This comprehensive book provides not only the stages in the development of this unique and specialized field but also updates on the current state of research and development of apolipoprotein mimetics as therapeutic modalities for various lipid-mediated disorders. The book consists of 11 chapters all written by leading scientists from well-reputed laboratories in the USA. After an introduction by Dr. Godfrey Getz, Professor of Medicine at the University of Chicago and the Associate Editor of the Journal Lipid Research, the book presents a narration of how a theory can lead to the discovery of treatment modalities to several devastating diseases such as diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis; asthma; atherosclerosis, chronic rejection of transplanted hearts and cancer. Present therapies for most of these diseases are not adequate. Using the models of two long anti-atherogenic and anti-inflammatory proteins (apolipoprotein A-I and apolipoprotein E with 243 and 299 amino acids, respectively) short mimetic peptides of 18 to 28 amino acid residues in length, which can be produced either synthetically or genetically in edible fruits and vegetables, have been shown to exert profound biological effects in a large number of animal models of diseases. The book also presents novel ideas, highly unexpected mechanisms of action in animal models and even in initial clinical studies in humans, which can lead to additional improvements in basic and clinical research in biological science. All the chapters are written by experts in their respective fields who have contributed immensely to the literature. This is the first compendium of this growing field presented in the form of a book.

A successful seientific career requires constant effort on the part of the seientist. If such a career is to be achieved by seientists in developing countries where the faeilities are not easily available, even more dedication is required. Dr. K. M. Sivanandaiah, having completed a successful career in the field of peptide chemistry, is such a seientist. Being weIl aware of the limited research facilities available in India, we are extraordinarily appreciative of Professor Sivanandaiah's dedication to the advancement of science. As a Professor of Chemistry and, until his retirement in 1992, the Head of the Department of Studies in Chemistry at Bangalore University, India, he not only devoted much of his time to his students, teaching basic organic chemistry, but was also able to contribute to the field of peptide chemistry. After completing 25 years of service at Central College, Bangalore, where he was admired as an outstanding teacher, Professor Sivanandaiah is still active in research. He is now Professor Emeritus and continues to contribute to the field of peptides. As former students of Professor Sivanandaiah, we felt that publishing a book containing articles related to the design, synthesis, conformation, and biological activity of peptides and written by eminent scientists in the field of peptide research would be a fitting tribute to his role in the field of bioorganic chemistry.