Learn how nutrition has driven--and continues to drive--human evolution

This pioneering text draws from molecular nutrition, nutritional sciences, dietetics, genetics, genomics, and anthropology to examine how chemical nutrients and genetics shape the human species. It presents a vital portrait of the fundamental role that nutrition has played and continues to play in shaping who and what human beings are, where we evolved from, and where we might be headed as a species.

The author's innovative molecular biological approach moves the field of nutrition well beyond its traditional dietetic and anthropological origins to the front lines of genomic research. Following a presentation of molecular biology concepts that are essential for the study of human nutrition, the author explores such key topics as:

Bioinformatics and the -omics revolution

Recent human evolution

Molecular mechanisms of gene-nutrient interactions

Role of nutrients and genomics in disease

Evolution of micronutrient metabolism, protein structure, and human disease

Nutrients and the human life cycle

Mismatch of contemporary dietary patterns and our genetic makeup

Laboratory tools for nutrigenomics and human evolutionary studies

Figures and illustrations provided throughout the text help readers grasp and visualize complex concepts and processes with ease. For readers interested in pursuing particular topics in greater depth, an extensive list of current references is provided.

This text is ideal for undergraduate and graduate students in human nutrition, dietetics, metabolism, molecular biology, and many other allied health sciences. Nowhere else can readers find such an integratedblend of medical, nutritional, and biochemical disciplines to aid in understanding the role of nutrients in human evolution.

The book presents the challenges inherent in the paradigm shift of network systems from static to highly dynamic distributed systems - it proposes solutions that the symbiotic nature of biological systems can provide into altering networking systems to adapt to these changes. The author discuss how biological systems - which have the inherent capabilities of evolving, self-organizing, self-repairing and flourishing with time - are inspiring researchers to take opportunities from the biology domain and map them with the problems faced in network domain. The book revolves around the central idea of bio-inspired systems -- it begins by exploring why biology and computer network research are such a natural match. This is followed by presenting a broad overview of biologically inspired research in network systems -- it is classified by the biological field that inspired each topic and by the area of networking in which that topic lies. Each case elucidates how biological concepts have been most successfully applied in various domains. Nevertheless, it also presents a case study discussing the security aspects of wireless sensor networks and how biological solution stand out in comparison to optimized solutions. Furthermore, it also discusses novel biological solutions for solving problems in diverse engineering domains such as mechanical, electrical, civil, aerospace, energy and agriculture. The readers will not only get proper understanding of the bio inspired systems but also better insight for developing novel bio inspired solutions.

This detailed book provides state-of-art computational approaches to further explore the exciting opportunities presented by single-cell technologies. Chapters each detail a computational toolbox aimed to overcome a specific challenge in single-cell analysis, such as data normalization, rare cell-type identification, and spatial transcriptomics analysis, all with a focus on hands-on implementation of computational methods for analyzing experimental data. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Computational Methods for Single-Cell Data Analysis aims to cover a wide range of tasks and serves as a vital handbook for single-cell data analysis.

This fully updated book collects numerous data mining techniques, reflecting the acceleration and diversity of the development of data-driven approaches to the life sciences. The first half of the volume examines genomics, particularly metagenomics and epigenomics, which promise to deepen our knowledge of genes and genomes, while the second half of the book emphasizes metabolism and the metabolome as well as relevant medicine-oriented subjects. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include the kind of detail and expert implementation advice that is useful for getting optimal results. Authoritative and practical, Data Mining for Systems Biology: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition serves as an ideal resource for researchers of biology and relevant fields, such as medical, pharmaceutical, and agricultural sciences, as well as for the scientists and engineers who are working on developing data-driven techniques, such as databases, data sciences, data mining, visualization systems, and machine learning or artificial intelligence that now are central to the paradigm-altering discoveries being made with a higher frequency.

This volume provides key molecular biological protocols and experimental strategies currently employed to study the various stages of mammary gland development. Chapters are divided into four parts covering genetically modified mouse models that exhibit prenatal and pubertal mammary gland phenotypes, 2D and 3D-model culture systems, methodologies for mammary stem cell isolation, and translational applications that provide a bridge between experimental studies of mammary gland development and the study of human breast cancer. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Mammary Gland Development: Methods and Protocols will be useful for researchers whose primary interest is in mammary gland development; developmental biologists, epithelial cell biologists, and those with an interest in molecular mechanisms underlying breast cancer.

Cell Colonies: Fractal Growth and Morphological Change in Bacterial Colony Formation; M. Matsushita, et al. Surfaces and Interfaces: Dynamic Scaling in Surface Growth Phenomena; F. Family. Diffusion Limited Aggregation, Viscous Fingering and Fracture: Ionic Concentration and Electric Field in Fractal Electrodeposition; M. Rosso, et al. Cellular Patterns: 2D Manifolds Arising from Local Interactions; H. Terrones, et al. Dynamical Systems: Order, Pattern Selection, and Noise in Low-Dimensional Systems; M. San Miguel. Self-Replication: Molecular Quasi-Species in Hopfield Replication Landscapes; P. Tarazona. Self-Organization: Effects of Noise on Self-Organized Critical Phenomena; A. Diaz-Guilera. Measurement and Characterization: The Practical Measurement of Fractal Parameters; E.H. Dooijes, Z.R. Struzik. 36 additional articles. Index.

This book explores fascinating topics at the edge of life, guiding the reader all the way from the relation of life processes to the second law of thermodynamics and the abundance of complex organic compounds in the universe through to the latest advances in synthetic biology and metabolic engineering. The background to the book is the extraordinary scientific adventures that are being undertaken as progress is made toward the creation of an artificial cell and the control of life processes. This journey involves input from research areas as diverse as genetic engineering, physical chemistry, and information theory. Life is to be thought of not only as a chemical event but also as an information process, with the genome a repository of information gathered over time through evolution. Knowledge of the mechanisms affecting the increase in complexity associated with evolutionary paths is improving, and there appear to be analogies with the evolution of the technologies promoting the development of our society. The book will be of wide interest to students at all levels and to others with an interest in the subject.

The aspergilli are a fascinating group of fungi exhibiting immense ecological and metabolic diversity. These include notorious pathogens such as Aspergillus flavus, which produces aflatoxin, one of the most potent, naturally occurring, compounds known to man. Conversely, also included are other fungi, such as A. oryzae, involved in the industrial production of soy sauce and sake, or A. niger, used for the production of citric acid and enzymes, such as glucose oxidase and lysozyme. Such is the interest in Aspergillus that, to date, the sequences of fifteen different Aspergillus genomes have been determined, providing scientists with an exciting resource to improve the understanding of Aspergillus molecular genomics and acting as a spring board for mining for new metabolites and novel genes of industrial or medical importance. In this book, leading Aspergillus researchers review and summarize the most important aspects of Aspergillus molecular biology and genomics. The book opens with a fascinating overview of the genus Aspergillus. This is followed by in-depth reviews of: the Aspergillus molecular systematics * comparative genomics * bioinformatics and systems biology of Aspergillus * transcriptional regulation * genetics and genomics of sexual development of A. nidulans * genomics and secondary metabolism * ecology * development and gene regulation in A. flavus * functional systems biology * and novel industrial applications of A. oryzae genomics.

This book introduces fundamental principles and practical application of techniques used in the scalable production of biopharmaceuticals with animal cell cultures. A broad spectrum of subjects relevant to biologics production and manufacturing are reviewed, including the generation of robust cell lines, a survey of functional genomics for a better understanding of cell lines and processes, as well as advances in regulatory compliant upstream and downstream development. The book is an essential reference for all those interested in translational animal cell-based pharmaceutical biotechnology.

This volume discusses various methods and protocols used for the experimentation of a wide range of bacterial species, such as Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumonia, Listeria monocytogenes, and Mycobacterium marinum. Bacterial Pathogens: Methods and Protocols is divided into 6 parts: Part 1 describes different approaches to identifying and characterizing bacterial effector molecules; Part 2 deals with structural biology of bacterial pathogenesis and how to overcome folding and stability problems with recombinantly expressed proteins; Part 3 details methodology that identifies bacteria in complex communities and how genomes of bacterial pathogens have evolved; Part 4 reflects on the rapid development of advanced imaging techniques that address questions about molecular properties of individual live bacteria, ultrastructure of surfaces, and subcellular localization of bacterial proteins; Part 5 describes methods from in vitro and in vivo modeling of bacterial infections; and Part 6 explores how bacterial pathogens are the true experts of the immune system. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Cutting-edge and comprehensive, Bacterial Pathogens: Methods and Protocols is a valuable resource for anyone who is interested in this fascinating and evolving field.

PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are the third and most-recently discovered group of silencing-inducible small RNAs in animals. PIWI-Interacting RNAs: Methods and Protocols provides the most recent methods and protocols for studying piRNAs in the gonads of a wide range of species, as well as in any other organs where piRNAs may be detected. Comprehensive high-throughput sequencing analysis of piRNAs in embryos, testes and ovaries of D. melanogaster, as well as in mouse and rat testes, has raised the profile of piRNAs and thus further accelerated piRNA studies. In addition to C. elegans, other model species such as Drosophila melanogaster, Arabidopsis thaliana and mice, along with cultured cell lines such as HeLa and Drosophila Schneider 2 (S2), and other such organisms have been used to address the fundamental questions of the biogenesis and functions of RNAi-triggering small non-coding RNAs. Written in the successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and easily accessible, PIWI-Interacting RNAs: Methods and Protocols seeks to serve both established researchers and newcomers to the field to progress towards the ultimate goal of understanding the mechanisms and actions of piRNAs.

This volume brings together the most widely used and important protocols currently being employed in researching and understanding bacterial cell wall homeostasis. Chapters in Bacterial Cell Wall Homeostasis cover a variety of subjects, such as: modern microscopy techniques and other biophysical methods used to characterize the subcellular structure of the bacterial cell wall; high-throughput approaches that can be used to identify all the genes and proteins that participate in the correct functioning of an organism's cell wall; protocols for assaying individual gene products for specific cell wall functions or identify chemicals with inhibitory activity against the cell wall; and methods for analyzing the non-protein components of the cell wall and the increasing use of computational approaches for predicting and modeling cell wall related functions and processes. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introduction to their respective topics, lists of the necessary material and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Thorough and cutting-edge, Bacterial Cell Wall Homeostasis: Methods and Protocols emphasizes the diversity of the research taking place in bacterial cell wall homeostasis, and explains how the integration of information from across multiple disciplines is going to be essential if a holistic understanding of this important process is to be obtained.

Molecular biology has revolutionized the study of microorganisms in the environment and has improved our understanding of the composition, phylogeny, and physiology of microbial communities. The current molecular toolbox encompasses a range of DNA-based technologies and new methods for the study of RNA and proteins extracted from environmental samples. Currently, there is a major emphasis on the application of "omics" approaches to determine the identities and functions of microbes inhabiting different environments. This book highlights the current state-of-the-art of environmental molecular microbiology. International experts have contributed chapters that describe the various technologies and their applications in environmental microbiology. The first half of the book focuses on the microbial diversity and phylogeny of microorganisms in the environment and describes the molecular toolbox currently available for the study of the composition and diversity of microbial communities and their functions. Topics include the use of the 16S rRNA gene as a phylogenetic marker, metagenomics, metaproteomics, microarrays, and molecular fingerprinting. The second half focuses on the application of these approaches in various environments including soil, marine water, plants, humans, and wastewater treatment. The last chapter of the book discusses the genetics and environmental implications of microbial biofilms. This is an essential book for advanced students, research scientists, environmental agencies, and industries involved in any aspect of environmental microbiology.

This book contains important contributions from top international scientists on the-state-of-the-art of femtochemistry and femtobiology at the beginning of the new millennium. It consists of reviews and papers on ultrafast dynamics in molecular science.The coverage of topics highlights several important features of molecular science from the viewpoint of structure (space domain) and dynamics (time domain). First of all, the book presents the latest developments, such as experimental techniques for understanding ultrafast processes in gas, condensed and complex systems, including biological molecules, surfaces and nanostructures. At the same time it stresses the different ways to control the rates and pathways of reactive events in chemistry and biology. Particular emphasis is given to biological processes as an area where femtodynamics is becoming very useful for resolving the structural dynamics from techniques such as electron diffraction, and X-ray and IR spectroscopy. Finally, the latest developments in quantum control (in both theory and experiment) and the experimental pulse-shaping techniques are described.

In Mouse Molecular Embryology: Methods and Protocols, expert researchers in the field detail many of the protocols used to study mouse embryology. These include protocols and techniques that are "close to the embryo": such as, manipulating embryonic gene expression, culturing explanted embryonic tissue and harvesting embryonic RNA. With additional chapters on fluorescence imaging, lineage tracing, and genetic ablation. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and key tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Mouse Molecular Embryology: Methods and Protocols seeks to aid scientist in the further study of mouse embryo and its relation to other aspects of biological research.

A collection of new reviews and protocols from leading experts in cell cycle regulation, Cell Cycle Control: Mechanisms and Protocols, Second Edition presents a comprehensive guide to recent technical and theoretical advancements in the field. Beginning with the overviews of various cell cycle regulations, this title presents the most current protocols and state-of-the-art techniques used to generate latest findings in cell cycle regulation, such as protocols to analyze cell cycle events and molecules. Written in the successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and easily accessible, Cell Cycle Control: Mechanisms and Protocols, Second Edition will be a valuable resource for a wide audience, ranging from the experienced cell cycle researchers looking for new approaches to the junior graduate students giving their first steps in cell cycle research.

This important book provides research scientists, advanced students, clinicians, and other professionals with a comprehensive update on the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis in Neisseria. Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Nesseria meningitidis are Gram-negative diplococci. N. gonorrhoeae is the causative agent of gonorrhoeae and is transmitted via sexual contact. N. meningitidis is transmitted via respiratory droplets leading to colonization of the nasopharynx and can cause meningitis and septicemia. The book describes the latest, up-to-date research, theory, and clinical significance of molecular mechanisms in meningococcal disease. Leading authorities have contributed chapters on topics such as gene expression, genomics, biofilms, denitrification, adhesion strategies, and mechanisms of cellular invasion. A section on the host response to neisserial infection covers inate immunity, complement, apoptosis, and acquired immunity, while a section devoted to clinical correlation deals with vaccine development, epidemiology, and antibiotic resistance. The book is highly recommended for microbiologists, epidemiologists, and clinicians involved with Neisseria research or meningococcal disease, and it is a recommended text for all microbiology libraries.

One major function of the liver is the uptake of endo- and xenobiotics from the bloodstream and their excretion into bile. The transport systems involved in hepatobiliary transport have been recently cloned and characterized at the molecular level and it is becoming clear that mutations and polymorphisms of individual transporter molecules underlie a variety of liver diseases. Furthermore, new research has shown that bile acids, whose function in digestion is long known, also behave as signal molecules in a variety of organs, including the intestinal and biliary epithelia, sinusoidal endothelial and immune cells. This book provides indepth surveys on the structure and function of transport molecules involved in hepatobiliary transport, on the role of different bile acids receptors in various organs and their function in health and disease, the mechanisms of bile salt-induced apoptosis and hepatocyte protection, and the role of transporter mutations as causes and modifiers of liver diseases. The book will be of interest not only for biochemists, structural chemists and biologists, but also for clinicians.

Current knowledge of the mechanisms that regulate DNA repair has grown significantly over the past years with technology advances such as RNA interference, advanced proteomics and microscopy as well as high throughput screens. The third edition of DNA Repair Protocols covers various aspects of the eukaryotic response to genomic insult including recent advanced protocols as well as standard techniques used in the field of DNA repair. Both mammalian and non-mammalian model organisms are covered in the book, and many of the techniques can be applied with only minor modifications to other systems than the one described. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology? series format, the chapters include the kind of detailed description and implementation advice that is crucial for getting optimal results in the laboratory. Thorough and intuitive, DNA Repair Protocols, Third Edition provides expert guidance for DNA repair, recombination, and replication.

This book offers in a single volume a unique collection of the state-of the-art experimental procedures utilized for the induction, detection, and modeling of this complex cellular program of oncogene-induced senescence. The book encompasses protocols for studying this multi-step program in human specimens and a variety of experimental models including cultured mammalian cells, laboratory mice, and Drosophila melanogaster, as well as offering a description of high throughput approaches. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include 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 practical, Oncogene-Induced Senescence: Methods and Protocols represents a valuable asset for a wide audience of medical oncologists and researchers in the fields of oncology, molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry, and animal development.

This book discusses topics related to bioinformatics, statistics, and machine learning, presenting the latest research in various areas of bioinformatics. It also highlights the role of computing and machine learning in knowledge extraction from biological data, and how this knowledge can be applied in fields such as drug design, health supplements, gene therapy, proteomics and agriculture.

This book presents various computer-aided drug discovery methods for the design and development of ligand and structure-based drug molecules. A wide variety of computational approaches are now being used in various stages of drug discovery and development, as well as in clinical studies. Yet, despite the rapid advances in computer software and hardware, combined with the exponential growth in the available biological information, there are many challenges that still need to be addressed, as this book shows. In turn, it shares valuable insights into receptor-ligand interactions in connection with various biological functions and human diseases. The book discusses a wide range of phylogenetic methods and highlights the applications of Molecular Dynamics Simulation in the drug discovery process. It also explores the application of quantum mechanics in order to provide better accuracy when calculating protein-ligand binding interactions and predicting binding affinities. In closing, the book provides illustrative descriptions of major challenges associated with computer-aided drug discovery for the development of therapeutic drugs. Given its scope, it offers a valuable asset for life sciences researchers, medicinal chemists and bioinformaticians looking for the latest information on computer-aided methodologies for drug development, together with their applications in drug discovery.

Reprogramming the Genome: Applications of CRISPR-Cas in Non-mammalian Systems, Part A presents a collation of chapters written by global, eminent scientists. CRISPR-Cas9 system is an RNA-mediated immune system of bacteria and archaea that protects from bacteriophage infections. It is one of the revolutionized technologies to uplift biology to the next stages. Chapters in this release include An Introduction and applications of CRISPR-Cas Systems, History, evolution and classification of CRISPR-Cas associated systems, CRISPR based bacterial genome editing and removal of pathogens, CRISPR based genome editing and removal of human viruses, CRISPR based development of RNA editing and diagnostic platform, and much more. Additional sections cover Genome engineering in insects for control of vector borne diseases, Development of insect cell line using CRISPR technology, CRISPRing protozoan parasites to better understand the biology of diseases, CRISPR based genome editing of Caenorhabditis elegans, and a variety of other important topics.

This volume aims to present a representative cross-section of modern experimental approaches relevant to Plant Hormone Biology, ranging from relatively simple physiological to highly sophisticated methods. Chapters describe physiological, developmental, microscopy-based techniques, measure hormone contents, and heterologous systems. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Plant Hormones:Methods and Protocols, Third Edition aims to provide researchers with useful methods to advance their research.

The application of molecular technology in clinical diagnosis is a rapidly developing area and is predicted to greatly improve the speed, efficiency, and accuracy of diagnostic medicine. The editors of this book have commissioned an excellent series of chapters representing two key molecular diagnostic areas: cancer and infectious diseases. The cancer section deals with the challenges in identifying genetic, epigenetic, and transcriptomic biomarkers. The infectious disease section describes the current clinical applications of molecular diagnostics for the detection of viral, bacterial, and fungal pathogens, as well as an example of the use of molecular diagnostics outside the clinic environment. A cautionary tale describing what can go wrong when molecular methods are applied incorrectly is also provided and makes fascinating reading. A substantial component of the book is dedicated to the process of translating a preclinical test to the bedside and describes the progress in the near patient point-of-care molecular diagnostics market. This is a fundamental consideration for successful translation of diagnostics tests from bench to bedside and is crucial for molecular diagnostics to have an impact on patient care. The final chapter offers a prediction of future trends in the molecular diagnostics of infectious diseases. This volume is essential reading for anyone involved in the development or application of molecular diagnostics and is recommended for all clinical diagnostics laboratories.