This is a cumulative index of Volumes 53-71 of the Methods in Cell Biology series. Critically acclaimed for more than 25 years, the series provides an indispensable tool for the researcher. Each volume is carefully edited by experts to contain state-of-the-art reviews and step-by-step protocols. Techniques are described completely so that methods are made accessible to users.

Published since 1959, International Review of Neurobiology is a well-known series appealing to neuroscientists, clinicians, psychologists, physiologists, and pharmacologists. Led by an internationally renowned editorial board, this important serial publishes both eclectic volumes made up of timely reviews and thematic volumes that focus on recent progress in a specific area of neurobiology research.
This volume is a collection of chapters covering recent advances in the field of neurobiology. Chapters address anesthetic binding sites on the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, NMDA receptor signal regulation, alcohol self-administration in rodents, and dopamine receptor mutations in mice.
Published since 1959, International Review of Neurobiology is a well-known series appealing to neuroscientists, clinicians, psychologists, physiologists, and pharmacologists. Led by an internationally renowned editorial board, this important serial publishes both eclectic volumes made up of timely reviews and thematic volumes that focus on recent progress in a specific area of neurobiology research.
This volume is a collection of chapters covering recent advances in the field of neurobiology. Chapters address anesthetic binding sites on the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, NMDA receptor signal regulation, alcohol self-administration in rodents, and dopamine receptor mutations in mice.

The acclaimed International Review of Cytology series presents current advances and reviews in cell biology, both plant and animal. Aricles address structure and control of gene expression, nucleocytoplasmic interactions, control of cell development and differentiation, and cell transformation and growth. Contributors to this volume include Yosef Gruenbaum, Sergey Razin, Johanna M. van der Wouden, J. M. Mitchison, Ora A. Weisz, and
Anne Regnier-Vigourous.
The acclaimed International Review of Cytology series presents current advances and reviews in cell biology, both plant and animal. Aricles address structure and control of gene expression, nucleocytoplasmic interactions, control of cell development and differentiation, and cell transformation and growth. Contributors to this volume include Yosef Gruenbaum, Sergey Razin, Johanna M. van der Wouden, J. M. Mitchison, Ora A. Weisz, and
Anne Regnier-Vigourous.

Edited by J.A. Callow and supported by an international Editorial Board, Advances in Botanical Research publishes in-depth and up-to-date reviews on a wide range of topics in plant sciences. Currently in its 40th volume, the series features a wide range of reviews by recognized experts on all aspects of plant genetics, biochemistry, cell biology, molecular biology, physiology and ecology. This eclectic volume features six reviews on cutting-edge topics of interest to post-graduates and researchers alike.
* Multidisciplinary reviews written from a broad range of scientific perspectives
* For over 30 years, series has enjoyed a reputation for excellent
* Contributors internationally recognized authorities in their respective fields

This title will focus on the study of human interphase chromosomes and its relation to health and disease. Orchestrated organization and human genome function in interphase nuclei at the chromosomal level have been repeatedly shown to play a significant role in a variety of basic biological processes involved in realization and inheritance of genetic information within and between species. Current biomedical sciences of post-genomic era refocus basic and applied studies of interphase nuclei genetics and genomics with special attention to interphase chromosome behavior in health and disease. Additionally, related processes are a target of studies elucidating the role of interphase chromosome behavior during development, chromosome/DNA replication, DNA reparation etc. Studies of interphase nuclei have an appreciable impact on different areas of biomedical sciences such as cell biology, neurobiology, cancer research, developmental biology, epigenetics, cytogenetics, and medical genetics, as a whole. Moreover, development of innovative and emergent technologies to analyze interphase nuclei are closely associated with application of these techniques in clinical, diagnostic and research practice to solve reproductive problems (including infertility and spontaneous abortions), to investigate congenital malformations (including those produced by aneuploidy and other chromosome abnormalities); genetic diseases (including cardiac, immune, neurological and psychiatric diseases), and cancer. This title will serve as a source of new valuable information and promising ideas for a wide audience of professionals in biomedicine including researchers, scientists, and healthcare professionals in human genetics, cytogenetics, and developmental biology.

Gene therapy offers considerable potential for the treatment of various incurable diseases of the nervous system. This volume describes a number of different viral vectors developed for achieving high efficiency gene delivery to the brain. Vectors described include those based on adenovirus, adeno-associated virus, Herpes Simplex Virus, lentivirus, and other retroviruses. It also discusses the potential application of such viruses in treating brain tumors, Parkinson's disease, and other diseases of the nervous system.
* Provides up-to-date account of gene therapy approaches for incurable neurological disorders
* Describes a range of gene delivery methods based on different viruses

Although knowledge of the development and differentiation of glial cells has significantly increased in recent years, there are still many questions unanswered. The first section of the book is devoted to this very active topic and includes contributions on Schwann cells, oligodendrocytes, astroglia and microglia.

The second section of the book covers cellular interactions, the role they play on myelination and remyelination, how these interactions take place and the molecules involved.

The third section of this volume focuses on the interactions of neurons with glial cells and their role in brain function. Neuron-glia cross talk appears to be fundamental for synaptic transmission and several chapters in this section address this topic.

The topic of how glial cells react to brain injury and how they participate in neuroprotection and brain repair is covered in section four of this book. As our knowledge about the molecules involved in the regenerative properties of glia increases, new avenues are open for the use of genetically modified glia with therapeutic purposes.

The final section of the book is devoted to therapeutic approaches to tumours, viral and prion infections. Gene therapy is a promising approach for the treatment of gliomas, one of the most devastating forms of cancer. A chapter on prion diseases and microglia addresses a question of tremendous actuality, since prion diseases in cows is at this moment the major veterinary problem in Europe and has created a considerable social alarm.

Mitochondria are complex organelles, possessing a double-membrane and even their own genome, the mtDNA. They play a pivotal role in cellular metabolism, respiration, and production of ATP essential for the normal function of all human organ systems. It is not surprising, therefore, that genetic defects of mitochondrial functions cause a wide spectrum of human diseases. This book provides the first modern and truly comprehensive coverage of the biochemistry, genetics, and pathology of mitochondria in different organisms. It particularly focuses on the recent advances in our understanding of basic mitochondrial research to the consequences of dysfunction at the molecular level.

The 13 contributions written by leading researchers in the field include topics such as: mitochondrial genome evolution and mtDNA stability, mitochondrial biogenesis and protein quality control, mitochondrial morphology, assembly and function of the mitochondrial energy generation apparatus and mitochondrial metabolic pathways. These are particularly oriented to link in these various mitochondrial pathways to the clinical consequences of their dysfunctions.

This book offers a wide ranging and review of cutting edge developments along with tried and tested methods for isolation, resolution and quantification of inositol phospholipids and inositol polyphosphates in both cells and tissues. It includes detailed and rigorous methodology for identification of molecular species of inositol phospholipids, including their phosphates and glycans, with numerous examples of specific applications.

Wherever available, both chromatographic and mass spectrometric
evidence is presented for specific phospholipid involvement in the biochemical transformations accompanying metabolic signalling events and, where possible, controversies have been resolved on basis of analytical ambiguity. The review of the lipid
analyses extends to products of phosphatidylinositol kinases, phosphatases and lipases.

A general review chapter is included on metabolic signalling with special emphasis on the lipid products of 3-kinases. In view of the general lack of commercially available standards for inositol phospholipids and inositol phosphates, the book concludes with a chapter on the preparation and collection of chromatographic and mass spectrometric proof of their purity and identity.
This book complements recent books and reviews on the mechanisms metabolic signalling, receptor binding and the polypeptide structure of the proteins involved in the various signalling pathways. It also complements those texts that deal exclusively with the chemical synthesis of the phosphatidylinositols and their polyphosphates and glycans.

This thesis describes a new approach for cell analysis by the rapid developing microfluidic technology. The nominee has made great contributions to develop a new analysis platform which combined microfluidic devices with mass spectrometry to determine the trace compounds secreted by cells. Based on this analysis platform, she studied the specific cell secreting behaviors under controlled microenvironment, of which the secretion compounds were qualified and semi-quantified by mass spectrometry. A novel cell sorting device integrated homogenous porous PDMS membrane was invented to classify cells from real samples based on the size difference. The nominee further studied the signal transmission between different cells, and the signal chemicals were qualitative and quantitative monitored by the analysis platform. This indicates the potential significant application of the new cell analysis platform in medicine screening and early diagnosis.

The second edition of "Biological Aging: Methods and Protocols "expands upon the previous edition with current, detailed, useful and promising methods currently available to study aging. With new chapters on protocols that detail aging cell culture as well as many more contemporary approaches such as nuclear transfer, microarray and proteomics technologies. 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 key tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.

Authoritative and practical, "Biological Aging: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition" details the most recent breakthroughs in technology that have served to advance the study of aging."

This book explores Dental Stem Cell (DSC) biology, from a review of basic concepts for cell culture, to isolation, self-renewal, multipotency and differentiation, regulation by molecular medicine, and prospective research areas for regenerative medicine. The first seven chapters delve into basic DSC properties, vital signaling pathways involved in differentiation, pluripotency, iPS cell development from DSCs, and genetic engineering approaches of DSCs in accordance with the current literature. A comprehensive review of possible clinical applications and in vitro/in vivo studies follows, illustrating the future of DSC research for in the tissue engineering field. The text also discusses the political, ethical, social, and legal ramifications of the use of dental stem cells. Expertly authored and drawing from a multitude of international perspectives, Dental Stem Cells is an invaluable addition to Springer's Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine series. It is essential reading for advanced graduate students, basic researchers, and clinical investigators in the fields of stem cell therapy, biological sciences of dentistry, and regenerative medicine.

The book focuses on the aqueous interface of biomolecules, a vital yet overlooked area of biophysical research. Most biological phenomena cannot be fully understood at the molecular level without considering interfacial behavior. The author presents conceptual advances in molecular biophysics that herald the advent of a new discipline, epistructural biology, centered on the interactions of water and bio molecular structures across the interface. The author introduces powerful theoretical and computational resources in order to address fundamental topics such as protein folding, the physico-chemical basis of enzyme catalysis and protein associations. On the basis of this information, a multi-disciplinary approach is used to engineer therapeutic drugs and to allow substantive advances in targeted molecular medicine. This book will be of interest to scientists, students and practitioners in the fields of chemistry, biophysics and biomedical engineering.

The aim of the book is to discuss the application of molecular pathology in cancer research, and its contribution in the classification of different tumors and identification of potential molecular targets, as well as how this knowledge may be translated into clinical practice, and the huge impact this field is likely to have in the next 5 to 10 years.

Recent stem cell research has revealed that miRNA and RNAi-mediated gene regulation is one of the vital determinates controlling the state of cell differentiation, with the small RNAs serving as key elements involved in regulatory network control of pluripotent cell fate determination. In RNAi and microRNA-Mediated Gene Regulation in Stem Cells: Methods, Protocols, and Applications, expert authors from laboratories across the globe contribute an accessible compendium of up-to-date, proven methods focused on the study of the titular topic. Divided into three sections, the book first gives a brief introduction to RNAi and miRNAs in stem cells, with a focus on the current status of research and future perspectives, then it continues with detailed methods and protocols for RNAi screening, transfection, and the knockdown of specific genes and pathways in several animal species, including humans and mice, concluding with a section on recently developed methods for identification of miRNAs, including a general protocol for preparation and analysis of miRNA libraries for deep sequencing, knock down of a specific gene using miRNA-based shRNA, and miRNA expression analysis using qRT-PCR. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) 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 highlighting tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and cutting-edge, RNAi and microRNA-Mediated Gene Regulation in Stem Cells: Methods, Protocols, and Applications serves as a valuable resource for scientists and aspiring graduate students interested in the intersection of RNAi, miRNA, and stem cell molecular biology and the exciting areas of medicine, including regenerative medicine, aging, cancer, and neurological disorders, that can be advanced through this expanding area of research.

This volume of the acclaimed Methods in Cell Biology series provides specific examples of applications of confocal microscopy to cell biological problems. It is an essential guide for students and scientists in cell biology, neuroscience, and many other areas of biological and biomedical research, as well as research directors and technical staff of microscopy and imaging facilities.
An integrated and up-to-date coverage on the many various techniques and uses of the confocal microscope (CM).
Key Features
* Includes detailed protocols accessible to new users
* Details how to set up and run a "Confocal Microscope Core Facility"
* Contains over 170 figures

International Review of Cytology 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. Authored by some of the foremost scientists in the field, each volume provides up-to-date information and directions for future research.
Key Features
* Each volume provides up-to-date information and directions for future research
* Authored by some of the foremost international scientists in the field
* Fully illustrated in color and black and white

Apoptosis: Involvement of Oxidative Stress and Intracellular Ca2+ Homeostasis, presents a concise synthesis of the current knowledge and recent advances in the mechanisms of apoptosis in different cells and the role of oxidative stress and Ca2+ signalling. Particular attention is given to the different features of apoptosis in distinct cell types, ranging from hepatocytes to cardiovascular and blood cells, nervous cells or spermatozoa.

Cutting-edge and user-friendly, this volume serves as a comprehensive resource for those interested in the fascinating biological processes associated to programmed cell death or apoptosis. The book is divided in two major chapter sections: general mechanisms of the apoptotic pathways and the role of oxidative stress and intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis and a more specific section dedicated to the specificities of apoptosis in a number of excitable and non-excitable cells.

All of the contributions are from specialists in the field and the reviews presented, systemically examine the most exciting and innovative aspects of the apoptotic pathways in their particular areas of expertise.

RNA technologies are the driving forces of modern medicine and biotechnology. They combine the fields of biochemistry, chemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, physics, nanotechnology and bioinformatics. The combination of these topics is set to revolutionize the medicine of tomorrow. After more than 15 years of extensive research in the field of RNA technologies, the first therapeutics are ready to reach the first patients. Thus we are witnessing the birth of a very exciting time in the development of molecular medicine, which will be based on the methods of RNA technologies. This volume is the first of a series. It covers various aspects of RNA interference and microRNAs, although antisense RNA applications, hammerhead ribozyme structure and function as well as non-coding RNAs are also discussed. The authors are internationally highly respected experts in the field of RNA technologies.

Single Cell Diagnostics: Methods and Protocols applies modern
molecular diagnostic techniques to the analysis of single cells, small
numbers of cells, or cell extracts. Emphasis is placed on non-invasive
analysis of single cell metabolites and the direct analysis of RNA and
DNA from single cells, with a focus on polymerase chain reaction and
fluorescence in situ hybridization. The authors, all leading
scientists in the field, provide current and innovative methods for
extracting useful, accurate, and reliable data from single-cell
samples. The stepwise, technically precise protocols presented in this
volume thoroughly describe single-cell assays, from material collection
and isolation of cells to data interpretation. Cell-types analyzed
include embryonic blastomeres, fibroblasts, and lymphocytes. Among the
techniques described are real-time quantitative PCR, isothermal whole
genome amplification, comparative genomic hybridization, real-time
genetic expression analysis, and the production of RNA and cDNA
libraries. This handbook will be essential for researchers and
clinicians, and practitioners providing care for couples seeking
treatment for infertility or preimplantation genetic diagnosis.

Power Laws, Scale-free Networks and Genome Biology deals with crucial aspects of the theoretical foundations of systems biology, namely power law distributions and scale-free networks which have emerged as the hallmarks of biological organization in the post-genomic era. The chapters in the book not only describe the interesting mathematical properties of biological networks but moves beyond phenomenology, toward models of evolution capable of explaining the emergence of these features. The collection of chapters, contributed by both physicists and biologists, strives to address the problems in this field in a rigorous but not excessively mathematical manner and to represent different viewpoints, which is crucial in this emerging discipline. Each chapter includes, in addition to technical descriptions of properties of biological networks and evolutionary models, a more general and accessible introduction to the respective problems. Most chapters emphasize the potential of theoretical systems biology for discovery of new biological phenomena.

Intermediate Filaments focuses on desmin and other intermediate filaments in disease and health. This new volume will serve as a resource for graduate students and researchers in the field.

International Review of Cytology 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. Authored by some of the foremost scientists in the field, each volume provides up-to-date information and directions for future research.
Key Features
* 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

International Review of Cytology 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. Authored by some of the foremost scientists in the field, each volume provides up-to-date information and directions for future research.
Key Features
* 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

Kinetochores orchestrate the faithful transmission of chromosomes from one generation to the next. Kinetochores were first depicted over 100 years ago, but kinetochore research has progressed by leaps and bounds since the first description of their constituent DNA and proteins in the 1980s. "The Kinetochore: from Molecular Discoveries to Cancer Therapy" presents a thorough up-to-date analysis of kinetochore and centromere composition, formation, regulation, and activity, both in mitosis and meiosis, in humans and "model" eukaryotic species, and at natural and mutant neocentromeres. Recently initiated translational research on kinetochores is also discussed as kinetochores are being mined as a very rich target for the next generations of anti-cancer drugs.