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In this brief the authors introduce a series of recently developed bio-based solvents including cyclopentyl methyl ether (CPME), γ-valerolactone (GVL), 2-methyl tetrahydrofuran (2-MeTHF), propylene carbonate (PC), and cyrene. Traditional organic solvents used for organic synthesis (such as benzene, ether, chloroform) have a series drawbacks on toxicity, environmental impact, and safely related issues. In addition, the fossil fuel-derived organic solvents are not sustainable. Therefore the development of biorenewable solvents is a topic of current interest. For each of the solvents, their production, toxicity profile, renewable pathway, and their utility in organic synthesis, biosynthesis, and separation processes is discussed. The target audiences of this book are organic and medicinal chemists with interests in using green solvents. It can also be used as a reference for undergraduate and graduate courses related to organic and green chemistry.

In recent years, biotechnology research and development (R&D) in China has been receiving increasing attention from the world. With the open-door policy of the Chinese government, many international publications (for academia) and large market potential (for industry) constitute the two big reasons for the above phen- enon. Biotechnology has become one of the priorities in Mainland China for so- ing many important problems, such as food supply, health care, environment protection, and even energy. The central government has been implementing a c- ple of programs which cover a wide spectrum in basic research, high-tech devel- ment and industrialization, such as Basic Research Program (973 Plan), Hi-Tech R&D Program (863 Plan), Key Science & Technology Problem Solving Program (Gong-guan Plan), as well as the establishment of centers of excellence - Key Laboratories and Engineering Centers, etc. The funding from various local gove- ments and industry for R&D has also been increasing continuously. Biotechnology centers in Shenzhen, Shanghai and Beijing have been established. There are more than 400 universities, research institutes and companies and a total of over 20,000 researchers involved in biotechnology in the Mainland. The number of research papers published internationally and patent applications is also increasing rapidly. In addition, the huge market potential with about 1. 4 billion population, which is already open to the outside world, has provided numerous opportunities for int- national and domestic companies to invest in biotechnology, which pushes forward the biotechnology industrialization in China.

The 2nd edition of this book adds 8 new contributors to reflect a modern cutting edge approach to genomics. The expanded scope includes coverage of statistical issues on single nucleotide polymorphism analysis array, CGH analysis, SAGE analysis, gene shaving and related methods for microarray data analysis, and cross-hybridization issues on oligo arrays. The authors of the 17 original chapters have updated the contents of their chapters, including references, on such topics as the development of novel engineering, statistical and computational principles, as well as methods, models, and tools from these disciplines applied to genomics.

Microarray technology provides researchers in the life sciences with a revolutionary tool for measuring gene expression. However, this highly developed process involves multiple steps, from sample selection to data analysis, each susceptible to potentially costly errors. Without sound quality control, experimental microarrays may produce useless or, even worse, misleading results. Microarray Quality Control provides a comprehensive resource for ensuring quality control in every step of this complex process. From experimental design to data processing, analysis, and interpretation, the emphasis in this text remains on practical advice for each stage of planning and running a microarray study. Chapters cover: • Quality of biological samples • Quality of DNA • Hybridization protocols Scanning • Data acquisition • Image analysis • Data analysis Written for the broad group of workers-biologists, mathematicians, statisticians, engineers, physicians, and computational scientists-involved in microarray studies, Microarray Quality Control features a straightforward style easily accessed by various disciplines. Useful checklists and tips help ensure the integrity of results, and each chapter contains a thorough review of pertinent literature. The only complete, systematic treatment of the topic available, Microarray Quality Control offers students and practitioners an invaluable resource for improving experimental quality and efficiency.