The cyanobacteria are a fascinating group of bacteria that have adapted to colonize almost every environment on the planet. They are the only prokaryotes capable of oxygenic photosynthesis, responsible for up to 20-30% of Earth's photosynthetic productivity. They can attune their light-harvesting systems to changes in available light conditions, fix nitrogen, and have circadian rhythms. In addition, many cyanobacteria species exhibit gliding mobility and can differentiate into specialized cell types called heterocysts, and some are symbiotic. Thanks to their simple nutritional requirements, their metabolic plasticity, and the powerful genetics of some model strains, cyanobacteria could be exploited for use as microbial cell factories for carbon capture and storage, and for the sustainable production of secondary metabolites and biofuels. Understanding their cell biology is an essential step to achieving this. In this book, leading senior scientists and young researchers review the current key topics in cyanobacterial cell biology to provide a timely overview. Topics covered include: historical background * cell division * the cell envelope * the thylakoid membrane * protein targeting, transport, and translocation * chromatic acclimation * the carboxysome * glycogen as a dynamic storage of photosynthetically fixed carbon * cyanophycin * gas vesicles * motility in unicellular and filamentous cyanobacteria * cellular differentiation in filamentous cyanobacteria * cell-cell joining proteins in heterocyst-forming cyanobacteria. This cutting-edge text will provide a valuable resource for all those working in this field and is recommended for all microbiology libraries.

The present edited book is an attempt to update the state of art of the knowledge on metabolism of ROS and antioxidants and their relationship in plant adaptation to abiotic stresses involving physiological, biochemical and molecular processes. The chapters are much focused on the current climate issues and how ROS metabolism can manipulate with antioxidant system to accelerate detoxification mechanism. It will enhance the mechanistic understanding on ROS and antioxidants system and will pave the path for agricultural scientists in developing tolerant crops to achieve sustainability under the changing environmental conditions. The increase in abiotic stress factors has become a major threat to sustainability of crop production. This situation has led to think ways which can help to come out with potential measures; for which it is necessary to understand the influence of abiotic stress factors on crops performance and the mechanisms by which these factors impact plants. It has now become evident that abiotic stress impacts negatively on plant growth and development at every stage of plant's life. Plants adapt to the changing environment with the adjustment at physiological, biochemical and molecular levels. The possible mechanisms involved in the negative effects of abiotic stress factors are excess production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). They alter physiological and molecular mechanisms leading to poor performance of plants. Plants however, are able to cope with these adverse effects by inducing antioxidant systems as the priority. Nevertheless, the dual role of ROS has now been ascertained which provides an evidence for regulation of plant metabolism positively on a concentration-dependent manner. Under conditions of high ROS production, the antioxidant system plays a major role in diminishing the effects of ROS. Thus, ROS production and antioxidant system are interwoven with abiotic stress conditions. The antioxidants have the capacity to hold the stability in metabolism in order to avoid disruption due to environmental disturbances.

This volume includes chapters by experts around the world on many aspects of microtubule imaging in living and fixed cells; assays to study microtubule function in a wide array of model organisms and cultured cells; high resolution approaches to study of the cytoskeleton. The authors share their years of experience, outlining potential pitfalls and critical factors to consider in experimental design, experimental implementation and data interpretation.

Iincludes chapters by experts around the world on many aspects of microtubule imaging in living and fixed cells; assays to study microtubule function in a wide array of model organisms and cultured cells; high resolution approaches to study of the cytoskeleton. The authors share their years of experience, outlining potential pitfalls and critical factors to consider in experimental design, experimental implementation and data interpretation.

"International Review of Cell and Molecular Biology "presents current advances and comprehensive reviews in cell biology--both plant and animal. Articles address structure and control of gene expression, nucleocytoplasmic interactions, control of cell development and differentiation, and cell transformation and growth. Impact factor for 2008: 4.935.

* Authored by some of the foremost scientists in the field * Provides up-to-date information and directions for future research * Valuable reference material for advanced undergraduates, graduate students and professional scientists

Guide to Techniques in Mouse Development, Part B, is an authoritative guide to different methods used in enzymology, focusing on investigating mouse development using technological advances. The text provides information regarding the principles of the methods in mouse development, and it offers readers reliable experimental protocols and recipes described comprehensively by leaders in the field of enzymology. The text is divided into three sections and organized into 25 chapters. Below are several concepts covered by the text: Lentivirus transgenesis o Germline modification using mouse stem cells Electroporation Applications of transposons in mouse genetics Functional genomics using transposon systems The use of DNA transposons in detecting cancer genes in mice Recombination, conditional mutagenesis and induction of tamoxifen Genetic fate mapping using recombinases Genetic screens mouse ES cells Gene trap mutagenesis Mouse mutagenesis Self- renewal and pluripotency Transgenic RNAi applications Gene knockdowns Tetracycline-controlled transcription Gene expression profiling of mouse embryos The book is a comprehensive guide for students and professionals in genetics, cytology and molecular biology, who will find this book invaluable for their learning and practice.

This book discusses the paradigm-shifting phenomenon of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) and hybrid proteins containing ordered domains and functional IDP regions (IDPRs). The properties of IDPs and IDPRs are highly complementary to those deriving from the presence of a unique and well-defined three-dimensional fold. Ignored for a long time in high-resolution studies of proteins, intrinsic protein disorder is now recognized as one of the key features for a large variety of cellular functions, where structural flexibility presents a functional advantage in terms of binding plasticity and promiscuity and this volume explores this exciting new research. Recent progress in the field has radically changed our perspective to study IDPs through NMR: increasingly complex IDPs can now be characterized, a wide range of observables can be determined reporting on the structural and dynamic properties, computational methods to describe the structure and dynamics are in continuous development and IDPs can be studied in environments as complex as whole cells. This volume communicates the new exciting possibilities offered by NMR and presents open questions to foster further developments. Intrinsically Disordered Proteins Studied by NMR Spectroscopy provides a snapshot to researchers entering the field as well as providing a current overview for more experienced scientists in related areas.

This volume of Current Topics in Membranes focuses on Membrane Protein Crystallization, beginning with a review of past successes and general trends, then further discussing challenges of mebranes protein crystallization, cell free production of membrane proteins and novel lipids for membrane protein crystallization.
This publication also includes tools to enchance membrane protein crystallization, technique advancements, and crystallization strategies used for photosystem I and its complexes, establishing Membrane Protein Crystallization as a needed, practical reference for researchers.

"International Review of Cell and Molecular Biology "presents current advances and comprehensive reviews in cell biology--both plant and animal. Articles address structure and control of gene expression, nucleocytoplasmic interactions, control of cell development and differentiation, and cell transformation and growth. Impact factor for 2008: 4.935.

* Authored by some of the foremost scientists in the field * Provides up-to-date information and directions for future research * Valuable reference material for advanced undergraduates, graduate students and professional scientists

This book sheds new light on the physiology, molecular biology and pathophysiology of epithelial ion channels and transporters. It combines the basic cellular models and functions by means of a compelling clinical perspective, addressing aspects from the laboratory bench to the bedside. The individual chapters, written by leading scientists and clinicians, explore specific ion channels and transporters located in the epithelial tissues of the kidney, intestine, pancreas and respiratory tract, all of which play a crucial part in maintaining homeostasis. Further topics include the fundamentals of epithelial transport; mathematical modeling of ion transport; cell volume regulation; membrane protein folding and trafficking; transepithelial transport functions; and lastly, a discussion of transport proteins as potential pharmacological targets with a focus on the pharmacology of potassium channels.

This manual offers detailed protocols for fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and comparative genomic hybridization approaches, which have been successfully used to study various aspects of genomic behavior and alterations. Methods using different probe and cell types, tissues and organisms, such as mammalians, fish, amphibians (including lampbrush-chromosomes), insects, plants and microorganisms are described in 57 chapters. In addition to multicolor FISH procedures and special applications such as the characterization of marker chromosomes, breakpoints, cryptic aberrations, nuclear architectures and epigenetic changes, as well as comparative genomic hybridization studies, this 2nd edition describes how FISH can be combined with other techniques. The latter include immunostaining, electron microscopy, single cell electrophoresis and microdissection. This well-received application guide provides essential protocols for beginning FISHers and FISH experts alike working in the fields of human genetics, microbiology, animal and plant sciences.

This fully updated edition of the best-selling three-part "Methods in Enzymology "series, "Guide to Yeast Genetics and Molecular Cell Biology "is specifically designed to meet the needs of graduate students, postdoctoral students, and researchers by providing all the up-to-date methods necessary to study genes in yeast. Procedures are included that enable newcomers to set up a yeast laboratory and to master basic manipulations. This volume serves as an essential reference for any beginning or experienced researcher in the field.
Provides up-to-date methods necessary to study genes in yeast.
Includes proceedures that enable newcomers to set up a yeast laboratory and to master basic manipulations.
This volume serves as an essential reference for any beginning or experienced researcher in the field.

This volume presents an assortment of traditional and emerging experimental procedures relevant to Schwann cell research. The chapters are divided into four parts. Part I contains protocols for in vitro culture, purification, and characterization of primary Schwann cells from diverse species and stages of nerve development. It also contains protocols to create cancer cell lines and engineered Schwann cells from unconventional sources via chemical conversion, induced differentiation or genetic intervention. Parts II and III outline a wide range of methodologies used to study Schwann cells within in vitro and in vivo systems relevant to the analysis of peripheral nerve development, cancer, axon degeneration/regeneration, and myelination. Last but not least, part IV outlines protocols for Schwann cell production, collection, labeling and transplantation in the injured peripheral nerve and spinal cord of experimental animals and human subjects. Authoritative and practical, Schwann Cells: Methods and Protocols aims to aid both experienced and new investigators to make progress in their research endeavors involving Schwann cells.

This is the first book to provide a broad framework for obtaining an in depth understanding of the state-of-the-art knowledge on abnormalities of non-coding RNAs found to be associated with colorectal cancer pathogenesis. Readers will discover possible mechanisms underlying the substantial roles played by non-coding RNAs in molecular hallmarks of colorectal cancer. This work further provides the comprehensive overview and novel insights into using of non-coding RNAs as colorectal cancer biomarkers enabling early detection of the disease, prognostic stratification of the patients and prediction of therapeutic response. The reader is introduced to the overview of modern non-coding RNAs-based therapeutic strategies, and summary of their preclinical testing performed in colorectal cancer. The work is written for researchers who want to explore current state of the knowledge in this interesting field of molecular oncology.

This volume offers an analysis of the scale and nature of the immunological issues facing regenerative medicine, drawing on the expertise of laboratories around the world who have taken up the challenge of applying their expertise in immunology to the vagaries of stem cell biology. In Part I, we explore the extent to which the principles of allograft rejection, learned over several decades from our experiences of whole organ transplantation, apply within the unique context of cell replacement therapy. Part II discusses various innovative ways of addressing the issues of immunogenicity, while, in Part III, we focus exclusively on the induction of immunological tolerance through a variety of novel approaches. It is our hope that this systematic analysis of the current state of the field will galvanise efforts to solve an issue which has so far remained intractable.

With the aim of providing a deeper insight into possible mechanisms of biological self-organization, this thesis presents new approaches to describe the process of self-assembly and the impact of spatial organization on the function of membrane proteins, from a statistical physics point of view. It focuses on three important scenarios: the assembly of membrane proteins, the collective response of mechanosensitive channels and the function of the twin arginine translocation (Tat) system. Using methods from equilibrium and non-equilibrium statistical mechanics, general conclusions were drawn that demonstrate the importance of the protein-protein interactions. Namely, in the first part a general aggregation dynamics model is formulated, and used to show that fragmentation crucially affects the efficiency of the self-assembly process of proteins. In the second part, by mapping the membrane-mediated forces into a simplified many-body system, the dynamic and equilibrium behaviour of interacting mechanosensitive channels is derived, showing that protein agglomeration strongly impacts its desired function. The final part develops a model that incorporates both the agglomeration and transport function of the Tat system, thereby providing a comprehensive description of this self-organizing process.

Volume 6 of Biomembranes covers transmembrane receptors and channels. A particularly important role for the membrane is that of passing messages between a cell and its environment. Part I of this volume covers receptors for hormones and growth factors. Here, as in so many other areas of cell biology, the application of the methods of molecular biology have led to the recognition of a number of families of receptors. Typically, such receptors contain an extracellular ligand binding domain, a transmembrane domain, and an intracellular catalytic domain whose activation, as a result of ligand binding, leads to generation of second messengers within the cell and stimulation of a range of cytosolic enzymes. An alternative signaling strategy, exploited in particular in the nervous system, is to use ion channels to allow controlled movement of monovalent (Na+, K+) or divalent (Ca2+) cations in or out of the cell, resulting in changes in membrane potential or alterations in the intracellular concentration of Ca2+. Part II of this volume is concerned with these ion channels and with other, often simpler, ion channel systems whose study can throw light on channel mechanism.

This thesis presents a highly innovative study of the ultrafast structural and vibrational dynamics of hydrated phospholipids, the basic constituents of cell membranes. As a novel approach to the water-phospholipid interface, the author studies phosphate vibrations using the most advanced methods of nonlinear vibrational spectroscopy, including femtosecond two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy. He shows for the first time that the structure of interfacial water undergoes very limited fluctuations on a 300 fs time scale and that the lifetimes of hydrogen bonds with the phospholipid are typically longer than 10 ps. Such properties originate from the steric hindrance of water fluctuations at the interface and the orienting action of strong electric fields from the phospholipid head group dipoles. In an extensive series of additional experiments, the vibrational lifetimes of the different vibrations and the processes of energy dissipation are elucidated in detail.

This fully updated edition of the best-selling three-part "Methods in Enzymology "series, "Guide to Yeast Genetics and Molecular Cell Biology "is specifically designed to meet the needs of graduate students, postdoctoral students, and researchers by providing all the up-to-date methods necessary to study genes in yeast. Procedures are included that enable newcomers to set up a yeast laboratory and to master basic manipulations. Relevant background and reference information given for procedures can be used as a guide to developing protocols in a number of disciplines. This volume serves as an essential reference for any beginning or experienced researcher in the field.
Provides up-to-date methods necessary to study genes in yeast.
Includes proceedures that enable newcomers to set up a yeast laboratory and to master basic manipulations.
This volume serves as an essential reference for any beginning or experienced researcher in the field.

Bone marrow stem cells are the most transplanted cells worldwide. These cells are used as a replacement therapy for patients suffering from a diverse number of hematopoietic diseases and immunodeficiencies. However, the use of bone marrow cells in regenerative medicine has so far remained without much success. In the new era of pluripotent stem cells, great opportunities for establishing new therapies have opened up. The discovery of human embryonic stem cells and that of induced pluripotent (iPS) stem cells has made it possible to derive any desired tissues for regenerative medicine as iPS cell derived cells are only limited by the lack of established protocols that can be applied in humans. There is no doubt that stem cells present a new and innovative platform for establishing novel cell based therapies. The challenge is to establish new protocols that allow the successful differentiation of these cells into lineage committed cells. Embryonic Stem Cell Immunobiology: Methods and Protocols covers a variety of relevant topics, such as hematopoietic stem cells derived from ES cells, the interaction of these cells with natural killer cells or with cytotoxic T cells, and specific protocols for the derivation of hematopoietic cells and neuronal cells, to name a few. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters contain introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.

Authoritative and accessible, Embryonic Stem Cell Immunobiology: Methods and Protocols serves as an ideal guide to experts and non-experts interested in different aspects of stem cells.

Mast Cells: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition expands upon the previous edition with current, detailed reviews that cover topics of interest to mast cell neophytes and cognoscenti alike. With new chapters on methods for the enumeration of tissue mast cells and isolation of mature mast cells and mast cell progenitors from mammalian tissues, Danio rerio (zebrafish) model in the study of mast cell development and function, the functions of mast cells in human health and disease and methods for the isolation, methods for the investigation of the molecular mechanisms of mast cell activation and their effector functions, assays for the detection and analysis of mast cell secretory and cell surface phenotype and, mast cell activation state, and experimental mouse models of disease that have been deemed useful for the assessment of mast cell functions in the regulation of innate and adaptive immune response in cancer, tissue fibrosis, auto-inflammation and allergic disease. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Mast Cells: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition provides a sampler of useful methods and techniques in the further study of mast cell biology.

Light Microscopic Analysis of Mitochondrial Heterogeneity in Cell Populations and Within Single Cells, by S. Jakobs, S. Stoldt, and D. Neumann
*

Advanced Microscopy of Microbial Cells, by J. A. J. Haagensen, B. Regenberg, and C. Sternberg

*

Algebraic and Geometric Understanding of Cells, Epigenetic Inheritance of Phenotypes Between Generations, by K. Yasuda

*

Measuring the Mechanical Properties of Single Microbial Cells, by C. R. Thomas, J. D. Stenson, and Z. Zhang
*

Single Cell Analytics: Pushing the Limits of the Doable,
by H. Kortmann, L.M. Blank, and A. Schmid

*
Cultivation-Independent Assessment of Bacterial Viability, by F. Hammes, M. Berney, and T. Egli
*

Resolution of Natural Microbial Community Dynamics by Community Fingerprinting, Flow Cytometry and Trend Interpretation Analysis, by P. Bombach, T. Hubschmann, I. Fetzer, S. Kleinsteuber, R. Geyer, H. Harms, and S. Muller
*Multivariate Data Analysis Methods for the Interpretation of Microbial Flow Cytometric Data, by

H.M. Davey, and C.L. Davey

*

From Single Cells to Microbial Population Dynamics:

Modelling in Biotechnology Based on Measurements of Individual Cells, by T. Bley"

Biobanking is considered to be one of the ten ideas changing the world with an estimated value of $45 billion by 2025. Despite the challenges, as the climate for innovation in the biobanking industry continues to flourish around the world, it is certain that amazing discoveries will emerge from this large-scale method of preserving and accessing human samples; biobanking is no longer just a place for collecting and storing samples. This book will cover a wide variety of subjects from across the future biobanking spectrum including scientific strategies, personalized medicine, regenerative medicine and stem cell challenges, disease surveillance, population genetics and innovative methods of biobanking.

The 21st ESACT conference was held in the beautiful surroundings of the CityWest Hotel resort in Dublin, Ireland. For the first time in ESACT history the number of participants exceeded 900: a sign of the ever increasing importance of this area. The conference commenced on Sunday June 5th with two sets of parallel workshops on the subjects listed below. An additional workshop was held on Monday lunchtime of the conferenceProcess Analytical Technology (PAT), Quality by Design (QbD) and other recent regulatory developments.

2. Innovative media products for the 21st century biopharmaceutical industry.

3. The impact of high titre media feed-streams on monoclonal antibody purification.

4. Advances in genomics and proteomics.

5. Stem Cell Technology: new developments and clinical applications.

A growing majority of women in the western hemisphere have been delaying initiation of childbearing to later in life. Consequently, more women in their late 30s to early 40s are attempting to get pregnant for the first time than ever before. Since the incidence of most cancers increases with age, delayed childbearing results in more female cancer survivors interested in fertility preservation. In this book, the editors provide strategies for fertility preservation in women and men who require gonadotoxic treatment. In addition, epidemiologic, ethical, medico-legal, psychologic, and social aspects of fertility preservation are discussed. Using a format that combines concise scientific background with practical methodological information and easy-to-grasp algorithms, the chapters all conform to a uniform structure, including a brief abstract, keyword glossary, step by step protocol of laboratory procedures, key issues in commentary and a list of references. The result is a unique, practical reference guide for reproductive endocrinologists, urologists, embryologists, reproductive scientists, and oncologists.