In 1976 I wrote a monograph on lysosomes (Lysosomes: A Survey, Springer Verlag, Vienna) that was intended as an up-to-date, comprehensive survey. Whatever success I may have achieved then in fulfilling that intention, even the effort now would be foolhardy. The literature has grown so rapidly in the past decade that I certainly could not even read all of the essential papers, let alone understand and analyze them. My goal here, therefore, is simply to introduce the major features of lysosomes at a level I hope will be useful both to I;ldvanced students and to researchers interested in obtaining a broad background. This is in keeping with the design of the Cellular Organelles series: the series is more a set of advanced texts than of review monographs. This design carries with it the decision not to support each point by refer ences to the original literature. I apologize for the injustice involved in such a decision but feel that in any event it would be impossibly unwieldy to cite, adequately and in a balanced manner, the contributions of the vast network of researchers responsible for the information upon which I draw."

Analytical Molecular Biology illustrates the importance of simple analytical methods applied to some basic molecular biology problems, with an emphasis on the importance of biological problems, rather than the complexity of mathematics. First, the book examines crucial experimental data for a specific problem. Mathematical models will then be constructed with explicit inclusion of biological facts. From such models, predictions can be deduced and then suggest further experimental studies. A few important molecular biology problems will be discussed in the order of the complexity of the mathematical models. Based on such illustrations, the readers can then develop their own analytical methods to study their own problems. This book is for anyone who knows they need to learn how to apply mathematical models to biology, but doesn't necessarily want to, from practicing researchers looking to acquire more analytical tools to advanced students seeking a clear, explanatory text.

Animal cell technology is a growing discipline of cell biology which aims not only to understand structures, functions and behaviors of differentiated animal cells but also to ascertain their abilities to be used for industrial and medical purposes. The goal of animal cell technology includes accomplishments of clonal expansion of differentiated cells with useful ability, optimization of their culture conditions, modulation of their ability for production of medically and pharmaceutically important proteins, and the application of animal cells to gene therapy and artificial organs. This Volume gives the readers a complete review of the present state of the art in Japan. The Proceedings will be useful for cell biologists, biochemists, molecular biologists, immunologists, biochemical engineers and other disciplines related to animal cell culture, working either in academic environments or in industries of biotechnology and pharmacy.

Mass spectrometry underwent dramatic changes during the decade of the 1980s. Fast atom bombardment (F AB) ionization, developed by Barber and coworkers, made it possible for all mass spectrometry laboratories to analyze polar, highly functionalized organic molecules, and in some cases ionic, inorganic, and organometallic compounds. The emphasis of much of this work was on molecular weight determination. Parallel with the development of ionization methods (molecular weight mass spectrometry) for polar biological molecules, the increased mass range of sector and quadrupole mass spectrometers and the development of new instruments for tandem mass spectrometry fostered a new era in structural mass spectrometry. It was during this same period that new instrument technologies, such as Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance, radio frequency quadrupole ion trap, and new types of time-of-flight mass spectrometers, began to emerge as useful analytical instruments. In addi tion, laser methods useful for both sample ionization and activation became commonplace in almost every analytical mass spectrometry laboratory. In the last 5 years, there has been explosive growth in the area of biological mass spectrometry. Such ionization methods as electrospray and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) have opened new frontiers for both molecular weight and structural mass spectrometry, with mass spectrometry being used for analysis at the picomole and even femto mole levels. In ideal cases, subfemtomole sample levels can be successfully analyzed. Sample-handling methods are now the limiting factor in analyz ing trace amounts of biological samples."

Animal cell technology is a growing discipline of cell biology which aims to understand the structure, function and behaviour of differentiated animal cells, and especially the development of such abilities as are useful for industrial purposes. These developments range from clonal expansion of differentiated cells with useful abilities, to optimization of cell culture on industrial scale and modulation of the cells' abilities to produce drugs and monoclonal antibodies. The sixth volume in this series gives a complete review of today's state of the art in Japan, a country where this field is especially well advanced. It will be of interest to cell biologists, biochemists, molecular biologists, immunologists and other disciplines related to animal cell culture, working in the academic environment as well as in (biotechnology or pharmaceutical) industry.

The concept of 'biomineralization' signifies mineralization processes that take place in close association with organic molecules or matrices. The awareness that mineral formation can be guided by organic molecules notably contributed to the understanding of the formation of the inorganic skeletons of living organisms. Modern electron microscopic and spectroscopic analyses have successfully demonstrated the participation of biological systems in several mineralization processes, and prominent examples include the formation of bio-silica in diatoms and sponges. This insight has already made the application of recombinant technology for the production of valuable inorganic polymers, such as bio-silica, possible. This polymer can be formed by silicatein under conditions that cannot be matched by chemical means. Similarly, the efforts described in this book have elucidated that certain organisms, bacteria in deep-sea polymetallic nodules and coccoliths in seamount crusts, are involved in the deposition of marine minerals. Strategies have already been developed to utilize such microorganisms for the biosynthesis and bioleaching of marine deposits. Moreover, studies reveal that bio-polymers enhance the hydroxyapatite formation of bone-forming cells and alter the expression of important regulators of bone resorption, suggesting a potential for bone regeneration and treatment / prevention of osteoporosis.

Mycobacteria is divided into two volumes. The first volume deals with the basic biology of mycobacteria. With its emphasis on the state of the art outlook, this volume includes taxonomy and molecular biology of mycobacteria, modern approaches for detection of mycobacteria, and immunology and immunization against tuberculosis. The second volume covers drug trestments for mycobacteria anad tuberculosis. It outlines trends of discovery and development of chemotherapy, starting from the mid-50's to present day uses of chemotherapy in treating AIDS, drug-resistant tuberculosis, and other non-tuberculosis mycobacterial diseases.

The filamentous fungi are perhaps unique in the diversity of their metabolic activities. This includes biosynthetic as well as degradative activities, many is to provide an of which are of industrial interest. The objective of this text up-to-date and broad review which emphasizes the genetic and molecular biological contribution in the field of fungal biotechnology. This text begins with an overview of the tools and methodologies involved which, to a large extent, have been developed in the model filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans and subsequently have been extended to commercially important fungi. This is followed by a chapter which provides a compilation of genes isolated from commercial fungi and their present status with respect to structure, function and regulation. Chapters 3 and 4 highlight the degradative powers of filamentous fungi. First, a discussion of what is known regarding the molecular genetics of fungi and the genes and enzymes involved in the beverage and food industries. This has an oriental flavour, reflecting the tremendous importance of fungi in traditional Chinese and Japanese food production. An account of lignocellulose degradation by filamentous fungi follows, illustrating the potential of fungi to utilize this substance as a renewable energy source. The ability of fungi to produce high-value foreign proteins is reviewed in chapters 5 and 6. Chymosin production, in particular, represents a good example of high-level yields being obtained, such as to warrant commercial production.

These proceedings had their origin in a conference entitled 'Alternative Life History Styles of Fishes and Other Organisms' which was held in Grahamstown, South Africa, in June 1987. The idea for the conference arose out of the fascination of an African ichthyologist/ecologist (MNB) for the conceptual models of fish life-history styles which were being developed by an ichthyologist/epigeneticist based in Canada but with field experience in Europe, Asia and Africa (EKB). I had never been fully convinced that the adaptationist arguments of the neo-Darwinians ex plained all ontogenetic and evolutionary phenomena, and found that the novel approach to organism development and evolution which had been adopted by Balon, as well as by others such as L0vtrup, was refreshing and enlightening. Their perspectives, combined with the new ideas on self-organisation and the link between nonequilibrium thermodynamics and biology by Prigogine, Jantsch, Laszlo, Wicken, Weber and others, seemed to suggest that new ways of interpreting old findings were now becoming available. On delving into the literature I found that a variety of zoologists were working in the field of alternative life-history styles and autopoiesis, yet they seemed to be unaware of one another's work. We decided that it was time for a meeting of minds. The aim of the conference was to examine the way in which epigenesis (i. e."

This text contains the Proceedings of the Federation of European Microbiological Societies Symposium held in Troia, Portugal, during 18-23 September 1988.

Virus Variability and Impact on Epidemiology and Control of Diseases E. Kurstak and A. Hossain I. INTRODUCTION An important number of virus infections and their epidemic developments demonstrate that ineffec tiveness of prevention measures is often due to the mutation rate and variability of viruses (Kurstak et al., 1984, 1987). The new human immunodeficiency retroviruses and old influenza viruses are only one among several examples of virus variation that prevent, or make very difficult. the production of reliable vaccines. It could be stated that the most important factor limiting the effectiveness of vaccines against virus infections is apparently virus variation. Not much is, how ever, known about the factors influencing and responsible for the dramatically diverse patterns of virus variability. II. MUTATION RATE AND VARIABILITY OF HUMAN AND ANIMAL VIRUSES Mutation is undoubtedly the primary source of variation, and several reports in the literature suggest that extreme variability of some viruses may be a consequence of an unusually high mutation rate (Holland et al., 1982; Domingo et al., 1985; Smith and Inglis, 1987). The mutation rate of a virus is defined as the probability that during a single replication of the virus genome a particular nucleotide position is altered through substitution, deletion, insertion. or recombination. Different techniques have been utilized to measure virus mutation rates, and these have been noted in the extent of application to different viruses."

Busy clinicians and health practitioners recognize the importance of speedy detection of pathogens to impede the further spread of infection, and to ensure their patients' rapid and complete recovery. This reader-friendly reference is a unique collection of the newest and most effective diagnostic techniques currently in use in clinical and research laboratories. Instructive commentary regarding the application of these often complex methods is provided. This essential text aids readers in selecting the most efficient method, finding the necessary resources, and avoiding the most common pitfalls in implementation.

In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in grain-based fuel ethanol production in North America and around the world. Whether such production will result in a net energy gain or whether this is sustainable in the long term is under debate, but undoubtedly millions of tons of non-fermented residues are now produced annually for global trade in the form of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS). Consequently, in a short period of time a tremendous amount of research has been conducted to determine the suitability of ethanol coproducts for various end uses. Distillers Grains: Production, Properties and Utilization is the first book of its kind to provide in-depth, and up-to-date coverage of Historical and current status of the fuel ethanol industry in the U.S. Processing methods, scientific principles, and innovations for making fuel ethanol using grains as feedstock Physical and chemical properties of DDGS, assay methodologies for compositional analyses, and mycotoxin occurrence in DDGS Changes during processing (from grains to DDGS) and analysis of factors causing variations in compositional, nutritional, and physical values Various traditional, new, and emerging uses for DDGS (including feed for cattle, swine, poultry, fish, and other animals, feedstocks for cellulosic ethanol, biodiesel, and other bioenergy production, and substrates for food and industrial uses) Appealing to all who have an interest in fuel ethanol production, distillers grains, and their uses, this comprehensive reference sharpens the readers' understanding of distillers grains and will promote better utilization of ethanol coproducts. Animal and food scientists, feed and food technologists, ethanol plant managers and technicians, nutritionists, academic and governmental professionals, and college students will find the book most useful.

advanced metastatic disease of solid tumors, dictates that each tumor mass, indeed each individual metastasis, will have a unique antigen and cytokine environment and hence unique response to immune modu lation. A differential response to immunotherapy is thus inevitable. 4. Many of the human trials described are not randomized and report survival or response against historical controls. Most tumors described are immunogenic human tumors: renal cell cancer and melanoma are most common. In order to avoid the well-described inter-patient vari ation and rare incidence of spontaneous response among patient samples as well as selection bias and changes in practice over time, randomized trials are required. 5. Immunological treatment is unlike conventional chemotherapy in its endpoint. Most chemotherapeutic regimes require a complete response or a good partial response for cure or good palliation. There are now many cases where immunotherapy has provided long-term palliation without massive tumor reduction. Immunity may be stimulated to a degree which holds tumorigenicity in check and most importantly, pro vides good palliation for the patient in a manner that differs essentially from chemotherapy."

Success in meeting the challenge to produce the commercial products anticipated by the exploitation of biological processes depends upon provid ing effective separation protocols. Effectiveness can be measured in terms of selectivity, purity, resolution and validatory success. The major processing problems are associated with either the selective recovery of molecules which are present in low concentrations from complex mixtures or the selective removal of contaminants from the desired molecule. Central to the evolution of processes satisfying this demand are the regulatory requirements being imposed by governments on the purity of a product, especially in the health care market. Synthetic organic chemists are increasingly finding it advantageous to conduct one or more steps using either enzymic biotransformations where molecules with a single and consistent stereochemistry or chirality are required. The underlying princi ples behind the methods, techniques and processes currently being used and developed commercially rely upon the biospecific nature and properties of the desired molecule. When these factors are married to the more traditional techniques of precipitation, chromatography, liquid-liquid extraction and membrane processes, powerful tools emerge, allowing highly selective separations to be designed. The logical extension of these combinations is to apply genetic engineering techniques to influence the separations at a more fundamental and structural level by modifying the target protein at source, during its synthesis, to facilitate its separation in a given, selective manner, leading to the distinct possibility of producing 'designer' separation programmes."

People have relied on medicinal products derived from natural sources for millennia, and animals have long been an important part of that repertoire; nearly all cultures, from ancient times to the present, have used animals as a source of medicine. Ingredients derived from wild animals are not only widely used in traditional remedies, but are also increasingly valued as raw materials in the preparation of modern medicines. Regrettably, the unsustainable use of plants and animals in traditional medicine is recognized as a threat to wildlife conservation, as a result of which discussions concerning the links between traditional medicine and biodiversity are becoming increasingly imperative, particularly in view of the fact that folk medicine is the primary source of health care for 80% of the world's population. This book discusses the role of animals in traditional folk medicine and its meaning for wildlife conservation. We hope to further stimulate further discussions about the use of biodiversity and its implications for wildlife conservation strategies.

Coastal Habitat Conservation: New Perspectives and Sustainable Development of Biodiversity in the Anthropocene offers the latest research and approaches to biodiversity conservation in coastal areas. The book synthesizes the background of foundational conservation views and provides new perspectives and recent strategies within a sustainable development context for coastal species and organic life. Written by a team of international authors with expertise in wide-ranging issues of biodiversity conservation, this book analyzes the challenges of conserving marine habitats and species that humanity faces in the Anthropocene era. Sections explore emerging and unforeseen impacts within a changing world, specifically, the marine-based conservation in the context of global change, coastal urbanization and mitigation of its environmental impacts, marine bioinvasions, conservation strategies for of out-of-sight communities like caves, habitat restoration, and the citizen science and its challenging role in monitoring conservation.