Search

"DNA mismatch repair (MMR) is the key process which ensures the incorporation of correct nucleotides during DNA replication by recognizing and removing of incorrectly paired nucleotides from DNA. DNA replication can introduce a mismatched nucleotide at a rate of 10-5 to 10-6 nts per replication cycle. If this mismatch is not corrected, then it becomes a permanent mutation after the next round of replication. Understanding the MMR mechanism can yield important insights into many aspects of human health, like the emergence of cancer and drug resistance in bacteria. To overcome experimental challenges with studying this process in living cells, we have developed a new method to enrich the rare genomic mutations by genotypic selection in a way that allows us to study the mismatch repair process in Escherichia coli, a model organism for MMR. We have shown the maximum 705,000-fold enrichment of DNA with a mutation even after a 10-6 times dilution by DNA with the wild-type sequence in vitro. After further optimization, we could then use this technique to directly measure MMR activity occurring in living E. coli (in vivo). We expect this technique will open up new opportunities and research directions to study MMR-like processes in E. coli as well as different organisms, including Actinobacteria."--Abstract from author supplied metadata. [This abstract has been edited to remove characters that will not display in this system. Please see the PDF for the full abstract.]

This handbook compiles authoritative information about fungal metabolites and their chemistry and biotechnology. The first in the reference work series “Phytochemicals”, and written by a team of international expert authors, this book provides reference information ranging from the description of fungal natural products, over their use e.g. as anticancer agents, to microbial synthesis, even spanning to the production of secondary metabolites on industrial scale. On the other hand it also describes global health issues related to aflatoxin production in foods and agriculture, including perspectives for detoxification. The handbook characterizes different compound classes derived from fungal secondary metabolites, like ergot alkaloids and aflatoxins. The discussion puts a special emphasis on how potentially useful compounds can be obtained and what applications they can find, on the one hand, and how potential dangers can be encountered on the other hand. The comprehensive chapters in this handbook will thus appeal to readers from diverse backgrounds in chemistry, biology, life sciences, and even medicine, who are working or planning to work with fungal (secondary) metabolites and their application. They provide the readers with rich sources of reference information on important topics in this field.

Nanomedicine is defined as the application of nanobiotechnology in clinical medicine, which is currently being used to research the pathomechanism of disease, refine molecular diagnostics, and aid in the discovery, development, and delivery of drugs. In The Handbook of Nanomedicine, Third Edition, Prof. Kewal K. Jain updates, reorganizes, and replaces information in the comprehensive second edition in order to capture the most recent advances in this dynamic field. Important components of nanomedicine such as drug delivery via nanobiotechnology and nanopharmaceuticals as well as nanooncology, where the greatest number of advances are occurring, are covered extensively. As this text is aimed at nonmedical scientists, pharmaceutical personnel, as well as physicians, descriptions of the technology involved and other medical terminology are kept as clear and simple as possible. In depth and cutting-edge, The Handbook of Nanomedicine, Third Edition informs its readers of the ever-growing field of nanomedicine, destined to play a significant role in the future of healthcare.

This book introduces recovery and stabilization of common bioactive materials in foods as well as materials science aspects of engineering stable bioactive delivery systems. The book also describes most typical unit operations and processes used in recovery and manufacturing of food ingredients and foods with stabilized bioactive components. The 15 chapters of the book discuss in detail substances that need to be protected and delivered via foods and beverages to achieve good stability, bioavailability and efficacy. Dedicated chapters present current and novel technologies used for stabilization and delivery of bioactive components. The material included covers formulation, stability, digestive release, bioaccessability and bioavailability. The text features a special emphasis on the materials science and technological aspects required for stabilization and successful production of foods with bioactive components. Consumer demand for healthier, yet satisfying food products is posing increasingly tough challenges for the food industry. Scientific research reveals new bioactive food components and new functionalities of known components. Food materials science has also developed to a stage where food materials can be designed and produced to protect sensitive components for their delivery in complex food products. Such delivery systems must meet high safety and efficacy requirements and regulations, as well as economic viability criteria and consumer acceptance.

This highlights ongoing research efforts on different aspects of polymer nanocomposites and explores their potentials to exhibit multi-functional properties. In this context, it addresses both fundamental and advanced concepts, while delineating the parameters and mechanisms responsible for these potentials. Aspects considered include embrittlement/toughness; wear/scratch behaviour; thermal stability and flame retardancy; barrier, electrical and thermal conductivity; and optical and magnetic properties. Further, the book was written as a coherent unit rather than a collection of chapters on different topics. As such, the results, analyses and discussions presented herein provide a guide for the development of a new class of multi-functional nanocomposites. Offering an invaluable resource for materials researchers and postgraduate students in the polymer composites field, they will also greatly benefit materials.

The book discusses new algorithms capable of searching for, tracking, mapping and providing a visualization of invisible substances. It reports on the realization of a bacterium-inspired robotic controller that can be used by an agent to search for any environmental spatial function such as temperature or pollution. Using the parameters of a mathematical model, the book shows that it is possible to control the exploration, exploitation and sensitivity of the agent. This feature sets the work apart from the usual method of applying the bacterium behavior to robotic agents. The book also discusses how a computationally tractable multi-agent robotic controller was developed and used to track as well as provide a visual map of a spatio-temporal distribution of a substance. On the one hand, this book provides biologists and ecologists with a basis to perform simulations related to how individual organisms respond to spatio-temporal factors in their environment as well as predict and analyze the behavior of organisms at a population level. On the other hand, it offers robotic engineers practical and fresh insights into the development of computationally tractable algorithms for spatial exploratory and mapping robots. It also allows a more general audience to gain an understanding of the design of computational intelligence algorithms for autonomous physical systems.

This book compiles and explores cutting-edge research in degenerative skeletal disorders, such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy and congenital myopathy, and new stem-cell based therapies and gene replacement therapy. Twelve expertly-authored chapters navigate the nuances of these treatments in an array of contexts and biological systems. The topics covered include: How are urine cells from a patient with Duchenne muscular dystrophy transformed into beating heart cells? What can reprogrammed cells tell us about heart muscle failure? What do gene mutations mean for those born with a muscle disease? How are manufacturing methods applied to human stem cells? Does therapeutic exercise benefit those patients who receive engineered limb muscle? Is there practical advice about nutrition to enhance muscle function for the Duchenne patient? Can microRNAs be useful to regenerate diseased muscle? Regenerative Medicine for Degenerative Muscle Diseases is ideal for scientists and clinicians from varying disciplines in genetics, cell biology, virology, cell-based manufacturing, rehabilitation medicine, nutrition, veterinary medicine and neurosurgery. The reader will see how transformative changes occur in medicine that can powerfully impact the future for patients suffering from inherited disorders affecting muscles of the body, including the heart.

This book reviews several aspects of the biological response to nanoscale particles on a molecular and cellular level. Nanoscale materials and nanoscale particles in particular have interesting properties and beneficial applications. While they thus have entered our daily lifes on many different levels (from electronics, over textiles, packaging or surface modifications, to biomedical applications), general rules describing their interaction with biological structures and biological matter are still difficult to derive. The existing literature suggests a variety of interaction schemes between nanoparticles and biological objects, not dispelling the public concerns about possible health effects and harmful properties. A systematic approach to the problem is needed and timely. This book specifically emphasizes bioanalytical problems starting from the characterization of the nanomaterials to the pitfalls and potential artifacts of state-of-the-art cytotoxicity assays that are frequently used to study harmful effects on cells. It also highlights the application of label-free bioanalytical techniques that can potentially complement the present approaches and hence provide new perspectives on this highly discussed cutting-edge field of research and public concern.

This book examines the utilization of algae for the development of useful products and processes with the emphasis towards green technologies and processes, and the requirements to make these viable. Serving as a complete reference guide to the production of biofuels and other value added products from micro and macro algae, it covers various aspects of algal biotechnology from the basics to large scale cultivation, harvesting and processing for a variety of products. It is authored and edited by respected world experts in the field of algal biotechnology and provides the most up to date and cutting edge information on developments in the field. Over the past decade there has been substantial focus and related literature on the application of algal biomass for the generation of novel processes and products. ‘Algae Biotechnology: Products and Processes’ encompasses a holistic approach to critically evaluating developments in the field of algal biotechnology whilst taking into account recent advances and building on the body of knowledge. Aspects of the effects of harmful algae are also discussed, as well as the potential commercial application of algal biotechnology, the techno-economic feasibility of algal biodiesel production and the use of genetic and metabolic engineering for the improvement of yield. Other bioenergy sources such as alcohol fuels, aviation fuels, biohydrogen and biogas are also covered. This book is intended for postgraduates and researchers working in the biofuels and algal industry; it constitutes ideal reference material for both early stage and established researchers.

Antenna Mutants, Domestication, by Roberto Bassi Heterotrophic Cultivation, by William McCaffrey Chlorella for industrial applications: Advances and prospective, by Feng Chen Carotinoide, by Carola Griehl Engineering the algal chloroplast for synthesis of therapeutic proteins, by Saul Purton Design Concepts and recent developments of photobioreactors, by Clemens Posten Efficiency of flat plate reactors, by Mario Tredici Measuring modelling and control, by Olivier Bernard Microalgae in Life Support Systems, by Klaus Slenzka Heterotrophic oil production, by Makato Watanabe.

The evidence suggests that many solar programs are being designed and implemented in isolation and without reliance on published guidelines or the experience gained by others. The conclusion is obvious: the likelihood of a program being successful would be greatly improved if program implementers were made more aware of best practice guidelines and of the lessons and experience learned by others in implementing previous programs. Furthermore, the best practice guidelines not only need to be readily available but need to describe the stages, issues and the stakeholders' roles in designing and implementing a SHS program. This book showcases a detailed road map that has been developed for the implementation of rural electrification projects in developing countries using solar PV. Features of this book will be case studies derived from personal participatory observation of the authors on Solar Home Systems, their impact, their advantages and disadvantages and their operation.

This book investigates the feasibility of developing a tool that enables fire departments to estimate the value of their services to a community in terms of environmental and financial impact. This book provides a summary of this effort, which resulted in development of a prototype tool for fire department use. The impact of fire on a community is usually measured in terms of the number of fires, human casualties, and property damage. There are, however, more subtle impacts of fire that are not so easily estimated but contribute to the measure of overall performance of the fire service in protecting a community. While environmental and economic impact assessment methodologies exist as separate systems, they generally require a high level of knowledge that is outside the scope of most fire departments. A relatively simple methodology for estimating the environmental and economic impact of fires helps communities understand the degree to which fire department activities can benefit a community's environmental and economic well-being. The scope and approach for this prototype tool is explained, including risk assessment, cost benefit analysis, life cycle assessment, integration and implementation, and sensitivity and uncertainty analysis. It includes multiple case studies and offers statistical support for future expansion of the tool. Fire service professionals will find this a useful new approach to presenting value in a community, as well as a method for examining their own financial and environmental plans.

Volume 2 comprises 10 chapters emphasizing proteomics and other "omics" approaches for gaining fundamental knowledge of ticks, malaria mosquitoes, caterpillar larvae, spiders, and other arthropods, and practical applications for the specialized substances they produce. Included are comprehensive reviews of the tick salivary gland proteome, the lepidopteran larval peritrophic matrix, and circadian changes in the malaria mosquito proteome, the biochemistry of insect cold adaptation, and the evolutionary loss of selenocysteine from insect lineages. Surveyed are antimicrobial peptides for medical therapeutics, advanced insect systems for expressing biologically active proteins, properties and uses for spider silks, and novel nano-insecticides from bio-active plant extracts. The editors have assembled top-quality scientists from diverse fields of insect genomics, proteomics and biotechnology to produce a major new work. The chapters of this series (Volumes 1 & 2) present many experts' contributions, providing a concise overview of recent advances by highlighting their current research. The chapters are accessible to wide audience, helping students, postdocs, and researchers to broaden their knowledge and gain an understanding of the challenges and opportunities in each field. Emphasis is on innovative effective and ecologically sound approaches based on the knowledge of insect science to improve public health and agriculture

"Synthetic biology" is the label of a new technoscientific field with many different facets and agendas. One common aim is to "create life", primarily by using engineering principles to design and modify biological systems for human use. In a wider context, the topic has become one of the big cases in the legitimization processes associated with the political agenda to solve global problems with the aid of (bio- )technological innovation. Conceptual-level and meta-level analyses are needed: we should sort out conceptual ambiguities to agree on what we talk about, and we need to spell out agendas to see the disagreements clearly. The book is based on the interdisciplinary summer school "Analyzing the societal dimensions of synthetic biology", which took place in Berlin in September 2014. The contributions address controversial discussions around the philosophical examination, public perception, moral evaluation and governance of synthetic biology

Expanding on the first edition, 'Energy: Production, Conversion, Storage, Conservation, and Coupling (2nd Ed.)' provides readers with a practical understanding of the major aspects of energy. It includes extended chapters with revised data and additional practice problems as well as a new chapter examining sustainability and sustainable energy technologies. Like the first edition, it also explores topics such as energy production, conservation of energy, energy storage and energy coupling. Written for students across a range of engineering and science disciplines, it provides a comprehensive study guide. It is particularly suitable for courses in energy technology, sustainable energy technologies and energy conversion & management, and offers an ideal reference text for students, engineers, energy researchers and industry professionals. * Presents a clear introduction to the basic properties, forms and sources of energy * Includes a range of supporting figures, tables and thermodynamic diagrams * Provides course instructors with a solution manual for practice problems.

This edited book has been designed to serve as a natural resources engineering reference book as well as a supplemental textbook. This volume is part of the Handbook of Environmental Engineering series, an incredible collection of methodologies that study the effects of pollution and waste in their three basic forms: gas, solid, and liquid. It complements two other books in the series including Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering and Integrated Natural Resources Management that serve as a basis for advanced study or specialized investigation of the theory and analysis of various natural resources systems. This book covers the management of many waste sources including those from agricultural livestock, deep-wells, industries manufacturing dyes, and municipal solid waste incinerators. The purpose of this book is to thoroughly prepare the reader for understanding the sources, treatment and control methods of toxic wastes shown to have harmful effects on the environment. Chapters provide information on some of the most innovative and ground-breaking advances in waste characterization, control, treatment and management from a panel of esteemed experts.

This book presents theory-driven discussion on the link between implementing green shipping practices (GSP) and shipping firm performance. It examines the shipping industry's challenge of supporting economic growth while enhancing environmental performance. Consisting of nine chapters, the book covers topics such as the conceptualization of green shipping practices (GSPs), measurement scales for evaluating GSP implementation, greening capability, greening and performance relativity (GPR), green management practice, green shipping network, greening capacity, and greening propensity. In view of the increasing quest for environment protection in the shipping sector, this book provides a good reference for firms to understand and evaluate their capability in carrying out green operations on their shipping activities.

This volume provides in-depth coverage of such topics as multi-reservoir system operation theory and practice, management of aquifer systems connected to streams using semi-analytical models, one-dimensional model of water quality and aquatic ecosystem-ecotoxicology in river systems, environmental and health impacts of hydraulic fracturing and shale gas, bioaugmentation for water resources protection, wastewater renovation by flotation for water pollution control, determination of receiving water's reaeration coefficient in the presence of salinity for water quality management, sensitivity analysis for stream water quality management, river ice process, and computer-aided mathematical modeling of water properties. This critical volume will serve as a valuable reference work for advanced undergraduate and graduate students, designers of water resources systems, and scientists and researchers. The goals of the Handbook of Environmental Engineering series are: (1) to cover entire environmental fields, including air and noise pollution control, solid waste processing and resource recovery, physicochemical treatment processes, biological treatment processes, biotechnology, biosolids management, flotation technology, membrane technology, desalination technology, water resources, natural control processes, radioactive waste disposal, hazardous waste management, and thermal pollution control; and (2) to employ a multimedia approach to environmental conservation and protection since air, water, soil and energy are all interrelated.

This book is the outcome of two International Conferences held at the ISEC in Bangalore, India: the international conference on "Climate Change and Social-Ecological-Economical Interface-Building: Modelling Approach to Exploring Potential Adaptation Strategies for Bio-resource Conservation and Livelihood Development" held during 20-21 May 2015 and jointly organized by the Centre for Ecological Economics and Natural Resources (CEENR), Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC) and the Centre for Environmental Systems Research (CESR), University of Kassel, Germany; and the international conference "Climate Change and Food Security - the Global and Indian Contexts," jointly hosted by the CEENR, ISEC and the School of Geosciences, University of Sydney, on 18-19 February 2015. The selected papers presented in this book portray a broad range of international research efforts aimed at developing a deeper understanding of human-environment systems but also at translating scientific knowledge into political and societal solutions and responses to the challenge of climate change

This volume of Advances Anatomy Embryology and Cell Biology focuses on the emerging field of bio-image informatics, presenting novel and exciting ways of handling and interpreting large image data sets. A collection of focused reviews written by key players in the field highlights the major directions and provides an excellent reference work for both young and experienced researchers.

The thesis presents an original and smart way to manipulate liquid and polymeric materials using a "pyro-fluidic platform" which exploits the pyro-electric effect activated onto a ferroelectric crystal. It describes a great variety of functionalities of the pyro-electrohydrodynamic platform, such as droplet self-assembling and dispensing, for manipulating multiphase liquids at the micro- and nanoscale. The thesis demonstrates the feasibility of non-contact self-assembling of liquids in plane (1D) using a micro engineered crystal, improving the dispensing capability and the smart transfer of material between two different planes (2D) and controlling and fabricating three-dimensional structures (3D). The thesis present the fabrication of highly integrated and automated 'lab-on-a-chip' systems based on microfluidics. The pyro-platform presented herein offers the great advantage of enabling the actuation of liquids in contact with a polar dielectric crystal through an electrode-less configuration. The simplicity and flexibility of the method for fabricating 3D polymer microstructures shows the great potential of the pyro-platform functionalities, exploitable in many fields, from optics to biosensing. In particular, this thesis reports the fabrication of optically active elements, such as nanodroplets, microlenses and microstructures, which have many potential applications in photonics. The capability for manipulating the samples of interest in a touch-less modality is very attractive for biological and chemical assays. Besides controlling cell growth and fate, smart micro-elements could deliver optical stimuli from and to cells monitoring their growth in real time, opening interesting perspectives for the realization of optically active scaffolds made of nanoengineered functional elements, thus paving the way to fascinating Optogenesis Studies

This book studies the "Redox Complex", a complex of unconventional geophysical-geochemical exploration techniques used for the indirect detection, characterization and evaluation of various metal targets, while also illustrating selected applications of unconventional geophysical-geochemical methods for oil exploration in Cuba. This complex is successfully applied in various fields: oil & gas and metal ores exploration; studies of oil and metal contaminants in soils; and the search for metallic archaeological burials. The use of these techniques is intended to complement the conventional prospecting complex by reducing areas and/or facilitating the selection of the most favorable targets, improving the economical-geological effectiveness of investigations in the process. Further, the Redox Complex can be implemented without physical or chemical damage to the environment. The book's primary goals are to: 1) outline the general features characterizing the processes of metal mobilization, transport and accumulation on surficial media; 2) outline the methodology, data interpretation and mathematical apparatus that support quantitative estimates of the Redox Complex; and 3) design a database and applications system (the Redox System) to address storage processes, reports, graphics and the corresponding interpretations of the Redox Complex in a quick and reliable way. To do so, it examines the regions of Havana-Matanzas (Varadero Oil Field, Cantel Oil Field and Madruga Prospect) and Ciego de Ávila (Pina Oil Field, Cristales Oil Field, Jatibonico Oil Field, Jatibonico Oeste Prospect and Cacahual Prospect). The methods covered include, in some cases, airborne gamma spectrometry (K/eTh ratio) beside ORP and, in others, the Redox Complex with reduced or standard attributes. In all cases, the anomalous complex of interest corresponds to the correlation of the minimum K/eTh ratio with minimum ORP and, in the case of the Redox Complex, Magnetic Susceptibility highs with ORP lows

This book explores the emergence of a new scientific field, synthetic biology, and the many bold promises its proponents have made to change the future of science, industry, humanity and the global environment. It explores how people, including academics, students, industrialists and governance actors, tried to change their practices to bring engineering and biology together, and to realise such promises from within their everyday lives. It focuses on an ethnographic case study of an academic project that aimed to demonstrate the field's promise for solving water industry problems, from leaky pipes to climate change. In doing so, the book weaves together stories of barriers, bacteria and bodies, examining how they were entangled as people tried to make connections between academia and industry. It also reflects on the authors' attempts to work collaboratively with natural scientists and engineers, reflecting on current debates about the role of sociology in such interdisciplinary projects. The book contributes to contemporary studies of science and technology by highlighting issues such as ontology, practices, failure and time.

This book reflects the use of cyanobacteria for the bioremediation of wastewater through different mechanisms and pathways of transformation and transfer of hazardous substances from one medium to another. The application of microorganisms for bioremediation is determined by their ubiquity, small size, high rate of reproduction and large surface-to-volume cell ratio. Mechanisms of interaction of cyanobacteria with inorganic pollutants include biosorption, bioaccumulation with an opportunity to obtain metal nanoparticles both on the cell surface and inside the cells as well as chelation and inclusion of metals in the composition of certain organic structures. Data presented in the book provides specialists in the field with useful information for bioremediation technologies as well as for obtaining valuable preparations using cyanobacteria.

This comprehensive dictionary covers wastewater processes, pollution control, and every major area of environmental engineering used in industry. The alphabetically arranged entries cover key terms used in daily communications and documentation in all research and industrial activities. The several thousand key technical terms are written in easy-to-understand, practical language. The volume is an ideal reference for students and practitioners. Encompasses the major areas of environmental engineering and wastewater treatment used in industry, research, and field operations; Maximizes the reader's understanding of technical terms with cross referencing of entries and clear, easy-to-understand definitions accessible to a wide range of audiences; Stands as the most comprehensive and up-to-date dictionary of both wastewater treatment and environmental engineering.

This book covers the state-of-the-art of modern MALDI (matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization) and its applications. New applications and improvements in the MALDI field such as biotyping, clinical diagnosis, forensic imaging, and ESI-like ion production are covered in detail. Additional topics include MS imaging, biotyping/speciation; large-scale, high-speed MS sample profiling; new methods based on MALDI or MALDI-like sample preparations; and the advantages of MALDI MS analysis over ESI (electrospray ionization). This is an ideal book for graduate students and researchers in the field of bioanalytical sciences. This book also: " Showcases new techniques and applications in MALDI MS " Demonstrates how MALDI is preferable to ESI " Illustrates the pros and cons associated with biomarker discovery studies in clinical proteomics and various application areas, such as cancer proteomics