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The first two chapters of this invaluable book trace the developments of the chemistry and macromolecular structures, respectively, of proteins and nuclei acids. Similarly, the introductions to the succeeding chapters review, step by step, the historical landmarks in the topics covered. These include discoveries of biological phosphate esters, nucleotides and nucleotide coenzymes (important in intermediary metabolism), the nature of the genetic material and biological synthesis of proteins, formulation of the problem of the genetic code, and perspectives on bioenergetics.The selected papers illustrate the developments of the chemical synthesis of nucleotides and nucleotide coenzymes of ribo- and deoxy-ribo-polynucleotides (RNA, DNA), of the total synthesis of genes in the laboratory, and principles for gene amplification (PCR). Another major section covers studies of enzymes that degrade nucleic acids, the structure of transfer RNA and its role in protein synthesis, and the author's work on the elucidation of the genetic code. Finally, there are descriptions of the studies on biological membranes and the membrane protein bacteriorhodopsin, a biological proton pump. These studies elucidated the mechanism of proton translocation, which is central to bioenergetics.

There is no doubt about the importance of hydration in many areas of every day life, technology, biology, medicine, science etc. During the last years many investigations have been carried out upon problems of hydration and a large amount of experimental and theoretical data has been obtained by the application of different methods. One effi­ cient possibility to stimulate progress in scientific problems is to come together and discuss existing results and ideas. This was the aim of the 35th Bunsenkolloquium and a subsequent seminar held in Marburg, FRG from April 2 -4, 1987 with respect to the'Interaction of Water in Ionic and Nonionic Hydrates'. The meeting was attended by more than one hundred participants from 25 countries. It will be seen from the content of the chapters in this book, which comprises the introductory papers and more or less extended abstracts of research seminars, that it was possible not only to stress the advantages and disadvantages of each method, but also to show how information gained by one method can complement the results of another one in order to increase our overall understanding of hydration pheno­ mena. The papers are divided into sections concerning the hydration of: ions, nonionic substances, biological and macromolecular substances, surfactants as well as a section containing methods, models and theo­ ries, which may stimulate investigations on hydrations.

Four years ago The Blue Light Syndrome was published as the Proceed­ ings of the 1 st International Conference on the Effect of Blue Light in Plants and Microorganisms. Subsequently the interest in this fascinating and growing field of re­ search has further increased, as is reflected by numerous publications. Blue light effects cover such a wide spectrum of organisms, responses and methods that communication among scientists with backgrounds in biology, biochemistry, and biophysics is particularly necessary. These facts not only justified, but demanded calling the'Blue Light Family'together again. In spite of many fmancial problems, the second confer­ ence attracted 113 active members from 19 countries. The 2nd International Conference on The Effect of Blue Light in Plants and Microorganisms was held in July 1984, like the first at the University of Marburg. The organizer could again rely on the help of the International Advisory Committee (W. Briggs, Stanford; M. Furuya, Tokyo; J. Gressel, Rehovot; S. Miyachi, Tokyo; W. Rau, Miinchen; J. Schiff, Waltham; P.-S. Song, Lubbock). The very generous financial as­ sistance from the DFG and the support of the Philipps-Universitat Mar­ burg and its Sonderforschungsbereich'Zellenergetik and Zelldifferen­ zierung'were the prerequisites to organizing the conference. The present book consists of 56 original papers. The partitioning into eight chapters is always a problem. The grouping of different aspects of the papers into these chapters has not always been obvious, so that one or the other contribution could possibly fit in another chapter.

It is common practice to publish conference papers in books or monograph series. This gives some advantage to those who did not have the opportunity to attend the meetings, but it irritates and disappoints others who may have hoped for a set of closely related reviews. With this book we have tried to find a compromise. It presents a selection from the topics which have been discussed in a series of inter­ national symposia entitled'Biophysics of Cell Surface', held in 1976, 1978, 1981, 1985 and 1988 in the GDR, and subsequently published in the journal STUDIA BIOPHYSICA (volumes 56, 74, 90, 110, 1271. Nearly all the contributors to this book participated in one or more of the meetings. We hope that our choice of topics selected for this book manages to reflect the variety and interest of the broad range of subjects which fall within the scope of membrane biophysics, without taking on the randomness of a scientific car-boot sale. We would like to express our thanks to all colleagues and organ~ isations who helped to realize the conferences and particularly this book. financial support for the symposia of 1985 and 1988 was provided by the IUPAB. A number of topics, reflected in this book, resulted in internat­ ional cooperations, supported by various organisations. We are especially grateful for the support of UNESCO research project on biophysicS in this respect. The European Bureau (ROSTE) of UNESCO supported the editorial work of this book.

The relatively simple, stratified nature of the retina and its spe- fied use in the visual process has long made it an inviting tissue to study both for its own sake and as a model for the more complex processes of the brain. For these dual purposes, the retina can be thought of as basically consisting of two functional pans. First, the outer retina, comprised of the photoreceptor cells and attendant pigment epithelium, serves to capture the photic energy and convert it into a neurochemical response. Second, the inner layers of the retina, mainly bipolar, amacrine and ganglion cells (and their attendant Maller cells), function more clearly as a typical part of the CNS, transmitting the photic signals to the brain. Between the 8th and 12th of August 1988 more than seventy scientists from allover the world gathered in Oldenburg (Federal Republic of Gennany) for a meeting'The neurobiology of the inner retina'which was devoted entirely to the neural mechanism of the inner synaptic layer of the verte­ brate retina. The meeting comprised twenty - three separate lectures and four specially arranged discussion groups. In addition, a number of posters were displayed and a period was allotted specifically for the discussion of these posters. The articles contained in this book will serve as a record of the papers delivered at the Oldenburg Meeting and illustrate the advances made in trying to understand the importance of the diversity of amacrine cell morphology and physiology in retinal function.

1995, 1997a; NOlting, 1996). This new method allows fast processes that would normally be hidden in kinetic studies to be revealed. Of course, the range of applicability of fast kinetic methods is far wider than that presented. Thus, everybody working in the fields of fast chemical reactions and physical changes, such as conformational isomerizations, enzyme kinetics and enzyme mechanisms, might see the book as a useful introduction. The framework that is provided for the readers is the notion that the quantitation of kinetic rate constants and the visualization of protein structures along the folding pathway will lead to an understanding of function and mechanism and will aid the understanding of important biological processes and disease states through detailed mechanistic knowledge. Numerous figures provide useful information not easily found elsewhere, and the book includes copious references to original research papers, relevant reviews and monographs. My work at Cambridge University and the Medical Research Council was supported by a European Union Human Capital and Mobility Fellowship and a Medical Research Council Fellowship. I gratefully acknowledge Prof. Dr. Alan R. Fersht for the interest in our work on fast folding reactions. NMR measurements on peptides of barstar were done by Dr. Jose L. Neira and Dr. Andres S. Soler­ Gonzalez. The work at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign was supported by NIH grant GM31756. Prof. Dr. Steven G. Sligar is particularly acknowledged for his support of acoustic relaxation experiments and many fruitful discussions.

During the past decade there has been a dramatic expansion of our knowledge on phospholipases in general, and phospholipase A2 (PLA2) in particular. Progress in this field has been evident on many fronts, with novel information rapidly accumulating in the literature regarding the chemistry and molecular biology of this enzyme and its role in many important physiological processes. These include cellular signal transduction via the G-protein cycle, and in the generation of many cellular mediators, such as the platelet activating factor (PAF) and the eicosanoids that participate in the initiation and propagation of inflammation, to mention a few. This symposium was organized to obtain an overview of current investigations on this enzyme from the standpoint of its chemistry, molecular biology and physiology. Another important focus of this symposium concerns the regulation of PLA2, including endogenous and synthetic inhibitors and activators of this enzyme. To review these important areas in PLA2 research we invited scientists who made significant contributions in this field. The papers in this volume are organized to emphasize the recent advances in several areas of investigation, including: (I) the structure and mechanism of action of PLA2, (2) mechanism of activation of PLA2, (3) molecular biology, physiology and endogenous inhibitors of this enzyme and finally, (4) clinical investigations emphasizing the pathophysiological role of this enzyme in human diseases. The first article in this volume is by Dr.

Modern Methods of Plant Analysis When the handbook Modern Methods of Plant Analysis was first introduced in 1954 the considerations were: 1. the dependence of scientific progress in biology on the improvement of existing and the introduction of new methods; 2. the difficulty in finding many new analytical methods in specialized journals which are normally not accessible to experimental plant biologists; 3. the fact that in the methods sections of papers the description of methods is frequently so compact, or even sometimes so incomplete that it is difficult to reproduce experiments. These considerations still stand today. The series was highly successful, seven volumes appearing between 1956 and 1964. Since there is still today a demand for the old series, the publisher has decided to resume publication of Modern Methods of Plant Analysis. It is hoped that the New Series will be just as acceptable to those working in plant sciences and related fields as the early volumes undoubtedly were. It is difficult to single out the major reasons for success of any publication, but we believe that the methods published in the first series were up-to-date at the time and presented in a way that made description, as applied to plant material, complete in itself with little need to consult other publications. Contributing authors have attempted to follow these guidelines in this New Series of volumes.

This book contains the invited papers of the interdisciplinary workshop on'Stochastic Nonlinear Systems in Physics, Chemistry and Biology'held at the Center for Interdisciplinary Research (ZIF), University of Bielefeld, West Germany, October 5-11, 1980. The workshop brought some 25 physicists, chemists, and biologists - who deal with stochastic phenomena - and about an equal number of mathematicians - who are experts in the theory of stochastic processes - together. The Scientific Commitee consisted of L. Arnold (Bremen), A. Dress (Bielefeld), W. Horsthemke (Brussels), T. Kurtz (Madison), R. Lefever (Brussels), G. Nicolis (Brussels), and V. Wihstutz (Bremen). The main topics of the workshop were the transition from deterministic to stoch­ astic behavior, external noise and noise induced transitions, internal fluctuations, phase transitions, and irreversible thermodynamics, and on the mathematical side, approximation of stochastic processes, qualitative theory of stochastic systems, and space-time processes. The workshop was sponsored by ZIF, Bielefeld, and by the Universities of Bremen and Brussels. We would like to thank the staff of ZIF and H. Crauel and M. Ehrhardt (Bremen) for the perfect organization and their assistance. In addition, our thanks go to Professor H. Haken for having these Proceedings included in the Se­ ries in Synergetics. Bremen and Brussels L. Arnold and R. Lefever December 1980 v Contents Part I. Introduction: From Deterministic to Stochastic Behavior On the Foundations of Kinetic Theory By B. Misr~ and I. Prigogine (With 1 Figure)..............................

`In contrast to common practice, we have always tried to include as many discussions held at the meeting in our proceedings as possible, so as to enable readers to properly evaluate each paper presented, as well as to learn of future prospects in this field of research. Although the policy of including discussions occasions a long publication delay, we believe that it is worth repeating in our future publication, as we have met a number of young investigators fascinated by the discussions in our proceedings.... In the concluding remarks in this volume, Dr. Hugh E. Huxley, a principal architect of the sliding filament mechanism of muscle contraction, states that the molecular mechanism of myofilament sliding remains mysterious to all of us. We hope that this volume will stimulate muscle investigators to design and perform novel experiments to clarify the mysteries in muscle contraction.'Haruo Sugi and Gerald H. Pollack, excerpted from the Preface.

On three occasions and at different locations, conferences were held to honor the eightieth birthday of Professor Herbert Frohlich: on the 18th December, 1985, in Liverpool, England; on the 14th February, 1986, in Stuttgart, Germany; and on the 8th March, 1986, on the Palm Coast, Florida. This Festschrift is a compilation of the papers of those conferences. Frohlich's choice of problems, from the earliest days, was couched in the phy­ sics of intrinsically interacting systems of excitation. One example, in which he set the course of research which is still followed, concerned dielectric breakdown, developed from the 1930's over several decades. The interacting systems are the electrons (receiving energy from an electric field) and lattice atom motion (taking energy from the electrons via'electron-phonon'interaction, hence heat dissipa­ tion). There is a threshold field above which the latter cannot keep up with the former, and the combined system (electrons plus phonons)'runs away'; that is to say, collectively it switches to a new state.

Advances in Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry, Volume 8, presents five papers covering topics that range from biochemical aspects of the genetics of the various mutants of the fruit fly Drosophila to the physiological, biophysical, and biochemical mechanisms in diving animals. The first study on the biochemistry and genetics of purine metabolism in Drosophila melanogaster examines purine nucleotide biosynthesis and interconversion, catabolism of purines, genetics of catabolic enzymes, and purine auxotrophy. The second study on central nervous system regulation of pituitary melanocyte-stimulating hormone presents experiments with amphibians, reptiles, and mammals that test nervous-neuroendocrine control of MSS release. The third study examines the comparative physiology of calcium regulation in submammalian vertebrates, including fishes, amphibians, and birds. The fourth study looks at the cerebellum of fishes. The final paper deals with the comparative physiology of diving in vertebrates. The book will be useful to biologists given their appreciation of functional biological principles, as well as a reference tool for specialists.

This book focuses on the various invasive and non-invasive techniques which can be used for the characterization of starch macromolecules along with, the various types of physical, chemical, and enzymatic modifications of starch to enhance its usage in the food industry. It discusses various biophysical techniques, including scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman scattering, and second harmonic generation microscopy for the understanding of the Physico-chemical properties of starch. The book also sheds light on the visual, rheological characterization of different types of starches that are responsible for altered digestibility. The chapters also cover the applications of starch in food industries, non-food industries, pharmaceuticals, drug delivery systems, and green flexible electronics. Towards the end, the book reviews the chemical, physical, and enzymatic modifications of the starch for improving its properties and applications. This book provides a valuable reference for students and researchers in the field of food science and technology, food science, and nutrition.

Modern research in biology increasingly relies on multiple techniques for describing structures and mechanisms. This book provides an overview of the contemporary integrated biology approaches for solving structures and understanding mechanisms of complex biological systems. It includes several methodology chapters discussing the current developments in the areas of cryo-electron microscopy (EM) and cryo-electron tomography (ET), computational biophysics, solution NMR spectroscopy, solid-state NMR spectroscopy and dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), (photo-)chemically induced dynamic nuclear polarization (CIDNP), X-ray crystallography and small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering (SAXS/SANS). Several subsequent chapters demonstrate how these methods are used in synergy to address problems at the forefront of structural biology, with particular emphasis on examples where individual techniques are insufficient. Examples of biological systems include membrane proteins, viral protein assemblies, cytoskeleton protein assemblies, photosynthetic reaction centers, large enzyme complexes and whole cells. The book is targeted to both the current practitioners of structural biology and scientists who are interested in entering the fields of structural biology or biophysical chemistry.

This book presents the latest cutting-edge research on phase separation. It discusses the benefits and risks of phase separation for living cells from the perspectives of physics, chemistry, biology, and medicine.Phase separation is a physico-chemical process that induces a single solution of solvent and intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) to separate into two phases, one phase containing only solvent and the other containing IDPs in the solvent. A key molecule in phase separation is the intrinsically disordered region (IDR) proteins (IDPs), mostly comprised of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). One of the major roles of phase separation is to generate condensates, membrane-less organelles including stress granule, Cajal body, and nucleolus.Biological actions of phase separation in various aspects of science have received increasing attention in recent years. The book consists of four parts; Part I on physics and chemistry includes topics on structural biology of RBP FUS/TLS and chaperone for phase separation, computational approach of phase separation, and chemistry of G-quadruplex of DNA and RNA. Part II on molecular biology presents molecular mechanism of IDR sequence phase separation and potential cellular function of these labile fibers, formation of membrane-less organelles, and roles of noncoding RNAs in phase separation. Part III on biology covers topics from nuclear pore complex, developmental biology regarding force-dependent remodeling, and neurobiology and higher order brain functions. Finally, Part IV on medicine presents condensates and cancer therapy, pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases based on IDPs, and responses of microglia to amyloid. The last chapter highlights the latest topic on how the SARS-Cov-2 virus takes advantage of phase separation for its infections.This book brings together the studies of phase separation in each area in a single volume. The comprehensive approach provides new insights to the research andwill benefit the readers by responding to the emerging needs for understanding phase separation.

This thesis addresses deep questions that cut to the physical and informational essence of central chemical quantities such as transition paths and reaction mechanisms and proposes fundamental new connections between transition-path theory, linear-response theory, nonequilibrium thermodynamics, and information theory. The author investigates slow, energetically efficient driving protocols that drive a system between conformations corresponding to endpoints of a reaction, aiming to find connections between principles of efficient driving and the spontaneous transition mechanism in the absence of driving. First, an alternative perspective of transition-path theory is developed that unifies it with stochastic thermodynamics to describe flows of entropy, energy, and information during the reaction. This also provides an optimization criterion for selecting collective variables. Next, protocols are designed which invert the magnetization of a 3×3 Ising model with minimal energetic cost,and it is determined that using multiple control parameters allows the system to be driven along a fast-relaxing pathway between reaction endpoints. Finally, the author compares these protocols with the spontaneous transition mechanism for magnetization inversion in the same Ising model, finding that designed protocols capture general features of the spontaneous mechanism and energetics given the constraints on the control parameters. This work represents a major step forward in our understanding of rare events and provides a basis for investigating the connection between efficient protocols and spontaneous transition mechanisms which can be further probed in a wider variety of systems.

This contributed volume provides an overview of the recent advances in solid-state nanopore technology, featuring contributions by leading experts in the field. It discusses several aspects of solid-state nanopores, covering their fabrication as well as multiple biosensing applications. It successfully bridges the gap between various scientific and engineering disciplines and highlights the progress made in this area. This title is a useful tool for acquiring basic knowledge of this field and following recent progress. It is a valuable contribution to the area of nanopore biosensing and is of interest to graduate students, postdocs, or senior researchers working in the fields of physical chemistry, biochemistry, bio- and electrical engineering, and biophysics.

Advances in Nano and Biochemistry: Environmental and Biomedical Applications gives insights into this advanced interdisciplinary science that encompasses the principles of physics and physical chemistry for the investigation of various processes and problems in biological systems. The book is a concise culmination of biophysical chemistry knowledge acquired through core concepts and advanced technologies for addressing emerging challenges in environmental and biomedical applications. Sections cover early diagnostic techniques and accurate treatment strategies using bioinspired, sustainable technologies, including nanomaterials, nanoenzymes, biopolymers, electrochemical biomolecule sensors, biocompatible magnetic nanomaterials, quantum dots and hybrid structures, and DNA nanotechnology. Other sections discuss advanced technologies for sensing and remedying environmental pollutants, including but not limited to, photocatalytic oxidations, gum polysaccharides based nanostructured materials, bio-inspired and biocompatible nanomaterials, hydrogel nanocomposites, and contemporary enzymes and nanozymes based?technologies. Ultimately, the state-of-the-art chapters in this book will empower researchers to combine two complementary elements - chemical analysis use and biomedical applications. - Provides the fundamental concepts of biophysical chemistry and emerging technologies to solve environmental and biomedical problems - Describes the latest breakthrough research in biophysical chemistry and its applications to better understand biological systems - Supports development of the latest disease diagnostic and treatment technologies - Includes advances in physical chemistry and biology for the monitoring and remediation of environmental pollutants

This book provides comprehensive information on starch modification using physical approaches – a field that has attracted increasing interest in recent years due to the fact that it is no longer desirable to label starch a modified. The required functionalities can be conveniently achieved by physical methods that are less expensive and more environmentally friendly. In the second edition, chapters are updated according to the recent research progress. Three new chapters are added including pulsed electric fields, dry heating and physical treatments that produce chemical changes. Chapter one is rewrote into three individual chapters including Molecular Structure of Starch, Granular Structure of Starch and Physicochemical Properties of Starch, aiming to help the readers better understand the structure of starch. This book summarizes recent developments in the areas of starch physical modifications and reviews the structure, function and potential industrial applications of modified starch. It provides valuable information for researchers and product developers to work on starch.

The 3rd edition of this textbook offers clear explanations of optical spectroscopic phenomena and shows how spectroscopic techniques are used in modern chemistry, biochemistry and biophysics.Topics included are: electronic and vibrational absorption fluorescence symmetry operations and normal-mode calculations electron transfer from excited moleculesenergy transferexciton interactions electronic and vibrational circular dichroismcoherence and dephasingultrafast pump-probe and photon-echo spectroscopy single-molecule and fluorescence-correlation spectroscopyRaman scatteringmultiphoton absorption quantum optics and non-linear opticsentropy changes during photoexcitationelectronic and vibrational Stark effects studies of fast processes in single moleculestwo-dimensional electronic and vibrational spectroscopyThis revised and updated edition provides expanded discussions of laser spectroscopy, crystal symmetry, birefringence, non-linear optics, solar cells and light-emitting diodes. The explanations are sufficiently thorough and detailed to be useful for researchers, graduate students and advanced undergraduates in chemistry, biochemistry and biophysics. They are based on time-dependent quantum mechanics, but are developed from first principles so that they can be understood by readers with little prior training in the field. Additional topics and highlights are presented in special boxes in the text. The book is richly illustrated with color figures throughout. Each chapter ends with a section of questions for self-examination.

This second edition of Medical Biochemistry is supported by more than 45 years of teaching experience, providing coverage of basic biochemical topics, including the structural, physical, and chemical properties of water, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. In addition, the general aspects of thermodynamics, enzymes, bioenergetics, and metabolism are presented in straightforward and easy-to-comprehend language. This book ties these concepts into more complex aspects of biochemistry using a systems approach, dedicating chapters to the integral study of biological phenomena, including cell membrane structure and function, gene expression and regulation, protein synthesis and post-translational modifications, metabolism in specific organs and tissues, autophagy, cell receptors, signal transduction pathways, biochemical bases of endocrinology, immunity, vitamins and minerals, and hemostasis. The field of biochemistry is continuing to grow at a fast pace. This edition has been revised and expanded with all-new sections on the cell plasma membrane, the human microbiome, autophagy, noncoding, small and long RNAs, epigenetics, genetic diseases, virology and vaccines, cell signaling, and different modes of programmed cell death. The book has also been updated with full-color figures, new tables, chapter summaries, and further medical examples to improve learning and better illustrate the concepts described and their clinical significance. - Integrates basic biochemistry principles with molecular biology and molecular physiology - Illustrates basic biochemical concepts through medical and physiological examples - Utilizes a systems approach to understanding biological phenomena - Fully updated for recent studies and expanded to include clinically relevant examples and succinct chapter summaries

NMR spectroscopy has found a wide range of applications in life sciences over recent decades. Providing a comprehensive amalgamation of the scattered knowledge of how to apply high-resolution NMR techniques to biomolecular systems, this book will break down the conventional stereotypes in the use of NMR for structural studies. The major focus is on novel approaches in NMR which deal with the functional interface of either protein-protein interactions or protein-lipid interactions. Bridging the gaps between structural and functional studies, the Editors believe a thorough compilation of these studies will open an entirely new dimension of understanding of crucial functional motifs. This in turn will be helpful for future applications into drug design or better understanding of systems. The book will appeal to NMR practitioners in industry and academia who are looking for a comprehensive understanding of the possibilities of applying high-resolution NMR spectroscopic techniques in probing biomolecular interactions.

The series Topics in Current Chemistry Collections presents critical reviews from the journal Topics in Current Chemistry organized in topical volumes. The scope of coverage is all areas of chemical science including the interfaces with related disciplines such as biology, medicine and materials science. The goal of each thematic volume is to give the non-specialist reader, whether in academia or industry, a comprehensive insight into an area where new research is emerging which is of interest to a larger scientific audience.Each review within the volume critically surveys one aspect of that topic and places it within the context of the volume as a whole. The most significant developments of the last 5 to 10 years are presented using selected examples to illustrate the principles discussed. The coverage is not intended to be an exhaustive summary of the field or include large quantities of data, but should rather be conceptual, concentrating on the methodological thinking that will allow the non-specialist reader to understand the information presented. Contributions also offer an outlook on potential future developments in the field.Chapters “Metal Peptide Conjugates in Cell and Tissue Imaging and Biosensing”, “Luminescent Metal Complexes as Emerging Tools for Lipid Imaging” and “Determination and Imaging of Small Biomolecules and Ions Using Ruthenium(II) Complex‑Based Chemosensors” are available open access under a CC BY 4.0 License via link.springer.com.

This proceedings volume results from the NATO Advanced Research Workshop on'Biomarkers of Radiation in the Environment: Robust Tools for Risk Assessment (BRITE)'. The BRITE workshop discussed insights from cancer research, epigenetics, non-human and human risk assessment, since many of the state-of-the-art biomarkers being developed for humans deserve consideration for environmental applications and vice versa. Sessions were very wide-ranging covering methods, mechanisms, cross disciplinary application and regulation.The chapters in this book have been grouped into five major themes that were covered by the BRITE workshop:· Techniques for biomarker development· Low-dose effect mechanisms· Biomarkers for risk evaluation· Biomarkers in wildlife· Biomarker use and responses Each chapter has been written independently and reflects the views of the chapter author(s). Therefore, the readers can form their own balanced view of the different perspectives on biomarkers of radiation in the environment. Given the breadth of topics covered and the state-of-the-art perspectives shared by leading experts in their respective fields, this book should form a valuable resource for anyone with an interest in how biomarkers can be used to improve our understanding of radiation in the environment and its potential impacts.

This book presents recent advances in inorganic nanomaterials for healthcare, with focus on the synthesis, medical applications and toxicity of metals, metal oxides and metal sulfides. Major applications include diagnosis, bioimaging, biosensing, healing and therapy in cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, metabolic syndrome, dentistry and antimicrobials.

This book provides an introduction to the analysis of stochastic dynamic models in biology and medicine. The main aim is to offer a coherent set of probabilistic techniques and mathematical tools which can be used for the simulation and analysis of various biological phenomena. These tools are illustrated on a number of examples. For each example, the biological background is described, and mathematical models are developed following a unified set of principles. These models are then analyzed and, finally, the biological implications of the mathematical results are interpreted. The biological topics covered include gene expression, biochemistry, cellular regulation, and cancer biology. The book will be accessible to graduate students who have a strong background in differential equations, the theory of nonlinear dynamical systems, Markovian stochastic processes, and both discrete and continuous state spaces, and who are familiar with the basic concepts of probability theory.

Advances in Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry, Volume 4, presents five papers on the different aspects of comparative physiology. The first two studies deal with movement. The first examines the effects of environmental conditions on the motile behavior of amoebas. The second investigates the mechanisms and coordination of cellular movement. The third study on the endocrine functions of the hypothalamus in the fishes, amphibians, and reptiles provides the comparative endocrinologist with a basis for integrating the state of knowledge on non-mammalian and mammalian function of this organ complex. The fourth study deals with the central and peripheral control of arthropod movements. The final study surveys the comparative physiology of populations of gametes. Aside from providing readers with a comparative vista of reproductive physiology from a unique perspective, it introduces a new hypothesis on the overproduction of gametes commonly found in living organisms — a hypothesis which may have far-reaching consequences for the interpretation of the reproductive process.

In this book, the major paradigm-shifting discoveries made in the past century on key cellular nanomachines are described in great detail: their complex yet precise and elegant design and function, as well as the diseases linked to their dysfunction and the therapeutic approaches to overcome them. The major focus of this book is the “porosome” nanomachine, the universal secretory portal in cells. This is an ideal book for students, researchers, and professionals in the fields of nanoscience and nanotechnology.

Computer simulation has become the main engine of development in statistical mechanics. In structural biology, computer simulation constitutes the main theoretical tool for structure determination of proteins and for calculation of the free energy of binding, which are important in drug design. Entropy and Free Energy in Structural Biology leads the reader to the simulation technology in a systematic way. The book, which is structured as a course, consists of four parts: Part I is a short course on probability theory emphasizing (1) the distinction between the notions of experimental probability, probability space, and the experimental probability on a computer, and (2) elaborating on the mathematical structure of product spaces. These concepts are essential for solving probability problems and devising simulation methods, in particular for calculating the entropy. Part II starts with a short review of classical thermodynamics from which a non-traditional derivation of statistical mechanics is devised. Theoretical aspects of statistical mechanics are reviewed extensively. Part III covers several topics in non-equilibrium thermodynamics and statistical mechanics close to equilibrium, such as Onsager relations, the two Fick's laws, and the Langevin and master equations. The Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics procedures are discussed as well. Part IV presents advanced simulation methods for polymers and protein systems, including techniques for conformational search and for calculating the potential of mean force and the chemical potential. Thermodynamic integration, methods for calculating the absolute entropy, and methodologies for calculating the absolute free energy of binding are evaluated. Enhanced by a number of solved problems and examples, this volume will be a valuable resource to advanced undergraduate and graduate students in chemistry, chemical engineering, biochemistry biophysics, pharmacology, and computational biology.

This book presents an overview of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), their mechanisms of antimicrobial action, other activities, and various problems that must still be overcome regarding their clinical application. Divided into four major parts, the book begins with a general overview of AMPs (Part I), and subsequently discusses the various mechanisms of antimicrobial action and methods for researching them (Part 2). It then addresses a range of activities other than antimicrobial action, such as cell penetration, antisepsis, anticancer, and immunomodulatory activities (Part 3), and explores the prospects of clinical application from various standpoints such as the selective toxicity, design, and discovery of AMPs (Part 4). A huge number of AMPs have been discovered in plants, insects, and vertebrates including humans, and constitute host defense systems against invading pathogenic microorganisms. Consequently, many attempts have been made to utilize AMPs as antibiotics. AMPs could help to solve the urgent problem of drug-resistant bacteria, and are also promising with regard to sepsis and cancer therapy. Gathering a wealth of information, this book will be a bible for all those seeking to develop antibiotics, anti-sepsis, or anticancer agents based on AMPs.

This book mainly focuses on key aspects of biomembranes that have emerged over the past 15 years. It covers static and dynamic descriptions, as well as modeling for membrane organization and shape at the local and global (at the cell level) scale. It also discusses several new developments in non-equilibrium aspects that have not yet been covered elsewhere. Biological membranes are the seat of interactions between cells and the rest of the world, and internally, they are at the core of complex dynamic reorganizations and chemical reactions. Despite the long tradition of membrane research in biophysics, the physics of cell membranes as well as of biomimetic or synthetic membranes is a rapidly developing field. Though successful books have already been published on this topic over the past decades, none include the most recent advances. Additionally, in this domain, the traditional distinction between biological and physical approaches tends toblur. This book gathers the most recent advances in this area, and will benefit biologists and physicists alike.

Medical Biochemistry is supported by over forty years of teaching experience, providing coverage of basic biochemical concepts, including the structure and physical and chemical properties of hydrocarbons, lipids, proteins, and nucleotides in a straightforward and easy to comprehend language. The book develops these concepts into the more complex aspects of biochemistry using a systems approach, dedicating chapters to the integral study of biological phenomena, including particular aspects of metabolism in some organs and tissues, and the biochemical bases of endocrinology, immunity, vitamins, hemostasis, and apoptosis. Integrates basic biochemistry principles with molecular biology and molecular physiology Provides translational relevance to basic biochemical concepts though medical and physiological examples Utilizes a systems approach to understanding biological phenomena

Advances in Clinical Chemistry, Volume 77, the latest installment in this internationally acclaimed series, contains chapters authored by world-renowned clinical laboratory scientists, physicians, and research scientists. The serial discusses the latest and most up-to-date technologies related to the field of clinical chemistry and is the benchmark for novel analytical approaches in the clinical laboratory. - Provides the most up-to-date technologies in Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Laboratory Science - Authored by world renowned clinical laboratory scientists, physicians, and research scientist - Presents the international benchmark for novel analytical approaches in the clinical laboratory

This book presents an Assessment of Physical Sciences and Engineering Advances in Life Sciences and Oncology (APHELION) by a panel of experts. It covers the status and trends of applying physical sciences and engineering principles to oncology research in leading laboratories and organizations in Europe and Asia.The book elaborates on the six topics identified by the panel that have the greatest potential to advance understanding and treatment of cancer, each covered by a chapter in the book. The study was sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) at the National Institute of Health (NIH), the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering at the NIH in the US under a cooperative agreement with the World Technology Evaluation Center (WTEC).

New York Times bestseller • Life on the Edge alters our understanding of our world's fundamental dynamics through the use of quantum mechanics.Life is the most extraordinary phenomenon in the known universe; but how did it come to be? Even in an age of cloning and artificial biology, the remarkable truth remains: nobody has ever made anything living entirely out of dead material. Life remains the only way to make life. Are we still missing a vital ingredient in its creation? Using first-hand experience at the cutting edge of science, Jim Al-Khalili and Johnjoe Macfadden reveal that missing ingredient to be quantum mechanics. Drawing on recent ground-breaking experiments around the world, each chapter in Life on the Edge illustrates one of life's puzzles: How do migrating birds know where to go? How do we really smell the scent of a rose? How do our genes copy themselves with such precision? Life on the Edge accessibly reveals how quantum mechanics can answer these probing questions of the universe.Guiding the reader through the rapidly unfolding discoveries of the last few years, Al-Khalili and McFadden describe the explosive new field of quantum biology and its potentially revolutionary applications, while offering insights into the biggest puzzle of all: what is life? As they brilliantly demonstrate in these groundbreaking pages, life exists on the quantum edge.Winner, Stephen Hawking Medal for Science Communication

This book serves as an introduction to protein structure and function. Starting with their makeup from simple building blocks, called amino acids, the 3-dimensional structure of proteins is explained. This leads to a discussion how misfolding of proteins causes diseases like cancer, various encephalopathies, or diabetes. Enzymology and modern concepts of enzyme kinetics are then introduced, taking into account the physiological, pharmacological and medical significance of this often neglected topic. This is followed by thorough coverage of hæmoglobin and myoglobin, immunoproteins, motor proteins and movement, cell-cell interactions, molecular chaperones and chaperonins, transport of proteins to various cell compartments and solute transport across biological membranes. Proteins in the laboratory are also covered, including a detailed description of the purification and determination of proteins, as well as their characterisation for size and shape, structure and molecular interactions. The book emphasises the link between protein structure, physiological function and medical significance.This book can be used for graduate and advanced undergraduate classes covering protein structure and function and as an introductory text for researchers in protein biochemistry, molecular and cell biology, chemistry, biophysics, biomedicine and related courses.About the author:Dr. Buxbaum is a biochemist with interest in enzymology and protein science. He has been working on the biochemistry of membrane transport proteins for nearly thirty years and has taught courses in biochemistry and biomedicine at several universities.

Volume 69 in the internationally acclaimed Advances in Clinical Chemistry contains chapters authored by world renowned clinical laboratory scientists, physicians and research scientists. The serial provides the latest and most up-to-date technologies related to the field of Clinical Chemistry and is the benchmark for novel analytical approaches in the clinical laboratory. - Expertise of international contributors - Latest cutting-edge technologies - Comprehensive in scope

The series Topics in Current Chemistry presents critical reviews of the present and future trends in modern chemical research. The scope of coverage is all areas of chemical science including the interfaces with related disciplines such as biology, medicine and materials science. The goal of each thematic volume is to give the non-specialist reader, whether in academia or industry, a comprehensive insight into an area where new research is emerging which is of interest to a larger scientific audience. Each review within the volume critically surveys one aspect of that topic and places it within the context of the volume as a whole. The most significant developments of the last 5 to 10 years are presented using selected examples to illustrate the principles discussed. The coverage is not intended to be an exhaustive summary of the field or include large quantities of data, but should rather be conceptual, concentrating on the methodological thinking that will allow the non-specialist reader to understand the information presented. Contributions also offer an outlook on potential future developments in the field. Review articles for the individual volumes are invited by the volume editors. Readership: research chemists at universities or in industry, graduate students.

This book covers the latest developments in the physical biology of proteins and peptides. Key insights into microscopic and macroscopic approaches to describe biologically relevant macromolecules and their interactions are provided. This book also covers a wide range of tools, including theoretical methods as statistical mechanics, normal mode analysis, kinetic theory and stochastic processes, and all-atom and coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations. New experimental techniques are also discussed, particularly related to amiloidogenic peptides and their mutations. This is an excellent book for molecular biologists, physicists, computational scientists, and chemists. It covers cutting-edge research in this exciting, interdisciplinary research field.This book also:Discusses the latest developments in the physical biology of proteins, peptides and enzymes covering theoretical, computational, and experimental approachesBroadens readers'understanding on the role of intra- and inter-molecular interactions as a fundamental cornerstone of macroscopic biological properties of macromoleculesProvides a wide and useful perspective on different aspects of the physics, biology, and chemistry of proteins and peptides suitable for interdisciplinary research.

This volume covers both the basic concepts and theory of bio-macromolecules under pressure and the various frontiers in high-pressure bioscience and biotechnology. A century has passed since Bridgman discovered the irreversible coagulation of egg white by applying pressure at 700 atmospheres in 1914. Today we are able to monitor pressure-dependent changes in protein structure as a reversible process even at atomic scale with modern spectroscopic techniques. We can study the fluctuating reality of protein structures as designed by nature, which is the basis for all dynamism of life on earth. We are currently facing a new era of high-pressure bioscience, in which pressure is no longer an “odd” or “foreign” variable to life, but rather an integrated part of it. Pressure is used as a crucial variable for disclosing the secrets of nature and as a powerful new tool for enhancing certain reactions in bio-macromolecules and even in living cells for our practical and industrial needs. A dramatic advancement of high-pressure bioscience both in the basic and the applied sciences is thus anticipated in near future, for which sharing the current advanced knowledge on structure and dynamics of bio-macromolecules under pressure among researchers in both fields is crucial.This book serves as a valuable resource not only for those working directly in a pressure-related field, but also for those working in many other fields of the biosciences. Particularly, the basic part of it is intended to serve as a classical text book on high-pressure bioscience to a wide audience including students and researchers in both basic and applied fields in years to come. Readers can focus on topics of immediate interest first, but may wish to go over other chapters if interest arises in a later occasion.

Integrating basic to applied science and technology in medicine, pharmaceutics, molecular biology, biomedical engineering, biophysics and irreversible thermodynamics, this book covers cutting-edge research of the structure and function of biomaterials at a molecular level. In addition, it examines for the first time studies performed at the nano- and micro scale. With innovative technologies and methodologies aiming to clarify the molecular mechanism and macroscopic relationship, Nano/Micro Science and Technology in Biorheology thoroughly covers the basic principles of these studies, with helpful step-by-step explanations of methodologies and insight into medical applications. Written by pioneering researchers, the book is a valuable resource for academics and industry scientists, as well as graduate students, working or studying in bio-related fields.

Tissue-Printing ist eine schnelle und einfache Methode, Moleküle in biologischen Proben nachzuweisen und im Gewebeverband zu lokalisieren. Maria Mulisch stellt Techniken für unterschiedliche Gewebetypen vor. Detaillierte, beispielhafte Schritt-für-Schritt-Anleitungen ermöglichen es auch Anfängern, Proteine, Nukleinsäuren und Enzymaktivität in Pflanzengewebe aufzufinden.

This book provides a molecular view of membrane transport by means of numerous biochemical and biophysical techniques. The rapidly growing numbers of atomic structures of transporters in different conformations and the constant progress in bioinformatics have recently added deeper insights. The unifying mechanism of energized solute transport across membranes is assumed to consist of the conformational cycling of a carrier protein to provide access to substrate binding sites from either side of a cellular membrane. Due to the central role of active membrane transport there is considerable interest in deciphering the principles of one of the most fundamental processes in nature: the alternating access mechanism. This book brings together particularly significant structure-function studies on a variety of carrier systems from different transporter families: Glutamate symporters, LeuT-like fold transporters, MFS transporters and SMR (RND) exporters, as well as ABC-type importers. The selected examples impressively demonstrate how the combination of functional analysis, crystallography, investigation of dynamics and computational studies has made it possible to create a conclusive picture or more precisely, “a molecular movie”. Although we are still far from a complete molecular description of the alternating access mechanism, remarkable progress has been made from static snapshots towards membrane transport dynamics.

International Series of Monographs on Pure and Applied Biology, Volume 1: Unity and Diversity in Biochemistry focuses on the advancements of processes, techniques, methodologies, and approaches involved in biochemistry. The publication first offers information on the constituents of the biosphere, modes of linkage by covalent bonds and macromolecules, general principles of biochemical energetics, and enzymes. The text then examines the destructive and non-destructive methods in modern biochemistry, priming reactions, and biosynthesis. Discussions focus on the mechanisms for the breakdown of amino acids, glycolysis and the hexosemonophosphate shunt, interrelations between priming reactions, respiratory chains, biochemical investigation and use of isotopes, and use of mutant strains micro-organisms. The manuscript takes a look at cellular topochemistry and regulation, aspects of biochemical diversity, inheritance of biochemical characteristics, and biochemical evolution. Topics include evolution of biochemical systems and constituents, control of biochemical characteristics by genes, biochemical differentiation of cells in a single organism, and factors which determine the velocity and path of enzymatic reaction chains. The selection is a dependable source of data for biochemists and readers interested in the different aspects of biochemistry.

The volume is intended as an introduction to the physical principles governing the main processes that occur in photosynthesis, with emphasis on the light reactions and electron transport chain. A unique feature of the photosynthetic apparatus is the fact that the molecular structures are known in detail for essentially all of its major components. The availability of this data has allowed their functions to be probed at a very fundamental level to discover the design principles that have guided evolution. Other volumes on photosynthesis have tended to focus on single components or on a specific set of biophysical techniques, and the authors'goal is to provide new researchers with an introduction to the overall field of photosynthesis.The book is divided into sections, each dealing with one of the main physical processes in photosynthetic energy conversion. Each section has several chapters each describing the role that a basic physical property, such as charge or spin, plays in governing the process being discussed. The chapters proceed in an orderly fashion from a quantum mechanical description of early processes on an ultrafast timescale to a classical treatment of electron transfer and catalysis on a biochemical timescale culminating in evolutionary principles on a geological timescale.

We take great pleasure in presenting Vol. IV of Biological Magnetic Resonance, a series that continues to give us pride. In this volume, we are pleased to have our first chapter on the applications of ESR to problems in medicine, written by Butterfield. Armitage and Otvos describe their extensive Cd-l13 NMR study in a chapter that should delight the spectroscopists as well as the biochemists, since the systems investigated have not yet been modeled. Kaptein presents an eloquent exposition of the principles and applications to biological systems of the photo-CIDNP technique, to which he has made pioneering contributions. Perkins tells everything one always wanted to know about the applications of ring current calculations in structural studies of biological macromolecules. Our philosophy has been, and continues to be, to present topics of current interest by authors who are active in their field, while maintaining the inter­ national flavor of the series. Ideally, the coverage of each topic should approach that found both in a textbook and in a reference book, rather than being a mere literature review. We are grateful to the authors for their cooperation in this respect. We continue to solicit the comments and suggestions of our readers and our colleagues, and thank those who have already responded, including the reviewers in the periodicals. Lawrence J. Berliner Jacques Reuben ix Contents Chapter 1 Spin Labeling in Disease D. Allan Butterfield 1. Introduction....................................... 2. Membrane Structure.......................... 2....... 2.1. General Principles.............................. 2 2.2. The Erythrocyte Membrane................... 4.....

Radiation induces a variety of chemical processes in biological tissues. This volume is a synthesis of up-to-the-minute reviews on such photochemical and photobiological sensitized reactions with particular relevance to photomedicine. The first part gives a description of experimental techniques for the study of the primary processes after radiation absorption by biological systems. It is followed by chapters on singlet oxygen and photomedicine, considering both phototherapy and photochemotherapy. These sections also discuss the next generation of potential photosensitizing drugs.

Activation by and desensitization to signals originating from the environment is common in all organisms, ranging from prokaryotes to higher eukaryotes. Recently, a number of novel mechanisms involved in activation and desensitization have been elucidated. The similarities of the molecular mechanisms of activation and desensitization in the various systems are striking. In the first book (1987) on this topic, the functional and structural similarities of the various mechanisms to attenuate the effect of an outward signal were emphasized. Justification to have a second book three years later is the explosive growth of information in the field. More components involved in signal transfer have been discovered and also that several more G-proteins appear to play a role during this process. The interest in signal attenuation concurs with these developments. The emphasis in this book is on the common signal transfer elements responsible for activation and desensitization in animals, plants and microorganisms.

This 2nd edition begins with an overview of NMR development and applications in biological systems. It describes recent developments in instrument hardware and methodology. Chapters highlight the scope and limitation of NMR methods. While detailed math and quantum mechanics dealing with NMR theory have been addressed in several well-known NMR volumes, chapter two of this volume illustrates the fundamental principles and concepts of NMR spectroscopy in a more descriptive manner. Topics such as instrument setup, data acquisition, and data processing using a variety of offline software are discussed. Chapters further discuss several routine stategies for preparing samples, especially for macromolecules and complexes. The target market for such a volume includes researchers in the field of biochemistry, chemistry, structural biology and biophysics.

In the past ten years or so, biological magnetic resonance (NMR and ESR) has fully blossomed and become highly branched. In the 1970s and earlier, a practitioner in biological magnetic resonance was using virtually all of the available methods suitable for his research, with the latter covering a diverse range of systems. Today, the focus of an individual laboratory is actually much narrower, with respect to both the methods and the systems investigated. Thus, those who investigate protein structure by multi­ dimensional NMR spectroscopy do not usually engage in studies involving in vivo spectroscopy. The conferences on biological magnetic resonance now have parallel sessions rather than the single, common session of earlier days. Moreover, topical meetings are becoming more frequent. Therefore, this and future volumes of our series will also focus on specific topical areas. We are proud to present Volume 10 of our series. It focuses on Carbohydrates and Nucleic Acids. In an extensive chapter, Kamerling and Vliegenthart use oligosaccharide-alditols released from mucin-type- glycoproteins to illustrate the power of proton NMR spectroscopy in the determination of carbohydrate structure. Wemmer gives a detailed coverage of the arsenal of modern NMR methods now available for structural studies of nucleic acids. Forthcoming volumes will focus on In Vivo Spectroscopy and Protein Structure. As always, we are anxious to get feedback from the readers and hear their comments and suggestions. Lawrence J.