A Guide to Cancer: Origins and Revelations unfolds the complex and fascinating topic of cancer in two ways: firstly, no specialist knowledge is assumed on the part of the reader, and secondly, despite the serious nature of the topics, the book aims to stimulate interest, provoke thought, and paradoxically entertain. It takes an array of complex topics and breaks them down in clear, concise terms, so that anyone with a basic knowledge of science can understand. The book is aimed at the general public as well as students of biological subjects, first and second year university students, and researchers in the nascent field of cancer genomics.

A Guide to Cancer: Origins and Revelations unfolds the complex and fascinating topic of cancer in two ways: firstly, no specialist knowledge is assumed on the part of the reader, and secondly, despite the serious nature of the topics, the book aims to stimulate interest, provoke thought, and paradoxically entertain. It takes an array of complex topics and breaks them down in clear, concise terms, so that anyone with a basic knowledge of science can understand. The book is aimed at the general public as well as students of biological subjects, first and second year university students, and researchers in the nascent field of cancer genomics.

The adipokines (also called adipocytokines), are a group of peptides secreted by adipose tissue. They have diverse roles, from the cell to the whole body. The book is designed for health scientists, doctors, physiologists, immunologists, biochemists, college and university teachers and lecturers, undergraduates and graduates. The chapters are written either by experts or specialists in their field.

For more than 30 years, the majority of researchers has assumed quiescence to be the default state of all cells and so have provided cells in culture with 'growth factors' to stimulate them to proliferate. During this time, many putative growth factors have been identified and ever more complex mechanisms through which they could interact and stimulate cells have been proposed. However, quiescence as the default state does not make evolutionary sense and many sets of data do not support this hypothesis. In The Society of Cells, an alternative explanation for these results is proposed by applying the premise that the default state must be proliferation, with multiplication being a 'built in' property of all forms of life. The authors begin by reviewing the concepts and theories that guide research on the control of cell proliferation and cancer, and asking the question 'what is the nature of the default state of all cells - quiescence or proliferation?'. Later chapters concern cancer, where control of cell proliferation and the tissue organisation are defective. Despite decades of work and financial support to explore the somatic mutation theory of carcinogenesis, we appear no nearer to explaining how cancer arises. This requires researchers to take stock and consider new hypotheses and alternative approaches to the study of control of cell proliferation, and cancer in particular. The Society of Cells is intended to encourage such a revaluation and proposes the adoption of new premises to explore these important subjects.

"Analyzes the role of peptides in promoting or suppressing inflammation. Thoroughly examines the therapeutic potential of key peptides, analogs, agonists, and antagonists that influence cell injury and repair."

Lipid Second Messengers provides detailed methodology for analysis of various lipid signaling pathways. Authoritative contributors explain the factors that regulate lipid second messenger production by agonist-activated enzymes and examine their products. Topics discussed include procedures used to measure lipid-derived mediators such as lysophospholipids, arachidonic acid, eicosanoids, anandamide, and ceramides, and the enzymes responsible for generating these messengers, such as phospholipases, prostaglandin endoperoxide synthases, and sphingomyelinase.

This major reference work is a one-shot knowledge base on electroporation and the use of pulsed electric fields of high intensity and their use in biology, medicine, biotechnology, and food and environmental technologies. The Handbook offers a widespread and well-structured compilation of 156 chapters ranging from the foundations to applications in industry and hospital. It is edited and written by most prominent researchers in the field. With regular updates and growing in its volume it is suitable for academic readers and researchers regardless of their disciplinary expertise, and will also be accessible to students and serious general readers. The Handbook's 276 authors have established scholarly credentials and come from a wide range of disciplines. This is crucially important in a highly interdisciplinary field of electroporation and the use of pulsed electric fields of high intensity and its applications in different fields from medicine, biology, food processing, agriculture, process engineering, energy and environment. An Editorial Board of distinguished scholars from across the world has selected and reviewed the various chapters to ensure the highest quality of this Handbook. The book was edited by an international team of Section Editors: P. Thomas Vernier, Boris Rubinsky, Juergen Kolb, Damijan Miklavcic, Marie-Pierre Rols, Javier Raso, Richard Heller, Gregor Sersa, Dietrich Knorr, and Eugene Vorobiev.

This book provides a comprehensive review of laboratory methods for membrane study, with an emphasis on isolating membranes, analysing their composition and architecture, and investigating membrane function. Membrane Analysis describes the principles unde

This edition provides the reader with an introduction to this subject. During the past five years there has been a virtual explosion of information on the different phases of fertilization.This book should be of interest to advanced undergraduates and graduate students in developmental biology, zoology and cell biology; researchers entering the field.

Despite substantial evidence showing the feasibility of Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) to identify cells with altered elastic and adhesive properties, the use of this technique as a complementary diagnostic method remains controversial. This book is designed to be a practical textbook that teaches how to assess the mechanical characteristics of living, individual cells by AFM. Following a step-by-step approach, it introduces the methodology of measurements in the case of both determination of elastic properties and quantification of adhesive properties.

Cellular Signal Processing offers a unifying view of cell signaling based on the concept that protein interactions act as sophisticated data processing networks that govern intracellular and extracellular communication. It is intended for use in signal transduction courses for undergraduate and graduate students working in biology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, and pharmacology, as well as medical students. The text is organized by three key topics central to signal transduction: the protein network, its energy supply, and its evolution. It covers all important aspects of cell signaling, ranging from prokaryotic signal transduction to neuronal signaling, and also highlights the clinical aspects of cell signaling in health and disease. This new edition includes expanded coverage of prokaryotes, as well as content on new developments in systems biology, epigenetics, redox signaling, and small, non-coding RNA signaling.

This work present practical, biotechnological applications of flow cytometry techniques for the study of animal, plant and microbial cells, explaining methodologies for sample preparation, staining and analysis. It discusses cell variability in cell culture processes and shows how the quantitative analysis of heterogeneous populations aids in the biotechnological exploitation of cells.

This introductory text covers all the major groups of microbes with most emphasis being placed on the bacteria and the fungi. The principles and practice of culture techniques are described, including isolation from the natural environment, methods for the safe handling of microbes in the laboratory and dealing with culture obtained from collections.

This book examines stealth liposomes from a multidisciplinary approach, which includes theoretical polymer physics, organic synthesis, colloid science, and biology. Discussions include theory, chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacology, preclinical studies in model systems, and medical applications in humans.

This unique book presents an approach to viewing trauma. It examines the cellular consequences of trauma at a molecular level and provides new insights into the treatment of traumatic injury, based on cellular responses. The current of trauma research is reviewed, previously unpublished information on the topic is presented, and research directions are included.

This unique, single-source reference offers a detailed introduction to the fundamental phenomena that govern cell adhesion and describes bioengineering processes that employ cell adhesion, focusing on both biochemical and biomedical applications. Examines all industrially relevant issues of cell adhesion-from basic concepts, quantitative experiments, and mathematical models to applications in bioreactors and other process equipment

This book presents a summary of the application and instrumentation of cell electrophoresis. The method of making cell purification and characterization possible according to the cellular negative surface charge density is discussed, and ideas for future developments are explained. The negative electrostatic forces at cell surfaces provide information about cell-cell interaction, blood vessel sealing, cytokine actions, cell transformation, ion transport phenomena, and other biological phenomena. Recalculations of the physical principles of cell electrophoresis reveal possibilities for removing disruptive factors caused by electrical current, heat, and sedimentation. The introduction of computer technology, the performance of simultaneous two-parameter measurements, and the application of cell-friendly but current-inert buffer systems render the method more reliable and efficient.

Body fluid regulation is pivotal to human health and is served by extensive clinical and pre-clinical science. By combining modern advances with previous findings in the field, this book presents a comprehensive treatment of major experiments, theories, and new advances in the field of body fluid regulation, thirst, and drinking. It features the main integrative brain mechanisms for fluid regulation, the development of such systems, fluid balance during heat and exercise, aging and clinical disorders, and comparative aspects of fluid regulation. The volume focuses on mammalian thirst or drinking behaviour alongside relevant aspects of the physiology of fluid balance. The principal fluid compartments and their regulation by both intakes and losses are highlighted, using both human and animal studies to illustrate the main concepts.

Inaugurates a series for scientists and clinicians on the application of recent biotechnological methods in experimental and clinical medicine. Focuses on the design, synthesis, and utilization of biologically active peptides (short strings of amino acids not large enough to warrant the term protein

Ultrastructure of Microalgae provides both fundamental and specific information regarding the ultrastructure of the major components of the microalgal cell. The book compares homologous structures in different groups within an evolutionary frame of reference. It covers all taxa and structures, and it incorporates new concepts that have resulted from contemporary development in EM. The book will appeal to phycologists, cell biologists, electron microscopists, and botanists interested in microalgae ultrastructure.

As a result of their unique physical properties, biological membrane mimetics, such as liposomes, are used in a broad range of scientific and technological applications. Liposomes, Lipid Bilayers and Model Membranes: From Basic Research to Application describes state-of-the-art research and future directions in the field of membranes, which has evolved from basic studies of the physicochemical properties of amphiphiles to their application in industry and medicine. Written by leading researchers in their fields, this book describes basic and applied research, and serves as a useful reference for both the novice and the expert. Part one covers a range of basic research topics, from theory and computational simulations to some of the most up-to-date experimental research. Topics discussed include soft matter physics of membranes, nonlamellar phases, extraction of molecules by amphiphiles, lipid models for membrane rafts, membrane dynamics, nanodiscs, microemulsions, active membranes, as well as interactions of bilayers with drugs or DNA to treat disease or for gene transfer, respectively. Part two of the book focuses on technological applications of amphiphiles, such as liposome-based nanoparticles for drug delivery, formulation of liposomes for prolonged in vivo circulation and functionalization for medical purposes, novel drug delivery systems for increased drug loading, and the use of tethered membranes for bio-sensing applications. Chapters also describe the use of liposomes in textile dyeing and how lipidic nanoparticles are used by the food industry.

Calcification in Biological Systems provides a collection of up-to-date papers regarding calcification in a variety of biological systems. The papers are not simple reviews of the literature. Each paper reflects the personal experience of the author(s) and is rich in constructive criticism and suggestions. Topics range from basic molecular processes to general structural problems in systems as different as unicellular organisms and human skeletal tissues. Because calcification is so diffuse in the animal kingdom, this book makes no attempt to achieve a conclusive synthesis of available results and current ideas. Instead, its merit lies in its ability to be useful to investigators with different scientific backgrounds and areas of interest.

Radiation Oncology and Radiotherapy, Part A, Volume 172 in the Methods in Cell Biology series, highlights advances in the field, with this new volume presenting interesting chapters on timely topics, including DNA damage quantification by the COMET assay, Immunofluorescence microscopy-assisted quantification of ATM and ATR activation in irradiated cells, Immunoblotting-based characterization of the DNA damage response, Assessment of lipid peroxidation in irradiated cells, A simple method to assess clonogenic survival of irradiated cancer cells, Quantification of beta-galactosidase activity as a marker of radiation-driven cellular senescence, Cytofluorometric assessment of cell cycle progression in irradiated cells, and more. Other sections cover Assessment of transcription inhibition as a characteristic of immunogenic cell death, Assessment of eIF2a phosphorylation during immunogenic cell death, Quantification of cytosolic DNA species by immunofluorescence and automated image analysis, Flow cytometry-assisted quantification of CALR exposure during immunogenic cell death, Interference of immunogenic anticancer therapy by artificially controlled calreticulin secretion from tumor cells, along with many additional topics of interest.

RNA Methodologies: A Laboratory Guide for Isolation and Characterization, Sixth Edition provides the most up-to-date ribonucleic acid lab techniques for seasoned scientists and graduate students alike. This edition features new material on RNA sequencing, RNA in Situ Hybridization, non-coding RNAs, computational RNA biology, transcriptomes and bioinformatics, along with the latest advances in methods and protocols across the field of RNA investigation. As a leader in the field, Dr. Farrell provides a wealth of knowledge on the topic of RNA biology while also giving readers helpful hints and troubleshooting techniques from his own personal experience in this subject area. This book presents the essential knowledge and techniques to use when working with RNA for the experienced practitioner, while also aiding the beginner in fully understanding this important branch of molecular biology.

The purpose of this book is to provide information on senescent cells and why they are prevented from multiplying via cell division. It includes main sections on the nature of Go/1 transition, factors promoting the cell cycle traverse and avoiding the Go/1 arrest, and negative factors arresting the cell cycle traverse and promoting the stay in the Go/1 stage. Filled with illustrations and explanations, it collectively presents the mechanisms that control the cellular aging process. This reference is a must for anyone with special interests in the biological community, and specifically the field of gerontology.