fertilization. The very re-cent technique of transvaginal sonography is presented and richly illus-trated with original results obtained in biopsy-guided oocyte re-trieval, and in the precise delineation of follicle size and number for infertility treatment. Guidance in the interpretation of ultrasonic findings, which include potential limitations and pitfalls, is provided in each chapter. Researchers and practitioners interested in the management of infertile patients will find this volume indispensable.

Nanomedicine, a scientific branch of nanotechnology that operates on the same scale as biology, offers the possibility of influencing the healing process from inside of the body by manipulating the matter at cellular or molecular levels. Throughout this book, current healing approaches based on this revolutionary new technology are summarized from a scientific assessment. The aim of the authors is to give, through select examples, a deep insight to nanotechnology status and the great progress that its rigorous application will bring to human health. The authors' commitment is to broaden the vision of health professionals who will eventually be the future users of this knowledge.

First Published in 1981, this book offers a full insight into the development of cell cultures. Carefully compiled and filled with a vast repertoire of notes, diagrams, and references this book serves as a useful reference for students of microbiology and other practitioners in their respective fields.

Novel Drug Delivery Systems for Phytoconstituents discusses general principles of drug targeting, construction material and technological concerns of different phytoconstituent in delivery systems. It focuses on the development of novel herbal formulations and summarizes their method of preparation, type of active ingredients, route of administration, biological activity and their applications. It dicusses therapeutic activities of plant derived chemicals, their limitations in clinical applications and novel drug delivery solutions to overcome them to provide better therapeutic effects with controlled and targeted drug delivery. Focus on drug delivery of phytomolecules Act as bridge between natural product scientist and clinical doctors Discusses mechanism of poor bioavailability of herbal molecules Increases awareness towards phytochemical efficacy Summarizes efficient novel delivery systems-based formulations. It extensively covers the applications of novel drug delivery systems including polymeric nanoparticles, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid capsules, liposomes, phytosomes, microsphere, transferosomes, and ethosomes. Some chapters are especially focused on anticancer phytodrugs, silymarin, andrographolide, berberine, and curcumin delivery with special emphasis on their application.

The book on Trends in Quorum Sensing and Quorum Quenching: New Perspectives and Applications focuses on the recent advances in the field of quorum sensing in bacteria and the novel strategies developed for quorum sensing inhibition. The topics covered are multidisciplinary and wide-ranging,and includes quorum sensing phenomenon in pathogenic bacteria, food spoilers, and agriculturally relevant bacteria. The applications of quorum sensing inhibitors such as small molecules, bioactives, natural compounds, and quorum quenching enzymes in controlling bacterial infections in clinical settings, agriculture and aquaculture are discussed. The potential use of quorum quenching enzymes for mitigating biofouling is also covered. Special focus is given to exploring quorum sensing inhibitors from microbes and flora inhabiting biodiversity rich regions including tropical rain forests and marine environments. Key features: Covers the fundamental aspects, the progress and challenges in the field of quorum sensing and quorum quenching Reviews quorum sensing in Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria of clinical, agricultural, and industrial relevance Discusses the application and future trends of quorum sensing inhibitors from lab to clinical and environmental settings Provides comprehensive coverage on molecular mechanisms in bacterial signaling

First published in 2004. Religious Perspectives in Bioethics surveys recent bioethics discussion in thirteen religious traditions. Christian contributions include chapters on Roman Catholicism, Orthodox Christianity, the Episcopal, German Protestant, and Baptist traditions, Reformed Christianity, and the Latter Day Saints. The volume also includes chapters on Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Daoism.

Most medical treatments have been designed for the "average patient." As a result of this "one-size-fits-all-approach," treatments can be very successful for some patients but not for others. This is changing with the emergence of precision medicine, an innovative approach to disease prevention and treatment that takes into account individual differences in people's genes, environments, and lifestyles. Precision medicine gives clinicians tools to better understand the complex mechanisms underlying a patient's health, disease, or condition, and to better predict which treatments will be most effective. Precision or personalized medicine in cancer treatment was once a buzzword, but it is finally becoming a reality with recent advances in imaging, genetic, and biological sciences. The importance of interpatient and intratumor variability has long been recognized, but realistic opportunities to take these into account in cancer care have emerged only recently. Innovations in patient characterization through genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics have opened new avenues to personalize cancer treatment in ways that were not possible before. Furthermore, advances in quantitative assessment of therapeutic response, as provided by functional and molecular imaging, have been critical in the implementation of precision medicine paradigm in radiation oncology. This book will be a comprehensive review of science and technology making precision medicine possible for radiation oncology, current examples and future direction.

Experimental protein engineering and computational protein design are broad but complementary strategies for developing proteins with altered or novel structural properties and biological functions. By describing cutting-edge advances in both of these fields, Protein Engineering and Design aims to cultivate a synergistic approach to protein science. Experimental Protein Engineering The first half of the book discusses experimental approaches to protein engineering and starts by describing several high-throughput screening platforms for protein engineering. Key techniques used for diversity generation are also discussed. The next few chapters present examples of therapeutics, enzymes, biomaterials, and other proteins that have been engineered by rational or combinatorial approaches. The section finishes with a chapter on the use of non-natural amino acids in protein engineering. Computational Protein Design The second half of the book introduces computational protein design, beginning with a chapter on computational and informatics algorithms used in protein engineering. Core components of computational protein design are then discussed in detail, and examples of heuristic protein design are provided. Subsequent chapters present examples of how computational design has played a critical role in advancing the field of protein engineering. Concluding with a chapter outlining current challenges in the field, this book makes computational protein design and diversity-oriented protein engineering widely accessible to a broad audience in academia and industry alike.

First published in 1996, liposomes have become an important model in fundamental biomembrane research, including biophysical, biochemical, and cell biological studies of membranes and cell function. They are thoroughly studied in several applications, such as drug delivery systems in medical applications and as controlled release systems, microencapsulating media, signal carriers, support matrices, and solubilizers in other applications. While medical applications have been extensively reviewed in recent literature, there is a need for easily accessible information on applications for liposomes beyond pharmacology and medicine. The Handbook of Nonmedical Applications of Liposomes fills this void.This unique new handbook series presents recent developments in the use of liposomes in many scientific disciplines, from studies on the origin of life, protein function, and vesicle shapes, to applications in cosmetics, diagnostics, ecology, bioreclamation, and the food industry. In these volumes many of the top experts contribute extensive reviews of their work.

Healing Plants of Nigeria: Ethnomedicine and Therapeutic Applications offers comprehensive information on the use of herbal medicines in West Africa. Combining an evidence-based, ethnobotanical perspective with a pharmacological and pharmaceutical approach to phytomedicine, the book bridges the gap between the study of herbal plants' pharmacological properties and active compounds for the development of clinical drugs and community-oriented approaches, emphasising local use. It demonstrates how the framework of African traditional medicine can be preserved in a contemporary clinical context. The book outlines the history and beliefs surrounding the traditional use of herbs by the local population alongside their application in contemporary phytotherapy in Nigeria and West Africa. It features a critical assessment of the scientific rationale behind the use of these plants in ethnomedicine and offers a composite catalogue of phytotherapeutic and wellness agents, detailing the safety profile, efficacy, and scientific integrity of plants used to treat diseases and optimise health. Features: An ethnobotanical survey containing over 200 full-colour photographs of Nigerian and West African plants. A unique combination of ethnobotany and pharmacognosy, bridging the divide between pharmaceutical and community-oriented approaches to herbal medicine research. Contextual discussion of the therapeutic potential of Nigerian herbal medicine. Offers a template which can be used to separate the superstitious aspects of ethnomedicine from culturally inherited deposits of knowledge. A handbook for herbal and natural medicine practitioners, the book is aimed at African thinkers, scientists, healthcare providers and students of pharmacology and ethnomedicine.

Bioreactors: Animal Cell Culture Control for Bioprocess Engineering presents the design, fabrication, and control of a new type of bioreactor meant especially for animal cell line culture. The new bioreactor, called the "see-saw bioreactor," is ideal for the growth of cells with a sensitive membrane. The see-saw bioreactor derives its name from its principle of operation in which liquid columns in either limb of the reactor alternately go up and down. The working volume of the reactor is small, to within 15 L. However, it can easily be scaled up for large production in volume of cell mass in the drug and pharmaceutical industries. The authors describe the principle of operation of the see-saw bioreactor and how to automatically control the bioprocess. They discuss different control strategies as well as the thorough experimental research they conducted on this prototype bioreactor in which they applied a time delay control for yield maximization. To give you a complete understanding of the design and development of the see-saw bioreactor, the authors cover the mathematical model they use to describe the kinetics of fermentation, the genetic algorithms used for deriving the optimal time trajectories of the bioprocess variables, and the corresponding control inputs for maximizing the product yield. One chapter is devoted to the application of time delay control. Following a description of the bioreactor's working setup in the laboratory, the authors sum up their investigation and define the future scope of work in terms of design, control, and software sensors.

This book addresses the continuing controversy over the potential impact of genetically modified (GM) crops in developing countries. Supporters of the technology claim it offers one of the best hopes for increasing agricultural production and reducing rural poverty, while opponents see it as an untested intervention that will bring corporate control of peasant farming. The book examines the issues by reviewing the experience of GM, insect-resistant cotton, the most widely grown GM crop in developing countries.

The book begins with an introduction to agricultural biotechnology, a brief examination of the history of cotton production technology (and the institutions required to support that technology), and a thorough review of the literature on the agronomic performance of GM cotton. It then provides a review of the economic and institutional outcomes of GM cotton during the first decade of its use. The core of the book is four country case studies based on original fieldwork in the principal developing countries growing GM cotton (China, India, South Africa and Colombia). The book concludes with a summary of the experience to date and implications for the future of GM crops in developing countries.

This review challenges those who have predicted technological failure by describing instances in which GM cotton has proven useful and has been enthusiastically taken up by smallholders. But it also challenges those who claim that biotechnology can take the lead in agricultural development by examining the precarious institutional basis on which these hopes rest in most countries. The analysis shows how biotechnology's potential contribution to agricultural development must be seen as a part of (and often secondary to) more fundamental policy change. The book should be of interest to a wide audience concerned with agricultural development. This would include academics in the social and agricultural sciences, donor agencies and NGOs.

This book details several important medicinal plants, their occurrence, plant compounds and their chemical structures, and pharmacological properties against various human diseases. It also gives information on isolation and structural elucidation of phytocompounds, bio-assays, metabolomic studies, and therapeutical applications of plant compounds.

Sensors and Probes for Bioimaging A fulsome exploration of the history, design, and application of bioimaging probes and sensors In Sensors and Probes for Bioimaging, distinguished researcher Professor Young-Tae Chang and Professor Nam-Young Kang deliver a comprehensive discussion of bioimaging achieved with sensors and probes. In the book, readers will find a complete discussion of the history of colorful sensors and probes, probe design and the mechanisms of staining, as well as cell and tissue application and whole-body imaging. You’ll learn how probes can be used, how to choose and use a variety of probes, and new directions in research and application in the area of sensors and probes for bioimaging. Readers will also find: A thorough introduction to bioimaging, as well as discussions of chemical sensors and probes used in bioimaging Comprehensive explorations of organelle and cell selective probes, as well as discussions of a model for organelle selectivity Practical discussions of tissue selective probes and whole-body imaging Fulsome treatments of imaging for biological function and for the diagnosis of disease, including cancer and Alzheimer’s imaging Perfect for chemical biologists, analytical chemists, biochemists, and materials scientists, Sensors and Probes for Bioimaging will also earn a place in the libraries of clinical chemists and advanced undergraduate students, graduate students, and professionals working in the bioimaging and sensor industry.

One of the first studies of an exciting new development in global biotechnology, this cutting edge text examines the extent of the transnational movements of tissues, stem cells, and expertise, in the developing governance framework of India.

Documenting the impact of local and global governance frames on the everyday conduct of research, this groundbreaking book traces the journey of 'spare' human embryos in IVF clinics to public and private laboratories engaged in isolating stem cells for potential therapeutic application. The discussion also examines the gender dimension as a potential site for exploitation in the sourcing of embryonic and other biogenic materials, and suggests that a moral economy has developed in which the ethical values of the global North support and encourage the donation of abundant and ethically 'neutral' embryos by the South.

This unique exploration is grounded in an empirical, multi-sited ethnographic study that takes a thoroughly comparative analysis of the ethical, religious and social issues in Europe, the United States, and organ donations already prevalent in India. In this theoretically-sensitive analysis, the authors use the resources of social anthropology and the social sciences in an innovative text which will appeal to postgraduates and professionals in the areas of STS studies, genetics, bioethics, and anthropology.

As research into nanotechnology proves to be ever more fruitful, it is important for the modern biomedical engineer to have a deeply rooted understanding of bionanotechnologies. Featuring chapters drawn from the third edition of the best-selling Handbook of Biomedical Engineering as well as new contributions not found in the Handbook, Bionanotechnology takes a broad survey of the current research and activities that are shaping this burgeoning field. Covering both technical and non-technical areas, the book discusses the role of nanotechnology in novel medical devices, bioanalytical technologies, and nano-biomaterials as well as intellectual property issues that are unique to nanotechnologies.

Today, the agriculture industry is confronted with simultaneous issues of how to fully embrace mass production of safer food in terms of both quality and quantity. Most industries are concerned with avoiding significant levels of soil pollution and environmental threats as a result of the excessive and harmful use of synthetic products on crops. Therefore, there is a need to adopt sustainable technological innovations that can ensure the sustainability of agricultural production systems. Microbial Biostimulants for Sustainable Agriculture and Environmental Bioremediation discusses the benefits, challenges, and practical applications of eco-friendly biotechnological techniques using biostimulants derived from beneficial microorganisms. The chapters cover the use of these organisms to increase crop production, enhance soil fertility and maintain soil health, create crop and plant tolerance to different abiotic stressors, release required nutrients to the soil, increase resistance to plant pathogens/pests, improve nutrient use efficiency of crops, and rejuvenate polluted environments. FEATURES Explores the physiological, morpho-anatomical, and biochemical molecular plant rejoinders involved in stimulating crop productivity Provides information on the physiological, cellular, and molecular modes of action underlying microbial biostimulant interfaces Summarizes methods and approaches for executing microbial stimulant technology Outlines numerous environmental management and remediation strategies This book is an ideal resource for researchers, engineers, and academics working in soil science, crop science, water remediation, microbiology, and biotechnology.

The production of chemicals from microalgae is becoming a significant area of biological research. Chemicals from Microalgae seeks to cover the various aspects that relate to the use of microalgae as a source of chemicals. The chapters discuss the occurrence and physiological role of these chemicals and concentrates on the methods aimed at enhancing their content, as well as large-scale algal biomass production and down-stream processing. This work, written by one of the true pioneers in the field describes the major algal chemicals of interest, namely pigments and lipids.

There is a new trend in anti-cancer therapeutics development: a targeted therapy and precision medicine that targets a subgroup of patients with specific biomarkers. An in vitro diagnostic (IVD) assay is required to identify a subgroup of cancer patients who would benefit from the targeted therapy, or not likely benefit, or have a high risk of side effects from the specific drug treatment. This IVD or medical device is called a companion diagnostic (CDx) assay. It is key to have a robust CDx assay or device for the success of targeted therapy and precision medicine. This book covers the technical, historical, clinical, and regulatory aspects of CDx in precision medicine. Clearly, more and more newly developed oncology drugs will require accompanying CDx assays, and this book, with chapters contributed by renowned oncologists, provides a comprehensive foundation for the knowledge and application of CDx for precision medicine.

Applied Molecular Biotechnology: The Next Generation of Genetic Engineering explains state-of-the-art advances in the rapidly developing area of molecular biotechnology, the technology of the new millennium. Comprised of chapters authored by leading experts in their respective fields, this authoritative reference text: Highlights the latest omics-based tools and approaches used in modern biotechnology Explains how various molecular biology technologies can be used to develop transgenic plants and how those plants can meet growing food and plant-derived product demands Discusses chloroplast gene expression systems, mitochondrial omics, plant functional genomics, and whole-genome resequencing for crop improvement Explores plant-microbe and plant-insect interactions affecting plant protection and productivity Covers animal models, pharmacogenomics, human tissue banking, and the molecular diagnosis of diseases such as cervical cancer, obesity, and diabetes Examines the molecular aspects of viral diseases, production of industrial commodities using viral biotechnology, and biotechnological uses of magnetic nanoparticles Describes the use of biotechnology in the food, chemical, pharmaceutical, environmental conservation, and renewable energy sectors Applied Molecular Biotechnology: The Next Generation of Genetic Engineering serves as a springboard for new discoveries in molecular biology and its applications. Thus, this book is an invaluable resource for students and researchers of molecular biotechnology.