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).

The epistemological synthesis of the various theories of evolution, since the first formulation in 1802 with the transmission of the inherited characters by J.B. Lamarck, shows the need for an alternative synthesis to that of Princeton (1947). This new synthesis integrates the scientific models of self-organization developed during the second half of the 20th century based on the laws of physics, thermodynamics, and mathematics with the emergent evolutionary problematics such as self-organized memory. This book shows, how self-organization is integrated in modern evolutionary biology. It is divided in two parts: The first part pays attention to the modern observations in paleontology and biology, which include major theoreticians of the self-organization (d'Arcy Thompson, Henri Bergson, Rene Thom, Ilya Prigogine). The second part presents different emergent evolutionary models including the sciences of complexity, the non-linear dynamical systems, fractals, attractors, epigenesis, systemics, and mesology with different examples of the sciences of complexity and self-organization as observed in the human lineage, from both internal (embryogenesis-morphogenesis) and external (mesology) viewpoints.

Nutrition and Cancer, Volume 373 presents a collection of chapters that describe the effect of different metabolic situations, their contribution to metabolic modulation, and their impact on tumor growth. Specific chapters in this release include Impact of obesity on cancer progression and treatment, Impact of dietary protein on cancer progression and treatment, Fasting mimicking diet and cancer therapy, Fasting and cancer responses to chemotherapy, Dietary polyamines and cancer, Ketogenic diets and cancer therapy, and Nutritional and metabolic approaches to target OXPHOS and glycolysis in cancer cells.

This book examines the technologies and processes for the development and commercial production of stem cells according to cGMP guidelines. The initial chapter of the book discusses the therapeutic potentials of stem cells for the treatment of various diseases, including degenerative disorders and genetic diseases. The book then reviews the recent developments in the cultivation of stem cells in bioreactors, including critical cultural parameters, possible bioreactor configuration and integrations of novel technologies in bioprocess developmental stages. The book also introduces microscopic, molecular, and cellular techniques for characterization of stem cells for regulatory approvals. Further, it describes optimal cell transporting conditions to maintain cell viability and properties. Further, it summarizes characterization strategies of clinical grade stem cells for stem cell therapy. This book is an invaluable contribution to having an academic and industrial understanding with respect to R&D and manufacturing of clinical grade stem cells.

Epigenetic modifications comprise heritable gene expression changes that occur without alteration of the DNA sequence and 'co-act' with genetic factors to shape development processes and evolutionary trajectories. Multicellular organisms receive different types of environmental stimuli/stresses that trigger epigenetic modifications during development. These environmentally driven mechanisms represent an underlying cause of phenotypic diversity, especially in metazoans. This book aims to present some of the latest epigenetic insights into the development of metazoans (including humans) as an intersection between their ecology and evolution.

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.

Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) of bone is a relatively recent research field. The research community is steadily growing, with interdisciplinary branches in acoustics, medical imaging, biomechanics, biomedical engineering, applied mathematics, bone biology and clinical sciences, resulting in significant achievements in new ultrasound technologies to measure bone, as well as models to elucidate the interaction and the propagation of ultrasonic wave in complex bone structures. Hundreds of articles published in specialists journals are accessible from the Web and from electronic libraries. However, no compilation and synthesis of the most recent and significant research exist. The only book on QUS of bone has been published in 1999 at a time when the propagation mechanisms of ultrasound in bone were still largely unknown and the technology was immature. The research community has now reached a critical size, special sessions are organized in major international meetings (e.g., at the World Congress of Biomechanics, the annual meetings of the Acoustical Society of America, International Bone Densitometry Workshop, etc...). Consequently, the time has come for a completely up to date, comprehensive review of the topic. The book will offer the most recent experimental results and theoretical concepts developed so far and is intended for researchers, graduate or undergraduate students, engineers, and clinicians who are involved in the field. The central part of the book covers the physics of ultrasound propagation in bone. Our goal is to give the reader an extensive view of the mathematical and numerical models as an aid to understand the QUS potential and the types of variables that can be determined by QUS in order to characterize bone strength. The propagation of sound in bone is still subject of intensive research. Different models have been proposed (for example, the Biot theory of poroealasticity and the theory of scattering have been used to describe wave propagation in cancellous bone, whereas propagation in cortical bone falls in the scope of guided waves theories). An extensive review of the models has not been published so far. We intend in this book to present in details the models that are used to solve the direct problem and strategies that are currently developed to address the inverse problem. This will include analytical theories and numerical approaches that have grown exponentially in recent years. Most recent experimental findings and technological developments will also be comprehensively reviewed.

This book provides a comprehensive discussion of the development and evolution of flatfish metamorphosis. The chapters use the tissue model to explain a series of metamorphic events, including eye migration, front bone deformation, dorsal fin elongation and regression, and body depth change, left/right asymmetrical pigmentation, give a hypothesis on the mechanism of eye migration, and the evolutionary origin of left/right eye asymmetry. The book is written by expert who has worked on flatfish metamorphosis over 20 years. It serves as a valuable reference for graduate students and researchers in related fields

MRNA-Based Therapeutics, Volume 372 in the International Review of Cell and Molecular Biology series, covers topics surrounding the effect of different metabolic situations, their contribution to metabolic modulation, and their impact on tumor growth. Specific chapters in this release include New era of nucleic acid therapies: Clinical applications and perspectives, Messenger RNA as personalized therapy: time of truth for rare metabolic disease, Applications of Self-Replicating RNA, mRNA therapy in PKU, Advances in gene-editing technologies, mRNA delivery technologies: towards clinical translation, Advances in mRNA vaccines, and more.

This book provides new insights into the universality of biological systems in animal reproduction and development by a comparative study of a variety of mechanisms in animals ranging from basal invertebrates to vertebrates, including mammals. Animals accomplish genetic diversity through meiosis and fertilization, and during embryogenesis animals must produce specialized cell types, including germ cells, in accordance with their individual body plan. This series of phenomena is essential to the continuity of life in the animal kingdom, and animals show various reproductive and developmental strategies. This volume, comprising four parts, reviews animal kingdom diversity, including reproductive strategies and germ cell differentiation mechanisms (Part 1), sex determination and differentiation (Part2), the mechanisms of fertilization (Part 3), and body axis formation (Part 4). Readers will find descriptions of the reproduction or development of 180 species, 13 phyla, 35 classes, 74 orders, 117 families, and 151 genera in this book. Of particular interest is the diversity of molecules and mechanisms used to achieve the same biological purpose in different animals. Undergraduates, graduate students, and professional scientists who want a deeper understanding of animal reproductive and developmental mechanisms will find this book to be of great value.

This book illustrates the role of randomness and noise in living organisms. Traditionally, the randomness and noise have been used in understanding signal processing in communications. This book is divided into two sections, the first of which introduces readers to the various types and sources of noise and the constructive role of noise in non-linear dynamics. It also analyses the importance of randomness and noise in a variety of science and engineering applications. In turn, the second section discusses in detail the functional role of noise in biological processes for example, in case of brain function at the level of ion channel, synaptic level and even at cognitive level. These are described in various chapters. One of the challenging issue finding the neuronal correlates of various meditative states is to understand how brain controls various types of noise so as to reach a state of synchronized oscillatory state of the brain corresponding to the state of Samadhi. This is described in details in one chapter called Noise, Coherence and meditation. The concept of noise and the role of randomness in living organism raise lot of controversy for last few decades. This is discussed in a separate chapter. Finally, the epistemic and ontic nature of randomness as discussed in physical science are investigated in the context of living organism.

This book aims to deliver the most up-to-date protocols in using epiblast stem cells (EpiSC) to answer critical questions on mammalian development. Beginning with a section on the spectrum of mouse primed pluripotent stem cells, the volume continues with chapters on toolkits to characterize and study primed stem cells, as well as primed stem cells to engineer gastrulation models. Written for the highly successful Method 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, Epiblast Stem Cells: Methods and Protocols serves as an ideal guide to overcome the reproducibility problem by gathering detailed state-of-the-art protocols to perform comprehensive analyses, enabling the reader to opt for the appropriate cell type to model the epiblast.

Author Prof Jim Lynch is widely known and very experienced, well-connected with wide international networks, and globally distinguished. He was awarded the UNESCO Prize in Microbiology and Einstein Medal and Distinguished Scientist of the US Department of Agriculture. His OUP textbook Soil Microbiology was a bestseller. Taps directly into the topical area of the COVID-19 pandemic and One Health. Affordable and accessible to a wide interdisciplinary audience.

Many genes have been cloned from chicken cells, and during the next decade numerous laboratories will be concentrating their resources in developing ways of using these tools. Manipulation of the Avian Genome contains the most recent information from leading research laboratories in the areas of developmental and molecular genetics of the chicken. This information was presented at the Keystone Symposium held at Lake Tahoe in March, 1991. The book discusses potential applications of emerging technology in basic science and poultry production. Various techniques for altering genomic DNA, such as microinjection, retroviral vectors, and lipofection are covered. Genome evaluation using DNA fingerprinting and conventional breeding techniques are presented.

This book covers a wide range of topics that illustrate the various functions of autophagy in stem cells and offers insights on the mechanisms by which autophagy can regulate stem-cell self-renewal and facilitate specific differentiation programs. Stem cells are unique cells present in most multicellular animals and are essential for their survival. They have two unique properties: the ability to self-renew and the ability to differentiate into one or more cell types. These characteristics of stem cells have found immense therapeutic potential in regenerative medicine. Autophagy is a crucial membrane trafficking pathway that is essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis that involves sequestration of non-functional proteins, protein aggregates and damaged organelles in double-membraned vesicles called autophagosomes, which are subsequently targeted to the lysosome for degradation. The primary aim of this book is to provide knowledge of recent developments in our understanding of the role of autophagy in stem cells, including germline stem cells. Autophagy is considered a promising target for many diseases. Significant efforts are being developed to identify specific modulators of autophagy, which will aid in designing combinatorial therapeutic strategies that will allow significant improvements in regenerative medicine.

New Antibody Formats, Volume 369 in the International Review of Cell and Molecular Biology serial, highlights new advances in the field with this new volume presenting interesting chapters on a variety of important topics, including Current innovative engineered antibodies, Advances in bispecific antibodies, Applications of trimerbodies for cancer immunotherapy, Multispecific mAb-Anticalin formats, New antibody formats to treat Lung Cancer, Immunocytokines: from bench to bedside, and Single domain antibodies in cancer.

The COVID-19 pandemic that started in 2019-2020 has led to a gigantic increase in modeling and simulation of infectious diseases. There are numerous topics associated with this epoch-changing event, such as (a) disease propagation, (b) transmission, (c) decontamination, and (d) vaccines. This is an evolving field. The targeted objective of this book is to expose researchers to key topics in this area, in a very concise manner. The topics selected for discussion have evolved with the progression of the pandemic. Beyond the introductory chapter on basic mathematics, optimization, and machine learning, the book covers four themes in modeling and simulation infectious diseases, specifically: Part 1: Macroscale disease propagation, Part 2: Microscale disease transmission and ventilation system design, Part 3: Ultraviolet viral decontamination, and Part 4: Vaccine design and immune response. It is important to emphasize that the rapid speed at which the simulations operate makes the presented computational tools easily deployable as digital twins, i.e., digital replicas of complex systems that can be inexpensively and safely optimized in a virtual setting and then used in the physical world afterward, thus reducing the costs of experiments and also accelerating development of new technologies.

'Developmental biology' is widely understood as processes, which mainly concern embryonic animal development and differentiation of cells and tissue. It is also often defined as the timeline for the evolutionary developmental biology of eukaryotic multicellular higher organisms, i.e., plants and animals. The development of prokaryotes and lower eukaryotes in contrary has been neglected for a long time, which was the motivation for publishing this book. This book highlights one of Darwin's most important findings: Evolution is a creative, but not a conscious process. It also illustrates that this concept does not only apply to multicellular higher organisms, but affects every form of life. The reader shall find complex biochemical and genetic pathways of bacteria, yeasts or protozoa, comparable to those exhibited by plants or animals. The molecular mechanisms of dramatic genome rearrangements, recombination and horizontal gene transfer that are responsible for evolutionary adaptations are discussed. Additionally, the book covers bacteria of the genera Myxobacteriales and Caulobacterales, which are able to develop tissue-like cellular organization. The morphogenesis of entomopathogenic fungi and the endosymbiont theory are also addressed. The book is a useful introduction to the field for junior scientists, interested in bacteriology, protistology and fungal development. It is also an interesting read for advanced scientists, giving them a broader view of the field beyond their area of specialization.

One, No one, One Hundred Thousand - The Multifaceted Role of Macrophages in Health and Disease - Part A, provides in-depth reviews on the last progresses on the role of macrophages in health and diseases with a special focus on the role of macrophages in SARS-COV2, breast cancer, liver and salivary glands.

Mouse Models of Development and Disease, Volume 148 in the Current Topics in Developmental Biology series, highlights new advances in the field, with this volume presenting chapters describing Mouse models of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, Mouse models in palate and craniofacial development, Uterine morphogenesis, Improving the translatability of mouse models of Alzheimer's disease, Mouse models for the study of clustered protocadherins, Mechanisms of organ regeneration in the spiny mouse, Comparative studies of organ vascularization, Modeling human urinary tract development and hereditary malformations, Innervation in organogenesis, Between embryo and adult: somatic growth of the kidney, and Mouse models in the study of Notch signaling.

Experimental Models of Infection, Inflammation and Injury, Volume 168 provides step-by-step protocols for scientific researchers to effectively utilize experimental model systems. Chapters in this new release include Induction and Evaluation of Murine T Cell Transfer Colitis, Modelling acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) in murine bone marrow transplantation (BMT) models with MHC disparity, Mouse models of Graft-Versus-Host Disease, Preclinical Model of Multiple Sclerosis: Methods in Autoimmune Demyelination, Preclinical model of Multiple Sclerosis: focal, chemical or demyelination, Investigating demyelination, efficient remyelination and remyelination failure in organotypic cerebellar slice cultures: workflow and practical tips, and more. Other notable sections cover Rheumatoid Arthritis: Methods for Two Murine Models, Induction of Pancreatitis in Mice with Susceptibility to Pancreatic Cancer, Small Animal Models of Thermal Injury, Large Animal Models of Thermal Injury, Small animal models of localized heart irradiation, Methods for Induction and Assessment of Intestinal Permeability in Rodent Models of Radiation Injury, and more.

This Open Access volume provides a comprehensive overview of the latest tools available to scientists to study the many facets of whole-body regeneration (WBR). The chapters in this book are organized into six parts. Part One provides a historical overview on the study of the WBR phenomena focusing on the primary challenges of this research. Parts Two and Three explore a series of non-vertebrate zoological contexts that provide experimental models for WBR, showing how they can be approached with cellular tools. Parts Four, Five, and Six discuss the future advancements of WBR, reporting about the cutting-edge techniques in genetics and omics used to dissect the underlying mechanisms of WBR, and systems biology approaches to reach a synthetic view of WBR. 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 thorough, Whole-Body Regeneration: Methods and Protocols is a valuable resource for scientists and researchers who want to learn more about this important and developing field.

Fish - including cyclostomes, elasmobranchs, and teleosts - display a wide variety of ways of coping with the stringent conditions they encounter in the aquatic environment. This diversity is especially evident in the female genital systems where some fish spawn profligate numbers of small eggs while others develop a few yolky eggs that may receive parental care. Parental care is carried to extremes in viviparity where eggs develop within the ovary or oviducts of the mother.This volume describes the myriad ways in which fish have approached problems of reproduction - it is an amply illustrated comparative study of the microscopic structure of the female genital systems of fish.

Cellular and Molecular Aspects of Myeloproliferative Neoplasms - Part B, Volume 366 in the International Review of Cell and Molecular Biology series, highlights new advances in the field, with this new volume presenting interesting chapters written by an international board of authors. Sections cover Genetic and Sex predisposition to MPN, Transcriptional configurations of Myeloproliferative Neoplasms, Inhibitors and therapeutic targets of MPN, Mutational landscape of blast-phase myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN-BP) and antecedent MPN, and Lessons from Mouse model of MPN, Lab tests for MPN.

This detailed volume presents a variety of animal models that are commonly used to study sepsis and some key procedures to measure specific disease outcomes. The chapters describe well-established surgical and nonsurgical rodent models of sepsis, presented by experts in the field. In addition, the book includes protocols for burn injury and sepsis, modeling the mouse intensive care unit (MICU), and the development of humanized mice, which may be useful tools to increase the translational potential of rodent sepsis research. There is a chapter discussing the use of biomarkers for sepsis diagnosis and prognosis in humans and mice, as well as chapters describing specific methods for biomarker measurement, and the use of analgesics and humane endpoints in rodent sepsis research. Finally, agent-based computational modeling is presented as a valuable complementary approach to study sepsis. 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, Sepsis: Methods and Protocols serves as an ideal guide for researchers working toward improving the identification and treatment of septic patients.