Knowledge of cholesterol and its interaction with protein molecules is of fundamental importance in both animal and human biology. This book contains 22 chapters, dealing in depth with structural and functional aspects of the currently known and extremely diverse unrelated families of cholesterol-binding and cholesterol transport proteins. By drawing together this range of topics the Editor has attempted to correlate this broad field of study for the first time. Technical aspects are given considerable emphasis, particularly in relation cholesterol reporter molecules and to the isolation and study of membrane cholesterol- and sphingomyelin-rich "raft" domains. Cell biological, biochemical and clinical topics are included in this book, which serve to emphasize the acknowledged and important benefits to be gained from the study of cholesterol and cholesterol-binding proteins within the biomedical sciences and the involvement of cholesterol in several clinical disorders. It is hoped that by presenting this topic in this integrated manner that an appreciation of the fact that there is much more that needs to be taken into account, studied and understood than the widely discussed "bad and good cholesterol" associated, respectively, with the low- and high-density lipoproteins, LDL and HDL. Content Level Professional/practitioner

Serotonin (5-HT) was isolated and chemically characterized nearly four decades ago, and is now generally accepted to function as a neurotransmitter and neuromodulatory agent. Early research focused on the measurement of concentrations, synthesis, and metabolism of 5-HT, and only recently has the focus shifted to characterization of 5-HT receptors. Gaddum and Picarelli first sug gested in 1957 that the effect of 5-HT in the guinea pig ileum is mediated by two pharmacologically distinguishable receptors; however, the possibility of dual5-HT receptors was not explored systematically or successfully until the past decade. It is now clear that more, perhaps many more, subclasses of 5-HT receptors exist. The purpose of this book is to provide an up-to-date report on 5-HT receptors. This is a difficult task considering the astonishing speed at which research in this field is expanding. As the first of what we can expect to be a steady stream of monographs focusing on 5-HT receptors, the book confirms that we are in an exciting time in the history of 5-HT. For those of us who have been work ing on 5-HT for many years, our dream of equal progress and recognition with the more extensively studied catecholamines is finally being realized. We now have a Serotonin Club that held its first international scientific meeting in 1987, and several more international meetings are in the planning stages."

'This book is a 'must have' for any biologists interested in the formation of wood, who might think of buying two copies - one for lab, where it will most definitely see heavy use, and one for the office as an excellent reference book.' - Malcolm M. Campbell, University of Oxford - New Phytologist

'...this book is highly recommended and should become a standard not only for libraries, but also as a personal copy for scientists working with woody tissues. It also serves as a rich source of scientific information regarding both structural and biochemical aspects of wood formation.' - Annals of Botany

The fourth edition of this well-known text provides students, researchers and technicians in the area of medicine, genetics and cell biology with a concise, understandable introduction to the structure and behavior of human chromosomes. It covers both basic and up-to-date material on normal and defective chromosomes, and this new edition is particularly enhanced by the complete revision of the material on the molecular genetics of chromosomes and chromosomal defects.

In this timely book, internationally renowned experts review literally every aspect of cutting edge coronavirus research, providing the first coherent picture of this molecular and cellular biology since the outbreak of SARS in 2003. The book is divided into two sections. Part I focuses on the molecular biology of the virus itself and includes topics such as coronavirus binding and entry, replicase gene function, cis-acting RNA elements, coronavirus discontinuous transcription, reverse genetics, genome packaging, and molecular evolution. In Part II of the book, the focus is on molecular and cellular pathogenesis and infection control. This section includes reviews of the three prototype viruses, namely avian infectious bronchitis virus, feline coronavirus, and mouse hepatitis virus. Other topics include SARS-CoV virus pathogenesis, SARS-CoV interaction with the host INF and antiviral cytokines, the newly recognized bat coronaviruses and human coronavirus NL63, and strategies for corona

This book presents a comprehensive discussion on the heterogeneity existing between different types of stem cells within the same tissue. As the functions of these stem cells vary, this is very important for the application of stem cells in cell therapy. This book describes the many recent developments that have revealed completely different roles of distinct stem cells within the same organ. Stem Cells Heterogeneity in Different Organs provides a timely update on the current information on stem cells heterogeneity in various tissues. It also provides a solid foundation of the history of stem cells from specific tissues and the current applications of this knowledge in regenerative medicine. Taken with its companion volumes, Stem Cells Heterogeneity: Novel Concepts and Stem Cells Heterogeneity in Cancer, this book is essential reading for advanced cell biology students as well as researchers and clinicians working with stem cells.

The overall scope of this new series will be to evolve an understanding of the genetic basis of (1) how early mesoderm commits to cells of a heart lineage that progressively and irreversibly assemble into a segmented, primary heart tube that can be remodeled into a four-chambered organ, and (2) how blood vessels are derived and assembled both in the heart and in the body. Our central aim is to establish a four-dimensional, spatiotemporal foundation for the heart and blood vessels that can be genetically dissected for function and mechanism. Since Robert DeHaan's seminal chapter "Morphogenesis of the Vertebrate Heart" published in Organogenesis (Holt Rinehart & Winston, NY) in 1965, there have been surprisingly few books devoted to the subject of cardiovascular mor phogenesis, despite the enormous growth of interest that occurred nationally and internationally. Most writings on the subject have been scholarly compilations of the proceedings of major national or international symposia or multiauthored volumes, often without a specific theme. What is missing are the unifying concepts that can make sense out of a burgeoning database of facts. The Editorial Board of this new series believes the time has come for a book series dedicated to cardio vascular morphogenesis that will serve not only as an important archival and didac tic reference source for those who have recently come into the field but also as a guide to the evolution of afield that is clearly coming of age.

This book sheds light on how dysregulated organelle functions contribute to the pathology and progression of human diseases. To offer a broad perspective, they discuss basic, translational, and clinical aspects across scales, from molecules to cells, tissues and organisms. Rather than providing a comprehensive introduction to the field, the authors focus on recent advances in organelle research, with each chapter inviting readers to consider today's key questions in the respective field. This book reviews the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi Appartus, Lysosomes and other membrane-enclosed organelles, demonstrating how their dysregulated function contributes to various pathologies. The chapters not only offer a platform for new perspectives but also stimulate further investigations. Given the translational nature of this subject, this book is a valuable resource for physiologists and clinicians alike. Chapter "Lipid Droplets in Cancer" is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.

Cell culture methodologies have become standard procedures in most plant laboratories. Currently, facilities for in vitro cell cultures are found in practically every plant biology laboratory, serving different purposes since tissue culture has turned into a basic asset for modern biotechnology, from the fundamental biochemical aspects to the massive propagation of selected individuals. "Plant Cell Culture Protocols, Third Edition is divided into five convenient sections that cover topics from general methodologies, such as culture induction, growth and viability evaluation, statistical analysis and contamination control, to highly specialized techniques, such as clonal propagation, haploid production, somatic embryogenesis, organelle transformation. The volume concludes with a section on the laborious process of measuring the epigenetics changes in tissue cultures."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, Plant Cell Culture Protocols, Third Edition seeks to serve both professionals and novices with its guide to the most common and applicable techniques and methods for plant tissue and cell culture.

This book reviews the most recent developments in the field of osteochondral tissue engineering (OCTE) and presents challenges and strategies being developed that face not only bone and cartilage regeneration, but also establish osteochondral interface formation in order to translate it into a clinical setting. Topics include nanotechnology approaches and biomaterials advances in osteochondral engineering, advanced processing methodology, as well as scaffolding and surface engineering strategies in OCTE. Hydrogel systems for osteochondral applications are also detailed thoroughly. Osteochondral Tissue Engineering: Nanotechnology, Scaffolding-Related Developments and Translation is an ideal book for biomedical engineering students and a wide range of established researchers and professionals working in the orthopedic field.

This book fills in a gap in the NO literature. Recent progress in the field of NO-biology shows that NO is generated within distinct cell compartments, including specific plasma membrane regions, mitochondria, chloroplasts, peroxisomes, the Golgi-complex and intracellular membrane systems. NO synthesis plays specific roles in these compartments and, in turn, cell organelles also control intracellular NO levels. This monograph focuses on the roles played by the subcellular NO-signaling microdomains in the prokaryote-, fungus-, plant- and animal cells and shows how NO behaves as an intracellular signal in distinct cellular environments. This monograph also provides a summary of our knowledge on how NO synthesis came through evolution to be associated with organelles and subcellular compartments. Promotes the novel ideas that some functions of NO and its associations with subcellular units have been conserved during the evolution of the cell. A special chapter is dedicated to the biomedical relevance of subcellular NO synthesis, and this chapter also discusses the evidence that altered compartmentalization of NO-producing enzymes causes disease.

This book came about as a result of a review I had written earlier on fea tures of cellular changes occurring during anuran metamorphosis. Only a limited treatment of this subject was possible in such a circumscribed work and only specific examples of organic change were dealt with. Thus the sins of omission weighed heavily, for so much information could not be included to provide a more comprehensive and authenticated account of the elaborate, complex, and far-reaching changes that an aquatic larva undergoes to become a terrestrial froglet. A good deal of my working life has been spent investigating amphib ians, especially their larval developmental morphology during metamor phosis, first at the level of light microscopy and in later years by electronmicroscopy. Initially I was particularly concerned with morpho logical homologies of a variety of larval structures, such as the cranial and pharyngeal skeleton and the nerves and musculature, in order to learn more about amphibian phylogeny, for during my pre-and early postgrad uate years G. R. Beer and D. M. S. Watson inspired an undying interest in and respect for vertebrate comparative anatomy. However, it now seems to be that amphibian phylogenetic relationships are best dealt with by the paleontologists, so ably demonstrated by D. M. S. Watson and A. S. Romer and the contemporary enthusiasts in this field like A. L. Panchen, R. L. Carroll, E. Jarvik, and K. S. Thompson among a host of others, particularly in the USA."

Biofilms affect the lives of all of us, growing as they do for example on our teeth (as plaque), on catheters and medical implants in our bodies, on our boats and ships, in food processing environments, and in drinking and industrial water treatment systems. They are highly complex biological communities whose detailed structure and functioning is only gradually being unravelled, with the development of increasingly sophisticated technology for their study. Biofilms almost always have a negative impact on human affairs (flocs in sewage treatment plants are a major exception) and a lot of research is being carried out to gain a better understanding of them, so that we will be in a better position to control them.
This volume, with contributions by international experts from widely diverse areas of this field, presents a state-of-the-art picture of where we are at present in terms of our knowledge of biofilms, the techniques being used to study them, and possible strategies for controlling their growth more successfully. It should provide a valuable reference source for information on biofilms and their control for many years to come.

This book contains 14 original review chapters each yielding new, exciting and intriguing data about the emerging understanding of nucleolar structure and function in normal, stressed and diseased cells. The goal of this work is to provide special insight into the nucleolus of the past, present and future, as well its regulation, translocation, and biomedical function. A multitude of topics are introduced and discussed in detail, including nucleologenesis, nucleolar architecture, nucleolar targeting, retention, anchoring, translocation, and the relationship between the nucleolus and cancer. This book also brings together work from several different species, from human to Drosophila to Dictyostelium and other eukaryotic microbes. The final chapter summarizes some of the issues brought up in the various chapters with a view to future research. This book supports the continued emergence of the nucleolus as a dynamic intranuclear region that oversees a vast diversity of events.

Given the vital importance of immune system research, the gathering of clear, consistent, and informative protocols involving the study of dendritic cells is paramount. Bringing the popular first edition fully up to date, Dendritic Cell Protocols, Second Edition presents protocols from experts in the field that cover the basics and more complex forays into the exploration of DC development and function, both in mice and humans. The first section of the volume involving humans explores topics such as the isolation of blood DC subtypes, primary skin Langerhans cells, and the generation of gene-manipulated human DCs with the inclusion of more clinically relevant methods as well, while the second section involving rodent models delves into DC and precursor generation in vitro, isolation ex vivo, disease models, as well as DC functions and properties. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biologya" series style, chapters include introductions to their respective subjects, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.

Comprehensive and cutting-edge, Dendritic Cell Protocols, Second Edition aims to become a bench-side handbook for both beginners and experts in the field of DC research and a long-term reference for some of the most popular methods put forward by those who lead the field.

Numerous animal species live in environments characterized by a seasonal reduction in the availability of water, which often but not always occurs when temperatures are highest. For many such animals, survival during the toughest season requires spending long periods of time in a rather inactive state known as aestivation. But aestivation is much more than remaining inactive. Successful aestivation requires the selection of a proper microhabitat, variable degrees of metabolic arrest and responsiveness to external stimuli, the ability to sense the proper time of year for emergence, the preservation of inactive tissue, and much more. So, aestivation involves a complex collection of behaviors, ecological associations and physiological adjustments that vary across species in their type, magnitude and course. This book seeks to explore the phenomenon of aestivation from different perspectives and levels of organization, ranging from microhabitat selection to genetic control of physiological adjustments. It brings together authors from across the world working on different systematic groups, approaches, and questions, but who are all ultimately working to better understand the complex issue of aestivation.

Dictyostelium discoideum Protocols presents a comprehensive collection of cutting-edge molecular biological protocols for studying D. discoideum, with emphasis on its utility in the study of fundamental cellular processes including signal transduction, chemotaxis, cell motility, cytokinesis, phagocytosis, and aspects of development such as cell sorting, pattern formation, and cell type differentiation. Written by experts in the field, this important guide provides easy access to current methods and techniques for the study of D. discoideum. For the newcomer to the field, it offers a complete and inclusive introduction to this important model organism. The book is divided into four main parts, which include an introduction to the organism that provides integral community resources and genome-wide approaches; basic methods and available molecular genetic techniques for study of the organism; imaging and localization methods; and a discussion of D. discoideum, with emphasis on its unique advantages as a model system.
This in-depth guide provides a complete introduction to and thorough handbook for the study of D. discoideum, including a discussion of the implications of the recently-completed Dictyostelium genome project in strengthening the position of D. discoideum as a model organism for studying fundamental cell processes and aspects of development. Researchers at all levels of experience will benefit from the presentations throughout of the most current, useful and innovative techniques for the study of D. discoideum from leading Dictyostelium scientists.

The fermentation of sugar by cell-free yeast extracts was demonstrated more than a century ago by E. Buchner (Nobel Prize 1907). Buchner's observations put an end to previous animistic theories regarding cellular life. It became clear that metabolism and all cellular functions should be accessible to explication in chemical terms. Equally important for an understanding of living systems was the concept, explained in physical terms, that all living things could be cons- ered as energy converters [E. Schroedinger (Nobel Prize 1933)] which generate complexity at the expense of an increase in entropy in their environment. Bioenergetics was established as an essential branch of the biochemical sciences by the investigations into the chemistry of photosynthesis in i- lated plant organelles [O. Warburg (Nobel Prize 1931)] and by the discovery that mitochondria were the morphological equivalent that catalyzed cellular respiration. The ?eld of bioenergetics also encompasses a large variety of ad- tional processes such as the molecular mechanisms of muscle contraction, the structure and driving mechanisms of microbial ?agellar motors, the energetics of solute transport, the extrusion of macromolecules across membranes, the transformation of quanta of light into visual information and the maintenance of complex synaptic communications. There are many other examples which, in most cases, may perform secondary energy transformations, utilizing - ergy stored either in the cellular ATP pool or in electrochemical membrane potentials.

Researched and written by a group of highly respected professionals in the fields of biochemistry, microbiology, and molecular genetics, this resource offers a comprehensive treatment on the role of metal ions in regulating genes. In addition to looking at the toxicity effects of metal, this text explores the role of metal ions in normal metabolisms, examining both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Metal Ions in Gene Regulation should prove an essential reference for all microbiologists, biochemists, bioinorganic chemists, and molecular biologists, especially those interested in gene regulation.

Free radicals and oxidative damage in biology and medicine: An introduction.- Oxidative metabolism in skeletal muscle.- Strategies to assess oxidative stress.- The course of exercise-induced skeletal muscle fibre injury.- Free radical mechanisms in exercise-related muscle damage.- The effects of exercise, ageing and caloric restriction on protein oxidation and DNA damage in skeletal muscle.- Antioxidant enzyme response to exercise and training in the skeletal muscle.- Glutathione: A key role in skeletal muscle metabolism.- Vitamin E and its effect on skeletal muscle.- Differential susceptibility of skeletal muscle proteins to free radical-induced oxidative damage in vitro.- Oxidative stress and Ca2+ transport in skeletal and cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum.- Oxidative stress in skeletal muscle atrophy induced by immobilization.- Effect of growth hormone on oxidative stress in immobilized muscles of old animals.- The diaphragm and oxidative stress.- Oxidative damage after ischemia/reperfusion in skeletal muscle.- Oxidative damage in rat skeletal muscle after excessive L-tryptophan and atherogenic diets.- Oxidative stress and muscle wasting of cachexia.- Free radicals and antioxidants in the pathogenesis of alcoholic myopathy.- Drug-induced muscle damage.- Free radicals and diseases of animal muscle.- Therapeutic trials of antioxidants in muscle diseases.

The fluid-mosaic model of membrane structure formulated by Singer and Nicolson in the early 1970s has proven to be a durable concept in terms of the principles governing the organization of the constituent lipids and proteins. During the past 30 or so years a great deal of information has accumulated on the composition of various cell membranes and how this is related to the dif ferent functions that membranes perform. Nevertheless, the task of explaining particular functions at the molecular level has been hampered by lack of struc tural detail at the atomic level. The reason for this is primarily the difficulty of crystallizing membrane proteins which require strategies that differ from those used to crystallize soluble proteins. The unique exception is bacteriorhodopsin of the purple membrane of Halobacterium halobium which is interpolated into a membrane that is neither fluid nor in a mosaic configuration. To date only 50 or so membrane proteins have been characterised to atomic resolution by diffraction methods, in contrast to the vast data accumulated on soluble proteins. Another factor that has been difficult to explain is the reason why the lipid compliment of membranes is often extremely complex. Many hundreds of different molecular species of lipid can be identified in some membranes. Remarkably, the particular composition of each membrane appears to be main tained within relatively narrow limits and its identity distinguished from other morphologically-distinct membranes.

Over time, it has become clear that changes in stem cells do occur during aging, not only in their number but also in their relationship to their microenvironment and their functionality as reflected in changes to their metabolome. Stem Cells and Aging: Methods and Protocols brings together chapters from expert contributors with protocols critical for exploring the biology of stem cell aging, all of which is key for understanding these age-related stem cell changes at a basic biology level and at the level of their impacts for regenerative medicine. 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 protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Concise and easy to use, Stem Cells and Aging: Methods and Protocols serves as an ideal reference to guide investigators toward further valuable answers to the problems of our aging population.