To comprehend the organizational principle of cellular functions at diff erent levels, an integrative approach with large-scale experiments, the so-called 'omics' data including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, is needed. Omics aims at the collective characterization and quantifi cation of pools of biological molecules that translate into the structure, function, and dynamics of an organism or organisms. Currently, omics is an essential tool to understand the molecular systems that underlie various plant functions. Furthermore, in several plant species, the development of omicsresources has progressed to address the particular biological properties of individual species. Integration of knowledge from omics-based research is an emerging issue as researchers seek to identify significance, gain biological insights and promote translational research. From these perspectives, we intend to provide the emerging aspects of plant systems research based on omics and bioinformatics analyses together with their associated resources and technological advances. Th e present book covers a wide range of omics topics, and discusses the latest trends and application area of plant sciences. In this volume, we have highlighted the working solutions as well as open problems and future challenges in plant omics studies. We believe that this book will initiate and introduce readers to state-of-the-art developments and trends in omics-driven research.

Due to continuous technical developments and new insights into the high complexity of neurological diseases, there is an increasing need for the application of proteomic technologies which can yield potential biomarker readouts for improved clinical management as well as for the development of new drugs by struggling pharmaceutical companies. This book describes the step-by-step use of proteomic methods such as two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, multiplex immunoassay, liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and selective reaction monitoring MS, to increase our understanding of these diseases, with the ultimate aim of improving patient care. The volume will be of high interest to clinical scientists, physicians and pharmaceutical company scientists as it gives insights into the latest technologies enabling the revolution of personalized medicine. It is of direct interest to both technical and bench biomarker scientists as it gives step by step instructions on how to carry out each of the protocols. It is also of interest to researchers as each technique will be presented in the context of a specific neurological disorder, including Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, autism spectrum disorders, schizophrenia, major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. Finally, it will also highlight the future research efforts in this field, which are endeavoring to convert proteomic platforms to the form of hand held devices which can be used in a point of care setting and return diagnostic results within the timeframe of a visit to the general practitioner.

Over the past decade, there has been an explosive development of research of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs), which are also known as unfolded proteins. Structural biologists now recognize that the functional diversity provided by disordered regions complements the functional repertoire of ordered protein regions. In Intrinsically Disordered Protein Analysis: Methods and Experimental Tools, expert researchers explore the high abundance of IDPs in various organisms, their unique structural features, numerous functions, and crucial associations with different diseases. Volume 2 includes sections on single molecule techniques, methods to assess protein size and shape, analyzing conformational behavior, mass-spectrometry, expression and purification of IDP's. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) 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, Intrinsically Disordered Protein Analysis: Methods and Experimental Tools helps scientists further their investigations of these fascinating and dynamic molecules.

This book provides information about the sources, structure, and properties of keratin as well as its applications. The extraction from different biomass sources (e.g. feathers, hairs, nails, horn, hoof, and claws) as well as the characterization methods of these extracted materials are explained. The development of bioproducts from keratins is challenging and limited since they are neither soluble in polar solvents nor in non-polar solvents. Therefore, the utilization of different microorganisms for the degradation of keratin is also discussed. The main aim of this book is to highlight the unique features of keratin and to update readers with the possible prospects to develop various value-added products from keratins. The book is highly interesting to researchers working in industry and academia on bioproducts, tissue engineering, biocomposites, biofilm, and biofibers.

The aim this volume is to present the methods, challenges, software, and applications of this widespread and yet still evolving and maturing field. Computational Protein Design, the first book with this title, guides readers through computational protein design approaches, software and tailored solutions to specific case-study targets. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Computational Protein Design aims to ensure successful results in the further study of this vital field.

The actin cytoskeleton plays a central role in many cellular processes including cell motility, cytokinesis, endocytosis and phagocytosis. The structure and dynamics of the actin cytoskeleton is regulated by a large number of proteins that interact with monomeric and/or filamentous actin. Actin Monomer Binding Proteins provides a comprehensive view on actin monomer-binding proteins and the mechanisms by which they contribute to actin dynamics and various actin-dependent cellular processes. This new title contains chapters that describe the basic mechanisms of actin dynamics as well as the structural principles by which various actin-binding proteins interact with actin.

Combined Quantum Mechanical and Molecular Mechanical Modelling of Biomolecular Interactions continues the tradition of the Advances in Protein Chemistry and Structural Biology series has been the essential resource for protein chemists. Each volume brings forth new information about protocols and analysis of proteins, with each thematically organized volume guest edited by leading experts in a broad range of protein-related topics.

This volume looks at various approaches to study the pleiotropic roles of b-arrestins (b-arrs) in the control of signal transduction, and the resulting cellular and in vivo consequences that arise. The chapters in this book cover diverse topics around b-arrs such as their established roles in GPCR regulation and trafficking; regulatory scaffolding functions of b-arrs in MAPK signaling, cAMP hydrolysis and cytoskeletal dynamics; proteomic analysis of the b-arr interactome; mathematical modelling of b-arr signaling networks; functional selectivity involving biased ligands; nucleocytoplasmic trafficking and primary cilia-associated functions of b-arrs; conformational plasticity of b-arrs; and the roles of b-arrs in allergic inflammation, Type 2 Diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and 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. Cutting-edge and authoritative, Beta-Arrestins: Methods and Protocols is a valuable resource for researchers interested in learning more about the function and regulation of b-arrestins.

This book provides a timely review of the role of histone modifications in epigenetic control of gene expression. Topics covered include: basic mechanisms of molecular recognition of histone post-translational modification (PTMs); combinatorial readout of histone PTMs by tandem epigenome reader domains; genome-wide profiling of histone PTM interactions; small molecule modulation of histone PTM interactions and their potential as a new approach to therapeutic intervention in human diseases. All chapters were written by leading scientists who made the original key discoveries of the structure and mechanism of evolutionarily conserved reader domains, which serve to direct gene transcription in chromatin through interactions with DNA-packing histones in a PTM-sensitive manner.

This is the first volume in a series on membrane protein transfer. Membrane protein transport underlies the topological disposition of many proteins within cells and it is this disposition that allows for the co-ordination of the central cellular processes, such as metabolism.

The authoritative guide to analyzing protein interactions by mass spectrometry
Mass spectrometry (MS) is playing an increasingly important role in the study of protein interactions. Mass Spectrometry of Protein Interactionspresents timely and definitive discussions of the diverse range of approaches for studying protein interactions by mass spectrometry with an extensive set of references to the primary literature. Each chapter is written by authors or teams of authors who are international authorities in their fields. This leading reference text:
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Discusses the direct detection of protein interactions through electrospray ionization (ESI-MS); ion mobility analysis; and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI-MS)
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Covers the indirect analysis of protein interactions through hydrogen-deuterium exchange (HX-MS); limited proteolysis; cross-linking; and radial probe (RP-MS)
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Guides researchers in the use of mass spectrometry in structural biology, biochemistry, and protein science to map and define the huge number and diversity of protein interactions
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Reviews the latest discoveries and applications and addresses new and ongoing challenges
This is a comprehensive reference for researchers in academia and industry engaged in studies of protein interactions and an excellent text for graduate and postgraduate students.

Written by a pioneer in the development of spin labeling in biophysics, this expert book covers the fundamentals of nitroxide spin labeling through cutting-edge applications in chemistry, physics, materials science, molecular biology, and biomedicine. Nitroxides have earned their place as one of the most popular organic paramagnets due to their suitability as inhibitors of oxidative processes, as a means to polarize magnetic nuclei, and, in molecular biology, as probes and labels to understand molecular structures and dynamics AS DRAGS FOR CANCER AND OTHER DISEASES. Beginning with an overview of the basic methodology and nitroxides' 145-year history, this book equips students with necessary background and techniques to undertake original research and industry work in this growing field.

This volume provides an overview of experimental procedures and state-of art methods to investigate FOXOs. Chapters guide readers through biochemical and molecular methods, imaging approaches to monitor the subcellular localization of FOXO factors, omics and bioinformatics approaches, different animal models used in FOXO research, and human studies to investigate the role of FOXO factors in human disease and longevity. 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 FOXO Transcription Factors: Methods and Protocols aims to ensure successful results in the further study of this vital field.

Chromatin Remodelling and Immunity, Volume 106, the latest release in the Advances in Protein Chemistry and Structural Biology series is an essential resource for protein chemists. Each volume brings forth new information about protocols and analysis of proteins, with each thematically organized volume guest edited by leading experts in a broad range of protein-related topics.

Specialist Periodical Reports provide systematic and detailed review coverage of progress in the major areas of chemical research. Written by experts in their specialist fields the series creates a unique service for the active research chemist, supplying regular critical in-depth accounts of progress in particular areas of chemistry. For over 90 years The Royal Society of Chemistry and its predecessor, the Chemical Society, have been publishing reports charting developments in chemistry, which originally took the form of Annual Reports. However, by 1967 the whole spectrum of chemistry could no longer be contained within one volume and the series Specialist Periodical Reports was born. The Annual Reports themselves still existed but were divided into two, and subsequently three, volumes covering Inorganic, Organic, and Physical Chemistry. For more general coverage of the highlights in chemistry they remain a 'must'. Since that time the SPR series has altered according to the fluctuating degree of activity in various fields of chemistry. Some titles have remained unchanged, while others have altered their emphasis along with their titles; some have been combined under a new name whereas others have had to be discontinued. The current list of Specialist Periodical Reports can be seen on the inside flap of this volume.

In this volume expert researchers detail in silico methods widely used to study peptides. These include methods and techniques covering the database, molecular docking, dynamics simulation, data mining, de novo design and structure modeling of peptides and protein fragments. Chapters focus on integration and application of technologies to analyze, model, identify, predict, and design a wide variety of bioactive peptides, peptide analogues and peptide drugs, as well as peptide-based biomaterials. 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, Computational Peptidology seeks to aid scientists in the further study into this newly rising subfield.

This latest volume in Advances in Microbial Physiology continues the long tradition of topical and important reviews in microbiology.

This book summarizes present knowledge of different mechanisms involved in the development of positive and negative consequences of cardiac adaptation. Particular attention is paid to the still underestimated adaptive cardiac responses during development, to adaptation to the frequently occurring pressure and volume overload as well as to cardiac changes, induced by enduring exercise and chronic hypoxia. "Cardiac Adaptations" will be of great value to cardiovascular investigators, who will find this book highly useful in their cardiovascular studies for finding solutions in diverse pathological conditions; it will also appeal to students, fellows, scientists, and clinicians interested in cardiovascular abnormalities."

Plants have evolved with a complex array of signaling molecules to facilitate their growth and development and their interactions with the environment. A vast number of different peptide molecules form an important but until recently often overlooked component amongst these signaling molecules. Plant peptide signals are involved in regulating meristem growth and organogenesis, modulating plant growth and homeostatic responses. They also have important roles as signals of imminent danger or pathogen attack. This volume focuses on the roles of various peptide signaling molecules in development, defence and homeostasis. As it is likely that further plant peptide signaling molecules remain to be discovered, the last section takes a practical look at methods to identify new peptides and characterise their functions.

The field of Structural Genomics has produced many technological advances that transform and accelerate structure solution and analysis. Structural Genomics: General Applications emphasizes the benefits to the wider structural research community. It also reflects the current trend in tackling the more ambitious challenges of studying macromolecular machineries and complexes. Divided into three convenient sections, topics include the cloning and production of proteins for structural studies, experimental methods, and computational methods and data analysis. 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, Structural Genomics: General Applications aims primarily to channel spin-off technologies to the average structural biologist in a small or medium-sized laboratory.

Exploring current themes in modern computational and membrane protein biophysics, this book presents a comprehensive account of the fundamental principles underlying different methods and techniques used to describe the intriguing mechanisms by which membrane proteins function. The book discusses the experimental approaches employed to study these proteins, with chapters reviewing recent crucial structural advances that have allowed computational biophysicists to discern how these molecular machines work. The book then explores what computational methods are available to researchers and what these have taught us about three key families of membrane proteins: ion channels, transporters and receptors. The book is ideal for researchers in computational chemistry and computational biophysics.

Regulatory networks enable bacteria to adapt to almost every environmental niche on Earth. Regulation is achieved by a network of interactions among diverse types of molecules, including DNA, RNA, proteins, and metabolites. The primary role of regulatory networks in bacteria is to control the response to environmental changes, such as nutritional status and environmental stress. A complex organization of networks allows the organism to coordinate and integrate multiple environmental signals. This book contains authoritative, up-to-date reviews of the current research and theories on regulatory networks in bacteria. The book includes critical reviews written by the leading research scientists in this topical field. The contributors fully explore various regulatory networks, discuss variations of common themes, and provide fresh insights into bacterial regulatory mechanisms. Topics include: the sigma network in Escherichia coli * the control of bacterial virulence * ECF sigma factors * quorum sensing * cyclic di-GMP * RNA-mediated regulation * the H-NS regulator * two-component regulatory systems * bacterial chemotaxis * the regulation of iron homeostasis * anaerobic regulatory networks * bacterial bistable regulatory networks * the evolution of transcription factors and regulatory networks. This book will be essential reading for everyone interested in gene expression and the regulation in bacteria. It is a recommended text for all microbiology libraries.

It is our great pleasure to introduce the Proceedings of the Twenty-First European Peptide Symposium, held in Platja d' Aro, Spain, September 2-8, 1990. Over seven hundred scientists from nearly thirty countries, mostly European but also from the Americas, Australia and Japan, assembled at the largest-to-date in a series of European Peptide Symposia to present and discuss their recent findings in the field of peptides. Whenever scientists meet, a good deal of their interaction cannot be appropri ately recorded in book form. Fruitful early morning dialogues go regrettably unrecorded or, at most, precariously scribbled on ephemeral breakfast napkins. Many a brilliant late night debate is bound to fade away through the mists of a noisy discotheque. Alas, this book will unfortunately ignore these potentially splendid contributions to science! No effort has been made either to register the discussions that followed the oral presentations of the Symposium, or the two open sessions on special topics of general interest. Spontaneity, the main appeal of oral discussion, is somewhat lost, we believe, on literal transcription. Once all these non-recordable forms of scientific communication are discounted one is left with the core of the Symposium, i.e., its scientific communications, both in oral and poster form, and it is to these that the book you have in your hands is devoted.

A complete account of the theory of the diffraction of x-rays by crystals with particular reference to the processes of determining the structures of protein molecules, this book is aimed primarily at structural biologists and biochemists but will also be valuable to those entering the field with a background in physical sciences or chemistry. It may be used at any post-school level, and develops from first principles all relevant mathematics, diffraction and wave theory, assuming no mathematical knowledge beyond integral calculus.
The book covers a host of important topics in the area, including:
- The practical aspects of sample preparation and x-ray data collection, using both laboratory and synchrotron sources
- Data analysis at both theoretical and practical levels
- The important role played by the Patterson function in structure analysis by both molecular replacement and experimental phasing approaches
- Methods for improving the resulting electron density map
- The theoretical basis of methods used in refinement of protein crystal structures
- In-depth explanation of the crucial task of defining the binding sites of ligands and drug molecules
- The complementary roles of other diffraction methods which reveal further detail of great functional importance in a crystal structure.

Shotgun Proteomics: Methods and Protocols serves as a vital collection of protocols through which thousands of proteins can be simultaneously identified, quantified and characterized in a high throughput manner. Beginning with the history of proteomics centered on the vital role of mass spectrometry in its development, this detailed volume continues with chapters on sample pre-fractionation, in vivo and in vitro stable isotope labeling, label-free proteomics, informatics, protein-protein interactions, targeted proteomics and post-translational modifications. 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. Practical and comprehensive, Shotgun Proteomics: Methods and Protocols is an ideal and up-to-date guide for researchers seeking to understand the proteome of any given species.