This book provides an overview of the advances on nanostructured celullose from different obtaining forms: natural plants and bacterial microorganisms. It gives the reader an introduction of cellulose focusing in nanosize particles, its potential applications and future perspectives. The potential use of cellulose in the biomedical field is highlighted.

This volume explores specific approaches that have shown to result in crop yield increases. Research on the physiological understanding of these methods has led to the development of practical applications of plant breeding approaches to genetically improve crops to achieve higher yields. Authoritative entries from crop scientists shed new light on two water-conservation traits: one that is based on an initiation of the decrease in transpiration earlier in the soil drying cycle, and the second that is based on a sensitivity of transpiration rate under high atmospheric vapor pressure deficit that results in partial stomatal closure. Both these approaches involve partial stomatal closure under well-defined situations to decrease the rate of soil water loss. Readers will be able to analyze the circumstances under which a benefit is achieved as a result of the water-limitation trait; and key discussion points in the case studies presented will help answer questions such as what species, which environments, how often will yield be benefited for various crop species? Contributions also review the genetic variation for these two traits within each crop species and the physiological basis for the expression of these traits.

Ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) is a rare and severe genetic disorder affecting children. A-T is a multisystem disease characterized by progressive neurodegeneration, immunodeficiency and cancer predisposition. This detailed volume explores the ever expanding field of research into the ATM (ataxia-telangiectasia, mutated) gene and the role played by ATM kinase in DNA damage signaling and diverse cellular processes. What follows is a handy desktop reference for both seasoned A-T researchers and postgraduate students, as it demonstrates the breadth of recent developments in A-T studies. Written for the highly successful 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. Both classic and cutting-edge techniques are described, including ATM gene mutation detection, assays for radiosensitivity and radioresistant DNA synthesis, new methods to measure ATM kinase activity by imaging microscopy and high content screening as well as proteomics, phosphoproteomics and bioinformatics approaches to decipher ATM-dependent signalling pathways. Additional methods include generation of patient-specific stem cells and approaches to study ATM functions in the nervous system. Comprehensive and practical, ATM Kinase: Methods and Protocols aims to ignite and attract the interest of colleagues from diverse fields to A-T research in an effort to bring their expertise and fresh ideas to resolve many A-T puzzles still waiting to be pieced together and to alleviate the suffering of A-T children and their families.

This book discusses the role of oxidative stress in the reproductive system. The book reviews endogenous sources, methods of determining its levels in body fluid/tissues, the physiological roles of ROS, as well as its negative effects on the human reproductive processes. Also discussed are multiple extrinsic factors that could induce oxidative stress in the reproductive system. This volume covers various clinical pathologies related to the reproductive system that arise from or produce oxidative stress, both in the male and female. The use of antioxidants as a therapeutic measure to keep ROS levels in check are highlighted, describing the outcome of various clinical studies involving antioxidant supplementation in infertile patients. Infertility is a global disease that affects 15-25% of all couples, and oxidative stress arising from a multitude of sources has been implicated as one of the major contributing factors to the decline in human fertility. As such, this book provides an up-to-date review on the significance of ROS in human reproduction.

The significant biological subject, the permeability barrier, is incredibly diverse and vital for a vast assortment of crucial functions in the body. In Permeability Barrier: Methods and Protocols, a variety of experienced researchers contribute techniques to study this complex system in its many forms. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series format, chapters include brief introductions to their respective topics, detailed 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, Permeability Barrier: Methods and Protocols serves as an ideal guide for all scientists seeking to further our understanding of this vital area of research.

The second edition of Biological Aging: Methods and Protocols expands upon the previous edition with current, detailed, useful and promising methods currently available to study aging. With new chapters on protocols that detail aging cell culture as well as many more contemporary approaches such as nuclear transfer, microarray and proteomics technologies. 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 key tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Biological Aging: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition details the most recent breakthroughs in technology that have served to advance the study of aging.

This volume is a continuation of Volume 1 following the previously published Editorial. More emphasis is given to novel nanocarrier designs, their characterization and function, and applications for drug discovery and treatment. A number of chapters will deal with nanofibers as a new major application within the biomedical field with a very high success rate particularly in wound healing and diabetic foot and spine injuries. A major new subdivision will deal with mathematical methods for the assembly of nanocarriers both for simulation and function.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells have seen an unprecedented level of interest in the last decade, primarily due to their relative ease of isolation, the large numbers of cells present in the adult, and the ability to propagate these cells in culture. In Mesenchymal Stem Cell Assays and Applications, expert researchers from across the globe explore the latest techniques to propagate, characterize, and engineer this special cell type. Chapters outline a set of protocols and assays used by leading investigators in the field, providing standards that can be applied by all researchers to the population of cells used in their experiments. Composed in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series format, each chapter contains a brief introduction, step-by-step methods, a list of necessary materials, and a Notes section which shares tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Ground-breaking and current, Mesenchymal Stem Cell Assays and Applications is a necessary handbook for all researchers working with this ambiguous population of cells.

Today, as hundreds of genomes have been sequenced and thousands of proteins and more than ten thousand metabolites have been identi?ed, navigating safely through this wealth of information without getting completely lost has become crucial for research in, and teaching of, molecular biology. Consequently, a considerable number of tools have been developed and put on the market in the last two decades that describe the multitude of potential/putative interactions between genes, proteins, metabolites, and other biologically relevant compounds in terms of metabolic, genetic, signaling, and other networks, their aim being to support all sorts of explorations through bio-data bases currently called Systems Biology. As a result, navigating safely through this wealth of information-processing tools has become equally crucial for successful work in molecular biology. To help perform such navigation tasks successfully, this book starts by providing an extremely useful overview of existing tools for ?nding (or designing) and inv- tigating metabolic, genetic, signaling, and other network databases, addressing also user-relevant practical questions like • Is the database viewable through a web browser? • Is there a licensing fee? • What is the data type (metabolic, gene regulatory, signaling, etc. )? • Is the database developed/maintained by a curator or a computer? • Is there any software for editing pathways? • Is it possible to simulate the pathway? It then goes on to introduce a speci?c such tool, that is, the fabulous “Cell - lustrator 3. 0� tool developed by the authors.

Cell migration is a key component of many biological processes including embryonic development, immune responses, wound healing, organ regeneration, and cancer cell metastasis, thus making it an exciting and crucial field of study. The aim of Cell Migration: Developmental Methods and Protocols, Second Edition is to bring together a wide range of these techniques from the more basic migration assays, which are still the foundation of many cell migration studies, to state-of-the-art techniques and recent technical advances. Divided into three convenient parts, the volume begins with a number of basic in vitro migration assays including measurements of wound healing, cell scattering, invasion, and chemotaxis, as well as more complex measurements of transendothelial migration, the use of microfluidic chambers, and imaging cell migration in 3D. It continues with procedures for the imaging and measurement of cell migration in vivo including protocols for the use of chick, drosophila, and zebrafish embryos, and methods to measure metastatic spread and angiogenesis in mice, then concludes with a vital section on emerging techniques in the cell migration field including the use of TIRF, FRAP, and FRET microscopy. 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 notes from the experts on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Comprehensive and up-to-date, Cell Migration: Developmental Methods and Protocols, Second Edition provides a comprehensive catalogue of techniques for the study of cell migration that can be used as a useful reference source for any researcher who wishes to explore this significant area of cell biology.

This volume presents comprehensive laboratory protocols that have been used to generate Th9 cells, both in vitro and in vivo. The techniques described in Th9 Cells: Methods and Protocols study the role of Th9 cells in different inflammatory disease models, including allergic inflammation model, parasite model, tumor model, and EAE and IBD model. 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. Thorough and comprehensive, Th9 Cells: Methods and Protocols is a valuable resource for scientists in this field and will provide them with techniques to generate Th9 cells for specific downstream events.

Planar cell polarity (PCP), or the alignment of a collection of cells within a cell sheet, has proven, over time, to be vital in not only normal development but also in disease states. In Planar Cell Polarity: Methods and Protocols, expert researchers in the field present a number of detailed and well-designed protocols used successfully in their labs around the world. As a volume in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series, the chapters contain 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. Timely and authoritative, Planar Cell Polarity: Methods and Protocols serves as a valuable reference for both novices and experts in this dynamic and versatile area of study.

The writing of this book is based on: 1. earlier experience writing textbooks for biology students with a university-level background in biology and biochemistry with many (>200) ?gures in these books (in Hungarian), 2. and on the necessity to present university lectures as power point presentations to catch the interest of s- dents. The author realizes that young readers who were grown up in an information society are relactant to read too much unless they have to take exams. Even then they prefer books which contain illustrations for a better understanding. In collaboration with colleagues, referees and members of the publishing staff an extensive set of photographs and illustrations were collected to provide a graphic follow-up to the text. Further aids for the student, instructor and the curious reader are provided by summaries, extensive sets of readings and references for each chapter, a glossary of the terms, list of abbreviations and a DVD with a red-blue eyeglass to visualize three dimensional chromatin structures. The reader could ask: Why another book on apoptosis? The answer to the question is related to the de?nition of the process. The term apoptosis has been introduced to describe typical morphological changes leading to controlled se- destruction of cells. The ?rst demonstrated biochemical feature of this type of cell death was internucleosomal fragmentation, which was occasionally preceded by the generation of large DNA fragments.

With the ultimate goal of systematically and robustly defining the specific perturbations necessary to alter a cellular phenotype, systems metabolic engineering has the potential to lead to a complete cell model capable of simulating cell and metabolic function as well as predicting phenotypic response to changes in media, gene knockouts/overexpressions, or the incorporation of heterologous pathways. In Systems Metabolic Engineering: Methods and Protocols, experts in the field describe the methodologies and approaches in the area of systems metabolic engineering and provide a step-by-step guide for their implementation. Four major tenants of this approach are addressed, including modeling and simulation, multiplexed genome engineering, 'omics technologies, and large data-set incorporation and synthesis, all elucidated through the use of model host organisms. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series format, chapters include introductions on 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. Comprehensive and cutting-edge, Systems Metabolic Engineering: Methods and Protocols serves as an ideal guide for metabolic engineers, molecular biologists, and microbiologists aiming to implement the most recent approaches available in the field.

This book discusses cancers and the resurgence of public interest in plant-based and herbal drugs. It also describes ways of obtaining anti-cancer drugs from plants and improving their production using biotechnological techniques. It presents methods such as cell culture, shoot and root culture, hairy root culture, purification of plant raw materials, genetic engineering, optimization of culture conditions as well as metabolic engineering with examples of successes like taxol, shikonin, ingenol mebutate and podophylotoxin. In addition, it describes the applications and limitations of large-scale production of anti-cancer compounds using biotechnological means. Lastly, it discusses future economical and eco-friendly strategies for obtaining anti-cancer compounds using biotechnology.

Microtubules are at the heart of cellular self-organization, and their dynamic nature allows them to explore the intracellular space and mediate the transport of cargoes from the nucleus to the outer edges of the cell and back. In Microtubule Dynamics: Methods and Protocols, experts in the field provide an up-to-date collection of methods and approaches that are used to investigate microtubule dynamics in vitro and in cells. Beginning with the question of how to analyze microtubule dynamics, the volume continues with detailed descriptions of how to isolate tubulin from different sources and with different posttranslational modifications, methods used to study microtubule dynamics and microtubule interactions in vitro, techniques to investigate the ultrastructure of microtubules and associated proteins, assays to study microtubule nucleation, turnover, and force production in cells, as well as approaches to isolate novel microtubule-associated proteins and their interacting proteins. 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 tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Definitive and practical, Microtubule Dynamics: Methods and Protocols provides the key protocols needed by novices and experts on how to perform a broad range of well-established and newly-emerging techniques in this vital field.

This volume provides laboratory protocols essential for studies on lysosomal biology. Chapters aim to guide researchers in their exploration of lysosomes, both under normal conditions and in pathological processes. 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, Lysosome: Methods and Protocols aims to provided protocols that will guide and inspire further research and generate new insights into this fascinating organelle.

This volume provides a comprehensive and technical presentation of numerous aspects of reproductive cell tissue cryopreservation, and presents readers with current procedures and detailed discussions of novel techniques and the latest innovations. The chapters in this book are divided into five parts and cover subjects such as: immature oocyte cryopreservation, human sperm vitrification and slow-freezing, directional freezing of ovarian tissue, automated vitrification systems, and detailed protocols on popular and commercially available cryopreservation/vitrification systems. 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. Cutting-edge and practical, Cryopreservation of Mammalian Gametes and Embryos: Methods and Protocols includes chapters written by leading experts in the field and is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the field of cryopreservation.

This book provides readers with an overview of the frequent occurrence of asymmetric cell division. Employing a broad range of examples, it highlights how this mode of cell division constitutes the basis of multicellular organism development and how its misregulation can lead to cancer. To underline such developmental correlations, readers will for example gain insights into stem cell fate and tumor growth. In turn, subsequent chapters include descriptions of asymmetric cell division from unicellular organisms to humans in both physiological and pathological conditions. The book also illustrates the importance of this process for evolution and our need to understand the background mechanisms, offering a valuable guide not only for students in the field of developmental biology but also for experienced researchers from neighboring fields.

This book highlights the current state of the art in single cell analysis, an area that involves many fields of science - from clinical hematology, functional analysis and drug screening, to platelet and microparticle analysis, marine biology and fundamental cancer research. This book brings together an eclectic group of current applications, all of which have a significant impact on our current state of knowledge. The authors of these chapters are all pioneering researchers in the field of single cell analysis. The book will not only appeal to those readers more focused on clinical applications, but also those interested in highly technical aspects of the technologies. All of the technologies identified utilize unique applications of photon detection systems.

Kidney Development and Disease brings together established and young investigators who are leading authorities in nephrology to describe recent advances in three primary areas of research. The first section describes the use of animal models as powerful tools for the discovery of numerous molecular mechanisms regulating kidney development. The second section focuses on nephric cell renewal and differentiation, which lead to diverse cell fates within the developing kidney, and discusses diseases resulting from the aberrant regulation of the balance between cell fate decisions. The final section concentrates on morphogenesis of the developing kidney and its maintenance after formation as well as the diseases resulting from failures in these processes. Kidney form and function have been extensively studied for centuries, leading to discoveries related to their development and disease. Recent scientific advances in molecular and imaging techniques have broadened our understanding of nephron development and maintenance as well as the diseases related to these processes.

International Review of Cell and Molecular Biology reviews and details current advances in cell and molecular biology. This most current release in this highly cited series focuses on such timely topics as novel treatments in immunotherapy in breast cancer, chemokine receptor signaling and the hallmarks of cancer, tumor-targeting antibodies, and a section on mitochondrion and whether they are a common organelle for cell death. As always, readers will find the articles in this series to be of great value, with a high impact and average cited half-life of nine years. The IRCMB series has a worldwide readership, maintaining a high standard by publishing invited articles on important and timely topics that are authored by prominent cell and molecular biologists. This great resource ranks high amongst scientific journals dealing with cell biology.

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Niche focuses on an individual organ, looking at the stem cells in the organ itself (if they exist), their niches, and how to use them alongside relevant methods and protocols. This series addresses stem cells during development, homeostasis, and disease/injury of the respective organs, presenting new developments, such as new data on disease and clinical applications. Specific chapters delve into the evolution of hematopoietic stem cell niches, the role of CNS in the regulation of HSCs, and targeting the bone marrow niche in hematological malignancies. In addition, video content illustrates protocols, transplantation techniques, and work with mice.

This volume provides easily accessible and comprehensive collection of methods, techniques, and strategies to investigate the molecular and cellular biology of peroxisomes in different organisms. Chapters detail valuable instructions, guidelines and protocols for molecular cell biologists, biochemists and biomedical researchers with an interest in peroxisome biology. Chapters in Peroxisomes: Methods and Protocols illustrate the isolation of peroxisomes, investigation of properties of membrane proteins, protocols to investigate and manipulate peroxisomes in cellular systems, detection of peroxisomes, including immunofluorescence, cytochemistry, cryo-immuno electron microscopy, and live cell imaging approaches. Authoritative and practical, Peroxisomes: Methods and Protocols aims to be useful for those already working on peroxisomes as well as for those who would like to start working on this fascinating organelle.

This book takes the reader on a journey, navigating the enigmatic aspects of cooperation; a journey that starts inside the body and continues via our thoughts to the human super-organism. Cooperation is one of life's fundamental principles. We are all made of parts - genes, cells, organs, neurons, but also of ideas, or 'memes'. Our societies too are made of parts - us humans. Is all this cooperation fundamentally the same process? From the smallest component parts of our bodies and minds to our complicated societies, everywhere cooperation is the organizing principle. Often this cooperation has emerged because the constituting parts have benefited from the interactions, but not seldom the cooperating units appear to lose on the interaction. How then to explain cooperation? How can we understand our intricate societies where we regularly provide small and large favors for people we are unrelated to, know, or even never expect to meet again? Where does the idea come from that it is right to risk one's life for country, religion or freedom? The answers seem to reside in the two processes that have shaped humanity: biological and cultural evolution.