This edited reflects the current state of knowledge about the role of microRNAs in the formation and progression of solid tumours. The main focus lies on computational methods and applications, together with cutting edge experimental techniques that are used to approach all aspects of microRNA regulation in cancer. We are sure that the emergence of high-throughput quantitative techniques will make this integrative approach absolutely necessary in the near future. This book will be a resource for researchers starting out with cancer microRNA research, but is also intended for the experienced researcher who wants to incorporate concepts and tools from systems biology and bioinformatics into his work. Bioinformaticians and modellers are provided with a general perspective on microRNA biology in cancer, and the state-of-the-art in computational microRNA biology.

This invaluable book provides the first description of the diverse and fascinating functions of heme in life processes for a broad audience. It begins with an introduction to the intricate chemical properties of heme and the history of early observations of human diseases associated with heme. It then proceeds to describe the versatile roles of heme in controlling diverse molecular and cellular processes germane to human life and disease processes. Finally, an up-to-date review of human diseases associated with heme synthesis and application of heme synthesis in photodynamic therapy in cancer treatment is presented.Heme biology is unified and logical in presentation. It is well suited for students and professionals in life sciences who wish to comprehend the fascinating biology of heme and its usefulness in health and diseases. It may also be used as a reference book for advanced readers and researchers who are interested in heme biology. The explanations in the book are detailed enough to capture the interest of the curious reader, and complete enough to provide the necessary information for researchers to have an in-depth molecular understanding of heme biology and further their studies in this fascinating realm.

The vast number of chemicals existing or being added into the environment, have globally aroused great concern regarding their adverse effects in human population. Development and validation of sensitive and better test systems which can assess the adverse effects of chemicals at an early stage for intervention strategies to be implemented in time is currently in progress. This book documents the latest research and showcases the versatile, state-of-the-art technique - the Comet assay - in the field of modern toxicology. The assay is a simple, sensitive rapid and visual technique for the quantitative and qualitative assessment of DNA damage in single cells. The Comet Assay in Toxicology is the first book of its kind to be devoted exclusively to the Comet assay and its applications as an important tool in modern toxicology. This multi-author book will serve as both a reference and a guide to investigations in the biomedical, biochemical and pharmaceutical sciences. Written by investigators from the fields of genetic toxicology and human epidemiology, the authors have first-hand knowledge from their chosen sub-specialities and are active contributors to the peer-reviewed scientific literature. The book is divided into five major sections, reflecting the range of interest in the exploitation of this assay. The book's scope begins with an introduction section reviewing its genesis for those new to the technique and the current knowledge of the various fields in which it finds wide acceptance. This section sets the scene by explaining why the assay has become the most sensitive and sought after assay in modern toxicology. Next is a whole section that considers various procedures being followed to assess different types of DNA damage in various cell types and is contributed by experts in the respective fields. The third section puts together the specific applications of the assay in the diverse fields ranging from genetic toxicity testing to human monitoring, and environmental toxicology. The fourth section consists of the guidelines and recommendations for the conduct of the assay in in vitro and in vivo systems, based on the recommendations of the International Workgroups on genotoxicity test procedures. Finally, the book draws to a close with an assessment of the statistics used for the understanding of the data generated by the assay. This is a unique reference book as it provides the scientific community with the advances in Comet assay as well as its applications. It also incorporates a detailed section with instant and comprehensive information on the procedure of the assay and the latest protocols being used worldwide as well as statistical analyses to be followed. The book is aimed at students as well as scientists in the area of molecular epidemiology and genetic toxicology.

This book addresses graduate students and researchers wishing to better understand the liquid and supercritical fluid states of matter, presenting a single cohesive treatment of the liquid and supercritical fluid states using the gas-like and solid-like approaches. Bringing this information together into one comprehensive text, this book outlines how our understanding of the liquid and supercritical fluid states is applied and explores the use of supercritical fluids in daily life and in research, for example in power generation, and their existence in planetary interiors. Presents a single coherent treatment of the key knowledge about the liquid and supercritical fluid states Provides comprehensive survey of key fluid properties from the latest experiments and applies our theoretical knowledge to understand the behaviour of these real fluids Explores the consequences of recent advances in the field on our understanding in industry, nature, and in interdisciplinary research, including planetary science

The essays that comprise this anthology of the best in ecology from Critical Reviews in Microbiology describe principles and practices in considerable detail. There is no attempt, however at a balanced presentation of the different groups of microorganisms or their activities. Likewise, some areas of current concern are considered cursorily and others not at all. Nevertheless, the book is an interesting and informative introduction to a growing endeavour. The combined experience and insight of the contributing authors will surely aid the reader to develop an ecological attitude, and to better appreciate microorganisms as determinants of environmental quality.

Much of the biology of oxidative stress and oxidative signalling centres on the generation and handling of hydrogen peroxide. The overall aim for this book would be to provide an insightful and useful forum to assist with the understanding of the relevance of hydrogen peroxide generation and how this is managed in human biology. The target audience would be those who currently have an interest in the generation of ROS, but who do not have expertise in chemistry, as well as those experts in the chemistry of oxidative stress, but without detailed understanding of the biologically relevant setting. We would aim to bridge the gap in understanding between chemistry and biology.

Thoroughly researched using experimentation and re-examination of all previously published evidence, Molecular and Physiological Mechanisms of Muscle Contraction is a carefully crafted treatise and revision of previous conceptions of muscle contraction. It presents detailed descriptions of new, previously unpublished data and hybrids recent findings with the standard Huxley model. This book demonstrates that traditional concepts cannot fully explain contraction and builds upon previous work. It identifies flaws in the reasoning initially used to explain some results as well as alternative interpretations accounting for inconsistencies. In response to previous bodies of inconsistent or conflicting theories and data, the book synthesizes research based on the Huxley model with more recent experimental and laboratory findings to define a new model. The new model this book proposes is not a replacement for the standard Huxley model of muscle contraction, but a modification based on recent research and synthesized with pre-existing data and conceptions. It reconciles new data with prior information that is contradictory or not entirely explicable in proposing a new integrated and more complete model of muscle contraction.

This is the first serious attempt to synthesize all that became known of glutathione over the last three decades. The book contains an update of glutathione biosynthesis with special emphasis on its regulation in adaptive stress responses. Other chapters review glutathione transport systems and glutathione peroxidases and their differences in substrate specificities and localization. Further contributions center on the diversified roles of different glutathione-S-transferases and the roles of nitrosoglutathione and glutaredoxins - a subfamily of redoxins. The book closes with discussions of the analogous or homologous thiol metabolism in pathogens and the potential suitability of involved enzymes as drug targets. Key selling features: Summarizing the way glutathione is involved in stress responses Compiling the multiple ways glutathione affects inflammatory responses Disclosing how glutathione dampens programmed cell death such as ferroptosis Exploring the enigma of how enzymes accelerate glutathione-dependent processes Discussing how detoxification and redox regulation is mediated by glutathionylation Reviewing the ways glutaredoxins catalyze protein disulfide reduction Highlighting the medical impact of glutathione-related metabolic pathways Illustrating the role thiol metabolism of pathogens might play in drug discovery

This book represents the results of 45 years of research on a wide range of topics, including atomic physics, single-molecule enzymology, whole-cell metabolism, physiology, pharmacology, linguistics, semiotics, and cosmology. It describes the first comprehensive molecular theory of the genotype-phenotype coupling based on two key theoretical concepts: (i) the conformon, the conformational wave packet in biopolymers carrying both the free energy and genetic information; and (ii) the intracellular dissipative structures, the chemical concentration waves inside the cell that serve as the immediate drivers of all cell functions. Conformons provide the driving forces for all molecular machines in the cell, and intracellular dissipative structures coordinate intra- and intercellular processes such as gene expression and cell-cell communications.One of the predictions made by the cell language theory (CLT) is that there are two forms of genetic information - the Watson-Crick genes transmitting information in time (identified with DNA), and the Prigoginian genes transmitting information in space (identified with RNA expression profiles). The former is analogous to sheet music or written language and the latter is akin to audio music or spoken language, both being coupled by conformons acting as the analog of the pianist. The new theory of DNA structure and function constructed on the basis of CLT can rationally account for most of the puzzling findings recently unearthed by the ENCODE (Encyclopedia of DNA Elements) project.The Cell Language Theory has important applications in biomedical sciences including drug discovery research and personalized medicine on the one hand and in the mind-body research and consciousness studies on the other.

Highlights the impact of Covid 19 on science, health and health care system Includes evolution, structure, and mode of infection by virus as well as strategies to attack various organs in the body. Describes emergence of various strains of virus Emphasis new techniques to detect and control the virus Discusses vaccine development to control the pandemic

1. Discusses implications of COVID on education, environment, and lifestyle 2. Elucidates life-style transformation strategy to counter COVID 3. Focuses on transformative strategy to overcome COVID impact

Inorganic polyphosphates - polymers of orthophosphate linked by high-energy phosphoanhydride bonds - have been found in apparently all forms of life, from bacteria, yeasts and fungi to higher plants and animals. These polymers, which had been neglected for a long time, have become a fascinating area of research in the last few years. This volume summarizes the present state of knowledge about the metabolism and function of inorganic polyphosphates. In addition, the methods to study these polymers as well as the biotechnological applications of inorganic polyphosphates are described. The 15 chapters of this volume, dealing with different aspects of polyphosphate research, are written by experts in the field. This book represents a valuable source of information not only for researchers working on this subject, but also for scientists interested in fundamental aspects of cell and energy metabolism.

One of the oldest scientific traditions, plant breeding began in Neolithic times with methods as simple as saving the seeds of desirable plants and sowing them later. It was not until the re-encounter with Mendel's discoveries thousands of years later, the genetic basis of breeding was understood. Developments following have provided further insight into how genes acting alone or in concert with other genes and the environment, result in a particular phenotype. From Abaxial to Zymogram, the third edition of Dictionary of Plant Breeding contains clear and useful definitions of the terms associated with plant breeding and related scientific/technological disciplines. It defines jargon; provides helpful tables, examples, and breeding schemes; and includes a list of crop plants with salient details. Packed with data and organized to make that data easy to access, this revised and expanded reference provides comprehensive coverage of the latest discoveries in cytogenetics, molecular genetics, marker-assisted selection, experimental gene transfer, CRISPR technology, seed sciences, crop physiology, and genetically modified crops. Features: Provides a comprehensive list of technical terms used in plant breeding Explores the historical development of crop improvement Discusses applications of molecular genetics and biotechnology Includes numerous figures, drawings, tables, and schemes supplementing the glossary A complex subject, plant breeding draws from many scientific and technological disciplines, often making it difficult to know the precise meanings of many terms and to accurately interpret specific concepts. As in the previous editions, this dictionary unifies concepts by including the specific terms of plant breeding and terms that are adjusted from other disciplines. Drawing on Rolf Schlegel's 50 years of experience, the book provides an encyclopedic list of commonly used technical terms that reflect the latest developments in the field.

Microbe-Assisted Phytoremediation of Environmental Pollutants: Recent Advances and Challenges provides comprehensive information on the principles and practical knowledge of microbe-assisted phytoremediation of organic and inorganic pollutants for environmental safety. This book describes the physiological, biochemical, microbiological, and molecular basis of microbe-assisted phytoremediation and contains many relevant topics to fill the gaps in developing an understanding of microbe-assisted phytoremediation of environmental pollutants. The book provides state-of-the-art knowledge on fundamental, practical, and purposeful utilization of plant-associated bacteria (plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria [PGPR] and endophytes) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi for plant-growth promotion and enhanced phytoremediation of environmental pollutants in the contaminated matrix. Features: Provides a state-of-the-art overview of microbe-assisted phytoremediation Emphasizes the roles of PGPR, endophytes, and mycorrhizal fungi in assisted phytoremediation Elucidates biochemical and molecular mechanisms of microbe-assisted phytoremediation Details field studies and success stories of microbe-assisted phytoremediation Explores advances, challenges, and future directions in microbe-assisted phytoremediation The book serves as a valuable resource for researchers, ecotoxicologists, environmental scientists and engineers, environmental microbiologists and biotechnologists, environmental health and risk scientists, environmental science managers and administrators, remediation practitioners, environmental policymakers, and students at the postgraduate and doctoral levels in the relevant fields who wish to work on microbe-assisted phytoremediation of pollutants for environmental safety and sustainability.

- The book discusses the recent techniques in NGS data analysis which is the most needed material by biologists (students and researchers) in the wake of numerous genomic projects and the trend toward genomic research. - The book includes both theory and practice for the NGS data analysis. So, readers will understand the concept and learn how to do the analysis using the most recent programs. - The steps of application workflows are written in a manner that can be followed for related projects. - Each chapter includes worked examples with real data available on the NCBI databases. Programming codes and outputs are accompanied with explanation. - The book content is suitable as teaching material for biology and bioinformatics students. Meets the requirements of a complete semester course on Sequencing Data Analysis Covers the latest applications for Next Generation Sequencing Covers data reprocessing, genome assembly, variant discovery, gene profiling, epigenetics, and metagenomics

As with the much-praised prior editions, the third edition of Strelkauskas' Microbiology: A Clinical Approach remains a comprehensive introductory textbook written specifically for pre-nursing, nursing and allied health students. Clinically relevant throughout, it uses the theme of infection as its foundation, fitting closely with the 'One Health' approach that is considered increasingly central to the effective control of zoonoses and to combatting antimicrobial resistance. The third edition has been thoroughly revised and updated to reflect the latest developments, including the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and associated COVID-19 pandemic. The book is accompanied by a robust instructor ancillary package that allows educators to incorporate readily the book’s unique approach into their lectures and includes additional materials for students to supplement classroom learning and encourage and support study and self-reflection. Key Features: Student-focused, with all elements carefully designed to help students engage with and understand difficult concepts and to spark and hold interest Dedicated learning skill section introduces practical strategies for improving comprehension and retention Numerous text features further support learning and teaching, including chapter overviews, fast facts, case studies and human stories, and ‘why is this important?’ highlights A variety of question-and-answer types for self-testing and reflection to support and assess basic learning, to challenge students to integrate important concepts and ask students to apply what they have just learned to a specific clinical setting or problem All supported by a comprehensive suite of online resources including lecturer support material and, for students, interactive questions, lecture notes, MicroMovies and the BugParade The book is an excellent resource to guide and support inter-professional education in the health sciences and an ideal entry-point to the subject for anyone coming from another discipline and invaluable supplementary reading for medical, microbiology and biomedical science students.

The goal of this text is to focus readers attention on three major areas; the origin and localization of GSH in the nervous system; the multiple effects of GSH on neural health activity; and the potential for alterations on GSH status to lead to neurological damage of the type observed in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and other neurological disorders. The text also touches upon the additional roles of the antoxidant GSH, including possible neurotransmitter action, redox modulation of ionotropic receptor function, and neuroprotection against exicitoxic actions of glutamate.

Insect Cell Cultures: Fundamental and Applied Aspects is a comprehensive reference work, covering the key issues involved in nearly 30 review papers: cell lines (development, characterisation, physiology, cultivation and medium design); viruses (virus-cell interactions, replication, recombinant construction, infection kinetics, post-translational modification and passage effects); engineering (shear, bioreactors including perfusion, immobilisation, scale-up and modelling, downstream processing); applications; economics and regulatory aspects. For cell biologists, biochemists, molecular biologists, virologists, immunologists and other basic and applied disciplines related to cell culture engineering, both academic and industrial.

For more than four decades, Molecular Biology of the Cell has distilled the vast amount of scientific knowledge to illuminate basic principles, enduring concepts and cutting-edge research. The Seventh Edition has been extensively revised and updated with the latest research, and has been thoroughly vetted by experts and instructors. The classic companion text, The Problems Book, has been reimagined as the Digital Problems Book in Smartwork, an interactive digital assessment course with a wide selection of questions and automatic-grading functionality. The digital format with embedded animations and dynamic question types makes the Digital Problems Book in Smartwork easier to assign than ever before-for both in-person and online classes.

This book aims to fill the gap by documenting thermophilic fungi discovered over the past five decades. The chapters spans from covering basic aspects, taxonomy and classification including molecular phyologeny and biotechnological applications of thermophilic fungi.

Adenovirus Methods and Protocols, Second Edition, now in two volumes, is an essential resource for adenovirus (Ad) researchers beginning in the field, and an inspirational starting point for researchers looking to branch into new areas of Ad study. In addition to updating and expanding important chapters from the first edition, the authors have added new chapters that address innovative, exciting areas of emphasis in Ad research, including Ad vector construction and use, real-time PCR, use of new animal models, and methods for quantification of Ad virus or virus expression/interactions. The protocols presented are written by trendsetting researchers.

Chemokines and their receptors play a central role in the pathogenesis of numerous, perhaps all, acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. About 50 distinct chemokines produced by a variety cell types and tissues either c- stitutively or in response to inflammatory stimuli are involved in a plethora of biological processes. These small secreted proteins exert their exquisitely variegated functions upon binding to a family of seven-transmembrane spanning G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) composed of almost 20 distinct entities. The biological activities of chemokines range from the control of leukocyte trafficking in basal and inflammatory conditions to the regulation of hema- poiesis, angiogenesis, tissue architecture, and organogenesis. The basis for such diversified activities rests, on one hand, upon the ubiquitous nature of chemokine production and chemokine receptor expression. Virtually every cell type can produce chemokines and expresses a unique combination of chemokine receptors. On the other hand, chemokine receptors make use of a flexible and complex network of intracellular signaling machineries that can regulate a variety of cellular functions ranging from cell migration, growth, and differentiation to death. As knowledge of the size of chemokine and chemokine receptor families rapidly reaches completeness, much is still to be uncovered in terms of fu- tional architecture of the chemokine system. The disparity between the large number of chemokines and that smaller number of receptors is balanced by the promiscuity in ligand receptor interactions, with multiple chemokines binding to the same receptor and several chemokines binding to more than one receptor."

The third edition of Environmental Microbiology for Engineers explores the role that microorganisms play in the engineered protection and enhancement of an environment. Offering a perfect balance of microbiological knowledge and environmental biotechnology principles, it provides a practical understanding of microorganisms and their functions in the environment and in environmental engineering systems. The book also presents a quantitative description of applied microbiological processes and their engineering design. This updated edition includes all new information on construction biotechnology, biogeotechnical engineering, construction biomaterials, environmental engineering of life-support closed ecosystems, defense biotechnologies, and biosafety in civil and environmental engineering. Features: Classroom tested in universities as a primary course text for civil and environmental engineering students Includes quizzes, problems, and solutions for better understanding of the material Covers essential topics such as the diversity and functions of microorganisms in the environment and environmental engineering systems, the structure and functions of microbial ecosystems, applied microbial genetics and molecular biology, environmental bioengineering, and more Offers combined coverage of microbiology and biotechnology adapted for students in advanced civil and environmental engineering courses Environmental Microbiology for Engineers provides a practical understanding of microorganisms in civil engineering processes and their functions in environmental engineering systems. It is intended for upper-level undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate students of civil and environmental engineering. It is also useful for practicing environmental engineers working in the areas of wastewater, solid waste treatment, soil remediation, and ground improvement.

New Technologies for Reclamation of Industrial Wastewater provides information on several types of industrial wastewaters containing a variety of toxic and recalcitrant compounds. It also focuses on the ecotoxicological and health hazards posed by the chemicals released along with industrial effluents. It covers various conventional as well as modern wastewater-treatment technologies and their advantages and disadvantages. Features: Elucidates various types of industrial wastewaters generated, their fate and consequences Describes the ecotoxicological and health implications of industrial contaminants Provides details on conventional treatment technologies along with modern and emerging wastewater-treatment methods Discusses the merits and demerits of both conventional and emerging treatment technologies

Using a multidisciplinary approach, Human Respiratory Viral Infections is set at the level between the definitive reference work and an essential clinical manual. Exploring recent advances in human respiratory viral research, the text builds on the basic sciences of epidemiology, virology, molecular biology, and immunology to cover clinical diagnosis, mechanism of pathogenesis, manifestations of disease, impact, treatment, and management strategies. Provides a comprehensive review of all the major human respiratory viral infections Supplies a detailed description of the anatomy of the respiratory system Discusses the salient features of specific viruses Examines the latest diagnostic tools Covers risk factors associated with incidence of respiratory viral infections in children and adults in different occupational and environmental settings Presenting the latest knowledge in human respiratory viral infections, this text will be immensely valuable for pulmonologists, biomedical scientists, research scholars, virologists, vaccinologists, immunologists, clinicians, pharmacologists, and public health specialists.