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Looking to prevent future outbreaks of deadly pathogens by early detection? Infectious diseases continue to be a challenge that necessitates increased precision in detection and integration to achieve accurate diagnosis at the point of care (PoC). Field-effect transistors (FETs) have been investigated widely as biosensors for pathogen detection, with advantages such as label-free and real-time detection capabilities. These biosensors have: a high level of sensitivity, a remarkable capacity for miniaturization, a molecular minimum limit of detection (LoD), and seamless integration with semiconductor technologyIn this title, we have invited expert scientific researchers to share their experience in this field. This book focuses on the application and possibility of FETs as biosensors, for rapid and real time detection of pathogens that affect human life. The lack of commercially available efficient devices that can be deployed for this task resulted in the recent global spread of the SARS-CoV-19 virus. The book is an attempt to keep interested parties up to date. Aimed at scientists and engineers (researchers, academics, and postgraduate students) who are interested in developing and using BioFET based sensors, the information in this book is crucial to help prevent future outbreaks of pathogens which bring with them significant impacts on human health and wellbeing.

Volatile biomarkers play a significant signalling role in communication between biological cells living as individual entities or as mini-societies that sense, respond and adapt to changes in their environment. In this process, volatile biomarkers can leak into the blood, from which they can be secreted into most body fluids (blood, breath, skin, urine, saliva, feces, etc.), from which sensing devices can capture and interpret their chemical fingerprint to reflect any association with health disorders in a fast, easy, and minimally non-invasive manner. This book introduces the concept of biomarkers within the body in terms of basic and translational sciences. It starts with a comprehensive review of the expression and mechanistic pathways involving volatile biomarkers at single cell and (micro)organism levels, cell-to-cell and cell-to-organism communications, and their secretion into body fluids. It discusses several ways for discovering and detecting the secreted biomarkers using mass spectrometry and other spectroscopic techniques. This is followed by an appraisal and translation of the accumulating knowledge from the laboratory to the Point-of-Care phase, using selective sensors as well as desktop and wearable artificial sensing devices, e.g., electronic noses and electronic skins, in conjugation with AI-assisted data processing and healthcare decision-making in diagnostics. The book offers an outlook into the challenges in the continuing development of volatile biomarkers and their wider availability to healthcare, which can be substantially improved. It should appeal to research groups in universities, start-up and large-scale industries associated in all aspects of biomedicine.

Formulation is a key step in the drug design process, where the active drug is combined with other substances that maximise the therapeutic potential, safety, and stability of the final medicinal product. Regulatory and quality demands, in addition to advances in processing technologies, result in growing challenges as well as possibilities for the field. Following on from Pharmaceutical Formulation, which covered traditional dosage forms such as tablets and capsules, this volume expands upon those formulations to cover a more diverse range of less common dosage forms. Novel routes of administration are covered from inhalational, dermal and transdermal formulations to ocular, oral suspensions, vaccines and nanoparticle drug delivery. The methods through which these formulations are processed and manufactured is also covered, providing essential knowledge to ensure quality, efficiency, and acceptable costing. Specialised Pharmaceutical Formulation is an essential, up to date resource for students and researchers working in academia and in the pharmaceutical industry and will equip readers with the ability to effectively and reliably produce products which can be approved, manufactured and made available to administer to patients.

This book gathers, in a single resource, knowledge about matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation (MALDI) mass spectrometry imaging. It includes fundamentals in the MALDI ionisation process, different source geometries and capabilities, detection systems and the latest research and applications in the range of –omics area as well as other broader areas. Chapters will touch on dedicated sample preparation protocols specific for the class of compounds of interest, instrumentation used with strengths and current limitations, strategies for structural analysis and identification and applications. It will be a welcomed addition to the literature in this fast-moving field and provide a guide to new innovations and applications especially in metabolomics and proteomics. With contributions from leading experts, this book will be an authoritative guide to this method. Aimed at postgraduate and professional researchers, in academia and in the industrial market where it has direct application to clinical research. It will be a supporting volume for those just entering the field as well as experienced practitioners.

Formulation is a key step in the drug design process, where the active drug is combined with other substances that maximise the therapeutic potential, safety and stability of the final medicinal product. Modern formulation science deals with biologics as well as small molecules. Regulatory and quality demands, in addition to advances in processing technologies, result in growing challenges as well as possibilities for the field. Pharmaceutical Formulation provides an up to date source of information for all who wish to understand the principles and practice of formulation in the drug industry. The book provides an understanding of the links between formulation theory and the practicalities of processing in a commercial environment, giving researchers the knowledge to produce effective pharmaceutical products that can be approved and manufactured. The first chapters introduce readers to different dosage forms, including oral liquid products, topical products and solid dosage forms such as tablets and capsules. Subsequent chapters cover pharmaceutical coatings, controlled release drug delivery and dosage forms designed specifically for paediatric and geriatric patients. The final chapter provides an introduction to the vital role intellectual property plays in drug development. Covering modern processing methods and recent changes in the regulatory and quality demands of the industry, Pharmaceutical Formulation is an essential, up to date resource for students and researchers working in academia and in the pharmaceutical industry.

Drug misuse and dependence is an ever evolving field of study, which has exploded over recent years owing to the advent of the internet. Due to the ever-growing number of young people using drugs recreationally and the privatisation of drug screening and detection services, there is the need to disseminate evidence-based information concerning the technology and methods available for studying this expanding field. Detection of Drug Misuse describes the current state-of-the-art techniques used for identifying and confirming drug misuse as well as recent advances in biomarkers, instrumentation and analysis methodology. The title discusses both recreational and designer drugs, including non-addictive and addictive drugs. This book is a useful and fascinating resource for healthcare professionals working in the field of drug misuse as well as academics and postgraduates researching within analytical, chromatography, medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry; drug metabolism; addiction science; and forensic toxicology, science and medicine.

There has been significant expansion and development in clinical laboratory sciences and, in particular, metrological concepts, definitions and terms since the previous edition of this book was published in 1995. It is of prime importance to standardize laboratory reports for reliable exchange of patient examination data without loss of meaning or accuracy. New disciplines have appeared and the interrelationships between different disciplines within clinical laboratory sciences demand a common structure and language for data exchange, in the laboratory and with the clinicians, necessitating additional coverage in this book. These new sections will be based upon recommendations published by various national, regional, and international bodies especially IUPAC and IFCC. This book groups and updates the recommendations and will be appropriate for laboratory scientists, medical professionals and students in this area.