mRNA METABOLISM & POST-TRANSCRIPTIONAL GENE REGULATION
Edited by Joe B. Harford and David R. Morris
Gene expression is a process that begins with the transcription of DNA to an RNA messenger (mRNA), which is then translated into a protein. Historically, attention has been focused on the regulation of RNA synthesis (transcription); however, there is a growing recognition of and appreciation for the importance of the many regulatory mechanisms that take place after RNA synthesis has been completed.
mRNA Metabolism and Post-Transcriptional Gene Regulation is the first comprehensive overview of the various modes of gene regulation that exist post-transcriptionally. Collecting studies by some of the top researchers in the field, this volume provides both an up-to-date review of the complex "life" of an mRNA molecule and an introduction to current work on the diversity of mechanisms of post-transcriptional reactions.
Topics covered include:
* RNA structure
* Mammalian RNA editing
* RNA export from the nucleus
* The fundamentals of translation initiation
* Control of mRNA decay in plants
* mRNA metabolism and cancer
* Control of mRNA stability during herpes simplex virus infection
* Regulation of mRNA expression in HIV-1 and other complex retroviruses
* Nucleases
* RNA localization

A timely contribution to the understanding of genetic regulatory mechanisms, mRNA Metabolism and Post-Transcriptional Gene Regulation provides a basis from which potential therapeutic strategies may be developed. This book will be of vital interest to cell and molecular biologists at all levels, from graduate students to senior investigators, clinical researchers, and professionals in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

Jobst Conrad prasentiert die Ergebnisse einer sozialwissenschaftlichen Begleitstudie, die den Prozess und die Chancen der Umsetzung des InnoRegio-Programms des BMBF in der Praxis untersucht. Daruber hinaus gibt er einen Uberblick uber Innovations- und Netzwerkkonzepte, Innovationsdynamik und Technologiepolitik sowie uber Geschichte und Entwicklungstrends der Biotechnologie, Biotechnologiepolitik und Gentechnikdiskurs.

"Gene Therapy for Cartilage and Bone Tissue Engineering" outlines the tissue engineering and possible applications of gene therapy in the field of biomedical engineering as well as basic principles of gene therapy, vectors and gene delivery, specifically for cartilage and bone engineering. It is intended for tissue engineers, cell therapists, regenerative medicine scientists and engineers, gene therapist and virologists. Dr. Yu-Chen Hu is a Distinguished Professor at the Department of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University and has received the Outstanding Research Award (National Science Council), Asia Research Award (Society of Chemical Engineers, Japan) and Professor Tsai-Teh Lai Award (Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers). He is also a fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) and a member of the Tissue Engineering International & Regenerative Medicine Society (TERMIS)-Asia Pacific Council.

Entwicklungen in Biomedizin, Genetik und Informatik fA1/4hren zu einem Wissenszuwachs im VerstAndnis der Ursachen und Entstehungsmechanismen von Krankheiten. Damit verbunden ist die Hoffnung, zukA1/4nftig Krankheitsrisiken frA1/4hzeitiger zu erkennen und durch MaAnahmen der Entwicklung von Krankheiten vorzubeugen. Mehr als andere Untersuchungsergebnisse erlauben genetische Informationen Aussagen A1/4ber den Gesundheitszustand auch von FamilienangehArigen. Sie bergen damit das Risiko konfligierender Interessen im Hinblick auf deren autonome LebensfA1/4hrung und informationelle Selbstbestimmung in sich.

Das Buch enthAlt die auf dem 10. Einbecker Workshop gehaltenen VortrAge, die sich aus medizinisch-naturwissenschaftlicher und juristischer Sicht mit dem Thema befassen. Im Anhang werden wichtige Materialien zum Thema Gentest ergAnzt. So ist das Asterreichische Gentechnikgesetz, der Schweizer Entwurf eines Gentestgesetzes und der Entwurf der Fraktion der GRAoeNEN im Bundestag fA1/4r ein Deutsches Gentestgesetz enthalten.

Bringing together the ideas of experts from around the world, this incisive text offers cutting-edge perspectives on the risk analysis and governance of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), supporting effective and informed decision-making in developing countries. Comprised of four comprehensive sections, this book covers: integrated risk analysis and decision making, giving an overview of the science involved and examining risk analysis methods that impact decision-making on the release of GMOs, particularly in developing countries; diversification of expertise involved in risk analysis and practical ways in which the lack of expertise in developing countries can be overcome; risk analysis based regulatory systems and how they can be undermined by power relationships and socio-political interests, as well as strategies for improving GMO policy development and regulatory decision-making; and case studies from developing countries providing lessons based on real-world experience that can inform our current thinking.

'It is very hard to produce a timely book about a subject that changes as quickly as technologically assisted reproduction, but John Harris and Soren Holm have managed to do exactly that. The fourteen essays in this small volume provide an extremely useful and highly readable overview of the key moral, legal, and social themes raised by new ways of making babies. . . . The book is unique in that it offers perspectives on all these topics from a variety of disciplines and professions as well as from a broad range of national and cultural perspectives.' Arthur Caplan, British Medical Journal

Der Autor erklart die Widerstande gegen einzelne Anwendungsbereiche der Gentechnik, beleuchtet deren historische Hintergrunde und untersucht Moglichkeiten, die Akzeptanz der Gentechnik zu beeinflussen."

The announcement last spring that a lab in Scotland had successfully cloned a mammal captured the attention of the media and the imagination of the public. This culmination of decades of research has profound scientific and ethical implications. If applied to other species, cloning could further genetic engineering and greatly improve animal husbandry. Now that a sheep has been cloned, are humans next? Governments reacted swiftly with bans on funding for human cloning research. Churches united in calling for a complete ban on the cloning of higher animals. Critics immediately alluded to Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" and the myth of Icarus. Has scientific sophistication outpaced our social and moral development? Can we "save" our society from this possible evil by banning any attempts to expand the knowledge? Does cloning really differ in spirit from the selective breeding that humankind has performed for centuries? "Cloning: For and Against" comprises 30 articles by scientists, ethicists, religious leaders and legal experts who explore the benefits and costs of cloning. Topics include: playing God: is cloning against human nature?; is cloning the salvation for endangered species?; no need for marriage: the separation of reproduction from human relationships; can you xerox a soul? and other theological issues; Brave New World: what's possible and what isn't; clones in medicine; and a million Michael Jacksons: eugenic/dysgenic and cultural consequences of human cloning.

Current applications and recent advances in genomics and proteomics

"Genomics and Proteomics Engineering in Medicine and Biology" presents a well-rounded, interdisciplinary discussion of a topic that is at the cutting edge of both molecular biology and bioengineering. Compiling contributions by established experts, this book highlights up-to-date applications of biomedical informatics, as well as advancements in genomics-proteomics areas. Structures and algorithms are used to analyze genomic data and develop computational solutions for pathological understanding.

Topics discussed include: Qualitative knowledge modelsInterpreting micro-array dataGene regulation bioinformaticsMethods to analyze micro-arrayCancer behavior and radiation therapyError-control codes and the genomeComplex life science multi-database queriesComputational protein analysisTumor and tumor suppressor proteins interactions

Das vorliegende Buch entstand aus Vorlesungen fUr Studenten des Bergbaus, des Hiittenwesens und des Wirtschaftsingenieurwesens, die als Grundlage ihrer Berufs tatigkeit viele Gebiete des klassischen Maschinenbaus kennen miissen, und zwar sowohlKraft- und Arbeitsmaschinen und -anlagen als auch iibergreifende Gebiete, u. a. MeBtechnik und Steuerungs- und Regelungstechnik. Die Darstellung muBte also auf die Bediirfnisse von Anwendern abgestellt werden, die unterschiedliche Maschinen und Anlagen technisch richtig und wirtschaftlich giinstig einsetzen miissen. Urn diese Aufgaben meistern zu konnen, bedarf ein solcher Anwender der Zusammenarbeit mit Spezialisten, die diese Maschinen und Anlagen in allen Einzelheiten kennen. Diese Zusammenarbeit kann er aber nur dann fruchtbar und ohne Zeitverlust aufnehmen, wenn er die spezielle Sprache des Einzelgebietes versteht und vor allen Dingen sich in dessen spezielle Probleme gut hineinfinden kann. Hierzu bedarf es neben grundlegenden mathematisch-naturwissenschaftlichen und technischen Kenntnissen und Fahigkeiten des Einblickes in die Technik dieser Maschinen und Anlagen. Beim Erwerb dieses Einblickes solI das vorliegende Buch helfen. Dieser Einblick in zahlreiche Gebiete muBte in einer iibersehbaren Darstellung geboten werden. HierfUr wurde folgendes Konzept zugrunde gelegt: Die klassische Einteilung in Kraft- und Arbeitsmaschinen wurde beibehalten, urn dem Leser einen leichteren Einstieg auch in die spezielle Literatur zu ermoglichen. Urn bei den zahlreichen zu behandelnden Gebieten eine zusatzliche Systematisierung zu erreichen, wurde nicht nur nach Kraft- und Arbeitsmaschinen, sondern auch nach Maschinen und Anlagen unterschieden. Naheres hierzu findet sich in Abschnitt 1."

The first unequivocal success for Gene Therapy was reported in April 2000 for X-SCID patients. Pioneering stem cell/gene therapy clinical trials are the focus of this book. Therapy successes such as the X-SCID trial and improved ADA-SCID ones are presented together with pioneering angio/vasculogenic clinical trials mediated either by transient gene therapy or emerging autologous stem cell transplantation. Highlights also include 1) promises of the breakthrough combination of stem cell- and transient gene-therapy, 2) gene therapy trials for neurodegenerative disease on non-human primates where long-term gene therapy might involve brain stem cells, and 3) the first clinical trial with non-invasive monitoring of therapeutic gene expression as a prospective conclusion. This volume will be of value and interest to researchers in this exciting field.

Das Thema des vorliegenden Buches ist ein fUr die Bearbeitung sehr sprodes; treffen doch drei Spezialfacher aus drei verschiedenen Wissensgebieten hier zusammen, um dem einen Ziei zu dienen: der Anwendung der Rontgenstrahlen in der Medizin. Wahrend die Ent wicklung der Gelehrsamkeit wegen der Fiille und Kompliziei'theit der Erscheinungen den Weg der Spezialisierung geht, erfordei't die Ront genologie eine Zusammenfassung sehr heterogener Wissensgebiete unter eine Direktive. Die Darstellung wird daher verschieden ausfallen, je nachdem, ob ein Techniker, ein Physiker oder ein Arzt den Stoff formt. Der Gesichtspunkt, der jeden der drei leitet, ist ein anderer. Es kann sein, daB ein Buch, dessen physikalisch-technische Darstellung vielleicht einen Ingenieur nicht befriedigt, dem Arzt, der sich rontgeno logisch betatigen will, wei'tvoll sein wird. Umgekehrt aber kann es geschehen, daB der Arzt den glanzendsten physikalisch-mathematischen Ableitungen verstandnislos gegeniibersteht, ohne aus ihnen Nutzen ziehen zu konnen. Das Buch verfolgt 'nur praktische Zwecke. Der Arzt muB den Mecha nismus und die Wirkungsweise seiner Apparatur verstehen, soll er sie beherrschen und nicht von ihr beherrscht werden. Er muB auch Photo graph sein, um seine Diagnostik auf eine sichere technische Basis zu stellen; er muG auch Physiker sein, um seine Strahlung exakt messen zu konnen. Doch er braucht die Dinge nicht auf breiter, wissenschaft licher Grundlage zu erfassen. Von einer wissenschaftlichen Durchfiihrung ist daher abgesehen worden."

In "Enhancing Evolution," leading bioethicist John Harris dismantles objections to genetic engineering, stem-cell research, designer babies, and cloning and makes an ethical case for biotechnology that is both forthright and rigorous. Human enhancement, Harris argues, is a good thing--good morally, good for individuals, good as social policy, and good for a genetic heritage that needs serious improvement. "Enhancing Evolution" defends biotechnological interventions that could allow us to live longer, healthier, and even happier lives by, for example, providing us with immunity from cancer and HIV/AIDS. Further, Harris champions the possibility of influencing the very course of evolution to give us increased mental and physical powers--from reasoning, concentration, and memory to strength, stamina, and reaction speed. Indeed, he says, it's not only morally defensible to enhance ourselves; in some cases, it's morally obligatory.

In a new preface, Harris offers a glimpse at the new science and technology to come, equipping readers with the knowledge to assess the ethics and policy dimensions of future forms of human enhancement.

Since the birth of civilisation, human beings have manipulated other life-forms. We have selectively bred plants and animals for thousands of years to maximise agricultural production and cater to our taste in pets. The observation of the creation of artificial animal and plant variants was a key stimulant for Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. The ability to directly engineer the genomes of organisms first became possible in the 1970s, when the gene for human insulin was introduced into bacteria to produce this protein for diabetics. At the same time, mice were modified to produce human growth hormone, and grew huge as a result. But these were only our first tottering steps into the possibilities of genetic engineering. In the past few years, the pace of progress has accelerated enormously. We can now cut and paste genes using molecular scissors with astonishing ease, and the new technology of genome editing can be applied to practically any species of plants or animals. 'Mutation chain reaction' can be used to alter the genes of a population of pests, such as flies; as the modified creatures breed, the mutation is spread through the population, so that within a few generations the organism is almost completely altered. At the same time, scientists are also beginning to synthesize new organisms from scratch. These new technologies hold much promise for improving lives. Genome editing has already been used clinically to treat AIDS patients, by genetically modifying their white blood cells to be resistant to HIV. In agriculture, genome editing could be used to engineer species with increased food output, and the ability to thrive in challenging climates. New bacterial forms may be used to generate energy. But these powerful new techniques also raise important ethical dilemmas and potential dangers, pressing issues that are already upon us given the speed of scientific developments. To what extent should parents be able to manipulate the genetics of their offspring - and would designer babies be limited to the rich? Can we effectively weigh up the risks from introducing synthetic lifeforms into complex ecosystems? In this extensively revised paperback edition, John Parrington explains the nature and possibilities of these new scientific developments, which could usher in a brave, new world. We must rapidly come to understand its implications if we are to direct its huge potential to the good of humanity and the planet.

This volume examines the latest scientific and technological developments likely to shape our post-human future. Using a multidisciplinary approach, the author argues that we stand at the precipice of an evolutionary change caused by genetic engineering and anatomically embedded digital and informational technologies. The author delves into current scientific initiatives that will lead to the emergence of super smart individuals with unique creative capacities. He draws on technology, psychology and philosophy to consider humans-as-they-are relative to autonomy, creativity, and their place in a future shared with 'post humans.' The author discusses the current state of bioethics and technology law, both which policymakers, beset by a torrent of revolutionary advances in bioengineering, are attempting to steer. Significantly, Carvalko addresses why we must both preserve the narratives that brought us to this moment and continue to express our humanity through, music, art, and literature, to ensure that, as a uniquely creative species, we don't simply vanish in the ether of an evolution brought about by our own technology.