An essential guide that puts the focus on method developments and applications in aptamers In recent years, aptamer-based systems have been developed for a wide-range of analytical and medical applications. Aptamers for Analytical Applications offers an introduction to the topic, outlines the common protocols for aptamer synthesis, as well as providing information on the different optimization strategies that can obtain higher affinities to target molecules. The contributors?noted experts on the topic?provide an in-depth review of the characterization of aptamer-target molecule interaction and immobilization strategies and discuss the developments of methods for all the relevant applications. The book outlines different schemes to efficiently immobilize aptamers on substrates as well as summarizing the characterization methods for aptamer-ligand complexes. In addition, aptamer-based colorimetric, enzyme-linked, fluorescent, electrochemical, lateral flow and non-labeling analytical methods are presented. The book also reflects state-of-the-art and emerging applications of aptamer-based methods. This important resource: -Provides a guide to aptamers which provide highly specific and sensitive molecular recognition, with affinities in the range of antibodies and are much cheaper to produce -Offers a discussion of the analytical method developments and improvements with established systems and beyond -Offers a comprehensive guide to all the relevant application areas -Presents an authoritative book from contributors who are noted experts in the field Written for analytical chemists, biochemists, analytical researchers, Aptamers for Analytical Applications is a comprehensive book that adopts a methodological point of view to the important aspects of aptamer generation and modification with a strong emphasis on method developments for relevant applications.

Clear, comprehensive, and state of the art, the groundbreaking book on the emerging technology of direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry Written by a noted expert in the field, Direct Analysis in Real Time Mass Spectrometry offers a review of the background and the most recent developments in DART-MS. Invented in 2005, DART-MS offers a wide range of applications for solving numerous analytical problems in various environments, including food science, forensics, and clinical analysis. The text presents an introduction to the history of the technology and includes information on the theoretical background, for exampleon the ionization mechanism. Chapters on sampling and coupling to different types of mass spectrometers are followed by a comprehensive discussion of a broad range of applications. Unlike most other ionization methods, DART does not require laborious sample preparation, as ionization takes place directly on the sample surface. This makes the technique especially attractive for applications in forensics and food science. Comprehensive in scope, this vital text: -Sets the standard on an important and emerging ionization technique -Thoroughly discusses all the relevant aspects from instrumentation to applications -Helps in solving numerous analytical problems in various applications, for example food science, forensics, environmental and clinical analysis -Covers mechanisms, coupling to mass spectrometers, and includes information on challenges and disadvantages of the technique Academics, analytical chemists, pharmaceutical chemists, clinical chemists, forensic scientists, and others will find this illuminating text a must-have resource for understanding the most recent developments in the field.

Intended for researchers and students in physics, chemistry and materials science, this book provides the necessary background information and sufficient mathematical and physical detail to study the current research literature. The book begins with a survey of liquid crystal phases and field effects, together with an introduction to the basic physics of nuclear magnetic resonance. It then discusses orientational ordering and molecular field theories for various liquid crystal molecules and nmr studies of uniaxial and biaxial phases. Subsequent chapters consider spin relaxation processes and rotational, translational, and internal molecular dynamics of liquid crystals. The final chapter discusses two-dimensional and multiple- quantum nmr spectroscopies and their application in elucidating liquid crystal properties. This second edition, updated throughout, incorporates many new references and includes new mathematical appendices.

1.1 Mechanism of Action of Glucocorticoid Hormones The current model of glucocorticoid hormone action is summarized in Fig. 1. After synthesis, glucocorticoids are secreted into the blood stream and trans- ported to target cells where they bind with high affinity (K-1O-9M) and d specificity to the intracellular glucocorticoid receptor (GR) protein. The sub- cellular localization of hormone-free GR is still a controversial issue. However, most data support the idea that unliganded GR is in the cytoplasmic compartment or loosely associated with the nucleus (Picard and Yamamoto 1987; Gustafsson et al. 1987 and references therein; LaFond et al. 1988; Gasc et al. 1989). Upon ligand binding, GR is activated into a form capable of interacting with DNA. The mechanism of GR activation probably involves a conformational change and dis- sociation from nonreceptor components, e.g., the 90-kDA heat shock protein (hsp90: Pratt et al. 1988; Bresnick et al. 1989; Denis and Gustafsson 1989). The subcellular location of activated GR has been firmly established to be inside the nucleus. In vivo, the hormone-receptor complex interacts with specific DNA Activation r:::.. ~ qc [!3-GC ...&.GC~ j ~ ? , BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS " t , Active Protein , , ~Vl\lent.

Intended for researchers and students in physics, chemistry and materials science, this work aims to provide the necessary background information and sufficient mathematical and physical detail to study research literature in nuclear magnetic resonance studies of liquid crystals. This second edition, updated throughout, incorporates many new references, corrects typographical errors, and includes new mathematical appendices.

This edited volume provides an extensive overview of how nuclear magnetic resonance can be an indispensable tool to investigate molecular ordering, phase structure, and dynamics in complex anisotropic phases formed by liquid crystalline materials. The chapters, written by prominent scientists in their field of expertise, provide a state-of-the-art scene of developments in liquid crystal research. The fantastic assortment of shape anisotropy in organic molecules leads to the discoveries of interesting new soft materials made at a rapid rate which not only inject impetus to address the fundamental physical and chemical phenomena, but also the potential applications in memory, sensor and display devices. The review volume also covers topics ranging from solute studies of molecules in nematics and biologically ordered fluids to theoretical approaches in treating elastic and viscous properties of liquid crystals. This volume is aimed at graduate students, novices and experts alike, and provides an excellent reference material for readers interested in the liquid crystal research. It is, indeed, a reference book for every science library to have.