The understanding, at the molecular level, of the interactions between innate and adaptive arms of the immune system is currently a hot topic, particularly to those interested in immunology - especially susceptibility to infectious diseases. This book provides a survey of topics, in the area of innate and adaptive immunity, which have been researched within the MRC Immunochemistry Unit, at Oxford University, over a period of forty years. The topics include: " antibody structure - for which the first Director of the Immunochemistry Unit, Professor RR Porter, was awarded a Nobel prize in 1972 " the characterization of membrane proteins on lymphoid cells - leading to the concept of these molecules belonging to an immunoglobulin super family " the proteins of the human serum complement system - one of the body's major defences against microbial infection " the human cell -surface integrins and the hyaluronan- binding proteins, which are involved in regulation of inflammation at cell surfaces and within the extracellular matrix " the family of collectin molecules - containing distinct globular carbohydrate -binding domains linked to collagen-like regions - which play important roles in innate immunity in the lungs and bloodstream by immediate recognition and clearance of microbial pathogens Each chapter in the book gives a brief historical background to a topic and then provides a survey of recent advances in the field and are written by internationally recognised renowned experts. The theme running through the chapters is that of protein structure-function relationships - including, amongst others, descriptions of quaternary structures of large oligomeric proteins, of Factor H and C1q binding to specific ligands, and of the chemistry of the mechanism of catalysis of covalent binding of activated C3 and C4 proteins to nucleophilic groups on microbial surfaces. In several chapters excellent descriptions are given with respect to how the immune system can be recruited to combat microbial infection - via proteins of both the innate and adaptive immune systems. The book also includes notable chapters which are excellent examples of the importance of how the isolation, characterisation, protein engineering and crystallisation has resulted in a full understanding of complex protein-protein interactions involved in the recognition and triggering events of important sections of the immune system: -Structure and Function of the C1 Complex - GUrard J. Arlaud -Chemical Engineering of Therapeutic Antibodies - George T Stevenson -Leukocyte surface proteins - purification and characterisation - A. Neil Barclay -Cell Surface Integrins - Suet-Mien Tan and S.K. Alex Law This book is aimed primarily at established senior research scientists, postdoctoral research scientists and PhD students who have an interest in proteins of the immune system. However, the wide range of immunity system topics, while staying broadly within innate/adaptive immunity will also appeal to a wider audience.

This title is a comprehensive text that addresses key aspects of nanomedicine such as properties occurring at the nanoscale that have unique medical effects, great molecular knowledge of the human body and disease processes, and apparent clinical translation as opposed to narrow insufficient texts that address only a few topics and attempt to "rebrand" established drug delivery. It will clearly define the field which is needed due to the immaturity and broad nature of the field. The book is aligned with both the USA and European roadmaps for nanomedicine and will address initiatives taken in Asia that ensures timely and relevant content. In-depth chapters ensure each section is adequately covered. The nanopharmaceutical section focuses on novel drug delivery systems relevant to nanomedicine and the book has an extensive section on immune recognition at the nanoscale which has implications for in vivo applications of nanomedicines.

This title is a comprehensive text that addresses key aspects of nanomedicine such as properties occurring at the nanoscale that have unique medical effects, great molecular knowledge of the human body and disease processes, and apparent clinical translation as opposed to narrow insufficient texts that address only a few topics and attempt to "rebrand" established drug delivery. It will clearly define the field which is needed due to the immaturity and broad nature of the field. The book is aligned with both the USA and European roadmaps for nanomedicine and will address initiatives taken in Asia that ensures timely and relevant content. In-depth chapters ensure each section is adequately covered. The nanopharmaceutical section focuses on novel drug delivery systems relevant to nanomedicine and the book has an extensive section on immune recognition at the nanoscale which has implications for in vivo applications of nanomedicines.