As someone who has spent nearly half his life wondering about the relationship between Helicobacter and gastric cancer, I find this textbook on the subject exciting and timely. In fact, I am not aware of any other volume that has been able to distil so much new knowledge into such a comprehensive account of a poorly understood field. Taking my own view, as a scientist placed in the middle of the spectrum between basic science and clinical medicine, I can see that the editors, Jim Fox, Andy Giraud, and Timothy Wang, provide a broad mix of expertise, which ensures that the subject is treated with the right balance. From clinicopathologic observations in humans, to epidemiology, through animal models, to molecular and cell biology, this team has hit the mark for most readers. Fox is a well-known leader in animal models with broad expertise. He pioneered the field with observations on Helicobacter species in animals, from the time when only one spiral gastric bac- rium was known, "Campylobacter pyloridis. " Fox partners with Wang, whose team recently announced a dramatic advance in the field of carcinogenesis-the obser- tion that bone marrow-derived stem cells participate in the changes that become cancer. To this nice mix has been added Andy Giraud from my own country, who brings to the table some remarkable genetic models of gastric cancer based on alterations in the gp130/stat3-signaling pathway.

Over the past two decades, there has been a tremendous increase in our understa- ing of ubiquitination and proteasome degradation. As the editors, we thank Springer Publishing for allowing us to organize this collection of reviews on the ubiquit- proteasome system, oncogenesis, and cancer therapy. We asked our colleagues, who are experts in the field, to provide an overview of their research and recent progress. Each chapter covers a broad range of topics that include defects in ubiquitination identified in specific tumors to new directions to treat cancer. In the Introduction, Rati Verma gives the background of our current understanding of the proteasome. A general overview of ubiquitin ligases and cancer is provided by Angelika Burger and Arun Seth. Patricia McChesney and Gary Kupfer discuss the role of the Fanconi anemia/BRCA1 pathways in breast cancer and potential targets for therapy. Defects in the tumor suppressor, von Hippel-Lindau E3 ligase, and the role of this protein complex are discussed by William Kim and William Kaelin. Kyung-bo Kim and colleagues describe the development of novel proteasome inhibitors to treat cancer patients. Progress in our understanding of deubiquitinating enzymes is summarized by Massimo Loda and his colleagues. Finally, Agustin Rodriguez-Gonzalez and Kathleen Sakamoto discuss an approach to recruit cancer-causing proteins to ub- uitin ligases through a chimeric molecule known as protacs.

Viruses are major pathogens in humans, and in the organisms with which we share this planet. The massive health and economic burden these agents impose has spurred a huge research effort to understand their most intimate details. One outcome of this effort has been the production, in many but certainly not all cases, of effective vaccines and therapies. - other consequence has been the realization that we can exploit viruses and put them to work on our behalf. Viruses are still seen to have the most - tential as vehicles for gene delivery and other therapeutic applications. However, their ability to exploit cellular functions to their own ends makes viruses not only highly effective pathogens but also exquisite experimental tools. Work with viruses underpins much of our current understanding of molecular cell biology and related fields. For membrane traffic in parti- lar, viruses have been crucial in providing insights into key cellular fu- tions and the molecular mechanisms underlying these events.

The editors of this special volume would first like to thank all authors for their excellent contributions. We would also like to thank Prof. Dr. Thomas Scheper, Dr. Marion Hertel and Ulrike Kreusel for providing the opportunity to compose this volume and Springer for organizational and technical support. Tissue engineering represents one of the major emerging fields in modern b- technology; it combines different subjects ranging from biological and material sciences to engineering and clinical disciplines. The aim of tissue engineering is the development of therapeutic approaches to substitute diseased organs or tissues or improve their function. Therefore, three dimensional biocompatible materials are seeded with cells and cultivated in suitable systems to generate functional tissues. Many different aspects play a role in the formation of 3D tissue structures. In the first place the source of the used cells is of the utmost importance. To prevent tissue rejection or immune response, preferentially autologous cells are now used. In particular, stem cells from different sources are gaining exceptional importance as they can be differentiated into different tissues by using special media and supplements. In the field of biomaterials, numerous scaffold materials already exist but new composites are also being developed based on polymeric, natural or xenogenic sources. Moreover, a very important issue in tissue en- neering is the formation of tissues under well defined, controlled and reprod- ible conditions. Therefore, a substantial number of new bioreactors have been developed.

This volume provides an overview of the latency strategies developed during the estimated 200 Myears long coevolution of Alpha-, Beta- and Gammaherpesvirinae and their host species. The main emphasis is on herpesviruses infecting humans. However, relevant cases if herpesviruses infecting animals are covered as well. Special emphasis is drawn on results on molecular mechanisms regulating latent promoters of herpesvirus genomes and signals and molecular pathways resulting in reactivation of latent viral genomes. To balance the volume, epigenetic mechanisms (DNA methylation, histone modification, chromatin structure) involved in cell type specific expression of growth-transformation-associated Gammaherpesvirus genes will also be discussed at length)

Pathogenic bacteria for human and animals have developed sophisticated weapons, termed virulence factors, to ensure their replication and persistence into their hosts. The authors in this volume show a synthesis on how the various host cellular Rho GTPases activities are manipulated by bacteria to fulfil their virulence.

Auch wenn es beim Thema Mikrobiologie nur um winzig kleine Lebewesen geht hat es das Thema doch in sich. Denn Ihre geringe GrAA e machen Mikroorganismen durch ihre Anzahl wett. Wussten Sie beispielsweise, dass auf und im menschlichen KArper mehr Bakterien leben als er Zellen hat? Und viele davon sind fA1/4r unser A berleben zwingend erforderlich. In diesem Buch lernen Sie, wie diese Einzeller aufgebaut sind, in welche Gruppen man sie einteilen kann und welche typischen Eigenschaften zu dieser Klassifizierung fA1/4hren. Egal ob Eukaryoten, Prokaryoten, Viren oder Pilze Sie finden zu allem die wichtigsten Infos. NatA1/4rlich beschreibt die Autorin auch wie Mikroorganismen Krankheiten verursachen, wie man sich dagegen wappnen kann und welche bedeutsame Rolle die Winzlinge in Forschung und Medizin spielen. Sie werden sich wundern!

The huge potential for gene therapy to cure a wide range of diseases has led to high expectations and a great increase in research efforts in this area, particularly in the study of delivery via viral vectors, widely considered to be more efficient than DNA transfection. In Viral Vectors for Gene Therapy: Methods and Protocols, experts in the field present a collection of their knowledge and experience featuring methodologies that involve virus production, transferring protocols, and evaluating the efficacy of gene products. While thoroughly covering the most popular viral vector systems of adenovirus, retrovirus, and adeno-associated virus, this detailed volume also explores less common viral vector systems such as baculovirus, herpes virus, and measles virus, the growing interest in which is creating a considerable demand for large scale manufacturing and purification procedures. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series format, many chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and vital tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Comprehensive and practical, Viral Vectors for Gene Therapy: Methods and Protocols provides basic principles accessible to scientists from a wide variety of backgrounds for the development of gene therapy viral products that are safe and effective.

This publication represents the result of the fruitful workshop organised with the aim to attract the attention on the possibility of bio terrorism attack, with the s- port of NATO funds. In the last years the attention was strongly concentrated on the terrorism view similar to "military type attacks:" bomb on the trains, kamikazes, airplanes etc. As consequence many devices studied are directed to prevent these attacks such as the control of the passengers before the flight. For the people terrorism is therefore equivalent to bomb or similar and nobody think that there is also other possible and sophisticated means that can be used by the terrorist. In 1995 Sarin gas in the Tokio subway killed 12 people and affected 5,000 persons. In the USA anthrax was sent by mail to many federal offices. These events and other cases attract the attention on these possible terrorist attacks and the first recommendations for preventing theses events were\elaborated in the United State and in Europe. The possible agents and the modality that can be used for the diffusion are analysed and food and water are considered the principal and more favourable way. The story and the principal decision about this were reported in the first article of this collection which introduces the concept of bio-terrorism.

Adhesion plays a major role in the bacterial lifestyle. Bacteria can adhere to organic and inorganic surfaces, to each other, and of course to host cells during pathogenesis. The focus of this book is: how are such adhesion phenomena best studied? Microbial genetics experiments have greatly enhanced our knowledge of what bacterial factors are involved in adhesion. For numerous reasons, though, biochemical and structural biology knowledge of the molecular interactions involved in adhesion are limited. One major problem has been a lack of interdisciplinary research and understanding in the field. On the one hand, the microbiologists lack detailed knowledge of the biophysical possibilities and have limited access to the frequently expensive instrumentation involved while on the other hand, the experts in these methods frequently do not have access to the biological materials, nor do they necessarily understand the biological questions to be answered. The purpose of this book is thus to overcome this gap in communication between researchers in biology, chemistry and physics and to display the many ways and means to investigate bacterial adhesion. We hope to stimulate new and ground-breaking research.

Fast becoming a key text for pediatricians, this fourth outing for the Hot Topics series is once again culled from lectures given at the annual course on the subject at Keble College, Oxford. This is the first port of call for those who need to keep on top of the subject. With world-leading researchers as editors, the series has become a valuable addition to the sum of knowledge in this specialism and a resource for anyone dealing with infectious diseases in children.

This book is an excellent, up-to-date reference on a relatively young area of research in which virology, cellular biology and molecular pathogenesis govern the principles of coinvestigation. Thus, the book will be of great interest to virologists, molecular immunologists and biologists, and biochemists but also to clinical pharmacologists in the long-term search for new antiviral agents. Ulrich Desselberger, Gif-sur-Yvette/Cambridge.

Infection of a naive (non-immune) host with a virus elicits an immediate response which results in a cascade of changes in the host, including an interferon response (innate immunity). The outcome of this interaction is influenced by the genes of the virus as well as the genes of the host. Interestingly, different viruses do it in different ways. Not only is there a plethora of mechanisms used by the invading organisms, but the host has also evolved a great variety of redundant and robust countermeasures. This interplay of host and virus represents one of the most significant frontiers in biology today. A clearer understanding of the mechanisms involved will arm us with better strategies to deal with viruses, including emerging pathogens and potential bioterrorism agents. This book is sure to benefit students, scientists, and physicians working in the areas of virology, immunology, microbiology, and infectious diseases. Pharmaceutical industry professionals will also find interest in this illuminating look into virus/host interactions."

The year 2012 marks the tenth anniversary of the announcement of the genome sequence of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum and that of its mosquito vector Anopheles. The genome sequences were a result of the Plasmodium falciparum Genome Project. This book covers in detail the biology of malaria parasites and the mosquitoes that transmit the disease, how the Genome Project came into being, the people who created it, and the cadre of scientists who are attempting to see the promise of the Project realized. The promise was: a more complete understanding of the genes of the parasite (and its vector) would provide a rational basis for the development of antimalarial drugs and vaccines, allow a better understanding of the regulation of the complex life cycle in the red blood and liver cells of the human, identify the genes the parasite uses to thwart the host immune response and the ways in which the parasite evades cure by drug treatments, as well as leading to more effective measures of control transmission. The hope was that cracking the genetic code of Plasmodium and Anopheles would reveal the biochemical Achilles heel of the parasite and its vector, leading to the development of novel drugs and better methods of control, and by finding the targets of protective immunity could result in the manufacture of effective vaccines. Through a historic approach, this book will allow for those new to the field, or those with insufficient background in the sciences, to have an easier entry point. Even scientists already working in the field may better appreciate how discoveries made in the past can impact the direction of future research.

The subject is one of major interest in basic microbiology and infectious diseases and the book is a known classic.

This book examines aspects of paediatric infectious diseases written by leading authorities in the field. It is based on a lecture given at the seventh Infection and Immunity in Children (IIC) course held at the end of June 2009 at Keble College, Oxford.

Recent outbreaks of swine influenza and avian influenza, along with the remaining and in some cases expanding threats from HIV, dengue virus, and the viruses causing hepatitis, have reinforced the need for rapid, accurate and cost-effective diagnosis of viral disease. Diagnostic Virology Protocols, Second Edition brings the field fully up-to-date with a focus on protocols involving nucleic acid detection, most often through some form of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The expert contributors also delve into the key technology of robotics as well as future prospects, such as further refined point-of-care testing and the increasing importance of mathematical modelling. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series format, chapters include brief 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, Diagnostic Virology Protocols, Second Edition captures the dramatic changes in the virus diagnostic laboratory in order to better prepare scientists to combat the inevitable threats to public health from future and present infectious diseases.

Technological advances, together with a better understanding of the molecular biology of infectious microorganisms, are creating exciting possibilities for a new generation of replicating vaccines. Historically, live vaccines have been either directly derived from a natural source or attenuated by empirical approaches using serial passages and host cell adaptation. Currently, we are witnessing a quantum leap in our technological capabilities to specifically modify the genetic make-up of viruses and bacteria, making it possible to generate improved live vaccines and to develop completely new types of replicating vaccines, such as vectored vaccines, single-round infectious vaccines and replicon vaccines. This book highlights some of the most exciting recent developments towards a new generation of replicating vaccines.

The emergence of H5N1 avian influenza in 1997 and of the influenza A H1N1 of swine origin in 2009 calls for new, rapid and sustainable solutions for both seasonal and pandemic influenza viruses. During the last ten years, science and technology have made enormous progress, and we are now able to monitor in real time the genetics of viruses while they spread globally, to make more powerful vaccines using novel adjuvants, and to generate viruses in the laboratory using reverse genetics. This volume not only provides state-of-the-art information on the biology of influenza viruses and on influenza vaccines, but is also designed to be a resource to face the present H1N1 pandemic and to plan for long-term global and sustainable solutions.

A fundamental and groundbreaking reassessment of how we view and manage cancer When we think of the forces driving cancer, we don't necessarily think of evolution. But evolution and cancer are closely linked because the historical processes that created life also created cancer. The Cheating Cell delves into this extraordinary relationship, and shows that by understanding cancer's evolutionary origins, researchers can come up with more effective, revolutionary treatments. Athena Aktipis goes back billions of years to explore when unicellular forms became multicellular organisms. Within these bodies of cooperating cells, cheating ones arose, overusing resources and replicating out of control, giving rise to cancer. Aktipis illustrates how evolution has paved the way for cancer's ubiquity, and why it will exist as long as multicellular life does. Even so, she argues, this doesn't mean we should give up on treating cancer-in fact, evolutionary approaches offer new and promising options for the disease's prevention and treatments that aim at long-term management rather than simple eradication. Looking across species-from sponges and cacti to dogs and elephants-we are discovering new mechanisms of tumor suppression and the many ways that multicellular life-forms have evolved to keep cancer under control. By accepting that cancer is a part of our biological past, present, and future-and that we cannot win a war against evolution-treatments can become smarter, more strategic, and more humane. Unifying the latest research from biology, ecology, medicine, and social science, The Cheating Cell challenges us to rethink cancer's fundamental nature and our relationship to it.

Organ regeneration, once unknown in adult mammals, is at the threshold of maturity as a clinical method for restoration of organ function in humans. Several laboratories around the world are engaged in the development of new tools such as stem cells and biologically active scaffolds. Others are taking fresh looks at well-known clinical problems of replacement of a large variety of organs: Bone, skin, the spinal cord, peripheral nerves, articular cartilage, the conjunctiva, heart valves and urologic organs. Still other investigators are working out the mechanistic pathways of regeneration and the theoretical implications of growing back organs in an adult. The time has come to present a collection of these efforts from leading practitioners in the field of organ regeneration.

Alternative Sources of Adult Stem Cells: Human Amniotic Membrane, by S. Wolbank, M. van Griensven, R. Grillari-Voglauer, and A. Peterbauer-Scherb;
*
Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Derived from Human Umbilical Cord Tissues: Primitive Cells with Potential for Clinical and Tissue Engineering Applications, by P. Moretti, T. Hatlapatka, D. Marten, A. Lavrentieva, I. Majore, R. Hass and C. Kasper;
*
Isolation, Characterization, Differentiation, and Application of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells, by J. W. Kuhbier, B. Weyand, C. Radtke, P. M. Vogt, C. Kasper and K. Reimers;
*
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells: Characteristics and Perspectives, by T. Cantz and U. Martin;
*
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Technology in Regenerative Medicine and Biology, by D. Pei, J. Xu, Q. Zhuang, H.-F. Tse and M. A. Esteban;
*
Production Process for Stem Cell Based Therapeutic Implants: Expansion of the Production Cell Line and Cultivation of Encapsulated Cells, by C. Weber, S. Pohl, R. Poertner, P. Pino-Grace, D. Freimark, C. Wallrapp, P. Geigle and P. Czermak;
*
Cartilage Engineering from Mesenchymal Stem Cells, by C. Goepfert, A. Slobodianski, A.F. Schilling, P. Adamietz and R. Poertner;
*
Outgrowth Endothelial Cells: Sources, Characteristics and Potential Applications in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, by S. Fuchs, E. Dohle, M. Kolbe, C. J. Kirkpatrick;
*
Basic Science and Clinical Application of Stem Cells in Veterinary Medicine, by I. Ribitsch, J. Burk, U. Delling, C. Geissler, C. Gittel, H. Julke, W. Brehm;
*
Bone Marrow Stem Cells in ClinicalApplication: Harnessing Paracrine Roles and Niche Mechanisms, by R. M. El Backly, R. Cancedda;
*
Clinical Application of Stem Cellsin the Cardiovascular System, C. Stamm, K. Klose, Y.-H. Choi"

Part I The Nano-Scale Biological Systems in Nature; Molecular bio-motors in living cells - by T. Nishizaka; The form designed by viral genome - by K. Onodera; Part II Detection and Characterization Technology; Atomic force microscopy applied to nano-mechanics of the cell - by A. Ikai; Design, synthesis and biological application of fluorescent sensor molecules for cellular imaging - by K. Kikuchi; Dynamic visualization of cellular signaling - by Q. Ni and J. Zhang; Part III Fabrication Technology; Surface acoustic wave atomizer and electrostatic deposition - by Y. Yamagata; Electrospray deposition of biomolecules by V.N. Morozov; Part IV Processing Technology; Droplet handling - by T.Torii; Integrated microfluidic systems - by S. Kaneda and T. Fujii; Part V Applications; A novel non-viral gene delivery system: Multifunctional envelope-type nano device - by H. Hatakeyama, H. Akita, K. Kogure, and H. Harashima; Biosensors - by M. Saito, H.M. Hiep, N. Nagatani, and E.Tamiya; Micro bioreactors - by Sato and T. Kitamori

-Integration of Systems Biology with Bioprocess Engineering: L-Threonine Production by Systems Metabolic Engineering of Escherichia Coli, By Sang Yup Lee and Jin Hwan Park; -Analysis and Engineering of Metabolic Pathway Fluxes in Corynebacterium glutamicum, By Christoph Wittmann; -Systems Biology of Industrial Microorganisms, Marta Papini, Margarita Salazar, and Jens Nielsen; -De Novo Metabolic Engineering and the Promise of Synthetic DNA, By Daniel Klein-Marcuschamer, Vikramaditya G. Yadav, Adel Ghaderi, and Gregory N. Stephanopoulos; -Systems Biology of Recombinant Protein Production in Bacillus megaterium, Rebekka Biedendieck, Boyke Bunk, Tobias Furich, Ezequiel Franco-Lara, Martina Jahn, and Dieter Jahn; -Extending Synthetic Routes for Oligosaccharides by Enzyme, Substrate and Reaction Engineering; By Jurgen Seibel, Hans-Joachim Jordening, and Klaus Buchholz; -Regeneration of Nicotinamide Coenzymes: Principles and Applications for the Synthesis of Chiral Compounds; By Andrea Weckbecker, Harald Groger, and Werner Hummel;

The currently available means of combating fungal infections are weak and clumsy. The application of fungal genomics offers an unparalleled opportunity to develop novel antifungal drugs. Interestingly, several novel antifungal drug targets have already been identified and validated. However, it is premature to expect a novel antifungal agent in clinical setting as drug discovery programs are still in their infancy. In addition to classical and genomic approaches to drug discovery, treasure trove based on natural products and phytomedicine can provide a multitude of alternative modes of combating fungal infection. This book incisively addresses essential topics on various aspects pertaining to fungal diseases in human and animals, their reservoir, fungal pathogenesis, their management and recent advances in their treatment. Issues of antifungal drug toxicity, especially nephrotoxicity, are also discussed. The development of resistance in fungal pathogens, including multidrug resistance and its mechanism, is dealt with in two chapters. Diverse diagnostic approaches to fungal infections are also reviewed. The combinational drug strategies used in combating invasive fungal infections are addressed in detail. The management of pulmonary mycoses in stem cell transplantation is also given special focus. Novel antifungal drugs (synthetic and herbal), fungal vaccines, and metabolic pathways as drug targets are discussed in detail in three different chapters. Subsequently the roles of innate immunity, cytokine therapy and immunomodulators in the treatment of fungal infections are elaborated upon. As novel drug delivery systems have a great potential for modifying the pharmacokinetics of medications, the last chapter takes this fact into consideration in its examination of state-of-the-art delivery systems in controlling fungal infections.

This publication represents the result of the fruitful workshop organised with the aim to attract the attention on the possibility of bio terrorism attack, with the s- port of NATO funds. In the last years the attention was strongly concentrated on the terrorism view similar to "military type attacks: " bomb on the trains, kamikazes, airplanes etc. As consequence many devices studied are directed to prevent these attacks such as the control of the passengers before the flight. For the people terrorism is therefore equivalent to bomb or similar and nobody think that there is also other possible and sophisticated means that can be used by the terrorist. In 1995 Sarin gas in the Tokio subway killed 12 people and affected 5,000 persons. In the USA anthrax was sent by mail to many federal offices. These events and other cases attract the attention on these possible terrorist attacks and the first recommendations for preventing theses events were\elaborated in the United State and in Europe. The possible agents and the modality that can be used for the diffusion are analysed and food and water are considered the principal and more favourable way. The story and the principal decision about this were reported in the first article of this collection which introduces the concept of bio-terrorism.