The present volume is the first in the advances in oncobiology series. It is meant to be useful not only to clinical and non-clinical oncologists but also to graduate students and medical students. The individual chapters are presented as self-contained summaries of current knowledge rather than as reviews. The last chapter deals with the subject of chemotherapy.

A readily reproducible collection of established and emerging techniques for studying the interaction between proteins and ligands, including biochemical/bulk techniques, structure analysis, spectroscopy, single-molecule studies, and theoretical/computational tools. Among the highlights are surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and reflectometric biosensor approaches, high-throughput screening with confocal optics microscopy, single molecule fluorescence and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), crystallography of reaction intermediates, and time-resolved x-ray crystallography. The protocols follow the successful Methods in Molecular Biologya"[ series format, each offering step-by-step laboratory instructions, an introduction outlining the principle behind the technique, lists of the necessary equipment and reagents, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.

Many new antileukotriene drugs are now marketed as antiasthma drugs and represent the first new drugs in this field since the 1970s. This book covers the steps that have led to the discovery and development of these new drugs and offers detailed descriptions of their clinical applications. The review chapters on the main aspects of basic and applied leukotriene research are written by leading specialists in the field, and the volume takes a new approach in presenting information of particular interest to both scientists and clinicians in the fields of asthma, inflammation and allergic diseases.

An integrated survey of best practices for the management of patients with implanted prosthetic devices and an insightful examination of the epidemiological, societal, and policy issues associated with their use. The devices covered range from breast, penile, vascular, and joint prostheses to cochlear, ossicular, and dental implants, and include cerebrospinal fluid shunts, cardiac valves, stents, and pacemakers. For each device, the authors consider its pros and cons, detail the best current strategies to keep implanted patients healthy, and evaluate the latest and most promising new diagnostic tests, Clinical counterpoints from distinguished authorities at major centers in the United States and Europe are offered throughout. Follow-up recommendations are summarized in a standardized format that allows comparative analysis and lays the foundation for controlled clinical trials and the eventual establishment of evidence-based guidelines.

We are currently experiencing a fundamental shift in the way in which we approach the characterization of cancer. Never before has the make up of cancer tissues and individual cells been so exhaustively researched and char- terized. We are now capable of producing molecular "fingerprints" that ch- acterize the expression of all known and unknown genes within tumors and their surrounding tissues. More than 30,000 different genes may be measured in each patient's tumor in a single experiment. Simultaneously, novel therapies that exploit the molecular roadmap have been developed and are now being offered to patients. These novel agents, such as Glivec, Herceptin, Iressa, and others, specifically target individual genes within tumors and can produce d- matic responses in some patients. These drugs are only the forerunners of a coming tidal wave of novel therapeutics that individually target specific m- ecules within cancer cells-more than 300 such agents are currently in phase I or II clinical trials. This is an exciting time for cancer specialists and patients alike. However, if we have learned anything from the past 50 or more years of research into cancer, it is that Lord Beaverbrook, in founding the British national health service in the 1950s, was frighteningly prescient when he defined the primary goal of health care to be "Diagnosis, Diagnosis, Diag- sis. " Now, more than ever, it is essential that appropriate diagnostic methods and approaches are applied to the selection of patients for treatment.

Annual Reports in Medicinal Chemistry provides timely and critical reviews of important topics in medicinal chemistry together with an emphasis on emerging topics in the biological sciences which are expected to provide the basis for entirely new future therapies.

The idea of editing this book was born in the winter of 1988/1989. Christian Endler was organizing the workshop 'Wasser und Information' (water and information) in Austria [1], and Jurgen Schulte was working on a publication of his results on atomic cluster stabilities and long-range electromagnetic interaction in atomic clusters. It was Franz Moser from the Technical University of Graz who brought these two together. After a talk that Moser had given in Bremen, Schulte explained to hirn his ideas about clusters and long range interaction, and his concern about reliable theories and experiments in research on ultra high dilutions (UHD) and homoeopathy. He was suggested to be a speaker at the Austrian workshop. Reviewing the contributions of this workshop and the current literature on UHD and homoeopathy, especially the PhD thesis by Giesela King [2] and the excellent survey by Marco Righetti [3], we decided to work on a book in order to critically encou rage more scientists to work and publish in this field with a high scientific standard. What we had in mind was a useful contribution to the goal to lift research on UHD and homoeo pathy to an internationally acceptable scientific standard, to encourage international scien tists to work in this area and to establish UHD and homoeopathy in academic science. Delayed by our individual academic careers in our specific fields, and delayed by lack of funds it took us about four years to finish this book.

This book, with its 16 chapters, documents the present state of knowledge of the adenosine A receptor. It covers a wide range of information, including data from 3 studies of theoretical, molecular and cellular pharmacology, signal transduction, integrative physiology, new drug discoveries and clinical applications. It fills an important gap in the literature since no alternative source of such information is currently available. Although the A receptor is increasingly being recognized for 3 its increasing number of biological roles throughout the body and many A receptor 3 ligands have proven useful in elucidating peripheral and central pathologies, many issues remain unresolved. Moreover, research activity in this field continues to grow exponentially, resulting in a constant flow of new information. The chapters in this book cover both basic science and the relevant applications and provide an authoritative account of the current status of the field. They have enabled my goal as editor to make "A Adenosine Receptors from Cell Biology to Pharmacology and 3 Therapeutics" an up to date, scientifically excellent, reference source, attractive to basic and clinical scientists alike, a reality. Detailed understanding of the physico-chemical aspects and molecular biology of the A receptor provides a solid basis for its future development as a target for 3 adenosine-based pharmacotherapies (Chapters 2 and 3).

In Human Cloning a panel of distinguished philosophers, medical ethicists, religious thinkers, and social critics tackle the thorny problems raised by the now real possibility of human cloning. In their wide ranging reviews, the distinguished contributors critically examine the major arguments for and against human cloning, probe the implications of such a procedure for society, and critically evaluate the "Report and Recommendations of the National Bioethics Advisory Commission." The debate includes both religious and secular arguments, as well as an outline of the history of the cloning debate and a discussion of human cloning's impact on our sense of self and our beliefs about the meaning of life.

A collection of cutting-edge techniques for studying ubiquitin-dependent protein degradation via the proteasome. The topics covered range broadly from basic biochemistry to cellular assays to discovery techniques using mass spectrometric analysis. These biochemical and cellular methods are necessary to explore the ubiquitin-proteasome system and ubiquitin-proteasome-dependent functions. State-of-the-art and user-friendly, Ubiquitin-Proteasome Protocols offers novice and experienced bench scientists alike a thorough compendium of readily reproducible techniques that will accelerate discovery, enhance productivity, and permit manipulation of the system for varied research purposes.

Cell Cycle Control and Dysregulation Protocols focuses on emerging methodologies for studying the cell cycle, kinases, and kinase inhibitors. It addresses the issue of gene expression in vivo and in vitro, the analysis of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, protein degradation mediated by the proteosome, the analysis of the transformed cell phenotype, and innovative techniques to detect apoptosis. Because there are already many manuals and protocols available, along with commercial kits and reagents, a variety of the more common techniques have not been included in our book. The protocols described, based on rather sophisticated techniques for in vivo and in vitro studies, consist of molecular biology, biochemistry, and various types of immunoassays. Indeed, the authors have successfully accomplished an arduous task by presenting several topics in the simplest possible manner. We are confident that Cell Cycle Control and Dysregulation Protocols will facilitate and optimize the work of practical scientists involved in researching the cell cycle. We greatly acknowledge the extraordinary contribution of the authors in writing this book.

During the last decade, an increased interest in somatic stem cells has led to a flurry of research on one of the most accessible tissues of the body: skin. Much effort has focused on such topics as understanding the heterogeneity of stem cell pools within the epidermis and dermis, and their comparative utility in regenerative medicine applications. In Skin Stem Cells: Methods and Protocols, expert researchers in the field detail many of the methods which are now commonly used to study skin stem cells. These include methods and techniques for the isolation, maintenance and characterization of stem cell populations from skin. 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, Skin Stem Cells: Methods and Protocols seeks to aid scientists in the further understanding of these diverse cell types and the translation of their biological potential to the in vivo setting.

This volume of Progress in Inflammation Research is a unique compilation of work performed by a wide spectrum of investigators from different medical disciplines. It is fascinating that dietary alterations of fatty acid intake can result in a range of salutory changes in a great variety of medical conditions. Most of the good scien tific work which has led to these observations has been performed over just the last two decades. This is of course not a very long time in the context of the history of the human species. Recently performed analysis of fat intake from paleolithic times has indicated that our hunter-gatherer ancestors consumed as much cholesterol as modern Western man, but strikingly less saturated fatty acid and more polyunsatu rates, including n-3 fatty acids. Wild game has the terrestrial source of n-3 incorpo rated in its fat since browsing animals derive 18:3n-3 (alpha-linolenic acid) natural ly from leafy plants. There is, however, little opportunity for modern Western man to get n-3 fatty acids from the diet if one does not consume fish. Modern agribusiness provides ani mal feeds high in n-6 fatty acids, mostly derived from linoleic acid (18:2n-6) in corn feed. Therefore, grazing animals have no access to alternative fatty acids in either feed or grasses, the latter containing little or none of these potentially beneficial highly polyunsaturated fatty acids."

Hands-on researchers describe in step-by-step detail 73 proven laboratory methods and bioinformatics tools essential for analysis of the proteome. These cutting-edge techniques address such important tasks as sample preparation, 2D-PAGE, gel staining, mass spectrometry, and post-translational modification. There are also readily reproducible methods for protein expression profiling, identifying protein-protein interactions, and protein chip technology, as well as a range of newly developed methodologies for determining the structure and function of a protein. The bioinformatics tools include those for analyzing 2D-GEL patterns, protein modeling, and protein identification. All laboratory-based protocols follow the successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series format, each offering step-by-step laboratory instructions, an introduction outlining the principle behind the technique, lists of the necessary equipment and reagents, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.

The Proceedings of the Fourth International Metallothionein Meeting (MT-97) feature the latest research on metallothionein. The book covers a broad range of topics which provide important information for both basic and clinical investigators. The selected 94 articles in this book are written by the leading scientists in the field around the world. This is an increasingly important, multi-disciplinary area of study that has benefitted from recent advances in concepts and methodologies from other fields.

This advanced text-cum-reference book presents a comprehensive account of the syntheses, reactions, properties and applications of all the most significant classes of heterocyclic compounds. This second volume in the series is an essential tool not only for advanced undergraduates and graduates, but also for academic and industrial researchers in organic, medicinal, pharmaceutical, dye and agricultural chemistry.

Examining the chemical modification of biological polymers and the emerging applications of this technology, Chemical Modification of Biological Polymers reflects the change in emphasis in this subsection of biotechnology from the study of protein structure and function toward applications in therapeutics and diagnostics.

Highlights

• The basic organic chemistry of the modification proteins, nucleic acids, oligosaccharides, polysaccharides, and their applications
• New analytical technologies used to characterize the chemical modification of biological polymers
• Identification of in vivo, non-enzymatic chemical modification of biological polymers
• Specific chemical modifications to generate biopharmaceutical products

This book covers the basics on the organic chemistry underlying the chemical modification of biopolymers, including updates on the use of various chemical reagents. It describes the current status of chemical modification of biological polymers and emerging applications of this technology in biotechnology. These technologies are important for the manufacture of conjugate proteins used in drug delivery, for the preparation of nucleic acid microarrays, and for the preparation of hydrogels and other materials used in tissue engineering.

Authoritative investigators active in the discovery, development, and application of biological anti-infective agents concisely review their use and potential in preventing and treating human disease. Focusing on biotherapeutic entities that have been tested in controlled studies, the prominent experts illuminate the scientific underpinnings of their therapeutic power, assess their possible risks in the treatment of infectious diseases, and outline the research needed to better define their effectiveness. In addition, they also consider how biotherapeutic agents may be genetically engineered for maximum intestinal and vaginal production of bioactive substances in vivo. Biotherapeutic Agents and Infectious Diseases brings together all the evidence needed to understand and capitalize on the considerable promise of this significant new class of biotherapeutic entities.

Etwa 3 Milliarden Genbausteine umfaAt das Erbgut des Menschen, an dessen EntschlA1/4sselung Forscher in aller Welt arbeiten. VerstAndlich und aktuell informiert dieses Buch A1/4ber die wichtigsten Forschungsprojekte und ihre Ergebnisse. Es zeigt, welche Hoffnungen in die medizinische Anwendung der Genforschung sich bislang erfA1/4llt haben, wo Gentests und Gentherapien heute mAglich sind oder wo sie in naher Zukunft entwickelt werden kAnnen. Eine kritische Diskussion gilt der Frage nach der Patentierung von Genen und der mAglichen Diskriminierung von Personen und Volksgruppen durch Gentests. An ausgewAhlten Beispielen wird schlieAlich gezeigt, wie sich mit Hilfe der Gene ein Blick zurA1/4ck in die Evolution tun lAAt. Ein ausfA1/4hrliches Glossar mit der ErklArung wichtiger Fachbegriffe schlieAt das Buch ab.

Modern neuroscience research is inherently multidisciplinary, with a wide variety of cutting edge new techniques to explore multiple levels of investigation. This Third Edition of Guide to Research Techniques in Neuroscience provides a comprehensive overview of classical and cutting edge methods including their utility, limitations, and how data are presented in the literature. This book can be used as an introduction to neuroscience techniques for anyone new to the field or as a reference for any neuroscientist while reading papers or attending talks.

F. Macfarlane Burnet I have been an interested onlooker for many years at research on the biology of trace elements, particularly in its bearing on the pas toral and agricultural importance of copper, zinc, cobalt, and mo lybdenum deficiencies in the soil of various parts of Australia. More recently I have developed a rather more specific interest in the role of zinc, particularly in relation to the dominance of zinc metalloenzymes in the processes of DNA replication and repair, and its possible significance for human pathology. One area of special significance is the striking effect of zinc deficiency in the mother in producing congenital abnormalities in the fetus. The fact that several chapters in the present work are concerned with this and other aspects of zinc deficiency is, I fancy, the editors jus tification for inviting me to write this foreword. In reading several of the chpaters before publication, my main impression was of the great potential importance of the topic of trace metal biology in both its negative and positive aspects-the effects of deficiency of essential elements and the toxicity of such pollutants of the modern world as lead or mercury mainly as or ganic compounds."

Cancer has become the most critical health problem in the United States. It is expected that 25% of the people will develop this dread disease, and many of these will die from the malady. The causes of cancer are varied, but the best estimate available is that 70--90% arise from environmental factors. These statistics have triggered widespread governmental action along two lines: (l) An effort to identify those chemicals and conditions that give rise to malignant processes has been mounted by the Carcino genesis Testing Program, the National Cancer Program, and subse quently, the National Toxicology Program. (2) Regulatory laws have been enacted that are administered by agencies such as TSCA, FIFRA, EPA, FDA, OSHA, and so on, whose mission is to minimize public ex posure to carcinogens. Since direct verification that specific chemicals induce cancer in hu of unanticipated expo mans is necessarily limited to known incidences sure and is therefore rare, most chemicals are identified as carcinogens only by laboratory experiments. At present, the only accepted procedure is long-term animal bioassay, and not only are these studies expensive and time-consuming, but current worldwide resources permit the evalua tion of only 300-400 chemicals per year, a miniscule amount compared to what is available in the commercial world: 30,000 existing chemicals, with approximately 700 new such materials being introduced every year."