This volume presents the proceedings of the 1st World Congress on Electroporation and Pulsed Electric Fields in Biology, Medicine and Food & Environmental Technologies (WC2015). The congress took place in Portoroz, Slovenia, during the week of September 6th to 10th, 2015. The scientific part of the Congress covered different aspects of electroporation and related technologies and included the following main topics: * Application of pulsed electric fields technology in food: challenges and opportunities * Electrical impedance measurement for assessment of electroporation yield * Electrochemistry and electroporation * Electroporation meets electrostimulation * Electrotechnologies for food and biomass treatment * Food and biotechnology applications * In vitro electroporation - basic mechanisms * Interfacial behaviour of lipid-assemblies, membranes and cells in electric fields * Irreversible electroporation in clinical use * Medical applications: electrochemotherapy * Medical applications: gene therapy * Non-electric field-based physical methods inducing cell poration and enhanced molecule transfer * Non-thermal plasmas for food safety, environmental applications and medical treatments * PEF for the food industry: fundamentals and applications * PEF proce ss integration - complex process chains and process combinations in the food industry * Predictable animal models * Pulsed electric fields and electroporation technologies in bioeconomy * Veterinary medical applications

The book "Nanocosmetics and nanomedicines: new approaches for skin care" contains a summary of the most important nanocarriers for skin delivery. Although "nanocosmetics" is a subject widely commented in the academy and the beauty industry, a book covering the skin care treatments using nanotechnological approaches with cosmetics and nanomedicines is still missing, therefore the need for this publication. This book is divided in three parts: The first one (Part A) is devoted to a brief review on the main topics related to the skin delivery and to the introduction of the subject "nanocosmetics". The second part (Part B) presents different types of nanocarriers applied as skin delivery systems for cosmetics or drugs. The last part (Part C) shows a wide range of applications of nanotechnology on the skin care area as well as on dermatocosmetic and dermatological fields.

This book provides up-to-date information on the development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with a review of the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the disease process. Recent research in HCC has led to significant progress in our understanding of the cellular processes and molecular mechanisms that occur during multi-stage events that lead to hepatocarcinogenesis. The emergence of micro RNAs and molecular targeted therapies have added a new dimension in our efforts to combat this deadly disease, Chapters include discussion and evaluation of current intervention strategies and therapeutic options and a focus on the novel approaches that are being pursued, such as micro-RNA based therapies and personalized medicine to treat liver cancer. This book will be of interest to basic and clinical researchers, as well as to drug developers.

Highlighting 15 selected chiral structures, which represent candidate or marketed drugs, and their chemical syntheses, the authors acquaint the reader with the fascinating achievements of synthetic and medicinal chemistry. The book starts with an introduction treating the discovery and development of a new drug entity. Each of the 15 subsequent chapters presents one of the target structures and begins with a description of its biological profile as well as any known molecular mechanisms of action, underlining the importance of its structural and stereochemical features. This section is followed by detailed discussions of synthetic approaches to the chiral target structure, highlighting creative ideas, the scaling-up of laboratory methods and their replacement by efficient modern technologies for large-scale production. Nearly 60 synthetic reactions, most of them stereoselective, catalytic or biocatalytic, as well as chiral separating methodologies are included in the book. Vitomir Sunjic and Michael J. Parnham provide an invaluable source of information for scientists in academia and the pharmaceutical industry who are actively engaged in the interdisciplinary development of new drugs, as well as for advanced students in chemistry and related fields.

Vaccinology, the concept of a science ranging from the study of immunology to the development and distribution of vaccines, was a word invented by Jonas Salk. This book covers the history of the methodological progress in vaccine development and to the social and ethical issues raised by vaccination. Chapters include "Jenner and the Vaccination against Smallpox," "Viral Vaccines," and "Ethical and Social Aspects of vaccines." Contributing authors include pioneers in the field, such as Samuel L. Katz and Hilary Koprowski. This history of vaccines is relatively short and many of its protagonists are still alive. This book was written by some of the chief actors in the drama whose subject matter is the conquest of epidemic disease.

A vast number of diagnostic and therapeutic decisions are based on measuring blood concentrations of molecules, yet most biochemical and pharmacological events actually take place in the tissues. Microdialysis is a key semi-invasive sampling technique to measure in vivo drug penetration to the target site in humans, the method being feasible in virtually every organ. Authored by international experts in this cutting edge field, this book will provide a comprehensive overview of microdialysis and its application for measuring drug distribution in drug development.

Essential Elements for a GMP Analytical Chemistry Department is a systematic approach to understanding the essential elements required for a successful GMP Analytical Department to function as an efficient and effective organization. It describes in detail a department structure which allows for the necessary processes to become available to all its personnel in a way where there is a free flow of information and interaction. The environment and culture created by this approach encourages and rewards the sharing of ideas, skills, and abilities among department personnel. The essential elements such as , SOP's, regulatory guidance's/guidelines, project teams, technical and department processes, personnel motivation, outsourcing, and hiring the best is among the many topics that are discussed in detail and how they can be implemented to build an efficient and effective Analytical Department. This book will serve as a valuable asset to the many companies required to perform GMP analytical method development, validation, analyses etc including start-up, virtual, and generic pharmaceutical companies.

"About 25 years ago, Mosmann & Coffman introduced the TH1 / TH2 paradigm of T helper cell differentiation which helped explain many aspects of adaptive immunity from eliminating intracellular versus extracellular pathogens to induction of different types of tissue inflammation. However, TH1 / TH2 paradigm could not adequately explain development of certain inflammatory responses which provided impetus for the discovery of a new subset of T cells called TH17 cells. After the discovery of differentiation and transcription factors for TH17 cells, it was clear that TH17 cells represent an independent subset of T cells with specific functions in eliminating certain extracellular pathogens, presumably not adequately handled by TH1 or TH2 cells. The major role of TH17 cells has been described in inducing auto-immune tissue inflammation. The discovery of TH17 cells has expanded the TH1 / TH2 paradigm, and the integration of TH17 cells with TH1 and TH2 effector T cells is beginning to explain the underlying mechanisms of tissue inflammation in a number of infections and auto-immune disease settings." - From Chapter One by Vijay K. Kuchroo, Harvard University, USA "The recently identified Interleukin 17 (IL-17) cytokine family contributes to immunity to infectious diseases and chronic inflammatory diseases. Further studies on the regulation and function of this important cytokine family may provide better understanding on the roles of the IL-17 family in immune-mediated diseases; such knowledge may lead to the development of immunotherapeutic strategies for treatment of several inflammatory diseases." - From Chapter Two by Chen Dong, University of Texas and MD Anderson Cancer Center, USA

Pharmacy Practice discusses the many factors impinging on daily practice and the place of pharmacy in the delivery of health care. The book goes beyond simply considering how pharmacy is practised and draws on a diverse range of disciplines, including sociology, social policy, psychology, anthropology, history and health economics, with each contributor bringing a unique perspective and insight into that practice. In this fully updated edition, the content and presentation have been thoroughly revised and new material added to reflect the many changes that have occurred in the last edition, particularly in pharmacy and health policy and professional regulation and development. The book provides the background and context for issues currently impacting professional practice and which will determine how pharmacy will develop in the future.

Heparins remain amongst the most commonly used drugs in clinical practice. Almost 100 years have passed since the initial discovery of this complex substance and, during this time, understanding of the nature and uses of heparin and related molecules has grown dramatically. The aim of this volume is to summarise the developments that have led to the current status of both heparins as drugs and the field of heparin research, with a focus on the particularly rapid progress that has been made over the past three decades. Individual sections are dedicated to the nature of heparin as a biological molecule, the current approaches and techniques that are used to ensure the safety and reliability of heparin as a medicine, the clinical pharmacology of heparin as an anticoagulant drug, effects and potential applications of heparin aside of those involving haemostasis and, finally, the nature and potential uses of heparin-like materials from both natural and synthetic sources.

"Development of novel vaccines" gives an overview of the tasks in basic research leading to the final product - the vaccine and its applications, belonging to the most complex biologics in the pharmaceutical field. Distinct from most textbooks in the vaccine arena, the current issue focuses on the translational aspect, namely, how research results can be transformed into life-saving medical interventions. Each chapter of the book deals with one important paradigm for the development of novel vaccines, along the value chain towards the final vaccine, and furthermore, with the inevitable tools required for this process. Contributions are prepared by teams of scientists, all of whom are experts in the field, most of them anchored in biomedical organizations devoted to translational culture, thereby lighting the certain topics from different views. This volume is a must read for researchers engaged in vaccine development and who really want to see their research results to become a product.

ABPP Methodology: Introduction and Overview, by Matthew B. Nodwell und Stephan A. Sieber Activity-Based Protein Profiling for Natural Product Target Discovery, by Joanna Krysiak und Rolf Breinbauer Photoaffinity Labeling in Activity-Based Protein Profiling, by Paul P. Geurink, Laurette M. Prely, Gijs A. van der Marel, Rainer Bischoff und Herman S. Overkleeft Application of Activity-Based Protein Profiling to the Study of Microbial Pathogenesis, by William P. Heal und Edward W. Tate Functional Analysis of Protein Targets by Metabolomic Approaches, by Yun-Gon Kim und Alan Saghatelian

Long acting injections and implants improve therapy, enhance patient compliance, improve dosing convenience, and are the most appropriate formulation choice for drugs that undergo extensive first pass metabolism or that exhibit poor oral bioavailability. An intriguing variety of technologies have been developed to provide long acting injections and implants. Many considerations need to go into the design of these systems in order to translate a concept from the lab bench to actual therapy for a patient. This book surveys and summarizes the field.

Topics covered in "Long Acting Injections and Implants" include the historical development of the field, drugs, diseases and clinical applications for long acting injections and implants, anatomy and physiology for these systems, specific injectable technologies (including lipophilic solutions, aqueous suspensions, microspheres, liposomes, in situ forming depots and self-assembling lipid formulations), specific implantable technologies (including osmotic implants, drug eluting stents and microfabricated systems), peptide, protein and vaccine delivery, sterilization, drug release testing and regulatory aspects of long acting injections and implants.

This volume provides essential information for experienced development professionals but was also written to be useful for scientists just beginning work in the field and for others who need an understanding of long acting injections and implants. This book will also be ideal as a graduate textbook."

Introduction to Fragment-Based Drug Discovery, by Daniel A. Erlanson

Fragment Screening Using X-Ray Crystallography, by Thomas G. Davies and Ian J. Tickle

Hsp90 Inhibitors and Drugs from Fragment and Virtual Screening, by Stephen Roughley, Lisa Wright, Paul Brough, Andrew Massey and Roderick E. Hubbard

Combining NMR and X-ray Crystallography in Fragment-Based Drug Discovery: Discovery of Highly Potent and Selective BACE-1 Inhibitors, by Daniel F. Wyss, Yu-Sen Wang, Hugh L. Eaton, Corey Strickland, Johannes H. Voigt, Zhaoning Zhu and Andrew W. Stamford

Combining Biophysical Screening and X-Ray Crystallography for Fragment-Based Drug Discovery, by Michael Hennig, Armin Ruf and Walter Huber

Targeting Protein Protein Interactions and Fragment-Based Drug Discovery, by Eugene Valkov, Tim Sharpe, May Marsh, Sandra Greive and Marko Hyvonen

Fragment Screening and HIV Therapeutics, by Joseph D. Bauman, Disha Patel and Eddy Arnold

Fragment-Based Approaches and Computer-Aided Drug Discovery, by Didier Rognan"

Today, young cosmetics researchers who have completed their graduate studies and have entered a cosmetics company are put through several years of training before they become qualified to design cosmetics formulations themselves. They are trained so that they can design formulas not by a process of logic but by heart, like craftsmen, chefs, or carpenters. This kind of training seems a terrible waste of labor and time. To address this issue and allow young scientists to design novel cosmetics formulations, effectively bringing greater diversity of innovation to the industry, this book provides a key set of skills and the knowledge necessary for such pursuits. The volume provides the comprehensive knowledge and instruction necessary for researchers to design and create cosmetics products. The book's chapters cover a comprehensive list of topics, which include, among others, the basics of cosmetics, such as the raw materials of cosmetics and their application; practical techniques and technologies for designing and manufacturing cosmetics, as well as theoretical knowledge; emulsification; sensory evaluations of cosmetic ingredients; and how to create products such as soap-based cleansers, shampoos, conditioners, creams, and others. The potential for innovation is great in Japan's cosmetics industry. This book expresses the hope that the high level of dedicated research continues and proliferates, especially among those who are innovators at heart.

Biologics have revolutionised the treatment of many severe conditions, delivering exceptional clinical results but also producing exceptionally high prices. As patents expire, copies and price competition are expected throughout the world. However, due to the intrinsic heterogeneity and molecular complexity of biologic medicinal products, their copies cannot simply be authorized under the "generic rule" valid for small chemical entities. In response, a dedicated regulation was issued in the European Union. It is based on the concept of "biological medicinal products similar to a biological reference product", or "biosimilars". This book analyses the context of biotechnological production and addresses the European legal framework for biosimilar market approval. It highlights post-market authorisation issues, such as Risk Management Plans and substitution of products, and outlines some other issues, such as cost management and international nomenclature. This book is primarily intended for hospital-based physicians and pharmacists. It will also be a valuable resource for all actors from all countries who want to better understand the emergence of these new medicinal products within the European context.

This book presents the laboratory, scientific and clinical aspects of nanomaterials used for medical applications in the fields of regenerative medicine, dentistry and pharmacy. It gives a broad overview on the in vitro compatibility assessment of nanostructured materials implemented in the medical field by the combination of classical biological protocols and advanced non-destructive nano-precision techniques with special emphasis on the topographical, surface energy, optical and electrical properties. Materials in the physical form of nanoparticles, nanotubes, and thin films are addressed in terms of their toxicity. The different pillars of the Nanomedicine field are also highlighted. The book takes an interdisciplinary approach of medicine, biology, pharmacy, physics, chemistry, engineering, nanotechnology and materials science. The international group of authors specifically chosen for their distinguished expertise belong to the academic and industrial world in order to provide a broader perspective. It appeals to researchers and graduate students.

New Drug Development: Second Edition provides an overview of the design concepts and statistical practices involved in therapeutic drug development. This wide spectrum of activities begins with identifying a potentially useful drug candidate that can perhaps be used in the treatment or prevention of a condition of clinical concern, and ends with marketing approval being granted by one or more regulatory agencies. In between, it includes drug molecule optimization, nonclinical and clinical evaluations of the drug's safety and efficacy profiles, and manufacturing considerations. The more inclusive term lifecycle drug development can be used to encompass the postmarketing surveillance that is conducted all the time that a drug is on the market and being prescribed to patients with the relevant clinical condition. Information gathered during this time can be used to modify the drug (for example, dose prescribed, formulation, and mode of administration) in terms of its safety and its effectiveness. The central focus of the first edition of this book is captured by its subtitle, 'Design, Methodology, and Analysis'. Optimum quality study design and experimental research methodology must be employed if the data collected-numerical representations of biological information-are to be of optimum quality. Optimum quality data facilitate optimum quality statistical analysis and interpretation of the results obtained, which in turn permit optimum quality decisions to be made: Rational decision making is predicated on appropriate research questions and optimum quality numerical information. The book took a non-computational approach to statistics, presenting instead a conceptual framework and providing readers with a sound working knowledge of the importance of design, methodology, and analysis. Not everyone needs to be an expert in statistical analysis, but it is very helpful for work (or aspire to work) in the pharmaceutical and biologics industries to be aware of the fundamental importance of a sound scientific and clinical approach to the planning, conduct, and analysis of clinical trials.

The enormous potential of siRNA as a therapeutic has led to an explosion of interest from the scientific community. There has been intense interest from Big Pharma to capitalise on this new technology but the fact remains that delivery is a key determinant in realizing the full clinical potential of RNA interference. There is an urgent need for better delivery methods to take this technology forward. This book addresses the role of different RNAi molecules in cellular processes as rational for diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. This book will cover RNAi therapeutic design to optimize siRNA potency and reduce off-target effects and current delivery technologies to overcome both intracellular and extracellular barriers. The reader will gain an insight into RNA interference from the cellular mechanisms to screening to siRNA design right through to diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

Long acting veterinary formulations play a significant role in animal health, production and reproduction within the animal health industry. Such technologies offer beneficial advantages to the veterinarian, farmer and pet owner. These advantages have resulted in them growing in popularity in recent years. The pharmaceutical scientist is faced with many challenges when innovating new products in this demanding field of controlled release. This book provides the reader with a comprehensive guide on the theories, applications, and challenges associated with the design and development of long acting veterinary formulations. The authoritative chapters of the book are written by some of the leading experts in the field. The book covers a wide scope of areas including the market influences, preformulation, biopharmaceutics, in vitro drug release testing and specification setting to name but a few. It also provides a detailed overview of the major technological advances made in this area. As a result this book covers everything a formulation scientist in industry or academia, or a student needs to know about this unique drug delivery field to advance health, production and reproduction treatment options and benefits for animals worldwide.

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) are currently the major class of protein bio therapeutic being developed by biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. Monoclonal Antibodies discusses the challenges and issues revolving around development of a monoclonal antibody produced by recombinant DNA technology into a therapeutic agent.This book covers downstream processing which includes design of processes to manufacture the formulation, formulation design, fill and finish into closure systems and routes of administration. The characterization of the final drug product is covered where the use of biophysical methods combined with genetic engineering is used to understand the solution properties of the formulation. The latter has become very important since many indications such as arthritis and asthma require the development of formulations for subcutaneous delivery (SC). The development of formulations for IV delivery is also important and comes with a different set of challenges. The challenges and strategies that can overcome these limitations are discussed in this book, starting with an introduction to these issues, followed by chapters detailing strategies to deal with them. Subsequent chapters explore the processing and storage of mAbs, development of delivery device technologies and conclude with a chapter on the future of mAbs in therapeutic remedies.

The inspiration for this text was the 1988 volume by Alder and Zbinden, written before the ICH harmonization process for drug safety evaluation (or its ISO analog for device biocompatibility evaluation) had been initiated or come to force. Since then, much has changed in both the world and practice of medicine and the regulation of drugs. The intent of this volume is to provide similar guidance as to what nonclinical safety assessment tests need to be performed to move a drug into man, through development and to market approved (this intent was subsequently extended to cover the closely related medical device biotechnology, and combination product fields) in a concise, abbreviated manner for all the major world market countries.

Controlled Release in Oral Drug Delivery provides focus on specific topics, complementing other books in the initial CRS series. Each chapter sets the context for the inventions described and describe the latitude that the inventions allow. In order to provide some similar look to each chapter, the coverage includes the historical overview, candidate drugs, factors influencing design and development, formulation and manufacturing and delivery system design. This volume was written along three main sections: the relevant anatomy and physiology, a discussion on candidates for oral drug delivery and the major three groups of controlled release systems: diffusion control (swelling and inert matrices); environmental control (pH sensitive coatings, time control, enzymatic control, pressure control) and finally lipidic systems.

This is a timely collection of important biomedical applications for a set of separation/characterization techniques that are rapidly gaining popularity due to their wide dynamic range, high resolution, and ability to function in most commonly used solvent systems. Importantly, the field-flow fractionation (FFF) technique has recently emerged as a prominent complement to size exclusion chromatography for protein pharmaceuticals. Fractionation with FFF is gentle and preserves protein structural integrity better than existing alternatives. In the present text, different chapters are written by experts in their respective field of application, who offer comparisons between the FFF techniques and other methods for characterizing their special focus material. Practical guide-lines for successful implementation, such as choice of operating conditions, are offered in conjunction with each application. In addition to new instrumentation and approaches that address important current topics, readers are provided with an overall sense of prior (but timeless) major developments that may be overlooked in literature searches.