Epigenetic Shaping of Sociosexual Interactions: From Plants to Humans is the first attempt to interpret the higher social functions of organisms. This volume covers an extraordinarily wide range of biological research and provides a novel framework for understanding human-specific brain functions.

"Natural Hosts of SIV: Implications in AIDS" thoroughly reviews the possible mechanisms by which African nonhuman primate natural hosts of lentiviruses remain essentially disease-free while other hosts exhibit disease and death. The book ultimately indicates directions for further research and potential translations of this compelling phenomenon into novel approaches to treat and prevent HIV. When Asian non-human primate non-natural hosts are experimentally infected with viruses isolated from African species, disease and death normally results. Meanwhile, these African nonhuman primate natural hosts maintain similar levels of plasma and cellular viremia and exhibit compellingly different, essentially disease-free, states. This work attempts to answer the question of how the natural host remains disease resistant.
Summarizes the past 30 years of research in this field and describes the latest developments in AIDS research using nonhuman primate animal modelsProvides insights into how this large body of scientific work can be translated into novel approaches to treat and prevent HIVHighlights the areas that merit future pursuit, focusing on potential applications for the treatment and prevention of HIV infection

This second edition provides up-to-date chapters and new chapters focusing on the most recent advances in the field of drug safety evaluation. Divided into seven parts, chapters detail specific aspects related to the experimental design of preclinical studies conducted to support the safety of pediatric and combination drugs, necropsy and histopathology evaluation, mass spectrometry imaging, genetic toxicology protocols including the Pig-a mutation assay, safety pharmacology methods such as automatization of patch-clamp procedures, target safety assessment for investigative toxicology, screening assays for developmental toxicology, and methods to characterize novel translational safety biomarkers like microRNAs. 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 to avoid known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Drug Safety Evaluation: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition aims to ensure successful results in the further study of this vital field.

"Progress in Molecular Biology and Translational Science" provides a forum for discussion of new discoveries, approaches, and ideas in molecular biology. It contains contributions from leaders in their fields and abundant references.

Volume 126 features in-depth reviews that focus on the tools required to investigate mechanotransduction. Additional chapters focus on how we can use these tools to answer fundamental questions about the interaction of physical forces with cell biology, morphogenesis, and function of mature structures. Chapters in the volume are authored by a unique combination of cell biologists and engineers, providing a range of perspectives on mechanotransduction.
Provides a unique combination of perspectives from biologists and engineersEngaging to people of many training backgrounds

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.

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.

"International Review of Celland Molecular Biology" presents comprehensive reviews and current advances in cell and molecular biology. Articles address structure and control of gene expression, nucleocytoplasmic interactions, control of cell development and differentiation, and cell transformation and growth.

The series has a world-wide readership, maintaining a high standard by publishing invited articles on important and timely topics authored by prominent cell and molecular biologists. Impact factor for 2012: 4.973.
Authored by some of the foremost scientists in the field Provides comprehensive reviews and current advancesWide range of perspectives on specific subjectsValuable reference material for advanced undergraduates, graduate students and professional scientists
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This volume guides readers through the field of systems medicine by defining the terminology, and describing how established computational methods form bioinformatics and systems biology can be taken forward to an integrative systems medicine approach. Chapters provide an outlook on the role that systems medicine may or should play in various medical fields, and describe different facets of the systems medicine approach in action. Ultimately it introduces tools, resources and methodologies from bioinformatics and systems biology, and how to apply these in a systems medicine project. Written for the Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, and discuss experimental and computational approaches, methods, and tools that should be considered for a successful systems medicine project. Systems Medicine aims to motivate and provide guidance for collaborations across disciplines to tackle today's challenges related to human health and well-being.

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.

"International Review of Celland Molecular Biology" presents comprehensive reviews and current advances in cell and molecular biology. Articles address structure and control of gene expression, nucleocytoplasmic interactions, control of cell development and differentiation, and cell transformation and growth.

The series has a world-wide readership, maintaining a high standard by publishing invited articles on important and timely topics authored by prominent cell and molecular biologists. Impact factor for 2012: 4.973.
Authored by some of the foremost scientists in the field Provides comprehensive reviews and current advancesWide range of perspectives on specific subjectsValuable reference material for advanced undergraduates, graduate students and professional scientists
"

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.

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 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.

Methods in Cancer Stem Cell Biology: Part B, Volume 171 in the Methods in Cell Biology series highlights advances in the field, with this new volume presenting interesting chapters on timely topics, including Orthotopic brain tumor models derived from glioblastoma stem-like cells, RNA sequencing in hematopoietic stem cells, Generation of inducible pluripotent stem cells from human dermal fibroblasts, In vitro preparation of dental pulp stem cell grafts combined with biocompatible scaffolds for tissue engineering, Gene expression knockdown in chronic myeloid leukemia stem cells, Identification and isolation of slow-cycling GSCs, Assessment of CD133, EpCAM, and much more.

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.

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) transduce signals from a diverse array of endogenous ligands, including ions, amino acids, nucleotides, lipids, peptides, and large glycoprotein hormones. They are also responsible for our sensing of exogenous stimuli including photons and odorants. GPCRs regulate almost every aspect of our physiological functions. It is estimated that 40-50% of currently used therapeutic drugs target GPCRs directly or indirectly. Because the current drugs target only a small portion of the GPCRs, opportunities for targeting the remaining GPCRs is enormous. This volume reviews the lateste developments in this rapidly advancing field.

* This series provides a forum for discussion of new discoveries, approaches, and ideas * Contributions from leading scholars and industry experts * Reference guide for researchers involved in molecular biology and related fields

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 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 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.

Written by a leading researcher in the field, "Transporters in Drug Discovery and Development "provides a comprehensive and practical guide to drug transporter families that are the most important for drug discovery and development. It covers: an overview of transporter families and organ distribution; clinical relevant drug-drug interaction; clinical relevant polymorphism; drug transporter related pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamics and toxicity; in vitro/in vivo probes of drug transport studies; the practical methodologies of industrial transporter screening and translational aspect in drug discovery and developments.
A comprehensive overview of drug transporter families and their clinical relevance in drug discovery and developmentBalanced coverage of molecular biology aspects and functional outcomesState of art knowledge related to transporter-mediated DDI and the clinical relevance in pharmacokinetics, dynamics, and toxicity

This special volume of "Progress in Molecular Biology and Translational Science" focuses on chronobiology.

Key features:

* Contributions from leading authorities * Informs and updates on all the latest developments in the field