Complex Systems Science in Biomedicine Thomas S. Deisboeck and J. Yasha Kresh Complex Systems Science in Biomedicine covers the emerging field of systems science involving the application of physics, mathematics, engineering and computational methods and techniques to the study of biomedicine including nonlinear dynamics at the molecular, cellular, multi-cellular tissue, and organismic level. With all chapters helmed by leading scientists in the field, Complex Systems Science in Biomedicine's goal is to offer its audience a timely compendium of the ongoing research directed to the understanding of biological processes as whole systems instead of as isolated component parts. In Parts I & II, Complex Systems Science in Biomedicine provides a general systems thinking perspective and presents some of the fundamental theoretical underpinnings of this rapidly emerging field. Part III then follows with a multi-scaled approach, spanning from the molecular to macroscopic level, exemplified by studying such diverse areas as molecular networks and developmental processes, the immune and nervous systems, the heart, cancer and multi-organ failure. The volume concludes with Part IV that addresses methods and techniques driven in design and development by this new understanding of biomedical science. Key Topics Include: * Historic Perspectives of General Systems Thinking * Fundamental Methods and Techniques for Studying Complex Dynamical Systems * Applications from Molecular Networks to Disease Processes * Enabling Technologies for Exploration of Systems in the Life Sciences Complex Systems Science in Biomedicine is essential reading for experimental, theoretical, and interdisciplinary scientists working in the biomedical research field interested in a comprehensive overview of this rapidly emerging field. About the Editors: Thomas S. Deisboeck is currently Assistant Professor of Radiology at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston. An expert in interdisciplinary cancer modeling, Dr. Deisboeck is Director of the Complex Biosystems Modeling Laboratory which is part of the Harvard-MIT Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging. J. Yasha Kresh is currently Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Research Director, Professor of Medicine and Director of Cardiovascular Biophysics at the Drexel University College of Medicine. An expert in dynamical systems, he holds appointments in the School of Biomedical Engineering and Health Systems, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering and Molecular Pathobiology Program. Prof. Kresh is Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association, Biomedical Engineering Society, American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering.

The Micro-Tomographic Atlas of the Mouse Skeleton provides a unique systematic description of all calcified components of the mouse. It includes about 200 high resolution, two and three dimensional m CT images of the exterior and interiors of all bones and joints. In addition, the spatial relationship of bones within complex skeletal units is also described. The images are accompanied by detailed explanatory text, thus highlighting special features and newly reported structures. The Atlas fulfils an emerging need for a comprehensive reference to assist both trained and in-training researchers.

Plants come in myriads of shapes and colors, and the beauty of plants has fascinated mankind for thousands of years. Long before Mendel discovered the laws of heritab- ity and Darwin developed his theory on evolution, the affection for ornamental plants led people to select alleles that establish novel plant forms. Today, plant developmental biology tries to discover the mechanisms that control the establishment of specialized cell types, tissues, and organs from the fertilized egg during a plant's life. Although the underlying processes of cell proliferation and differentiation are similar in plants and a- mals, plants are different because their development is usually open, and its outcome is not the faithful repetition of a general plan but is strongly in?uenced by environm- tal conditions. In the last few decades, plant developmental biology has pinpointed a large number of developmental regulators and their interactions and the mechanisms that govern plant development start to emerge. In part, this progress was enabled by the advance of powerful molecular tools for a few model species, most importantly Arabidopsis. This volume of the Methods in Molecular Biology series provides a collection of protocols for many of the common experimental approaches in plant developmental bi- ogy. All chapters are written in the same format as that used in the Methods in Molecular TM Biology series. Each chapter opens with a description of the basic theory behind the method being described.

The germline is unique in mammals as it is the only cell lineage that undergoes mitosis, meiosis, and differentiation, making these cells amenable to in-depth genomic and mechanistic studies. In Germline Development: Methods and Protocols, expert researchers provide a wide-ranging collection of techniques that can be applied to the study of both the male and female germline. As the techniques used for isolating and studying male and female germ cells are slightly dissimilar, the different technologies are grouped under two sections in this volume, namely, male germline and female germline. This collection brings the field of germline developmental studies together such that readers can find, in a single volume, techniques that allow the isolation of gonads with germ cells at different stages of development, the study of the genomics and epigenomics of germ cells, and an examination of the role of single genes in the developmental potential and function of germ cells. 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 the avoidance of known pitfalls. Comprehensive and cutting-edge, Germline Development: Methods and Protocols serves as a comprehensive text to individuals, particularly researchers in reproductive and developmental biology, who are interested in studying cells of the germ lineage.

Micropropagation is a reliable technology applied commercially worldwide for large-scale plant multiplication, germplasm conservation, pathogen elimination, genetic manipulations and supply of selected plants. In Protocols for Micropropagation of Selected Economically-Important Horticultural Plants, well recognised researchers in the field compile step-wise protocols for rapid plant multiplication of economically-important horticultural species. The book contains 35 chapters, divided into four major sections. The first three sections (Section A, B and C) contain 29 micropropagation protocols of selected fruit and nut species, indoor and outdoor ornamental plants, cut flowers, and vegetables. In addition to the detailed protocols of in vitro shoot initiation, proliferation, root induction and acclimatization, chapters also include detailed information on medium preparation, explant selection and preparation. The six chapters of Section D cover specific reviews on pivotal topics, such as in vitro rejuvenation, synthetic seed technology, thermotherapy and meristem culture in banana, genetic transformation of pineapple, flower color somaclonal variation in torenia, and cryotherapy of horticultural crops. Moreover, as a part of the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to the respective topic, lists of necessary materials, notes, and illustrative photos. Comprehensive and well-written, Protocols for Micropropagation of Selected Economically-Important Horticultural Plants offers a useful resource for horticulturists, researchers, commercial companies, plant propagators, biotechnologists and students interested in micropropagation.

The innate immune response is a crucial component of early resistance to infection, and it is now revealing increasing levels of complexity. The ability to modify the genome in vivo, has facilitated understanding of complex interactions between leucocytes and other components of the immune system, and phenotype-driven strategies using chemical mutagenesis have placed another powerful weapon in the armamentarium. In, Leucocytes: Methods and Protocols provides detailed protocols and practical advice on a variety of modern approaches to the study of leucocytes and their products. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and key tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Leucocytes: Methods and Protocols seeks to aid scientists in further study into the immune system and leucocytes.

Deficiencies in sperm function are usually the result of spermatogenic defects. Spermatogenesis is a biologically complex and essential process during which spermatogonia undergo meiotic recombination, reduction of the genome to a haploid state, and extensive cellular modifications that result in a motile cell capable of traversing the female reproductive tract, withstanding various potential assaults to viability, and finally successfully fertilizing a mature oocyte to give rise to an embryo. Defects in any step of spermatogenesis or spermatogenesis can lead to male infertility, a disease that affects approximately 5-7% of the population. Spermiogenesis and Spermatogenesis: Methods and Protocols details protocols used in the study of spermatogenesis, clinical analytical protocols, and basic techniques used in clinical andrology laboratories, such as obtaining accurate results for a sperm count, and advanced procedures, such as genome-wide genetic study tools and evaluation of nuclear proteins. Written in the 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 protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and easily accessible, Spermiogenesis and Spermatogenesis: Methods and Protocols is unique in its breadth, and will be a useful reference for clinicians and researchers alike.

This multi-author, six-volume work summarizes our current knowledge on the developmental biology of all major invertebrate animal phyla. The main aspects of cleavage, embryogenesis, organogenesis and gene expression are discussed in an evolutionary framework. Each chapter presents an in-depth yet concise overview of both classical and recent literature, supplemented by numerous color illustrations and micrographs of a given animal group. The largely taxon-based chapters are supplemented by essays on topical aspects relevant to modern-day EvoDevo research such as regeneration, embryos in the fossil record, homology in the age of genomics and the role of EvoDevo in the context of reconstructing evolutionary and phylogenetic scenarios. A list of open questions at the end of each chapter may serve as a source of inspiration for the next generation of EvoDevo scientists. Evolutionary Developmental Biology of Invertebrates is a must-have for any scientist, teacher or student interested in developmental and evolutionary biology as well as in general invertebrate zoology. This third volume on ecdysozoans is dedicated to the Hexapoda. Despite being the most species-rich animal clade by far, comparatively little developmental data is available for the majority of hexapods, in stark contrast to one of the best-investigated species on Earth, the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. Accordingly, an entire chapter is dedicated to this well-known and important model species, while the two remaining chapters summarize our current knowledge on early and late development in other hexapods.

This book includes the most essential contributions presented at the 17th Evolutionary Biology Meeting in Marseille, which took place in September 2013. It consists of 18 chapters organized according to the following categories: ·       Molecular and Genome Evolution ·       Phylogeography of Speciation and Coevolution ·       Exobiology and Origin of Life The aims of the annual meetings in Marseille, which bring together leading evolutionary biologists and other scientists using evolutionary biology concepts, e.g. for medical research, are to promote the exchange of ideas and to encourage interdisciplinary collaborations. Offering an overview of the latest findings in the field of evolutionary biology, this book represents an invaluable source of information for scientists, teachers and advanced students.

This wide-ranging and accessible book serves as a fascinating guide to the strategies and concepts that help us understand the boundaries between physics, on the one hand, and sociology, economics, and biology on the other. From cooperation and criticality to flock dynamics and fractals, the author addresses many of the topics belonging to the broad theme of complexity. He chooses excellent examples (requiring no prior mathematical knowledge) to illuminate these ideas and their implications. The lively style and clear description of the relevant models will appeal both to novices and those with an existing knowledge of the field.

Only in recent times has the possibility of growing and implanting replacement teeth, made from one's own cells, moved into the realm of realistic possibilities; however, the molecular and cellular mechanisms of tooth development must be studied in a range of vertebrates, from zebrafish to mice, so that evolutionarily conserved network kernels, which will define the cellular states of generic vertebrate tooth development, can be recognized. In Odontogenesis: Methods and Protocols, experts in the field examine techniques to approach this burgeoning field. This detailed volume includes chapters on the detection of "tooth development" gene expression, both at the RNA and protein level, current approaches to the manipulation of gene expression levels and subsequent analysis of tooth phenotypes, as well as chapters concerning current efforts to get living tooth implants working without waiting for a full understanding of the developmental pathways at the molecular level. 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 for troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Practical and easy to use, Odontogenesis: Methods and Protocols aims to help researchers move forward toward the ultimate goal of getting a "bioengineered tooth" into the patient's mouth.

The theme of the book is highly relevant to the current emphasis on environment conservation, with focus on native biodiversity conservation in agro-ecosystems. The current impetus being given to organic farming and export oriented agri-hortculture in the country calls for access to relevant scientific knowledge base among the stakeholders. Research on biological pest control is more than a century old in India. Egg parasitoids, which are mainly tiny wasps, led by the family Trichogrammatidae, are the most widely utilized natural enemies for biological control globally. Over thirty countries are using these bioagents to protect over 10 million hectares of agricultural and forestry crops from many important insect pests. The book comprises 18 chapters, which are arranged in continuum, commencing with basic aspects of knowledge and ending in their utilization targets. The chapters cover broadly four areas: bio-diversity and natural occurrence of egg parasitoids, behaviour and adaptation of egg parasitoids, mass production and safe use of egg parasitoids and utilisation of egg parasitoids in different crop ecosystems. Some of the chapters cater to the needs of discipline-wise update on the current R&D scenario-like insect taxonomy, biotechnology, mass-production and quality control of the target organisms - egg-parasitoids, which are useful for laboratory scientists/researchers. There are also chapters devoted to knowledge status and scope for utilization of egg parasitoids in different target crops, which cater to requirements of field entomologists and extensionists for use in their tasks of guiding farmers/local guides. The book is different in approach, method, structure and content and ensures holistic coverage of the topic. The chapters are written by active and experienced workers in different crops and aspects and co-edited by four very experienced experts who have over three decades R&D experience in the subject. All the authors have uniformly focussed on comprehensive literature study and critical identification of knowledge gaps for future R&D, thus the book is novel in outlook, up-to-date in content and comprehensive in coverage of themes. This book will be useful for supplementary reading for MSc Agriculture and PhD Agriculture students, besides MSc/PhD research students in Zoology/Environmental Biology, who are specialising in Entomology. It would also serve as a very useful reference book for researchers worldwide, though focus is also there on Indian work. It addresses the special information needs of students and faculty, besides practitioners and extensionists in the Australasia and Africa regions and thus not limited to the R&D knowledge generated in developed countries.

Ithaslongbeenknownthatamphibiaandotherlowerordervertebrates havethecapacitytoregeneratelimbsaswellasdamagedheartsorbrains. Overthepastdecade,therehasbeenamajorchangeinthewaythatthe potentialforregenerationinmammalsisviewed.Earlier,incontrastto the acceptance of regeneration in amphibia, it was generally believed that there was very limited if any capacity for regeneration in many mammalianorgansystemssuchastheheartandbrain.Thediscoveryof tissue-resident adult stem cells and the description of the properties of embryonic stem cells have altered this view. This change in paradigm VI Preface has led to the hope that these discoveries can be harnessed in medical practicetocurechronicdisablingdiseases. The use of tissue-resident adult stem cells depends on the ability to either mobilize them or to convert them from one lineage to another. These problems do not arise with embryonic stem cells. Instead, their useisfraughtwithethicalandpoliticalissuesaswellasthequestionof howtodirecttheirdifferentiationtowardthedesiredcelltype.Whichever approachistaken,issuesofsafetyhavetobeparamount.Inparticular,the roleofstemcellsintumorigenesisiscriticalinassessingtheirpotential clinicalutility. The Ernst Schering Research Foundation and the Riken Center on DevelopmentalBiologyjointlyorganizedaworkshopon"ThePromises andChallengesofRegenerativeMedicine,"whichtookplaceinKobe, Japan on 20-22 October 2004. The purpose of the workshop was to discuss the present state of knowledge and future directions in this important ?eld. Leading basic scientists and clinicians reviewed and discussedseveraltimelytopicswithinthreemainthemes:(1)evolution, development,andregeneration,includingstemcellsinPlanariaandstem cell niches; (2)embryonic and adult stem cells, including adiscussion of the regulatory system in Japan for human embryonic stem cells; and (3) regeneration in speci?c indications including a discussion of the role of stem cells in organs such as the skin, brain, liver, pancreas, cornea,andthecardiovascularsystem.Inaddition,theroleofstemcells in glioblastoma was presented along with the implications for other tumors.

Stem cells are fascinating cell types. They can replicate themselves forever while retaining the potential to generate progeny with speci?c functions. Because of these special properties, stem cells have been subjects of intensive investigation, from understanding basic mechanisms underlying tissue generation, to modeling human diseases, to application for cell replacement therapy. Stem cells come in different forms. For example, mouse embryonic stem cells can general all cell types in a body, either in a dish or when put back into mouse embryos. On the other hand, neural stem cells in the adult brain generate neurons and glia cells that contribute to the brain's plasticity. Rapid progress has been made in the stem cell ?eld with discov- ies published in a record speed. A quick Pubmed search has returned 2789 hits for "embryonic stem cells" and 815 hits for "adult neural stem cells/neurogenesis" in the year 2008 alone. It remains a taunting task for all who are interested in stem cells to keep up with rapidly accumulating literatures. The "Perspectives of Stem Cells" by a truly international team of experts provides a timely and invaluable highlight of the stem cell ?eld gearing toward future therapeutic applications in the nervous system. Stem cells with neural potentials have attracted a lot of attention because of their promise for cell replacement therapy, ranging from degenerative neurological dis- ders to spinal cord injuries.

Primate Craniofacial Function and Biology is an integrative volume with broad coverage of current research on primate craniofacial biology and function. Topic headings include: the mammalian perspective on primate craniofacial form and function, allometric and comparative morphological studies of primate heads, in vivo research on primate mastication, modeling of the primate masticatory apparatus, primate dental form and function, and palaeoanthropologic studies of primate skulls. Additionally, the volume includes introductory chapters discussing how primatologists study adaptations in primates and a discussion of in vivo approaches for studying primate performance. At present, there are no texts with a similar focus on primate craniofacial biology and no sources that approach this topic from such a wide range of research perspectives. This breadth of research covered by leaders in their respective fields make this volume a unique and innovative contribution to biological anthropology.

Do real stem cells and stem cell lineages exist in lower organisms? Can stem cells from one organism parasitize the soma and/or the germ line of conspecifics? Can differentiated cells in marine organisms be re-programmed to regenerate tissues, organs and appendages through novel de-differentiation, transdifferentiation, or re-differentiation processes, leading to virtually all three germ layers, including the germline? The positive answers to above questions open a new avenue in stem cell research: the biology of stem cells in marine organisms. It is therefore unfortunate that while the literature on stem cell from terrestrial organisms is rich and expanding at an exponential rate, investigations on marine organisms' stem cells are very limited and scarce. By presenting theoretical chapters, overview essays and specific research results, this book summarises the knowledge and the hypotheses on stem cells in marine organisms through major phyla and specific model organisms. The study on stem cells from marine invertebrates may shed lights on mechanisms promoting immunity, developmental biology, regeneration and budding processes in marine invertebrates, body maintenance, aging and senescence. It aims in encouraging a larger scientific community to follow and study the novel phenomena of stem cells behaviours as depicted from the few currently studied marine invertebrates.

One of the major questions in the evolution of animals is the transition from unicellular to multicellular organization, which resulted in the emergence of Metazoa through a hypothetical Urmetazoa. The Comparative Embryology of Sponges contains abundant original and literary data on comparative embryology and morphology of the Porifera (Sponges), a group of 'lower Metazoa'. On the basis of this material, original typization of the development of Sponges is given and the problems concerning origin and evolution of Porifera and their ontogenesis are discussed. A morphogenetic interpretation of the body plan development during embryogenesis, metamorphosis and asexual reproduction in Sponges is proposed. Special attention is given to the analysis of characteristic features of the ontogenesis in Porifera. The book pursues three primary goals: 1) generalization of all existing information on individual development of sponges, its classification and a statement according to taxonomical structure of Porifera; 2) revealing of heterogeneity of morphogenesis and peculiarities of ontogeneses in various clades of Porifera, and also their correlations with the organization, both adult sponges, and their larvae; 3) revealing homology of morphogeneses in both Porifera and Eumetazoa, testifying to the general evolutionary roots of multicellular animals, and peculiar features of sponges' morphogeneses and ontogenesis. This book will be of interest to embryologists, zoologists, morphologists and researchers in evolutionary biology.

The ontogeny of each individual contributes to the physical, physiological, cognitive, neurobiological, and behavioral capacity to manage the complex social relationships and diverse foraging tasks that characterize the primate order. For these reasons Building Babies explores the dynamic multigenerational processes of primate development. The book is organized thematically along the developmental trajectory:conception, pregnancy, lactation, the mother-infant dyad, broader social relationships, and transitions to independence. In this volume, the authors showcase the myriad approaches to understanding primate developmental trajectories from both proximate and ultimate perspectives. These collected chapters provide insights from experimental manipulations in captive settings to long-term observations of wild-living populations and consider levels of analysis from molecule to organism to social group to taxon. Strepsirrhines, New World monkeys, Old World monkeys, apes, and humans are all well-represented. Contributions by anthropologists, microbiologists, psychologists, population geneticists, and other primate experts provide Building Babies a uniquely diverse voice. Building Babies features multi- and trans-disciplinary research approaches to primate developmental trajectories and is particularly useful for researchers and instructors in anthropology, animal behavior, psychology, and evolutionary biology. This book also serves as a supplement to upper-level undergraduate courses or graduate seminars on primate life history and development. In these contexts, the book provides exposure to a wide range of methodological and theoretical perspectives on developmental trajectories and models how researchers might productively integrate such approaches into their own work.

Germ cells in sexually reproducing metazoa, through the germline lineage, are the route by which genetic material and cytoplasmic constituents are passed from one generation to the next in the continuum of life. Chapters in this book review germ cell development in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans, discussing the biology, the genetics and the molecular mechanisms for various processes, as well as drawing comparisons with other organisms. Processes discussed include specification of germ cell fate, meiosis, gametogenesis, environmental/ physiological controls, epigenetics and translational control, fertilization and the oocyte-to-embryo transition. This book thus provides a comprehensive picture of the germline lineage and the continuum of life for the worm.

In light of mounting fishing pressures, increased aquaculture production and a growing concern for fish well-being, improved knowledge on the swimming physiology of fish and its application to fisheries science and aquaculture is needed. This book presents recent investigations into some of the most extreme examples of swimming migrations in salmons, eels and tunas, integrating knowledge on their performance in the laboratory with that in their natural environment. For the first time, the application of swimming in aquaculture is explored by assessing the potential impacts and beneficial effects. The modified nutritional requirements of "athletic" fish are reviewed as well as the effects of exercise on muscle composition and meat quality using state-of-the-art techniques in genomics and proteomics. The last chapters introduce zebrafish as a novel exercise model and present the latest technologies for studying fish swimming and aquaculture applications.

Foreword by Phillip V. Tobias The introduction of rhesus macaques to Cayo Santiago, Puerto Rico in 1938, and the subsequent development of the CPRC for biomedical research, continues its long history of stimulating studies in physical anthropology. The CPRC monkey colonies, and the precise demographic data on the derived skeletal collection in the Center's Laboratory of Primate Morphology and Genetics (LPMG), provide rare opportunities for morphological, developmental, functional, genetic, and behavioral studies across the life span of rhesus macaques as a species, and as a primate model for humans. The book grows out of a symposium Wang is organizing for the 78th annual meeting of the American Association of Physical Anthropologists to be held in April 2009. This symposium will highlight recent and ongoing research in, or related to, physical anthropology, and reveal the numerous research opportunities that still exist at this unusual rhesus facility. Following an initial historical review of CPRC and its research activities, this book will emphasize recent and current researches on growth, function, genetics, pathology, aging, and behavior, and the impact of these researches on our understanding of rhesus and human morphology, development, genetics, and behavior. Fourteen researchers will present recent and current studies on morphology, genetics, and behavior, with relevance to primate and human growth, health, and evolution. The book will include not only papers presented in the symposium, but also papers from individuals who could not present their work at the meeting due to limitations in the maximum number (14) of permitted speakers.

The population of the world continues to increase at an alarming rate. The trouble linked with overpopulation ranges from food and water scarcity to inadequacy of space for organisms. Overpopulation is also linked with several other demographic hazards, for instance, population blooming will not only result in exhaustion of natural repositories, but it will also induce intense pressure on the world economy. Today nanotechnology is often discussed as a key discipline of research but it has positive and negative aspects. Also, due to industrialization and ever-increasing population, nano-pollution has been an emerging topic among scientists for investigation and debate. Nanotechnology measures any substance on a macromolecular scale, molecular scale, and even atomic scale. More importantly, nanotechnology deals with the manipulation and control of any matter at the dimension of a single nanometer. Nanotechnology and nanoparticles (NPs) play important roles in sustainable development and environmental challenges as well. NPs possess both harmful and beneficial effects on the environment and its harboring components, such as microbes, plants, and humans. There are many beneficial impacts exerted by nanoparticles, however, including their role in the management of waste water and soil treatment, cosmetics, food packaging, agriculture, biomedicines, pharmaceuticals, renewable energies, and environmental remedies. Conversely, NPs also show some toxic effects on microbes, plants, as well as human beings. It has been reported that use of nanotechnological products leads to the more accumulation of NPs in soil and aquatic ecosystems, which may be detrimental for living organisms. Further, toxic effects of NPs on microbes, invertebrates, and aquatic organisms including algae, has been measured. Scientists have also reported on the negative impact of NPs on plants by discussing the delivery of NPs in plants. Additionally, scientists have also showed that NPs interact with plant cells, which results in alterations in growth, biological function, gene expression, and development. Thus, there has been much investigated and reported on NPs and plant interactions in the last decade. This book discusses the most recent work on NPs and plant interaction, which should be useful for scientists working in nanotechnology across a wide variety of disciplines.

This book is the product of a NATO Advanced Study Institute of the same name, held at the Anargyrios and Korgialenios School on the island of Spetsai, Greece, in September 1994. The institute considered the molecular mechanisms which generate the body plan during vertebrate embryogenesis. The main topics discussed included: commitment and imprinting during germ cell differentiation; hierarchies of inductive cell interactions; the molecular functioning of Spemann's organizer and formation of embryonic axes; the extracellular matrix and the cytoskeleton in relation to morphogenesis and cell migration; neurogenesis and patterning of the neuraxis; the regulation of pattern formation by Hox genes and other transcription factors. This ASI was marked by a number of special features. An important one was that it brought together three different generations of embryologists: pioneers in classical embryology; scientists who are now leading the present molecular elucidation of vertebrate embryogenesis; and the promising younger ASI participants, some of whom are already making important contributions to this field. This aspect was very important in determining the character of the meeting. It exposed ambiguities in the classical embryological dogma and thus facilitated a subtle application of the recent molecular findings to classical problems. The second shining feature of this ASI was its evolutionary emphasis. The findings presented were obtained in four different vertebrate systems: mammals (the mouse), avians (the chicken), amphibians (Xenopus) and the teleost fishes (zebrafish).

While it is true that members of most sexually reproducing species can be defined as either male or female, those who belong to the rest of the biological world are not so simply understood. Hermaphroditic creatures reproduce both as male and as female individuals, providing a fascinating glimpse into alternative sexual practices in nature and their ecological and evolutionary successes and failures.

Eloquently written by an award-winning biologist and pioneer in molecular ecology, this primer on hermaphroditism traces the phenomenon throughout Earth's myriad species, accounting for the adaptive significance of alternative sexual systems. Accessible and richly illustrated, the text maps the evolutionary origins of hermaphroditism, as well as its historical instances and fictional representations, underscoring the relevance of dual sexuality to our biological, intellectual, and cultural making. John C. Avise describes the genetics, ecology, phylogeny, and natural history of hermaphroditic plants, fish, and invertebrate animals and details organisms that either reproduce simultaneously as male and female or switch routinely between one sex and the other. Filled with surprising creatures and compelling revelations, this textbook stands alone in its clear yet comprehensive treatment of hermaphroditism and its unique challenge to the supremacy of separate sexes.

The frozen-hydrated specimen is the principal element that unifies the subject of low temperature microscopy, and frozen-hydrated specimens are what this book is all about. Freezing the sample as quickly as possible and then further preparing the specimen for microscopy or microanalysis, whether still embedded in ice or not: there seem to be as many variations on this theme as there are creative scientists with problems of structure and composition to investigate. Yet all share a body of com mon fact and theory upon which their work must be based. Low-Temperature Micros copy and Analysis provides, for the first time, a comprehensive treatment of all the elements to which one needs access. What is the appeal behind the use of frozen-hydrated specimens for biological electron microscopy, and why is it so important that such a book should now have been written? If one cannot observe dynamic events as they are in progress, rapid specimen freezing at least offers the possibility to trap structures, organelles, macro molecules, or ions and other solutes in a form that is identical to what the native structure was like at the moment of trapping. The pursuit of this ideal becomes all the more necessary in electron microscopy because of the enormous increase in resolution that is available with electron-optical instruments, compared to light optical microscopes."