International Review of Cytology presents current advances and comprehensive reviews in cell biology both plant and animal. Authored by some of the foremost scientists in the field, each volume provides up-to-date information and directions for future research. Articles in this volume address cell biology of membrane trafficking in human disease; the biology of the gaucher cell; intracellular signals and events activated by cytokines of the TNF superfamily; cellular and molecular biology of orphan G-protein coupled receptors; organization and function of the actin; cytoskeleton in developing root cells.

Fluorescent proteins are intimately connected to research in the life sciences. Tagging of gene products with fluorescent proteins has revolutionized all areas of biosciences, ranging from fundamental biochemistry to clinical oncology, to environmental research. The discovery of the Green Fluorescent Protein, its first, seminal application and the ingenious development of a broad palette of fluorescence proteins of other colours, was consequently recognised with the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 2008.

"Fluorescent Proteins I" is devoted to the basic photophysical and photochemical aspects of fluorescent protein technology. Experienced experts highlight colour tuning, the exploration of switching phenomena and respective methods for their investigation. The book provides a thorough understanding of primary molecular processes allowing the design of fluorescent proteins for specific applications.

International Review of Cytology presents current advances and comprehensive reviews in cell biology both plant and animal. Authored by some of the foremost scientists in the field, each volume provides up-to-date information and directions for future research. Articles in this volume address roles of PACAP-containing retinal ganglion cells in circadian timing; cell polarity in filamenous fungi; cellular and molecular mechanics of gliding locomotion in eukaryotes; current strategies in overcoming resistance of cancer cell and apoptosis; cell and molecular biology of the exosome: how to make of break an RNA; human hair keratin associated proteins (KAPs).

Cell cycle checkpoints control the fidelity and orderly progression of eukaryotic cell division. By controlling the orderly progression of critical cell cycle events such as DNA replication and chromosome segregation and ensuring proper repair of damaged DNA, cell cycle checkpoints function to ensure genome integrity. Mechanisms of checkpoint controls are not only the research focus of investigators interested in mechanisms that regulate the cell cycle, but are also the interests of researchers studying cancer development as it is increasingly clear that loss of cell cycle checkpoints, which leads to genomic instability as a result, is a hallmark of tumorigenesis. Cell Cycle Checkpoints: Methods and Protocols provides detailed descriptions of methodologies currently employed by researchers in the field, including those commonly used in the mammalian, yeast, C. elegans, Drosophila, and Xenopus model systems. Each chapter describes a specific technique or protocol, such as a method to induce cell cycle checkpoints in a particular model system, to synchronize a population of cells to allow observations of cell cycle progression, to identify genes involved in checkpoint regulation, and to study particular protein components of cell cycle checkpoint pathways. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series format, chapters contain introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and easily accessible, Cell Cycle Checkpoints: Methods and Protocols seeks to serve both professionals and novices with its well-honed methodologies in an effort to further our knowledge of this essential field.

Disulfide-containing proteins belong to a unique class of proteins for studying the mechanism of protein folding. Their folding mechanism can be analyzed by three distinct techniques: (1) The conventional denaturation-renaturation method (disulfide intact); (2) The disulfide oxidation method (oxidative folding); and (3) The emerging disulfide scrambling method. Each technique provides specific information as to how an unfolded disulfide protein refolds to form the native structure. This book is intended to highlight the knowledge of several important proteins (BPTI, RNase A, beta-Lactalbumin and Lysozyme etc.) that have been characterized in depth by these methodologies. The book will also devote sections to comparing these methodologies and chaperones (PDI and Dsb machineries) that facilitate folding of disulfide proteins. Folding of Disulfide Proteins aims to cover the knowledge of protein folding accumulated from studies of disulfide-containing proteins, including methodologies, folding pathways, and folding mechanism of numerous extensively characterized disulfide proteins. This book will be of interest to those interested in problems related to protein folding, and anyone who is interested in understanding the mechanism of protein misfolding and protein misfolding-related diseases. Folding of Disulfide Proteins aims to cover the knowledge of protein folding accumulated from studies of disulfide-containing proteins, including methodologies, folding pathways, and folding mechanism of numerous extensively characterized disulfide proteins. This book will be of interest to those interested in problems related to protein folding, and anyone who is interested in understanding the mechanism of protein misfolding and protein misfolding-related diseases.

The use of fossil fuels results in rising CO2 and other greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, causing global temperature rise and climate change that will negatively impact human health, the food supply, and eventually worsen hunger and misery. Presently, fossil fuels meet 88% of the energy demand, resulting in rising CO2/GHG emissions at alarming rates. The increased use of biofuels would help to mitigate climate change. Efficiently designing methods for the production of biofuels and plant-derived high-value products requires a deeper understanding of photosynthetic processes as a prerequisite for applying novel biotechnologies. Accordingly, this book provides ample information and a wealth of illustrative examples. The book's eighteen richly illustrated chapters are divided into three thematic parts. I: Photosynthesis and Biomass Production under Changing Conditions, II: Microalgae and Engineered Crops for Production of Biofuels and High-value Products, and III: Genetic Resources and Engineering Methods to Improve Crop Plants. Readers will find the latest information on the molecular basis of photosynthetic processes in plants (including the regulatory principles that allow plants to maintain homeostasis under changing conditions), stress resistance and synthetic pathways. In addition, the basic principles of important biotechnologies, as well as examples of specially designed crops capable of growing under stress conditions with improved productivity, are presented. The book sets the course for future research in the field of biofuel development and production and provides both general and specific information for students, teachers, academic researchers, industrial teams, and general readers who are interested in new developments concerning the production of biofuels with value-added properties.

The centromere is a chromosomal region that enables the accurate segregation of chromosomes during mitosis and meiosis. It holds sister chromatids together, and through its centromere DNA-protein complex known as the kinetochore binds spindle microtubules to bring about accurate chromosome movements. Despite this conserved function, centromeres exhibit dramatic difference in structure, size, and complexity. Extensive studies on centromeric DNA revealed its rapid evolution resulting often in significant difference even among closely related species. Such a plasticity of centromeric DNA could be explained by epigenetic c- trol of centromere function, which does not depend absolutely on primary DNA sequence. According to epigenetic centromere concept, which is thoroughly d- cussed by Tanya Panchenko and Ben Black in Chap. 1 of this book, centromere activation or inactivation might be caused by modifications of chromatin. Such acquired chromatin epigenetic modifications are then inherited from one cell di- sion to the next. Concerning centromere-specific chromatin modification, it is now evident that all centromeres contain a centromere specific histone H3 variant, CenH3, which replaces histone H3 in centromeric nucleosomes and provides a structural basis that epigenetically defines centromere and differentiates it from the surrounding chromatin. Recent insights into the CenH3 presented in this chapter add important mechanistic understanding of how centromere identity is initially established and subsequently maintained in every cell cycle.

This book puts the ethics, policy and politics of stem cells into context in a way that helps readers understand why past and current issues have developed the way they have and what the implications are for their work going forward. It also addresses emerging issues as the field progresses towards clinical and industrial uses. While there is a superabundance of material on the ethics of embryo use and questions of embryonic "personhood," there is little that covers what practicing scientists and managers need to know in order to plan and execute responsible research. Furthermore, researchers funded by the NIH are required to have ethics training as a condition of the grant. As such, this book is an essential resource to all of these pre-professional students whether they plan to move into industry, government or academia.

International Review of Cytology presents current advances and comprehensive reviews in cell biology both plant and animal. Authored by some of the foremost scientists in the field, each volume provides up-to-date information and directions for future research. Articles in this volume address adaptations for nocturnal vision in insect apposition eyes; kinase and phosphatase: the cog and spring of the circadian clock; a model for lymphatic regeneration in tissue repair of the muscle coat; calcium homeostasis in human placenta: role of calcium handling proteins; new insights into the cell biology of the marginal zone of the spleen; cell biology of t cell activation and differentiation.

Blood has long been viewed as a conduit for therapy, stemming from the ancient days of phlebotomy to remove evil humors to the development of successful blood transfusions to replace missing blood components. The identification and characterization of hematopoietic stem cells by Drs. Till and McCulloch revolutionized the field and soon after, non-hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells were characterized from the blood and bone marrow. Some of these cell types and various blood-derived cell lineages are involved in the repair of various types of tissue damage that span the spectrum of medical disorders. The goal of this book is to provide an up-to-date review of the various types of blood-derived cells with regenerative capacity, identify opportunities for intervention by examining specific clinical applications, and recognize the regulatory environment that will encompass future therapies in regenerative medicine.

International Review of Cytology presents current advances and comprehensive reviews in cell biology both plant and animal. Authored by some of the foremost scientists in the field, each volume provides up-to-date information and directions for future research. Articles in this volume address endogenous ligands of PACAP, VIP receptors in the autocrine-paracrine regulation of the adrenal gland; ultrastructural dynamcs of human reproduction, from ovulation to fertilization and early embryo development; chromosomal variation in mammalian neuronal cells; automated interpretation of protein subcellular location patterns; cell and molecular biology of human lacrimal gland and nasolacrimal duct mucins.

The Chlamydomonas Sourcebook: Introduction to Chlamydomonas and Its Laboratory Use, Volume One, Third Edition has been fully revised and updated to include a wealth of new resources for the Chlamydomonas community (new mutant libraries, new omics studies, and potentially more information about different Chlamydomonas species in the environment). In addition to updates on molecular techniques and analysis of the sequenced genome, the book presents the latest in research and best practices for applications in research, including methods for culture, preservation of cultures, preparation of media, and more.

Mitochondria in plants, as in other eukaryotes, play an essential role in the cell as the major producers of ATP via oxidative phosphorylation. However, mitochondria also play crucial roles in many other aspects of plant development and performance, and possess an array of unique properties which allow them to interact with the specialized features of plant cell metabolism. The two main themes running through the book are the interconnection between gene regulation and protein function, and the integration of mitochondria with other components of plant cells.

The book begins with an overview of the dynamics of mitochondrial structure, morphology and inheritance. It then discusses the biogenesis of mitochondria, the regulation of gene expression, the mitochondrial genome and its interaction with the nucleus, and the targeting of proteins to the organelle. This is followed by a discussion of the contributions that mutations, involving mitochondrial proteins, have made to our understanding of the way the organelle interacts with the rest of the plant cell, and the new field of proteomics and the discovery of new functions. Also covered are the pathways of electron transport, with special attention to the non-phosphorylating bypasses, metabolite transport, and specialized mitochondrial metabolism.

In the end, the impact of oxidative stress on mitochondria and the defense mechanisms, that are employed to allow survival, are discussed. This book is for the use of advanced undergraduates, graduates, postgraduates, and beginning researchers in the areas of molecular and cellular biology, integrative biology, biochemistry, bioenergetics, proteomics and plant and agricultural sciences.

This volume examines the molecular basis of all aspects of cell division and cytokinesis in plants. It features 19 chapters contributed by world experts in the specific research fields, providing the most comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge on cell division control in plants. The editors are veterans in the field of plant molecular biology and highly respected worldwide.

This next volume in our established series proposes to systematically review the basic science and clinical knowledge of the role of free radicals and antioxidants, collectively known as "oxidative stress", in the pathology of arthritis and other joint diseases. It will describe the most current diagnostic tools , laboratory methods and technology, to suggest ways of prevention and treatment and to emphasize the concept of the bench-to-bedside approach. The book will also provide specific coverage on emerging technology and medical applications including discussions of biomarkers and antioxidants as therapeutic agents and several more relevant aspects. In addition, the book will promote the concept of using biomarkers representative of oxidative stress reactions and free radical damage , as well as describe the effect of antioxidants in treating disease in clinical trials. The content will be valuable to researchers studying the development of arthritis/joint disease, and clinicians treating patients with these diagnoses.

This authoritative reference presents the modern concepts of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and biomaterials as they pertain to the dental field. The book is organized around three main topics: MSCs biology, advanced biomaterials, and clinical applications. The chapters present basic information on stem cell biology and physiology, modern biomaterials that improve bone tissue regeneration, the biomatrices like platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) used to functionalize the biomaterials surface, the strategic and safe intraoral seats of harvesting, the new sources for MSCs, as well as the future perspectives and new challenges in these exciting fields. The contributors are top scientists with a great deal of experience in regenerative dentistry and biomedical research. They offer an international perspective and are richly cross-disciplinary, representing academia, research, and industry. MSCs and Innovative Biomaterials in Dentistry is indispensable reading for students, researchers, and clinicians who need to stay up-to-date on the cutting-edge developments of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applied to dental sciences.

Simple carbohydrates, complex oligosaccharides and polysaccharides all belong to a class of ubiquitous (macro)molecules that exhibit a wide range of biological functions, and the recent advent of enhanced enzymatic, chemical and analytical tools used to study these sugars has inaugurated a genuine explosion in the field of glycomics. Specifically, it has led to a deeper understanding of how specific sugar structures modulate cellular phenotypes, and that breakthrough has led to the discovery of new pharmaceuticals for the treatment of many serious diseases, such as cancer. The subsequent rapid expansion of this research holds high promise for future therapeutic regimens, and capillary electrophoresis (CE) refers to the range of related separation techniques that are integral to this vital research. CE uses narrow-bore fused-silica capillaries to separate a complex array of large and small molecules, and Capillary Electrophoresis of Carbohydrates offers a comprehensive look at the latest breakthroughs and improvements in CE and CE techniques applied to monosaccharides up to complex oligosaccharides and polysaccharides. It begins with an overview of the application of CE and CE- mass spectrometric in the analysis of simple carbohydrates without any previous derivatization step before discussing various detection techniques such as spectrophotometric detection, electrochemical detection and other less common techniques. It then covers in detail an array of related topics and numerous applications. It is an essential text for anyone exploring the myriad possibilities of this rapidly expanding field.

Once per life cycle, mitotic nuclear divisions are replaced by meiosis I and II reducing chromosome number from the diploid level to a haploid genome and recombining chromosome arms by crossing-over. In animals, all this happens during formation of eggs and sperm in yeasts before spore formation. The mechanisms of reciprocal exchange at crossover/chiasma sites are central to mainstream meiosis. To initiate the meiotic exchange of DNA, surgical cuts are made as a form of calculated damage that subsequently is repaired by homologous recombination. These key events are accompanied by ancillary provisions at the level of chromatin organization, sister chromatid cohesion and differential centromere connectivity. Great progress has been made in recent years in our understanding of these mechanisms. Questions still open primarily concern the placement of and mutual coordination between neighboring crossover events. Of overlapping significance, this book features two comprehensive treatises of enzymes involved in meiotic recombination, as well as the historical conceptualization of meiotic phenomena from genetical experiments. More specifically, these mechanisms are addressed in yeasts as unicellular model eukaryotes. Furthermore, evolutionary subjects related to meiosis are treated."

This detailed book provides technical approaches to tackle a variety of questions related to intracellular lipid transport in order to improve our understanding at different scales of how lipids are accurately displaced between organelles, across long distances or at membrane contact sites, or within cellular membranes. The volume begins with methodologies to measure the movement of varied lipid species between or in organelle membranes, inside eukaryotic cells, including plant cells, or in bacteria, and continues in vitro or in silico approaches aiming to define, more from a biochemical and structural standpoints, how lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) or flippases/scramblases precisely function. 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. Authoritative and practical, Intracellular Lipid Transport: Methods and Protocols serves as an ideal guide for researchers seeking to shed light on diverse aspects of this critical and often elusive cellular process.

This book brings together the most important research developments of the past 45 years that have enriched our knowledge and contributed to a better understanding of the biochemistry and cell and molecular biology of basement membranes. It describes the studies that shed light on the ultrastructural organization, the biosynthesis of the macromolecular components, their functions in embryonic development and differentiation, and in the mature state. A major portion of the book is devoted to the description of the genes that regulate the expression of the various structural macromolecules.
* Reviews the early years of research and the discovery of type IV collagen
* Presents the diversity of basement membrane morphology
* Discusses gene structure

This book presents an update on new trends and developments in broadly defined medical disciplines. The whole range of multidisciplinary topics are tackled, regarded as being important for advancing the understanding of disease pathogenicity, diagnostic methods, and patient management. The topics include a holistic approach to physiotherapy, with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation at the core of it, potential ways to protect kidneys during ischemic coronary interventions, and psychosocial aspects in cancer survivors. Other topics deal with growth hormone deficiency in short children and responses of molecular markers of bone metabolism to growth hormone replacement therapy and with the modern use of transcranial laser-induced photobiomodulation showing surprising benefits in autism disorder. The expert contributions take on the challenges presented to medical professionals by ever growing medical knowledge and various individual and contextual issues that require a multidisciplinary approach in patient management. The authors present a bench-to-bed clinical research to make useful additions to the knowledge on contemporary diagnostic procedures, therapy, and quality of life of patients. The book aims to provide stimulus for new research ideas and to give new perspectives on practical clinical issues. The book is intended for primary care clinicians, family physicians, medical scholars, and other clinicians who treat and manage patients.

International Review of Cytology presents current advances and comprehensive reviews in cell biology both plant and animal. Authored by some of the foremost scientists in the field, each volume provides up-to-date information and directions for future research. Articles in this volume address new insights into fatty acid modulation of pancreatic beta cell function; drosophila RNA binding proteins; plasticity of pelvic autonomic ganglia and urogenital innervation; vomeronasal vs. olifactory epithelium: cellular basis for human vomeronasal perception; and tight junctions.

Many plants produce enzymes collectively known as ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs). RIPs catalyze the removal of an adenine residue from a conserved loop in the large ribosomal RNA. The adenine residue removed by this depurination is crucial for the binding of elongation factors. Ribosomes modified in this way are no longer able to carry out protein synthesis. Most RIPs exist as single polypeptides (Type 1 RIPs) which are largely non-toxic to mammalian cells because they are unable to enter them and thus cannot reach their ribosomal substrate. In some instances, however, the RIP forms part of a heterodimer where its partner polypeptide is a lectin (Type 2 RIPs). These heterodimeric RIPs are able to bind to and enter mammalian cells. Their ability to reach and modify ribosomes in target cells means these proteins are some of the most potently cytotoxic poisons found in nature, and are widely assumed to play a protective role as part of the host plant's defenses. RIPs are able to further damage target cells by inducing apoptosis. In addition, certain plants produce lectins lacking an RIP component but which are also cytotoxic. This book focuses on the structure/function and some potential applications of these toxic plant proteins.

In this state-of-the-art exploration of a hugely dynamic and fast-evolving field of research, leading researchers share their collective wisdom on the role that stem cells could play in the context of physiological stress and lung injury. The text focuses on reviewing the most relevant-and recent-ideas on using local, endogenous, and exogenous progenitor/stem cells in preventing and treating injury to the lung. The lungs are one of the most complex organs in the human body, with a mature adult lung boasting at least 40 morphologically differentiated cell lineages. Our entire blood supply passes through the lung's alveolar units during oxygenation. This interaction with the outside world, along with the intricacies of its structure, makes the lung a highly susceptible organ that is vulnerable to numerous types of injury and infection. This means that the mechanisms of lung repair are in themselves correspondingly complex. Because of their multipotentiality, as well as the fact of the lung's relatively rapid cell turnover, stem cells are thought to be an important alternative cell-base therapy in lung injury. Despite the controversial nature of stem cell research, there has been growing interest in both local and endogenous stem cells in the lung. This highly topical book with chapters on everything from using mesenchymal stem cells in lung repair to the effect of physical activity on the mobilization of stem and progenitor cells, represents an exciting body of work by outstanding investigators and will be required reading for those with an interest in the subject.