Blood coagulation and fibrinolysis has been traditionally classed as a part of hematology and the complement system as a part of immunology. An analysis of these two systems at a molecular level, however, has revealed some intriguing evolutionary relationships among some of the macromolecules involved. Evidently, there are similarities in the cascade of reactions that characterize the processes. It is therefore highly suitable that these topics are presented together in one volume. This book presents a thorough explanation and analysis of our current understanding of the proteins and enzymes involved in each of the three processes, and includes a section devoted to special topics of relevance, such as the kinin system, glycosylation, signal peptides, and the serpin family.

In this thought-provoking book Kuppers, an internationally renowned physicist, philosopher and theoretical biologist, addresses a number of science's deepest questions: Can physics advance to the origin of all things and explain the unique phenomena of life, time and history? Are there unsolvable enigmas of the world? How did life originate? Is language a general phenomenon of Nature? What is time? Is it possible to express the history of the world in formulae? Where is science leading us? These and other provocative questions essential for a deeper understanding of the world are treated here in a refreshing and stimulating manner.

In this thought-provoking book Kuppers, an internationally renowned physicist, philosopher and theoretical biologist, addresses a number of science's deepest questions: Can physics advance to the origin of all things and explain the unique phenomena of life, time and history? Are there unsolvable enigmas of the world? How did life originate? Is language a general phenomenon of Nature? What is time? Is it possible to express the history of the world in formulae? Where is science leading us? These and other provocative questions essential for a deeper understanding of the world are treated here in a refreshing and stimulating manner.

This 1994 book provides a fascinating account of the fast-moving field of lipase research. The contributions, written by active research workers, summarise developments in the field and give access to recent literature. It covers both the lipases proper (triglyceride lipases and the phospholipases. It gives a comprehensive picture of the state of knowledge of these enzymes, with a strong bias towards the fields that are attracting the greatest attention: their detailed molecular structure, their mechanism of action, their position in the evolution of enzymes, and their application both in the laboratory and industry. The book will continue to be of interest to those working in universities, in research institutes and in companies specialising in biotechnology. The book will also be a useful reference book for postgraduate students entering this field of research.

This book provides a comprehensive account of the proteins involved in blood coagulation, fibrinolysis and the complement system. A major section of the book is devoted to each of these three systems, with separate chapters dealing in detail with structural aspects and different functional processes. Topics covered in the blood coagulation section include the activation of factors IX and X and prothrombin, and the formation and stabilisation of fibrin. The fibrinolysis section includes the activation of plasminogen, the degradation of fibrin and the regulation of fibrinolysis. The complement system itself is covered in chapters dealing with classical activation, alternative activation, the lytic complex and the regulatory processes involved. In addition, one section deals with special topics, including the kinin system, signal peptides, haemostasis, and the evolution of protein structure. This volume will be of use to researchers and advanced students in the fields of haematology, immunology and clinical chemistry.