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Adipose tissue is now recognized as a widely dispersed secretory organ that exhibits autocrine, paracrine, and endocrine properties, and plays a significant role in obesity, the most common health problem in industrialized countries. In Adipose Tissue Protocols, Gérard Ailhaud and a team of laboratory experts and clinicians describe in step-by-step detail the major techniques needed for the study of adipose tissue and cells. Drawn from both in vivo and in vitro studies, these readily reproducible methods cover a broad range of techniques, including the choice of adipose tissue depot and of morphological techniques for work on both brown adipose tissue (BAT) and white adipose tissue (WAT). Major treatment is accorded the isolation, subcellular fractionation, and transfection of low density adipocytes, as well as the metabolic aspects of nutrient uptake and key assays of nutrient and ion fluxes. Also covered are: biopsies and quantification of lipid-related mRNAs; cultures of adipose precursor cells from WAT and BAT; measurements of adipose secretory products; assessment of WAT metabolism in vivo; and assays of lipid-related enzymes. Innovative and highly practical, Adipose Tissue Protocols offers endocrinologists, physiologists, cell biologists, and pharmacologists a gold-standard collection of proven methods for effective nutritional, physiological, and molecular-level research on adipose tissue.

With the molecular mechanisms underlying the various forms of muscular dystrophy now rapidly clarifying, precise diagnosis has become a reality, and even a requirement in clinical practice. In Muscular Dystrophy: Methods and Protocols, Katherine Bushby and Louise Anderson have assembled an outstanding collection of key techniques for the analysis of DNA and protein from patients suspected to suffer from muscular dystrophy. Each method is highly detailed to ensure success and is presented by a hands-on expert who uses it on a day-to-day basis. The various DNA techniques focus on both the X-linked muscular dystrophies and the autosomal recessive muscular dystrophies. The protein methods include expression analysis, multiplex western blot analysis, immunocytochemical analysis, and reviews of immunological reagants and of amplification systems. Also discussed are the use of animal models to understand human muscular dystrophy and the available options for gene-based therapy. Comprehensive and highly practical, Muscular Dystrophy: Methods and Protocols offers today{608}s diagnostic laboratories, basic and medical researchers, and active clinicians an authoritative collection of tools that will serve as exacting diagnostic tools as well as greatly empowering research on the novel therapeutics now beginning to emerge.

In Adrenegic Receptor Protocols, Curtis Machida and a panel of expert investigators present a comprehensive collection of modern molecular methods for analyzing adrenergic receptors and corresponding second messenger systems. These proven and readily reproducible techniques utilize genetic, RNA, protein expression, transactivator, and second messenger methodologies, as well as immunocytochemical, electrophysiological, transgenic, and in situ hybridization approaches. Each of the experts writing here details the use of their chosen method in examining the adrenergic receptor system, using aspects of the genetic flow of information as a guide: DNA'RNA'transactivator'protein expression'second messenger analyses'cellular analyses'transgenic whole animal approaches. Comprehensive and rich in practical detail, Adrenergic Receptor Protocols provides the first collection of reproducible methods for the study of these important regulators of CNS-mediated behavior and neural function. Its state-of-the-art methods constitute today's gold standard reference for all neurobiologists, neurochemists, neurologists, and pharmacologists studying this exceptionally important class of receptors.