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Mineralizing Vesicles: From Biochemical and Biophysical Properties to Their Roles in Physiology and Disease presents the state-of-the art in the properties of mineralizing EVs and their potential clinical applications. The first chapter presents foundational biochemical and biological aspects of EVs. Next, the title coves the role of EVs in bone ossification and in cardiovascular and cartilage-related diseases. Considering the unique ability of this class of EVs to form apatite minerals assigned to their special biochemical machinery, three chapters of the book then focus on the enzymes catalysing the inorganic phosphate and calcium turn-over and the dynamic properties of the vesicles'peripheral proteins. Chapters describe the role of inorganic phosphate and calcium ions and of autophagy on the biogenesis and function of mineralizing EVs. Recent studies show that the lumen of mineralizing EVs is partially filled with miRNA, and a chapter therefore considers research on the possible function of these vesicles as signalosomes. The final five chapters of the book describe practical aspects of working with mineralizing EVs, including their purification, proteomic and biophysical analyses, the use of biomimetic models and mineralizing EVs in regenerative medicine. This title presents, for the first time, a comprehensive account of mineralizing EVs and their potential clinical applications. It will be invaluable to researchers in the field. • Covers all aspects of mineralizing EVs, from their composition to their function in physiological and pathological processes, and their clinical potential• Presents mineralizing EVs systematically using clear accessible language• Describes practical aspects of working with mineralizing EVs• Integrates an account of the biochemistry and biophysics of vesicles with their functions• Takes a multidisciplinary perspective, offering an exhaustive and cutting-edge account of mineralizing EVs and human health

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is an acellular three-dimensional network composed of proteins, glycoproteins, proteoglycans and exopolysaccharides. It primarily serves as a structural component in the tissues and organs of plants and animals, or forms biofilms in which bacterial cells are embedded. ECMs are highly dynamic structures that undergo continuous remodeling, and disruptions are frequently the result of pathological processes associated with severe diseases such as arteriosclerosis, neurodegenerative illness or cancer. In turn, bacterial biofilms are a source of concern for human health, as they are associated with resistance to antibiotics. Although exopolysaccharides are crucial for ECM formation and function, they have received considerably little attention to date.The respective chapters of this book comprehensively address such issues, and provide reviews on the structural, biochemical, molecular and biophysical properties of exopolysaccharides. These components are abundantly produced by virtually all taxa including bacteria, algae, plants, fungi, invertebrates and vertebrates. They include long unbranched homopolymers (cellulose, chitin/chitosan), linear copolymers (alginate, agarose), peptoglycans such as murein, heteropolymers like a variety of glycosaminoglycans (hyaluronan, dermatan, keratin, heparin, Pel), and branched heteropolymers such as pectin and hemicellulose.A separate chapter is dedicated to modern industrial and biomedical applications of exopolysaccharides and polysaccharide-based biocomposites. Their unique chemical, physical and mechanical properties have attracted considerable interest, inspired basic and applied research, and have already been harnessed to form structural biocomposite hybrids for tailor-made applications in regenerative medicine, bioengineering and biosensor design. Given its scope, this book provides a substantial source of basic and applied information for a wide range of scientists, as well as valuable textbook for graduate and advanced undergraduate students.

Preparative Chromatography for Separation of Proteins addresses a wide range of modeling, techniques, strategies, and case studies of industrial separation of proteins and peptides.• Covers broad aspects of preparative chromatography with a unique combination of academic and industrial perspectives• Presents Combines modeling with compliantce useing of Quality-by-Design (QbD) approaches including modeling• Features a variety of chromatographic case studies not readily accessible to the general public• Represents an essential reference resource for academic, industrial, and pharmaceutical researchers

This volume serves as a valuable handbook for the development of nanomedicines made of polymer nanoparticles because it provides researchers, students, and entrepreneurs with all the material necessary to begin their own projects in this field. Readers will find protocols to prepare polymer nanoparticles using different methods, since these are based on the variety of experiences that experts encounter in the field. In addition, complex topics such as, the optimal characterization of polymer nanoparticles is discussed, as well as practical guidelines on how to formulate polymer nanoparticles into nanomedicines, and how to modify the properties of nanoparticles to give them the different functionalities required to become an efficient nanomedicine for different clinical applications. The book also discusses the translation of technology from research to practice, considering aspects related to industrialization of preparation and aspects of regulatory and clinical development.

This is the second monograph by the author on biological materials of marine origin. The initial book is dedicated to the biological materials of marine invertebrates. This work is a source of modern knowledge on biomineralization, biomimetics and materials science with respect to marine vertebrates. For the first time in scientific literature the author gives the most coherent analysis of the nature, origin and evolution of biocomposites and biopolymers isolated from and observed in the broad variety of marine vertebrate organisms (fish, reptilian, birds and mammals) and within their unique hierarchically organized structural formations. There is a wealth of new and newly synthesized information, including dozens of previously unpublished images of unique marine creatures including extinct, extant and living taxa and their biocomposite-based structures from nano- to micro – and macroscale. This monograph reviews the most relevant advances in the marine biological materials research field, pointing out several approaches being introduced and explored by distinct modern laboratories.

The occurrence of a wide variety of metal-carbon bonds in living organisms, ranging from bacteria to humans, is only recently recognized. Of course, the historical examples are the B12 coenzymes containing cobalt-carbon bonds, but now such bonds are also known for nickel, iron, copper, and other transition metal ions. There is no other comparable book; MILS-6, written by 17 experts, summarizes the most recent insights into this fascinating topic.

This new volume of Methods in Enzymology continues the legacy of this premier serial with quality chapters authored by leaders in the field. This volume covers research methods in biomineralization science, and includes sections on such topics as determining solution chemistry, structure and nucleation; probing structure and dynamics at surfaces; and interfaces mapping biomineral and morphology and ultrastructure. - Continues the legacy of this premier serial with quality chapters authored by leaders in the field - Covers research methods in biomineralization science - Contains sections on such topics as and includes sections on such topics as determining solution chemistry, structure and nucleation; probing structure and dynamics at surfaces; and interfaces mapping biomineral and morphology and ultrastructure

Biological systems have always inspired mankind in the creation of new systems and technologies. In recent years the interface between the biological and non-biological worlds appears increasingly blurred due to significant advances both in our understanding of biological phenomena, as well as the development of sophisticated means to manipulate molecular systems for varied applications. Biomimetics as a distinct discipline shows how biology and biological processes are manifested in diverse aspects of chemistry, physics and engineering. This book aims to methodically describe artificial and synthetic assemblies mimicking biological and living systems - from biomaterials to drug discovery to microelectronics and computer sciences.

In recent years, inorganic polymers have attracted much attention in nano-biomedicine, in particular in the area of regenerative medicine and drug delivery. This growing interest in inorganic polymers has been further accelerated by the development of new synthetic and analytical methods in the field of nanotechnology and nanochemistry. Examples for biomedical inorganic polymers that had been proven to exhibit biomedical effects and/or have been applied in preclinical or clinical trials are polysilicate / silica glass (such as naturally formed “biosilica” and synthetic “bioglass”) and inorganic polyphosphate. Some members of the mentioned biomedical inorganic polymers have already been applied e.g. as “bioglass” for bone repair and bone tissue engineering, or they are used in food processing and in dental care (inorganic polyphosphates). However, there are a number of further biological and medicinal properties of these polymers, which have been elucidated in the last few years but not yet been applied for treatment of humans. In addition to polysilicates and polyphosphate, there are a series of other inorganic polymers including polyarsenate and polyvanadate, whose biological / biomedical properties have been only marginally studied so far. Moreover, the combined application of inorganic polymers and organic polymeric molecules (formation of organic-inorganic hybrid materials) provides a variety of new materials with novel property combinations and diverse applications in nanomedicine. The planned book summarizes the present state of knowledge on a large group of inorganic polymers that had hitherto been mainly considered with regard to their chemistry but not comprehensively reviewed with respect to their potential biomedical applications.

Phosphorylated Extracellular Matrix Proteins of Bone and Dentin is the second volume of the e-book series Frontiers between Science and Clinic in Odontology. The phosphorylated proteins of the extracellular matrix of bone and teeth play a crucial structural role in the two tissues. They also act as signaling molecules. Phosphorylated extracellular matrix proteins have been implicated in nucleation and mineralization of skeletal tissues. This e-book covers research on these specific proteins, including details about the cells producing these molecules, their impact on bone and teeth pathology (osteogenesis and dentinogenesis imperfecta) and the potential of these molecules in promoting of inhibiting mineralization. This e-book also explains processes under the control of some enzymes - TNAP and metalloproteases (MMPs) - such as intracellular regulation in bone and dentine, splicing, respective roles of cleavage products, SIBLINGs, nucleation and crystal growth and regulation. This second volume serves as a valuable reference to practicing odontologists, biology and biomaterials scientists and tissue engineers interested in protein research related to tooth and bone formation.

Why have another book in the bone-calcium field? When the idea was first raised that this important area of biomedical research should be given more attention in the review literature, we felt that comprehensive texts recently published and in press were directed at more general audiences and did not address in detail some of the important areas of current investigation. As this field has grown and matured, information has accumulated at such a rapid rate that it has become impossible to keep abreast of all areas by reading the original articles in the scientific literature. Accordingly, we believed there was a void which could be filled by a collection of essays on specific topics in which significant progress had recently been made. Thus, this book is meant to be an up-to-date account of specific topics by investi­ gators at the forefront of their areas of research. We have tried to review major areas of basic science in the field which have an impact on our understanding of the diseases of bone and mineral. We hope that you will agree that the authors have done an outstanding job, and will find the volume as stimulating to read as we have. San Antonio, TX, USA GREGORY R. MUNDY Melbourne, Australia T. JOHN MARTIN Spring 1993 Contents CHAPTER 1 Calcium Homeostasis A. M. PARFITI. With 12 Figures 1 A. Introduction and Scope..................................... 1 B. Concepts of Homeostasis................................... 3 C. Extracellular Fluid Free Calcium: The Controlled Variable......

This book is an introduction to the emerging field of nanomedicine and its applications to health care. It describes the many multidisciplinary challenges facing nanomedicine and discusses the required collaboration between chemists, physicists, engineers and clinicians. The book introduces the reader to nanomedicine's vast potential to improve and extend human life through the application of nanomaterials in diagnosis and treatment of disease.

Extensively revised and updated, the new edition of the highly regarded Handbook of Proteolytic Enzymes is an essential reference for biochemists, biotechnologists and molecular biologists. Edited by world-renowned experts in the field, this comprehensive work provides detailed information on all known proteolytic enzymes to date. This two-volume set unveils new developments on proteolytic enzymes which are being investigatedin pharmaceutical research for such diseases as HIV, Hepatitis C, and the common cold. Volume I covers aspartic and metallo petidases while Volume II examines peptidases of cysteine, serine, threonine and unknown catalytic type. A CD-ROM accompanies the book containing fully searchable text, specialised scissile bond searches, 3-D color structures and much more. - The only comprehensive book on proteolytic enzymes - Includes 671 chapters, each written by experts in their field, on proteolytic enzymes from all groups of living organisms and the viruses, including those that are currently major targets of pharmaceutical research - Accompanying CD-ROM provides fully searchable text, 2D structures of peptidases in color and links directly to PubMed and MEROPS databases - Each chapter describes in detail the enzyme name, its history, activity and specificity, structural chemistry, preparation, biological aspects and distinguishing features - Over 1000 peptidases included

The use of thermodynamics in biological research can be equated to an energy book-keeping system. While the structure and function of a molecule is important, it is equally important to know what drives the energy force. These methods look to answer: What are the sources of energy that drive the function? Which of the pathways are of biological significance? As the base of macromolecular structures continues to expand through powerful techniques of molecular biology, such as X-ray crystal data and spectroscopy methods, the importance of tested and reliable methods for answering these questions will continue to expand as well. This volume presents sophisticated methods for estimating the thermodynamic parameters of specific protein-protein, protein-DNA and small molecule interactions. - Elucidates the relationships between structure and energetics and their applications to molecular design, aiding researchers in the design of medically important molecules - Provides a'must-have'methods volume that keeps MIE buyers and online subscribers up-to-date with the latest research - Offers step-by-step lab instructions, including necessary equipment, from a global research community

Biomineralization is a hot topic in the area of materials, and this volume in the Metals Ions in Life Sciences series takes a systematic approach, dealing with all aspects from the fundamentals to applications. Key biological features of biomineralization, such as gene directed growth and the role of enzymes are covered, as are new areas, including copper/zinc in the jaws of invertebrates or magnetic biomaterials that help birds with navigation

Virtually any disease that results from malfunctioning, damaged, or failing tissues may be potentially cured through regenerative medicine therapies, by either regenerating the damaged tissues in vivo, or by growing the tissues and organs in vitro and implanting them into the patient. Principles of Regenerative Medicine discusses the latest advances in technology and medicine for replacing tissues and organs damaged by disease and of developing therapies for previously untreatable conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, liver disease, and renal failure.• Key for all researchers and instituions in Stem Cell Biology, Bioengineering, and Developmental Biology• The first of its kind to offer an advanced understanding of the latest technologies in regenerative medicine• New discoveries from leading researchers on restoration of diseased tissues and organs

This book follows a precursor volume devoted to biological calci?cation, - sued by the CRC Press, Boca Raton (Florida) in 1992. Several basic aspects of the calci?cation process were analyzed in it by outstanding authors who had unquestioned competence in their respective research areas. Its main aim was that of giving readers access to a series of papers which, even though they discussed divergent aspects of biological calci?cations drawn from the study of systems as different as vertebrate skeletons and mollusks, in vitro cultures and unicellular organisms, ectopic calci?cation and urinary stones, provided elements permitting a coherent approach to a comprehensive view of the calci?cation process in biological tissues. Now, almost 15 years after the publication of that book, a great variety of new data from a wide spectrum of biological organisms and systems has enriched our knowledge of the normal and pathological mechanisms which can lead to calci?cation. Even so, this whole process is still problematic: the new knowledge, concepts and ideas have often suggested that a de?nitive solution was close at hand, but the local mechanism through which the inorganic substance is laid down in organic matrices continues to be an elusive, largely enigmatic topic.

Handbook of Proteolytic Enzymes, Second Edition, Volume 1: Aspartic and Metallo Peptidases is a compilation of numerous progressive research studies on proteolytic enzymes. This edition is organized into two main sections encompassing 328 chapters. This handbook is organized around a system for the classification of peptidases, which is a hierarchical one built on the concepts of catalytic type, clan, family and peptidase. The concept of catalytic type of a peptidase depends upon the chemical nature of the groups responsible for catalysis. The recognized catalytic types are aspartic, cysteine, metallo, serine, threonine, and the unclassified enzymes, while clans and families are groups of homologous peptidases. Homology at the level of a family of peptidases is shown by statistically significant relationship in amino acid sequence to a representative member called the type example, or to another member of the family that has already been shown to be related to the type example. Each chapter discusses the history, activity, specificity, structural chemistry, preparation, and biological aspects of the enzyme. This book will prove useful to enzyme chemists and researchers.

From the simple discovery in 1962 that resorbing tadpole tail expressed an enzyme (MMP) that could degrade collagen gels, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) research has advanced to discover more than twenty distinct vertebrate MMPs and four specific inhibitors (TIMPS), a veritable family of enzymes involved in many physiological and pathological processes. In Matrix Metalloproteinase Protocols, leading experts detail proven laboratory techniques for the study of MMPs. The methods include those for the expression and purification of MMPs and TIMPs, for the detection of MMPs and TIMPs at both the protein and mRNA levels, and for the assay of MMP and TIMP activities in a wide variety of circumstances. Each method includes step-by-step instructions and notes on variant applications and pitfalls to avoid. A selective overview of the MMP arena spells out where the field has been, where it is, and where it is going. Comprehensive and highly practical, Matrix Metalloproteinase Protocols brings together the long and hard-earned experience of master experimentalists that will allow not only novices to get up to speed quickly, but also add to the repertoire of successful techniques in expert laboratories.

International Review of Cytology presents current advances and comprehensive reviews in cell biology-both plant and animal. Articles address structure and control of gene expression, nucleocytoplasmic interactions, control of cell development and differentiation, and cell transformation and growth. Authored by some of the foremost scientists in the field, each volume provides up-to-date information and directions for future research. - Transport of Glucose across the Blood-Tissue Barriers - The Role of Suppressors in Determining Host-Parasite Specificities in Plant Cells - Distribution and Functions of Platelet-Derived Growth Factors and Their Receptors during Embryogenesis - Adaptive Crystal Formation in Normal and Pathological Calcifications in Synthetic Calcium Phosphate and Related Biomaterials - The Biogenesis, Traffic, and Function of Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator - Regulation of Phenylpropanoid Metabolism in Relation to Legnin Biosynthesis in Plants

Metabolic Bone Disease, Third Edition is the new, expanded edition of the classic text, featuring the latest advancements and research information in this fast-moving field. The Third Edition includes the most up-to-date information on molecular mechanisms, basic biology, pathophysiology, and diagnosis and management strategies of metabolic bone disease. - Edited by'fathers of the field'- An expanded version of a classic AP text - Complete coverage of a fast-growing field

The Many Faces of RNA is the subject for the eighth SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals Research Symposia. It highlights a rapidly developing area of scientific investigation. The style and format are deliberately designed to promote in-depth presentations and discussions and to facilitate the forging of collaborations between academic and industrial partners.This symposium focuses on several of the many fundamental, advancing strategies for exploring RNA and its functions. It emphasizes the interplay between biology, chemistry, genomics, and molecular biology which is leading to exciting new insights and avenues of investigation. The book explores RNA as a therapeutic target, RNA as a tool, RNA and its interactions, along with chemical, computational, and structural investigations.