The mysterious disease of cancer, including breast cancer, has plagued mankind since the dawn of recorded history. Regarding the elusive cause of the disease, the "Father of Medicine," Hippocrates of Athens (460-377 BC), wrote that, "For instability is characteristic of the humours and so they may be easily altered by nature and by chance." The enigma has persisted until today. In 1971, then President Richard Nixon signed the National Cancer Act and declared a "War on Cancer." He believed the counsel of scientists and physicians that if sufficient resources were committed to the fight, cancer could be virtually eliminated within 5 years. The prophesy failed. Although mortality from a few cancers, most notably leukemias, has been significantly reduced, carcinomas, cancers of the epithelium, which account for 80% of cancer deaths, remain unchanged. While tremendous advances have taken place in our understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms operant in cancer, it has proven exceedingly difficult to prevent the occurrence or to halt the progress of the disease. The very best therapy remains early detection while the primary tumor is small and localized to a single site, followed by removal of the offending growth by surgery and/or radiation. The great challenge of finding a cure confronts us yet, and it is effective intervention at the molecular level that offers our best hope. We still must find the "magic bullet."

How the Human Genome Works covers the essential principles of genetics in a readable, accessible format using real-life examples of the way genes affect human behavior, health and illness, development, and evolution. Simple two-color graphics and color highlighting illustrate important concepts throughout, and the book also entails a glossary of molecular genetic terms. The text is intended for all readers who need an introduction to, or refresher on human genetics, and includes science, health, medicine, and nursing students, as well as professionals in related fields.

DNA transfer to cultured cells
Edited by Katya Ravid and R. Ian Freshney
Rapid advances in DNA transfer technology have transformed many disciplines, ranging from molecular genetics to biotechnology. Scientists now have the means to introduce copies of genes into different cell types, then detect the expression of these genes in the cell. It is now possible to regulate cell growth that may lead to cancer, develop new biopharmaceuticals, and apply knowledge about the role of genes in cell processes to basic research in molecular genetics.
DNA Transfer to Cultured Cells is the first quick reference to all of the established techniques for the transfer of genetic material to cells in vitro. Featuring contributions by leading researchers in the field, this detailed guide walks the reader through a variety of DNA transfer methods, describes their application to specific cell types, and integrates aspects of molecular biology with tissue culture. Offering overviews and detailed protocols for the techniques under discussion in each of its sections, this book covers an exceptionally broad array of topics, including:
* Viral infection
* Electroporation
* Phosphate precipitation
* DEAE Dextran
* Liposomes
* Yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs)
* Whole chromosome transfer
* Enhanced expression.
Special sections at the end of each chapter list suppliers for necessary reagents and materials. This easy-to-use, self-contained guide addresses key developments of recent years as well as emerging trends in DNA transfer. For practical applications in cell biology, genetics, heredity, biotechnology, or evolution, DNA Transfer to Cultured Cells is a uniqueand unparalleled resource.

Fun and educational, these unique playing cards are beautifully illustrated with detailed cells and cellular structures - perfect for science lovers and cell biologists of all ages! Card faces features favorite illustrations from the textbook Cell Biology by Thomas D. Pollard et al. - from the clathrin triskelion and its three-fold symmetry on the 3 to mitotic chromosome structure on the Queen! Standard 52-card deck with illustrations of endosomes and lysosome, mother and daughter centrioles, membrane traffic, eukaryotic phylogenetic tree, three cytoskeletal polymers, and more. Jokers feature illustrations of autophagy (red joker) and ribosome, V-type ATPase, CRISPR/Cas, bacterium (black joker). Fourteen different card faces in all featuring the well-loved cellular illustrations of Graham Johnson. Includes 12 individual decks of cards.

Fun and educational, these unique playing cards are beautifully illustrated with detailed cells and cellular structures - perfect for science lovers and cell biologists of all ages! Card faces features favorite illustrations from the textbook Cell Biology by Thomas D. Pollard et al. - from the clathrin triskelion and its three-fold symmetry on the 3 to mitotic chromosome structure on the Queen! Standard 52-card deck with illustrations of echinospherium, seipin ring, muscle thin filament with troponin-tropomyosin, and more. Jokers feature illustrations of cdk2-cyclin A (red joker) and endoplasmic reticulum (black joker). Fourteen different card faces in all featuring the well-loved cellular illustrations of Graham Johnson!

This collection of articles deals with the benefits of different types of stem cells sources, use, manipulation, and aspects for the treatment of chronic diseases. Topics include the role of calcium channel pathway/s in the regulation of neural stem cell differentiation; the evolutionary roles of the totipotent, pluripotent, or even multipotent stem cells; the derivations of multipotent MSCs; and potential canine-derived stem cell therapies for dogs. The scope of the book also provokes further studies into other topics, such as MSC differentiation into hepatocytes and the involvement of these cells with microRNA-133 in type 1 diabetes; the role of Vitronectin in the differentiation into endoderm; the extent to which the stemness of dental pulp stem cells might be useful; PBMCs as a source for pluripotent stem cells; yoga in possible synergy with the finding that bone marrow stromal cells provide relief from a laboratory reagent used as drug-mediated pain in spinal cord injury.

Myosin: Biosynthesis, Classes and Function opens with a discussion on class I myosins, the most varied members of the myosin superfamily and a remarkable group of molecular motor proteins that move actin filaments and produce force. Class I myosin molecules have various physiological roles including maintenance of normal intestinal brush border structure, glucose homeostasis, glomerular filtration, immune function, and tumor promotion and suppression, and new studies are revealing that mutations may lead to diseases including cancer and kidney disease. Thus, the authors review the structure and function of the eight myosin-I isoforms (Myo1a-Myo1h) that are expressed in mammals. Next, the book discusses muscle contractile function and its association with the activity of the protein complex actomyosin, in which myosin exhibits enzyme activity, namely the ability to hydrolyze ATP. The demonstrated ability of calix[4]arenes C-97, C-99, C-90 and thiacalix[4]arenes C-798 and C-800 can be used for further research aimed at the use of these compounds as novel pharmacological agents able to efficiently restore normal contractile function of myometrium by inhibition or activation of this function, or the eliminating negative effects of heavy metal cations. Following this, the authors present the results of their experiments on studying the effects of different isotopes of magnesium and zinc on the enzymatic activity of myosin, namely the catalytic subfragment-1 of myosin, isolated from myometrium muscle. It has been revealed that the rate of the enzymatic ATP hydrolysis is 22.5 times higher in the reaction media enriched with the magnetic isotope, 25Mg, as compared to the activity of the same enzyme in the reaction media enriched with the nonmagnetic isotopes, 24Mg or 26Mg or MgCl2 of natural isotope abundance. Continuing, precipitation/extraction methods and MALDI TOF/TOF mass spectrometry were used in order to and identify, for the first time, a protein with the molecular mass of 48 kDa as a fragment of human unconventional myosin 1c isoform b in a blood serum of multiple sclerosis patients. Western-blot analysis using commercial monospecific anti-human Myo1c antibodies has shown that the molecular mass of this protein obtained from a blood serum of different human sources varied in between 46-48 kDa. Thus, the authors name the 46-48 kDa proteins revealed in a blood serum as a short form of the human unconventional myosin 1c (sMyo 1C).

This book gives an up-to-date overview of the biomedical aspects of autophagy research, a large interdisciplinary field emerging on intersection of (i) cell, developmental, and cancer biology, (ii) tissue remodelling and plasticity, ageing and longevity; (iii) immunology, microbiology, toxicology, and pathobiology; (iv) regenerative and adaptive biomedicine; and (v) pharmacology.

Epigenetic Cancer Therapy unites issues central to a translational audience actively seeking to understand the topic. It is ideal for cancer specialists, including oncologists and clinicians, but also provides valuable information for researchers, academics, students, governments, and decision-makers in the healthcare sector. The text covers the basic background of the epigenome, aberrant epigenetics, and its potential as a target for cancer therapy, and includes individual chapters on the state of epigenome knowledge in specific cancers (including lung, breast, prostate, liver). The book encompasses both large-scale intergovernmental initiatives as well as recent findings across cancer stem cells, rational drug design, clinical trials, and chemopreventative strategies. As a whole, the work articulates and raises the profile of epigenetics as a therapeutic option in the future management of cancer.

"Liposomes En Biologie Cellulaire Et Pharmacologie".

Dr. Greg Maguire's thought-provoking book offers a radically new approach to the standard means of developing drugs through the use of the molecules that stem cells release. Emphasizing that living organisms operate through the collective actions of entities within and between all levels of the biological organism, including the quantum level, molecular level, and cellular level, for example, the argument is put forth that drug development, and medicine itself, must treat various indications by understanding and then treating the collective actions at the relevant levels that are found to be perturbed in that particular indication. Motivated by the recent successes in the fields of quantum collective electrodynamics and condensed matter physics, where systems level thinking has explained through mathematical and conceptual reasoning how these phenomenon work, and doing so with heuristic outcomes, Maguire argues that the same system level thinking must be applied to drug development and medicine. The interactive nature of these fundamental collective processes is at the core of developing systems therapeutics and, as such, challenges those that believe in fundamental reductionism, where understanding the components of the system will explain the system. During these times, fundamental reductionism is often used to explain diseases as the result of an aberration in a DNA sequence, and targeted approaches to drug development lead to the development of small molecules to specifically target only one pathway. Because of this, there is an understanding that diseases and other indications are multifactorial and often don't involve a genomic alteration; systems biology analysis should lead to systems therapeutics where multiple pathways, often at different levels of the organism, are targeted by the therapeutic aspects. The therapeutic development approach that Maguire explains is a result of reverse engineering endogenous adult stem cell function that serves to maintain and heal our tissues. Using the pools of molecules that different types of adult stem cells release, each pool of molecules being tissue specific for the indication to be treated, Maguire describes the systems therapeutic results. The book is divided into nine sections, each of which can be read as a standalone chapter and serve as a source of references on the particular topic. Although some of the topics use mathematical formulas, none of the material requires mathematical rigor in order to understand the concepts. The last chapter culminates in showing how the systems therapeutic approach using the molecules from adult stem cells is used to treat neurodegeneration.

Chapter One is addressed to a comprehensive revision of the bibliography regarding the emergence of liposomes and the first steps in their design, the type of systems (components and structures), their classification and properties. Chapter Two discusses the possibility of creating living synthetic cells. Chapter Three provides an overview of the development and application of liposomes in biomedical sciences, with special emphasis on recent advances in the investigation of multifunctional liposomes that target cells and cellular organelles with a single delivery system. In Chapter Four, the authors review the mechanisms of drug transport through the BBB using liposomes, and the design strategies for optimum liposomal properties. In Chapter Five, the development rationales and structural types of pH-sensitive liposomes is discussed Chapter Six presents the characteristic, classification and preparation methods of liposomes. To develop liposomal drug delivery system, functional liposomes including antibody-conjugating liposomes known as immunoliposomes and stimuli-triggered liposomes such as pH- and thermo-sensitive liposomes have been investigated in Chapter Seven. Chapter Eight covers the use of thermosensitive liposomes for drug delivery and cancer therapy, because the side-effects of anticancer drugs are restrained and drug release can be controlled in combination with local hyperthermia. In Chapter Nine, the authors summarise the potential of OMLs as a novel adjuvant and antigen delivery vehicle for induction of encased antigen-specific strong T cell immunity. Chapter Ten presents the recent advances of liposomes in drug and vaccine delivery and shed light to the application of DSC to thermodynamic characterisation of liposomal delivery platforms. Chapter Eleven focuses on various liposomal delivery systems that are currently being explored to overcome the anatomical and physiological obstacles to improve the delivery efficiency of BNCT to brain glioma cells.

Each volume in this richly illustrated series, published in association with the Papanicolaou Society of Cytopathology, provides an organ-based approach to the cytological and histological diagnosis of small tissue samples. Benign, pre-malignant and malignant entities are presented in a well-organized and standardized format, with high-resolution color photomicrographs, tables, and lists of key specific morphologic criteria. Example vignettes allow the reader to assimilate the diagnostic principles in a case-based format. This volume provides comprehensive coverage of both surgical pathology and cytopathology of breast lesions. With a focus on malignant tumors, the full spectrum of inflammatory disorders, benign lesions, and hyperplasias are also covered in detail. Advantages and disadvantages of aspiration and core biopsy are discussed, as well as ancillary testing such as hormonal and molecular markers. With over 500 printed photomicrographs and a CD-ROM offering all images in a downloadable format, this is an important resource for all anatomic pathologists.

Embryonic stem cells have the ability to develop into virtually any cell in the body, and may have the potential to treat medical conditions such as diabetes and Parkinson's disease. In August 2001, President Bush announced that for the first time federal funds would be used to support research on human embryonic stem cells, but funding would be limited to 'existing stem cell lines'. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has established the Human Embryonic Stem Cell Registry which lists stem cell lines that are eligible for use in federally funded research. Although 78 cell lines are listed, 21 embryonic stem cell lines are currently available. Scientists are concerned about the quality, longevity, and availability of the eligible stem cell lines. For a variety of reasons, many believe research advancement requires new embryonic stem cell lines, and for certain applications, stem cells derived from cloned embryos may offer the best hope for progress in understanding and treating disease. A significant cohort of pro-life advocates support stem cell research; those opposed are concerned that the isolation of stem cells requires the destruction of embryos. Letters from Congress, one signed by 206 Members of the House and a second signed by 58 Senators, have been sent urging President Bush to expand the current federal policy concerning embryonic stem cell research. Some have argued that stem cell research be limited to adult stem cells obtained from tissues such as bone marrow. They argue that adult stem cells should be pursued instead of embryonic stem cells because they believe the derivation of stem cells from either embryos or aborted foetuses is ethically unacceptable. Other scientists believe adult stem cells should not be the sole target of research because of important scientific and technical limitations. Groups make ethical distinctions in the debate on how to proceed with stem cell research based upon embryo protection, relief of suffering, viability, the purpose and timing of embryo creation and destruction, donor consent, scientific alternatives, federal funding, and cloning. Other countries are moving fast with active research programs. This book presents the current confused situation along with a selective bibliography.

Each volume in this richly illustrated series, published in association with the Papanicolaou Society of Cytopathology, provides an organ-based approach to the cytologic and histologic diagnosis of small tissue samples. Benign, pre-malignant and malignant entities are presented in a well-organized and standardized format, with high-resolution color photomicrographs, tables, and lists of key specific morphologic criteria. Example vignettes allow the reader to assimilate the diagnostic principles in a case-based format. This volume provides comprehensive coverage of both surgical pathology and cytopathology of focal liver lesions. Extensively illustrated throughout, it contains key cytologic and histologic features, practical points, radiologic and morphologic pictures, flow charts, and tabulated summaries for easy comprehensive overview and quick reference and provides a pragmatic algorithmic approach to cytohistologic diagnosis. With over 700 printed photomicrographs and a CD-ROM offering all images in a downloadable format, this is an important resource for all anatomic pathologists.

Although general morphological features have been used to consistently identify the changes in cell ultrastructure occurring during apoptosis, as distinct from necrosis, important advances have been achieved more recently in the investigation of the cellular and molecular aspects of this process. This book brings together the latest international research on the complex subject of programmed cell death, and covers such areas as the biochemical mechanisms, introduction of DNA fragmentation, enetic regulation, and the importance of apoptosis in the immune system, particularly during T-cell development, and in cancer. The comparison of a number of common signal transduction pathways with those involved in cell growth highlights an important relationship between apoptosis and the control of cell proliferation.

The current technology and its applications in flow cytometry are presented in this comprehensive reference work. Described in explicit detail are the instrumentation and its components, and applications of the technology in cell biology, immunology, pharmacology, genetics, hematology and clinical medicine. Methods for data analysis, including both hardware and software, and explicit experimental techniques for making specific measurements are presented. Material is divided by topic into two volumes: Volume I covers instrumentation, genetics, and cell structure; Volume II contains material on cell function studies by flow cytometry. This reference is essential for both the novice and the experienced investigator using flow cytometry in research, and for students of cell biology, biomedical engineering, and medical technology.

The University of Florida has an ambitious goal: to harness the power of its faculty, staff, students, and alumni to solve some of society's most pressing problems and to become a resource for the state of Florida, the nation, and the world. In the upcoming decades, an unprecedented demographic shift will take place; the eighty-five and over population is projected to climb far higher than any other age group. To keep the current elderly population healthy and help prevent future generations from experiencing poor health outcomes, researchers are studying crucial connections between skeletal muscles and whole-body health. The University of Florida is at the forefront of this research, utilizing its nationally recognized excellence in the fields of muscle biology and exercise physiology to discover unique ways to preserve muscle health in the aging and those with diseases. Find out how the proteins within muscle can be manipulated to reduce recovery times for individuals who are bedridden. Learn how older, elite athletes have resisted the inevitable degeneration that comes with aging, and how intermittent fasting may help you live longer and healthier. Step inside the lab where a researcher is uncovering the origins of cancer cachexia a wasting syndrome responsible for 20 percent of cancer deaths worldwide to improve the lives of patients. The loss of skeletal muscle through disease, disuse, or aging is associated with a host of poor health outcomes, but promising new avenues of research are being studied every day at the University of Florida to make for a healthier tomorrow.

2006 marked the 50th anniversary of the discovery of the human chromosome number, a discovery that initiated human cytogenetics as a scientific discipline and set the basis for modern medical genetics. First Years of Human Chromosomes draws together the ground-breaking work of the main researchers in the key period, 1955 to 1960. The book is based on interviews with these researchers and descriptions of the major research findings, giving a strong sense of the excitement and thoughts of those involved. First Years of Human Chromosomes provides a unique record of this exciting period of scientific research and medical advance, and will appeal to all those working in the field of genetics, whether researchers or clinicians.