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Living organisms are distinguished by their chemical basis. Thus, knowledge of the properties of the elements and the interactions of the resulting compounds is a prerequisite for understanding biology.Chemistry answers the questions of why, among the more than 100 elements of the periodic table (PSE), carbon and not silicon is the dominant element in biology and why precious metals, such as gold and silver, do not play a role. The PSE provides information about why phosphoric acid and not sulfuric acid acts as a bridge in polynucleic acids and why DNA had to evolve from RNA. At the same time, only chemistry makes clear why D-glucose is so central in building biopolymers such as cellulose and glycogen, and why the citrate cycle is logically self-contained and without alternative. Biochemistry is also a synthesis chemistry that differs from'man-made'synthesis chemistry'only'in terms of the framework conditions. Individuals are selected from the multitude of elements of the PSE and the almost infinite number of chemical compounds. The selection is based on the environmental conditions on Earth, such as moderate temperatures, preferably atmospheric pressure, solvent water and as primary reaction partner oxygen.The hypothesis is developed that the guiding principle of modern biology, the theory of evolution, has its roots in the underlying chemistry. This turns Darwinism from its biological head to its chemical feet. For example, the effect of phenols as radical scavengers is a priori chemical, before biological phenomena could evolve from it as differences in distinction in colored flowering plants. The book develops a completely new, chemistry-centered view of'animate nature'and challenges a changed, biologically oriented didactics of chemistry in schools and universities.

Biotechnology involves an interdisciplinary science that provides an interface between biological, molecular and cellular aspects of living organisms with broad technologies applicable in the fields of health, environment and materials. This book “Biotechnology applied to inflammatory diseases: Cellular mechanisms and nanomedicine” is focused on elaborating especially on two trendy areas from Biotechnology. In this volume, different inflammatory pathologies in terms of cellular and molecular mechanisms are characterized to better understand the science behind current precision medicine. The second part of the book focuses on the main biotechnological advancements for the understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the progression of various types of inflammatory diseases, highlighting up-to-date contributions of nanomedicine. The reader will be able to explore the utilization of technologies for various inflammatory diseases and will be able to enable an engaging and valuableknowledge for further research and clinically applied scenarios.

This Major Reference Work offers a detailed overview of culturing primary, secondary cell lines, tissues, and organs.It first introduces various types of mammalian cell cultures, infrastructure requirements for a mammalian cell-culture laboratory. The subsequent chapters present the detailed protocols for the isolation of mammalian hematologic organs and cells. It also discusses various cell-based assays for monitoring cell viability, cell proliferation, cytotoxicity, cell senescence, and cell death assays.In addition, the book addresses the various problems encountered while culturing animal cells, their possible causes, and suggested solutions, presenting detailed protocols for isolation and primary culturing of various mammalian cells and hematoimmunologic organs in two dimensions.Lastly, it reviews the various applications of animal-cell culture, stem-cell culture, and tissue and organ culture. As such, this reference book is highly relevant for students and professionals new to cell-culture work as well as to those wishing to expand their skills from cell-line cultures to primary cultures and from conventional 2D cultures to 3D cultures.

For humankind, the most irreducible idea is the concept of life itself. In order to understand that life is essentially an infinite process, transmitted from generation to generation, this book takes the reader on a fascinating journey that unravels one of our greatest mysteries. It begins with the premise that life is a fact—that it is everywhere; that it takes infinite forms; and, most importantly, that it is intrinsically self-perpetuating. Rather than exploring how the first living forms emerged in our universe, the book begins with our first primordial ancestor cell and tells the story of life—how it began, when that first cell diversified into many other cell types and organisms, and how it has continued until the present day. On this journey, the author covers the fundaments of biology such as cell division, diversity, regeneration, repair and death. The rather fictional epilogue even goes one step further and discusses ways how to literally escape the problemof limited recourse and distribution on our planet by looking at life outside the solar system. This book is designed to explain complex ideas in biology simply, but not simplistically, with a special emphasis on plain and accessible language as well as a wealth of hand-drawn illustrations. Thus, it is suitable not only for students seeking for an introduction into biological concepts and terminology, but for everyone with an interest in the fundamentals of life at the crossroad of evolutionary and cell biology.

This book shows that contemporary biology is focused almost exclusively on genes and molecules. This approach, despite giving rise to exciting developments, such as DNA sequencing and genetic engineering, does not take into account the living organisms themselves. This text redresses this imbalance: firstly, by providing a sketch of a fully-fledged theory of what living organisms are; and then putting this theory to work by recounting the story of the evolution of living organisms on Earth.

This book delves into the recent developments in the microscale and microfluidic technologies that allow manipulation at the single and cell aggregate level. Expert authors review the dominant mechanisms that manipulate and sort biological structures, making this a state-of-the-art overview of conventional cell sorting techniques, the principles of microfluidics, and of microfluidic devices. All chapters highlight the benefits and drawbacks of each technique they discuss, which include magnetic, electrical, optical, acoustic, gravity/sedimentation, inertial, deformability, and aqueous two-phase systems as the dominant mechanisms utilized by microfluidic devices to handle biological samples. Each chapter explains the physics of the mechanism at work, and reviews common geometries and devices to help readers decide the type of style of device required for various applications. This book is appropriate for graduate-level biomedical engineering and analytical chemistry students, as well asengineers and scientists working in the biotechnology industry.

Stress and Inflammation in Disorders, Volume 108, the newest volume in this ongoing series, brings forth new information on protocols and analysis of proteins. This volume covers the latest on Oxidative Stress: Love and Hate History in the Central Nervous System, Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's Disease: The Preventive and Therapeutic Potential of Polyphenolic Nutraceuticals, Inflammation in Epileptic Encephalopathies, A Computational Approach to Identify the Biophysical and Structural Aspect of Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR) Mutations (A222V, E429A and R594Q) Leading to Schizophrenia, and Analyzing the Effect of V66M Mutation in BDNF in Causing MOOD Disorders- A Computational Approach. Each release in the Advances in Protein Chemistry and Structural Biology series is an essential resource for protein chemists, with each thematically organized volume guest edited by leading experts in a broad range of protein-related topics. - Provides cutting-edge developments in protein chemistry and structural biology - Features new information about protocols and analysis of proteins - Contains chapters written by authorities in their respective fields - Targeted to a wide audience of researchers, specialists, and students

The Advances in Protein Chemistry and Structural Biology series is an essential resource for protein chemists. Each volume brings forth new information about protocols and analysis of proteins, with each thematically organized volume guest edited by leading experts in a broad range of protein-related topics. - Provides cutting-edge developments in protein chemistry and structural biology - Chapters are written by authorities in their field - Targeted to a wide audience of researchers, specialists, and students

Motor dysfunction and cognitive impairment are major symptoms in both Huntington's Disease (HD) and Parkinson's Disease (PD). A breakthrough in HD research was the identification of the gene that causes this devastating monogenetic illness. Similarly, several genes were found to cause familial forms of PD. With their identification, a plethora of genetic animal models has been generated and has revolutionized the understanding of the pathobiology and pathophysiology of these disorders. The models allow us to study the earliest manifestations of the diseases behaviorally and neuropathologically and help us understand how they progress over time. Additionally, neurotoxic animal models are still of high interest to the PD field, as they are being used to study e.g. mitochondrial dysfunction in PD. This book focuses on animal models of both diseases and how they have helped and will continue to help understand the behavioral neurobiology in these disorders.

This enticing collection is as devoted to the profound power of figures of speech as any oration of old Hellas. Metaphor reigns as we encounter the identification of our Earth as a Single, integrative organism, a tale told in image and passion. The discoveries and conjectures upon which this grand view rest are here as well. I have enjoyed these two dozen pieces hugely. No family tree of animal life but must somewhere disclose a cousinly infolding. We are compact of life past, and the looped handing down is more complex than the Mendel-Morgan dance of chromosomes and genes. That dance is essential, certainly, but it is the vital editing of an epic and many-rooted work, a book more like the Bible than like one great artists Remembrance of Things Past. We follow a few old shelves of bound DNA, not just a single book. Our major biochemical package for oxidative metabolism was de­ scribed in a small DNA manual, somehow engulfed to become an or­ ganelle within a lucky ancient ancestral anaerobe, and passed ever since viii FOREWORD from mother to offspring outside of the chromosome shuffie. The sperm do carry half the compact genetic message of the human DNA, but they are too small to transfer this equally essential symbiotic one that comes down from the mothers, within roomy egg after roomy egg.

Colorectal cancer has for more than two decades served as the paradigm for the multi-step concept of cancer initiation and progression. Perhaps more than any other organ site, cancer of the colon is extensively characterized at the molecular level. We are now entering a time when molecular classification, rather than histologic classification, of cancer subtypes is driving the development of clinical trials with emerging targeted therapies. The book will focus on the progression from the identification of mutations that drive colorectal cancer initiation and progression to the search for novel therapies to treat the disease.

Chapter 1 - Eukaryote Chapter 2 - Plant Cell Chapter 3 - Hypha Chapter 4 - Protist Chapter 5 - Prokaryote Chapter 6 - Bacterial Cell Structure Chapter 7 - Archaea Chapter 8 - Gamete and Zygote Chapter 9 - Meristem Chapter 10 - Stem Cell Chapter 11 - Germ Cell and Somatic Cell Chapter 12 - List of Distinct Cell Types in the Adult Human Body

Chapter 1 - Osmosis Chapter 2 - Passive Transport and Active Transport Chapter 3 - Phagocytosis Chapter 4 - Programmed Cell Death Chapter 5 - Apoptosis Chapter 6 - Autophagy Chapter 7 - Cell Signaling Chapter 8 - Cell Migration Chapter 9 - Transcription (Genetics) Chapter 10 - DNA Repair Chapter 11 - Senescence and Cell Adhesion

This book provides a detailed account of the physico-chemical properties and biological functions of the outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) of different pathogenic and non-pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria. It also includes an authentic record of the first systematic study that discovered the mechanism of OMV formation by a pathogen, Vibrio cholerae, and proposed that the process represented a novel secretory activity of bacteria. Furthermore, the authors present clinical and laboratory data on the use of OMVs as immunogens, as effective and licensed vaccines against Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B infections and on the development of more effective vaccines against other human and animal pathogens including Vibrio cholerae. This volume thus bears witness to the emerging revolution in the field of vaccines against pathogens and closes with a discussion of open questions and future research on OMVs.

After having read this book you will never see birds in the same way again.The unexpected patterns displayed by a bird's body have been seen as bizarre events that demanded little attention or were described as ‘amazing curiosities'.None of these surprising features seem to be fortuitous. They appear to be an integral part of a rigid order and a coherent geometry, which is directed by simple gene interactions and molecular cascades occurring at various cellular levels, and at different times, during the organism's development.A novel geometry unfolds in front of your eyes, giving the body configurations another meaning.Lima-de-Faria is Professor Emeritus of Molecular Cytogenetics at Lund University, Lund, Sweden. This is his sixth book dealing with the molecular organization of the chromosome and its implications for the understanding of the mechanisms responsible for biological evolution.

The mouse is a perfect model organism to study mammalian, and thus indirectly also human, embryology. Most scientific achievements that have had an important impact on the understanding of basic mechanisms governing embryo development in humans, originated from mouse embryology. Stem cell research, which now offers the promise of regenerative medicine, began with the isolation and culture of mouse embryonic stem cells by Martin Evans (who received the Nobel Prize in medicine in 2007 for this achievement) and Matthew Kaufman. This book provides an overview of mouse development, spanning from oocytes before fertilization to the state-of-the-art description of embryonic and adult stem cells. The chapters, written by the leading specialists in the field, deal with the most recent discoveries in this extremely fast-developing area of research.

The science of change from cells to cultureCells to Civilizations is the first unified account of how life transforms itself—from the production of bacteria to the emergence of complex civilizations. What are the connections between evolving microbes, an egg that develops into an infant, and a child who learns to walk and talk? Award-winning scientist Enrico Coen synthesizes the growth of living systems and creative processes, and he reveals that the four great life transformations—evolution, development, learning, and human culture—while typically understood separately, actually all revolve around shared core principles and manifest the same fundamental recipe. Coen blends provocative discussion, the latest scientific research, and colorful examples to demonstrate the links between these critical stages in the history of life.Coen tells a story rich with genes, embryos, neurons, and fascinating discoveries. He examines the development of the zebra, the adaptations of seaweed, the cave paintings of Lascaux, and the formulations of Alan Turing. He explores how dogs make predictions, how weeds tell the time of day, and how our brains distinguish a Modigliani from a Rembrandt. Locating commonalities in important findings, Coen gives readers a deeper understanding of key transformations and provides a bold portrait for how science both frames and is framed by human culture.A compelling investigation into the relationships between our biological past and cultural progress, Cells to Civilizations presents a remarkable story of living change.

Understanding organogenesis is central to current efforts to direct stem cell differentiation and function in the context of a complex organ. Defects in organogenesis are often the major manifestations of human genetic disease syndromes. This volume describes the development of 10 major organ systems, reviewed by experts in each, to provide an up-to-date overview for researchers within and outside the field, students, teachers and clinicians. - Summarizes the key morphological and cellular events - Emphasizes up-to-date research relating to molecular control mechanisms - Draws on a range of model vertebrates and contemporary experimental approaches, including lessons learnt from human developmental disease - Distils common themes and differences for comparative studies - Highlights key remaining questions and sets the agenda for future research

Genomics research on animals has generated huge databases and several new concepts and strategies, which are used to elucidate origin, evolution and phylogeny of species. Genetic and physical maps of genomes give details on chromosomal location, function, expression and regulation of genes. The series Genome Mapping and Genomics in Animals provides comprehensive and up-to-date reviews on genomic research on selected animal systems contributed by leading scientists from around the world. This volume offers information on gene mapping and genomics research in domesticated and farmed animals including cattle, water buffalo, sheep, deer, poultry, turkeys, rabbits, dogs and pigs. While the genome maps for some species are very limited, full genome sequences are available for cattle, chickens and dogs. Genomic research contributes to the identification of genetic regions that control the functionality and well-being of animals. Several farmed species are also used as models for biomedical studies.

Bioinformatics is interpreted as the application of information science to biology, in which it plays a fundamental and all-pervasive role. The field continues to develop intensively in both academia and commercially, and is highly interdisciplinary. This broad-ranging and thoroughly updated second edition covers new findings while retaining the successful formula of the original text. Bioinformatics: An Introduction (2nd Edition) is structured into three parts devoted to Information, Biology, and Applications. Every section of the book has been completely revised for currency, and expanded where relevant, to take account of significant new discoveries and realizations of the importance of key concepts. Furthermore, two new chapters provide instruction about algorithms and knowledge representation. Emphases are placed on the underlying fundamentals and on acquisition of a broad and comprehensive grasp of the field as a whole. Features: • Provides a solid foundation in, and self-contained introduction to, the field of bioinformatics and its state-of-the-art as it relates to computational biology research • Offers additional chapters on algorithms and knowledge representation, including text mining [NEW] • Imparts a thorough grounding of core concepts, enabling the reader to understand contemporary work within an optimal context • Contains a greatly expanded chapter on interactions and regulatory networks [NEW] • Includes examples, definitions, problems and a comprehensive and useful bibliography • Presents new experimental methods, and serves as a springboard for new research [NEW] • Incorporates discussion of the method of drawing inferences from abstract sequence analysis based on frequency dictionaries • Contains an extensively revised chapter on medical applications[NEW] • Emphasizes the underlying fundamentals and acquisition of a broad and comprehensive grasp of the field as a whole This significantly improved second edition of a successful textbook is intended to be a complete study companion for the advanced undergraduate or graduate student. It is self-contained, bringing together the multiple disciplines necessary for a profound grasp of the field into a coherent whole, thereby allowing the reader to gain much insight into the state-of-the-art of bioinformatics.

This serial provides a comprehensive survey of the major topics in the field of developmental biology. These volumes are valuable to researchers in animal and plant development, as well as to students and professionals who want an introduction to cellular and molecular mechanisms of development. The series has recently passed its 30-year mark, making it the longest-running forum for contemporary issues in developmental biology. Volume 80 provides seven chapters on the latest research in developmental biology.

Current Topics in Developmental Biology provides a comprehensive survey of the major topics in the field of developmental biology. These volumes are valuable to researchers in animal and plant development, as well as to students and professionals who want an introduction to cellular and molecular mechanisms of development. The series has recently passed its 30-year mark, making it the longest-running forum for contemporary issues in developmental biology. - Includes many descriptive figures - Topics covered include the mammalian circadian proteins, cell death, tumor progression, and more - Latest volume in the series that covers six reviews in more than 250 pages

International Review of Cytology presents current advances and comprehensive reviews in cell biology – both plant and animal. Authored by some of the foremost scientists in the field, each volume provides up-to-date information and directions for future research. Articles in this volume include Function and Evolution of the Vacuolar Compartment in Green Algae and Land Plants(Viridiplantae); Cell biology and pathophysiology of diacylglycerol kinase family: morphological aspects in tissues and organs; Structure and function of desmosomes; Subepithelial Fibroblasts in Intestinal Villi: Roles in Intercellular Communication; and Syndrome of Aluminum Toxicity and Diversity of Aluminum Resistance in Higher Plants.

Providing a comprehensive review of reactions of oxidation for different classes of organic compounds and polymers, and biological processes mediated by free radicals, Oxidation and Antioxidants in Organic Chemistry and Biology puts the data and bibliographical information you need into one easy-to-use resource. You will find up-to-date information

Biology Today is a truly innovative introductory biology text. Designed to combine the teaching of biological concepts within the context of current societal issues, Biology Today encourages introductory biology students to think critically about the role that science plays in their world. The Third Edition has been revised and updated, and contains three new chapters: Genetic Engineering and Genomics, New Infectious Threats, and Protecting the Biosphere.

While it is barely 50 years since the first reliable reports of the recovery of living cells frozen to cryogenic temperatures, there has been tremendous growth in the use of cryobiology in medicine, agriculture, horticulture, forestry, and the conservation of endangered or economically important species.As the first major text on cryobiolog

International Review of Cytology presents current advances and comprehensive reviews in cell biology--both plant and animal. Articles in this volume address topics such as GABA and GABA receptors in CNS and other organs, neuroendocrine control of pheromone biosynthesis in moths, gene transfer to salivary glands, cell type-specificexpression of secretory TFF-peptides in the brain, molecular patterning along the sea urchin animal-vegetal axis, and cell and molecular cell biology of melanin-concentrating hormone. Authored by some of the foremost scientists in the field, each volume provides up-to-date information and directions for future research.

This volume and its companion, Volume 351, are specifically designed to meet the needs of graduate students and postdoctoral students as well as researchers, by providing all the up-to-date methods necessary to study genes in yeast. Procedures are included that enable newcomers to set up a yeast laboratory and to master basic manipulations. Relevant background and reference information given for procedures can be used as a guide to developing protocols in a number of disciplines. Specific topics addressed in this book include basic techniques, making mutants, genomics, and proteomics.

The most comprehensive textbook/reference ever to cover the chemical basis of life, the'Green Bible of Biochemistry'has been a well-respected contribution to the field for more than twenty years. The complex structures that make up cells are described in detail, along with the forces that hold them together, and the chemical reactions that allow for recognition, signaling and movement. There is ample information on the human body, its genome, and the action of muscles, eyes, and the brain. The complete set deals with the natural world, treating the metabolism of bacteria, toxins, antibiotics, specialized compounds made by plants, photosynthesis, luminescence of fireflies, among many other topics.• The most comprehensive biochemistry text reference available on the market• Organized into two volumes, comprising 32 chapters and containing the latest research in the field• Biological content is emphasized: for example, macromolecular structures and enzyme action are discussed

'Homology'as a concept became increasingly elusive during the course of the 20th century. The central debates and controversies concern both fundamental definitions and the nature of the criteria by which homology is judged. Attempts to move away from comparative morphology to ideas based on developmental pathways have tended to founder on the fact that developmental pathways evolve and that similar cells or tissues or structures in animals will often have different developmental origins. The use of information about conserved molecules in seemingly conserved developmental processes has also proven controversial. In molecular biology, the use of the term'homology'has given rise to more debate, although here the issue seems to involve primarily the criteria for assessing whether parts of genes are the same because of shared descent or for other reasons. The contributions to the book explore these topics systematically. There are chapters on the historical development of the concept of homology and its use in population studies. Other chapters deal with issues of homology in morphological and developmental studies, in behavioural studies, and especially in studies at the level of molecular genetics.

Thermal and Energetic Studies of Cellular Biological Systems reviews literature on thermal and energetic changes which occur in living organisms. It was commissioned at the suggestion of Dr. Philip Edge of John Wright & Sons and was a natural successor to the 1980 book Biological Microcalorimetry. This volume is restricted to a discussion of energy changes in cellular systems. This book is organized into nine chapters. Each author presents a concise, up-to-date account of his field of expertise. Their topics include the usefulness of calorimetric methods in ecological studies, growth and metabolism in bacteria and yeasts, metabolism and heat dissipation in whole tissues or organs, and animal cells and energy requirements in biological systems. This book will be of interest to people seeking a non-destructive technique for studying cellular system and it can serve as a guide and a reference book to those already active in the field.