In nature, biological organisms produce mineralized tissues such as bone, teeth, diatoms, and shells. Biomineralization is the sophisticated process of production of these inorganic minerals by living organisms. Construction of organic-inorganic hybrid materials with controlled mineralization analogous to those produced by nature has recently received much attention because it can aid in understanding the mechanisms of the biomineralization process and development of biomimetic materials processing. The biomineralization ? processes use aqueous solutions at temperatures below 100 C and no toxic intermediates are produced in these systems. From a serious global en- ronmental problem point of view, the development of processes inspired by biomineralization would offer valuable insights into material science and en- neering to reduce energy consumption and environmental impact. One of the most challenging scienti?c problems is to gain greater insight into the mol- ular interactions occurring at the interface between the inorganic mineral and the macromolecular organic matrix. Model systems are often regarded as a straight-forward experimental approach toward biomimetic crystallization. Hierarchical architectures consisting of small building blocks of inorganic cr- tals are often found in biominerals. Studies of nanocrystal self-organization in solution systems would also be helpful for understanding biomineralization. In these volumes, we focus on construction of organic-inorganic hybrid - terials with controlled mineralization inspired by natural biomineralization. In the?rst volume, thereader will ?nd contributionsproviding abasic scopeof the mineralization process in aqueous solution.

Multiphase catalysis is a key technology for the competitive and sustainable production of fine chemicals in coming decades. A joint academic and industry consortium has developed tools for considering complex chemical and process-based requirements when setting up a catalytic system. This book shows how the resulting competence covers such supercritical fluid (SCF) technology in catalysis, ionic liquids (Il), ligand design for SFCs and Ils, thermomorphic solvent systems, reactor design and more.

The Springer Handbook of Enzymes provides concise data on some 5,000 enzymes sufficiently well characterized - and here is the second, updated edition. Their application in analytical, synthetic and biotechnology processes as well as in food industry, and for medicinal treatments is added. Data sheets are arranged in their EC-Number sequence. The new edition reflects considerable progress in enzymology: the total material has more than doubled, and the complete 2nd edition consists of 39 volumes plus Synonym Index. Starting in 2009, all newly classified enzymes are treated in Supplement Volumes.

A variety of complementary techniques and approaches have been used to characterize peptide and protein unfolding induced by temperature, pressure, and solvent. Volume 62, Unfolded Proteins, assembles these complementary views to develop a more complete picture of denatured peptides and proteins. The unifying observation common to all chapters is the detection of preferred backbone confirmations in experimentally accessible unfolded states.
Key Features
* Peptide and protein unfolding induced by temperature, pressure, and solvent
* Denatured peptides and proteins
* Detection of preferred backbone confirmations in experimentally accessible unfolded states

The present monograph is devoted to the chemistry of nitroazoles, one of the most interesting series of heteroaromatic compounds. The azoles hold a special position in the chemistry of heterocycles. Their unique properties and specific biological activity attract much attention of research chemists all over the world. During the last years the interest in the chemistry of nitroazoles has increasing. The nitro derivatives of azoles have found a wide application in various fields of industrial chemistry, agriculture, and medicine. Medical products developed by nitroazoles incluce a- mycin, metronidazole, misonidazole, tinidazole, nitazole, etc. , ionic liquids, hi- energy materials, synthons for nanocompounds, universal bases in peptide nucleic acids, plant growth regulators, and intermediates for organic synthesis. The investigations in the field of energetic compounds have received enormous interest in recent years. Energetic materials on the base nitroazoles - explosives, propellants, and pyrotechnics - are widely used for both civilian and military applications. Nitroazoles, especially polynitroazoles, possess higher heat of for- tion, density, and oxygen balance than their carbocyclic analogs. A number of ongoing research programs worldwide are aimed for the development of new explosives and propellants with higher performance characteristics or enhanced insensitivity to thermal or shock insults and pyrotechnics with reduced smoke. The preparation of nitroazoles demonstrates its great synthetic potential. At the same time, feasibility and availability of the starting molecules make this strategy a p- erful method for high-energy material construction.

In this volume of "Cell and Molecular Responses to Stress" articles provide up-to-date information on key areas of signal sensing (sensing of pain, heat, cold, light, infrared radiation), molecules involved in the intracellular transmission of these signals, metabolic responses to stress including changes in gene expression and production of specialized proteins that aid cell responses to factors including interrupted blood supply (ischemia), oxygen limitation (hypoxia/anoxia), freezing and dehydration, amino acid limitation, radiation and processing drugs. There are chapters which also provide insights into new technologies (such as cDNA arrays), analysis of metabolic control theory (a key method for analysing stress effects on cells), and examine how enzymes evolve in the face of stress.

Although phosphorylation of proteins on tyrosine is relatively rare compared to phosphorylation on serine or threonine residues, the past two decades of research into PTP function have led to a great appreciation of the critical role PTPs have in regulating basic cellular processes. Among these important roles is the regulation of cellular signaling pathways related to metabolism. This volume contains chapters which highlight many aspects of PTP function in the context of metabolism. Given the growing obesity and diabetes epidemics in the United States and throughout the world, the desire to identify possible therapeutic targets for treatment of these diseases is a high priority. In many ways, PTPs may be attractive drug targets since they are amenable to targeting with small molecules; however many challenges abound in making PTP inhibitors.

Francis BACON, in his Novum Organum, Robert BOYLE, in his Skeptical Chemist and Rene DESCARTES, in his Discourse on Method; all of these men were witnesses to the th scientific revolution, which, in the 17 century, began to awaken the western world from a long sleep. In each of these works, the author emphasizes the role of the experimental method in exploring the laws of Nature, that is to say, the way in which an experiment is designed, implemented according to tried and tested te- niques, and used as a basis for drawing conclusions that are based only on results, with their margins of error, taking into account contemporary traditions and prejudices. Two centuries later, Claude BERNARD, in his Introduction to the Study of Experimental Medicine, made a passionate plea for the application of the experimental method when studying the functions of living beings. Twenty-first century Biology, which has been fertilized by highly sophisticated techniques inherited from Physics and Chemistry, blessed with a constantly increasing expertise in the manipulation of the genome, initiated into the mysteries of information techn- ogy, and enriched with the ever-growing fund of basic knowledge, at times appears to have forgotten its roots."

This book provides the reader with a comprehensive overview of the Antiphospholipid syndrome. One of the most important advances in rheumatology and connective tissue diseases of the last decade. It provides an explanation for many previously undefined conditions with no clear pathogenesis encompassing all subspeculations in internal medicine as well as obstetrics. Clotting problems leading to strokes and myocardial infarctions (in younger people) as well as a large variety of other syndromes such as chorea, hyproadrenalism, pulmonary problems are now being understood.

With the present issue of Topics in Current Chemistry, the fourth and final volume concluding the mini-series on dendrimer chemistry has appeared. With a focus on the interdisciplinary bridges to neighboring fields, the contributions to this volume focus on coordination, catalysis and self-assembly, nicely balanced by a synthesis-based article on dendritic oligoethers.

Maize is used in an endless list of products that are directly or indirectly related to human nutrition and food security. Maize is grown in producer farms, farmers depend on genetically improved cultivars, and maize breeders develop improved maize cultivars for farmers. Nikolai I. Vavilov defined plant breeding as plant evolution directed by man. Among crops, maize is one of the most successful examples for breeder-directed evolution. Maize is a cross-pollinated species with unique and separate male and female organs allowing techniques from both self and cross-pollinated crops to be utilized. As a consequence, a diverse set of breeding methods can be utilized for the development of various maize cultivar types for all economic conditions (e.g., improved populations, inbred lines, and their hybrids for different types of markets). Maize breeding is the science of maize cultivar development. Public investment in maize breeding from 1865 to 1996 was $3 billion (Crosbie et al., 2004) and the return on investment was $260 billion as a consequence of applied maize breeding, even without full understanding of the genetic basis of heterosis. The principles of quantitative genetics have been successfully applied by maize breeders worldwide to adapt and improve germplasm sources of cultivars for very simple traits (e.g. maize flowering) and very complex ones (e.g., grain yield). For instance, genomic efforts have isolated early-maturing genes and QTL for potential MAS but very simple and low cost phenotypic efforts have caused significant and fast genetic progress across genotypes moving elite tropical and late temperate maize northward with minimal investment. Quantitative genetics has allowed the integration of pre-breeding with cultivar development by characterizing populations genetically, adapting them to places never thought of (e.g., tropical to short-seasons), improving them by all sorts of intra- and inter-population recurrent selection methods, extracting lines with more probability of success, and exploiting inbreeding and heterosis. Quantitative genetics in maize breeding has improved the odds of developing outstanding maize cultivars from genetically broad based improved populations such as B73. The inbred-hybrid concept in maize was a public sector invention 100 years ago and it is still considered one of the greatest achievements in plant breeding. Maize hybrids grown by farmers today are still produced following this methodology and there is still no limit to genetic improvement when most genes are targeted in the breeding process. Heterotic effects are unique for each hybrid and exotic genetic materials (e.g., tropical, early maturing) carry useful alleles for complex traits not present in the B73 genome just sequenced while increasing the genetic diversity of U.S. hybrids. Breeding programs based on classical quantitative genetics and selection methods will be the basis for proving theoretical approaches on breeding plans based on molecular markers. Mating designs still offer large sample sizes when compared to QTL approaches and there is still a need to successful integration of these methods. There is a need to increase the genetic diversity of maize hybrids available in the market (e.g., there is a need to increase the number of early maturing testers in the northern U.S.). Public programs can still develop new and genetically diverse products not available in industry. However, public U.S. maize breeding programs have either been discontinued or are eroding because of decreasing state and federal funding toward basic science. Future significant genetic gains in maize are dependent on the incorporation of useful and unique genetic diversity not available in industry (e.g., NDSU EarlyGEM lines). The integration of pre-breeding methods with cultivar development should enhance future breeding efforts to maintain active public breeding programs not only adapting and improving genetically broad-based germplasm but also developing unique products and training the next generation of maize breeders producing research dissertations directly linked to breeding programs. This is especially important in areas where commercial hybrids are not locally bred. More than ever public and private institutions are encouraged to cooperate in order to share breeding rights, research goals, winter nurseries, managed stress environments, and latest technology for the benefit of producing the best possible hybrids for farmers with the least cost. We have the opportunity to link both classical and modern technology for the benefit of breeding in close cooperation with industry without the need for investing in academic labs and time (e.g., industry labs take a week vs months/years in academic labs for the same work). This volume, as part of the Handbook of Plant Breeding series, aims to increase awareness of the relative value and impact of maize breeding for food, feed, and fuel security. Without breeding programs continuously developing improved germplasm, no technology can develop improved cultivars. Quantitative Genetics in Maize Breeding presents principles and data that can be applied to maximize genetic improvement of germplasm and develop superior genotypes in different crops. The topics included should be of interest of graduate students and breeders conducting research not only on breeding and selection methods but also developing pure lines and hybrid cultivars in crop species. This volume is a unique and permanent contribution to breeders, geneticists, students, policy makers, and land-grant institutions still promoting quality research in applied plant breeding as opposed to promoting grant monies and indirect costs at any short-term cost. The book is dedicated to those who envision the development of the next generation of cultivars with less need of water and inputs, with better nutrition; and with higher percentages of exotic germplasm as well as those that pursue independent research goals before searching for funding. Scientists are encouraged to use all possible breeding methodologies available (e.g., transgenics, classical breeding, MAS, and all possible combinations could be used with specific sound long and short-term goals on mind) once germplasm is chosen making wise decisions with proven and scientifically sound technologies for assisting current breeding efforts depending on the particular trait under selection. Arnel R. Hallauer is C. F. Curtiss Distinguished Professor in Agriculture (Emeritus) at Iowa State University (ISU). Dr. Hallauer has led maize-breeding research for mid-season maturity at ISU since 1958. His work has had a worldwide impact on plant-breeding programs, industry, and students and was named a member of the National Academy of Sciences. Hallauer is a native of Kansas, USA. Jose B. Miranda Filho is full-professor in the Department of Genetics, Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz - University of Sao Paulo located at Piracicaba, Brazil. His research interests have emphasized development of quantitative genetic theory and its application to maize breeding. Miranda Filho is native of Pirassununga, Sao Paulo, Brazil. M.J. Carena is professor of plant sciences at North Dakota State University (NDSU). Dr. Carena has led maize-breeding research for short-season maturity at NDSU since 1999. This program is currently one the of the few public U.S. programs left integrating pre-breeding with cultivar development and training in applied maize breeding. He teaches Quantitative Genetics and Crop Breeding Techniques at NDSU. Carena is a native of Buenos Aires, Argentina. http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/plantsci/faculty/Carena.htm

Personalized medicine, which simply means selection of treatment best suited for an individual, involves integration and translation of several new technologies in clinical care of patients. The scope is much broader than indicated by the term genomic medicine because many non-genomic factors are taken into consideration in developing personalized medicine. Basic technologies for personalized medicine, of which molecular diagnostics has the biggest share, are mentioned briefly and appropriate references are given for further information. Commercial aspects are discussed briefly in a chapter and detailed analysis of markets and companies involved in personalized medicine is presented in a special report on this topic.

There is increasing interest in personalized medicine. Considerable advances have taken place in molecular biology and biotechnology to make personalized medicine a viable option, but some misconceptions still exist, both in the academic and commercial sectors. There is lack of a suitable source of information that provides both the fundamentals as well as applications of personalized medicine. As the latest version of the first monograph on personalized medicine published in 1998, this volume, Textbook of Personalized Medicine, summarizes the author's efforts during the past decade, as well as reviews selected studies done during this period in a readable format for the physicians and scientists. It is hoped that physicians, pharmacists, scientists and interested lay readers with basic scientific knowledge will find this book useful.

This volume contains 29 engrossing chapters contributed by worldwide, leading research groups in the field of chemical biology. Topics include pre-biology; the establishment of the genetic code; isomerization of RNA; damage of nucleobases in RNA; the dynamic structure of nucleic acids and their analogs in DNA replication, extra- and intra-cellular transport; molecular crowding by the use of ionic liquids; new technologies enabling the modification of gene expression via editing of therapeutic genes; the use of riboswitches; the modification of mRNA cap regions; new approaches to detect appropriately modified RNAs with EPR spectroscopy and the use of parallel and high-throughput techniques for the analysis of the structure and new functions of nucleic acids. This volume discusses how chemistry can add new frontiers to the field of nucleic acids in molecular medicine, biotechnology and nanotechnology and is not only an invaluable source of information to chemists, biochemists and life scientists but will also stimulate future research.

Molecular chaperones interact with virtually every newly synthesized protein. This volume assembles a collection of reviews on molecular chaperones that is both timely and basic. The book uniquely combines the basics of the subject area with the latest results. This makes it an excellent entrance for novices into the field and is suitable for teaching purposes. It also provides a source of substantial information for experts.

Muscle contraction has been the focus of scientific investigation for more than two centuries, and major discoveries have changed the field over the years. Early in the twentieth century, Fenn (1924, 1923) showed that the total energy liberated during a contraction (heat + work) was increased when the muscle was allowed to shorten and perform work. The result implied that chemical reactions during contractions were load-dependent. The observation underlying the "Fenn effect" was taken to a greater extent when Hill (1938) published a pivotal study showing in details the relation between heat production and the amount of muscle shortening, providing investigators with the force-velocity relation for skeletal muscles. Subsequently, two papers paved the way for the current paradigm in the field of muscle contraction. Huxley and Niedergerke (1954), and Huxley and Hanson (1954) showed that the width of the A-bands did not change during muscle stretch or activation. Contraction, previously believed to be caused by shortening of muscle filaments, was associated with sliding of the thick and thin filaments. These studies were followed by the classic paper by Huxley (1957), in which he conceptualized for the first time the cross-bridge theory; filament sliding was driven by the cyclical interactions of myosin heads (cross-bridges) with actin. The original cross-bridge theory has been revised over the years but the basic features have remained mostly intact. It now influences studies performed with molecular motors responsible for tasks as diverse as muscle contraction, cell division and vesicle transport.

Disorders of Protein Synthesis, Volume 132 in the Advances in Protein Chemistry and Structural Biology series, highlights new advances in the field, with this new volume presenting interesting chapters written by an international board of authors.

Dieser Band des Gebietes Stoffe enthAlt in alphabetischer Reihenfolge als ErgAnzung zum Hauptwerk Monographien A1/4ber Arzneistoffe, Hilfsstoffe, Impfstoffe und Sera sowie Reagenzien. In den Monographien werden Aussagen A1/4ber die Synthese, die Eigenschaften, die Erkennung, die Reinheit, den Gehalt, die Wirkung und die medizinische Anwendung gemacht. Von besonderer Bedeutung sind Stoffe des DAB und von in Europa gA1/4ltigen ArzneibA1/4chern.

In mammals, a robust physiologic system acts to maintain relative constancy of weight. A key element of this system is leptin. The nature of this "brain-somatic" cross talk is as yet poorly understood, but it is likely to have important implications for the pathophysiology and treatment of obesity, diabetes and other metabolic disorders.  

Electroporation is the forefront in tumor ablation. This book presents the basic principles and clinical applications of electroporation, including the latest research results and patient data. A comprehensive approach to the basic science behind the development of this ground-breaking technique and its introduction into clinical practice, the book discusses the entire spectrum of currently available reversible treatments, the emerging irreversible applications, and their impact on patient care. Clinical Aspects of Electroporation is the first book intended for clinicians on this extremely important and rapidly developing field.

The past two decades have seen an explosion in the number of research articles relating to both the physiological and pathological responses evoked by nitric oxide generation. Despite this, accurate quantification of nitric oxide in either in vitro or in vivo models remains challenging, due to the relatively unstable nature of the molecule. In Nitric Oxide: Methods and Protocols, experts in the field provide a detailed reference manual packed with step-by-step approaches to reproduce various complex protocols within your own laboratory. Divided into two parts, the volume first covers various disparate protocols relating to the direct detection and quantification of nitric oxide, including techniques which detail how to image real time in vivo generation of nitric oxide, quantify nitric oxide production in the rat brain, and the detect ultralow levels of nitric oxide in the pM range, and the book then continues with a section on techniques designed to either inhibit or enhance nitric oxide, with an aim to achieve therapeutic gain, featuring the inhibition of the nitric oxide synthase enzymes using viral, shRNA delivery systems to prevent cardiovascular dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy, and graft rejection. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and key tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and easy to use, Nitric Oxide: Methods and Protocols examines numerous complex methodologies detailed in each chapter and proves to be an invaluable resource for anyone with an interest in nitric oxide research.

The 11th International Symposium on Insect-Plant Relationships (SIP11), held on August 4-10, 2001, in Helsingor, Denmark, followed the tradition of previous SIP meetings and covered topics of different levels from chemistry, physiology, and ethology to ecology, genetics, and evolution of insect-plant relationships. The present volume includes a representative selection of fully refereed papers as well as a complete list of all the contributions which were presented at the meeting. Reviews of selected topics as well as original experimental data are included. The book provides valuable information for students and research workers interested in chemical and biological aspects of interactions between individuals and populations of different organisms. "

Carotenoids: Biological Functions of Carotenoids and Apocarotenoids in Natural and Artificial Systems, Volume 674 in the Methods in Enzymology series, highlights new advances in the field, with this new volume presenting interesting chapters on topics such as Ultrafast laser spectroscopic studies on carotenoids in solution and on those bound to photosynthetic pigment-protein complexes, Assessing photoprotective functions of carotenoids in photosynthetic systems of plants and green algae, Fluorescence of carotenoids: probing binding site interactions and conformational motion in carotenoproteins, Resonance Raman: A powerful tool to interrogate carotenoids in biological matrices, and much more. Other chapters in the book cover Engineering the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway to study the function of carotenoids in light-harvesting complexes, Carotenoids as proxies for variations in photosynthesis and phenology in response to environmental and climatic change, Apocarotenoid pigment biosynthesis in non-model plants, Apocarotenoid transport in plants, Screening for apocarotenoid plant growth regulators in Arabidopsis, Effects of herbivory on carotenoid biosynthesis and breakdown, Biosynthesis and action of apocarotenoid plant hormones, and much more.

This book describes cutting-edge science and technology of the characterization, breeding, and development of yeasts and fungi used worldwide in fermentation industries such as alcohol beverage brewing, bread making, and bioethanol production. The book also covers numerous topics and important areas the previous literature has missed, ranging widely from molecular mechanisms to biotechnological applications related to stress response/tolerance of yeasts and fungi. During fermentation processes, cells of yeast and fungus, mostly Saccharomyces and Aspergillus oryzae spp., respectively, are exposed to a variety of fermentation "stresses". Such stresses lead to growth inhibition or cell death. Under severe stress conditions, their fermentation ability and enzyme productivity are rather limited. Therefore, in terms of industrial application, stress tolerance is the key characteristic for yeast and fungal cells. The first part of this book provides stress response/tolerance mechanisms of yeast used for the production of sake, beer, wine, bread, and bioethanol. The second part covers stress response/tolerance mechanisms of fungi during environmental changes and biological processes of industrial fermentation. Readers benefit nicely from the novel understandings and methodologies of these industrial microbes. The book is suitable for both academic scientists and graduate-level students specialized in applied microbiology and biochemistry and biotechnology and for industrial researchers and engineers who are involved in fermentation-based technologies. The fundamental studies described in this book can be applied to the breeding of useful microbes (yeasts, fungi), the production of valuable compounds (ethanol, CO2, amino acids, organic acids, and enzymes) and the development of promising processes to solve environmental issues (bioethanol, biorefinery).