Molecular biology Books

Book SynopsisThis book contains articles written by experts on a wide range of topics that are associated with the analysis and management of biological information at the molecular level. It contains chapters on RNA and protein structure analysis, DNA computing, sequence mapping, genome comparison, gene expression data mining, metabolic network modeling, and phyloinformatics.The important work of some representative researchers in bioinformatics is brought together for the first time in one volume. The topic is treated in depth and is related to, where applicable, other emerging technologies such as data mining and visualization. The goal of the book is to introduce readers to the principle techniques of bioinformatics in the hope that they will build on them to make new discoveries of their own.Table of ContentsExploring RNA Intermediate Conformations with the Massively Parallel Genetic Algorithm (B A Shapiro et al.); Introduction to Self-Assembling DNA Nanostructures for Computation and Nanofabrication (T H LaBean); Mapping Sequence to Rice FPC (C Soderlund et al.); Graph Theoretic Sequence Clustering Algorithms and Their Applications to Genome Comparison (S Kim); The Protein Information Resource for Functional Genomics and Proteomics (C H Wu); High-Grade Ore for Data Mining in 3d Structures (J S Richardson & D C Richardson); Protein Classification: A Geometric Hashing Approach (X Wang & J T L Wang); Interrelated Clustering: An Approach for Gene Expression Data Analysis (C Tang et al.); Creating Metabolic Network Models Using Text Mining and Expert Knowledge (J A Dickerson et al.); Phyloinformatics and Tree Networks (W H Piel).

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Book SynopsisComputer scientists have increasingly been enlisted as “bioinformaticians” to assist molecular biologists in their research. This book is a practical introduction to bioinformatics for these computer scientists. The chapters are in-depth discussions by expert bioinformaticians on both general techniques and specific approaches to a range of selected bioinformatics problems. The book is organized into clusters of chapters on the following topics:• Overview of modern molecular biology and a broad spectrum of techniques from computer science — data mining, machine learning, mathematical modeling, sequence alignment, data integration, workflow development, etc.• In-depth discussion of computational recognition of functional and regulatory sites in DNA sequences.• Incisive discussion of computational prediction of secondary structure of RNA sequences.• Overview of computational prediction of protein cellular localization, and selected discussions of inference of protein function.• Overview of methods for discovering protein-protein interactions.• Detailed discussion of approaches to gene expression analysis for the diagnosis of diseases, the treatment of diseases, and the understanding of gene functions.• Case studies on analysis of phylogenies, functional annotation of proteins, construction of purpose-built integrated biological databases, and development of workflows underlying the large-scale-effort gene discovery.

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Book SynopsisComputer scientists have increasingly been enlisted as “bioinformaticians” to assist molecular biologists in their research. This book is a practical introduction to bioinformatics for these computer scientists. The chapters are in-depth discussions by expert bioinformaticians on both general techniques and specific approaches to a range of selected bioinformatics problems. The book is organized into clusters of chapters on the following topics:• Overview of modern molecular biology and a broad spectrum of techniques from computer science — data mining, machine learning, mathematical modeling, sequence alignment, data integration, workflow development, etc.• In-depth discussion of computational recognition of functional and regulatory sites in DNA sequences.• Incisive discussion of computational prediction of secondary structure of RNA sequences.• Overview of computational prediction of protein cellular localization, and selected discussions of inference of protein function.• Overview of methods for discovering protein-protein interactions.• Detailed discussion of approaches to gene expression analysis for the diagnosis of diseases, the treatment of diseases, and the understanding of gene functions.• Case studies on analysis of phylogenies, functional annotation of proteins, construction of purpose-built integrated biological databases, and development of workflows underlying the large-scale-effort gene discovery.

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Book SynopsisThis book addresses the innovative themes in characterizing the cellular membrane platforms and intracellular networking, as well as the architectural aspects of cell compartments mediated by the entry and replication cycles of viruses. The instrumentation of modern molecular and cellular biology provides a potent array of wave packets to image, detect and manipulate major dynamics of macromolecular and subviral assemblies as in the host cellular context.The book includes case studies presented with highly coherent and structured illuminations, including microscopy, spectroscopy and scanning probes. The compilation and integration of the methodology provides time-resolved observations on the reactivity of structures from near-atomic resolution to various molecular or cellular levels of descriptors. The book provides a broad introduction to the various fascinating virus systems and may be used as an advanced textbook by graduate students in biomedicine. It provides adequate background material to explore further the research problems of epidemics in the 21st century.Table of ContentsHuman Rhinovirus Cell Entry and Uncoating (R Fuchs & D Blaas); Virus-Cell Interaction of HCV (H Tani et al.); Structure and Dynamics in Viral RNA Packaging (T Dieckmann & M Zumwalt); The Assembly of the Double-Layered Capsids of Phytoreoviruses (T Omura et al.); Structure and Assembly of Human Herpesviruses: New Insights From Cryo-Electron Microscopy and Tomography (Z H Zhou & P Lo); Human Papillomavirus Type 16 Capsid Proteins: Immunogenicity and Possible Use as Prophylactic Vaccine Antigens (T Kanda et al.); and others papers.

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Book SynopsisThis book provides a fascinating account of the accumulated knowledge of the mechanisms by which plants regulate their patterning. This is an exciting subject based on a novel endeavor, not least due to the rapid progress made in recent years in the diverse fields of genetics, molecular biology, microscopy, inter- and intracellular signaling, as well as our intimate knowledge of model plants (such as Arabidopsis).This book is unique in that it provides, in one volume, comprehensive information on all the main organs of flowering plants. There is no other book similar to this, written by a single author, that has been published in the last 10 years.The book contains updated information on the differentiation of the plant organs with respect to structure and molecular genetics, and the methodologies employed to investigate plant patterning are described in detail. Extensively illustrated with numerous figures, many of which are in color, the book will appeal to three main groups of readers: novices interested in plant patterning; plant biologists requiring a comprehensive understanding of differentiation in flowering plants; and graduate students in advanced courses.Trade Review"This book takes a new look as to how plants grow ... In this outstanding compilation of enlightened, insightful and critical thinking the author steers the reader skilfully through the hormonal, protein and RNA signalling involved ... The detailed referencing and the clear and colourful illustrations greatly help the reader to understand the ever increasing complexity of the structural and molecular genetic aspects of plant growth and development."Edward C Cocking FRSUniversity of Nottingham, UKTable of ContentsBasic Issues Relevant to Plant Patterning: Plant Hormones; The Cytoskeleton of Plant Cells; Phylogeny, Taxonomy and Gene Duplication; Regulation of Gene Expression; Systems Biology; The Patterning of Plant Components: Patterning of the Angiosperm Embryo; The Shoot Apical Meristem; Patterning of Roots; The Vegetative Shoot and Transition to Flowering; The Angiosperm Leaf; Patterning of Flowers and Their Members.

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Book SynopsisThe history of molecular biology in Germany is closely linked to the Institute of Genetics in Cologne, the first molecular biological Institute at a German university. Founded in 1959 by the émigré physicist and future Nobel laureate Max Delbrück, the Institute was the first in Germany to implement less hierarchical American organizational structures and research habits. The Institute had already gained an excellent international scientific reputation by the beginning of the 1960s.This volume comprises the recollections of scientists pertaining to the Institute's research, organization and other specificities. Articles by historians of science analyze the historical background and international framework of the Institute's foundations and genetic research. In addition, the scientists discuss contemporary questions of science policy with regard to teaching and the impact of the internal structures of scientific institutions on the quality of research.Table of ContentsIntroduction: A Brief Review of the History of Genetics and Its Relationship to Physics and Chemistry (U Deichmann); First Initiatives, Concept, Founding and Crisis: Founding and Crisis (S Wenkel); Institutionalisation of Molecular Biology in Europe (B Strasser); The Beginnings: Recollections (H-G Zachau); How Chemistry Met Genetics (H Feldmann); Views from Outside: In the Smog: Genetics and Biochemistry in Cologne (L Jaenicke); TMV in Tubingen and Its Brief Escapade with Genetics (K-W Mundry); Research and Scientific Collaboration: Medical Virology in Cologne (W Doerfler); Immunology and Genetics (K Rajewsky); Molecular Biology and the German University Structure -- A Discussion; Establishment and Teaching of Molecular Biology in Germany -- A Discussion; Final Remarks: Science and Society (P Starlinger).

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Book SynopsisThis volume presents a timely and comprehensive overview of biological networks at all organization levels in the spirit of the complex systems approach. It discusses the transversal issues and fundamental principles as well as the overall structure, dynamics, and modeling of a wide array of biological networks at the molecular, cellular, and population levels. Anchored in both empirical data and a strong theoretical background, the book therefore lends valuable credence to the complex systems approach.Table of ContentsTransversal Issues: Scale-Free Networks in Biology; Modularity in Biological Networks; Inference of Biological Regulatory Networks: Machine Learning Approaches; Molecular Level: Transcriptional Networks; Protein Interaction Networks; Metabolic Networks; Heterogeneous Molecular Networks; Evolution of Regulatory Networks; Cellular Level: Complexity in Neuronal Networks; Networks of the Immune System; Population Level: A History of the Study of Ecological Networks; Dynamic Network Models of Ecological Diversity, Complexity, and Nonlinear Persistence; Infection Transmission through Networks.

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Book SynopsisWitchweeds (Striga species) decimate agriculture in much of Africa and parts of Asia, attacking the major cereal grains and legumes, and halving the already very low yields of subsistence farmers. Several years of research have provided promising technologies, based on the fundamental biology of the parasite-host associations, for dealing with this scourge. However, there is an apparent realization that these technologies will fail because highly successful weeds such as Striga evolve resistance to all types of controls unless proven methods are integrated with each other for a more sustainable solution.Integration is often an anathema to basic scientists who typically deal with single variables and solutions. However, key leaders in the development of the new knowledge-based control strategies, already in the field and under development, recently joined forces to develop strategies and projects in order to integrate the technologies in a symposium in Ethiopia in November 2006. The encouraging results are described in this peer-reviewed book, authored by leaders in the field who have been supplying the basic biology, genetics, biochemistry, and molecular information that have offered insights and generated technologies in how to deal with Striga.Table of ContentsIntroduction -- The Witches' Curse; Biology and Chemistry -- The Needed Basics; Knowledge-based Breeding -- Translating Information to Products; Biotechnology: Opening New Frontiers; Agronomic Options: The First and Essential Line of Control and Policy Considerations; Biocontrol: Untapped Potential?.

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Book SynopsisThis book provides an ideal introduction to the physics of biopolymers. The structure, dynamics, and properties of biopolymers subjected to various forms of confinement are covered, and special attention is paid to the effect of charge and electrostatic screening (polyelectrolyte effect). By focusing on the development of physical intuition rather than mathematical rigor, readers will be better prepared to address complicated, real issues in the life sciences or related fields such as material or food sciences. The book is designed to serve as a bridge between undergraduate textbooks in physical (bio)chemistry and the professional literature, and is thus especially suitable for advanced undergraduate or postgraduate students and professionals who have already acquired basic knowledge of physics, thermodynamics, and molecular biology.Table of ContentsBiopolymers; Polymer Conformation; Polyelectrolytes; Polymer Dynamics; Higher-Order Structures and Their Transitions; Mesoscopic Structures.

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Book SynopsisComputational structural biology has made tremendous progress over the last two decades, and this book provides a recent and broad overview of such computational methods in structural biology. It covers the impact of computational structural biology on protein structure prediction methods, macromolecular function and protein design, and key methods in drug discovery. It also addresses the computational challenges of experimental approaches in structural biology. In addition to reviewing the current state of computational structural biology, each chapter ends with a brief, visionary discussion on the future outlook, whereby the main challenges for the coming years are elucidated. Written by an international panel of expert contributors, this book can serve as a reference manual for students and practitioners alike.Table of ContentsStructure Prediction Methods: Protein Fold Recognition and Threading (L McGuffin); Assessment of Protein Structure Predictions (E Capriotti & M A Marti-Renom); From Structure to Function to Design: Evolution of Protein Folds (A Lupas & K Koretke); Molecular Modeling of Enzyme Reactions and Transition States (M Meuwly); Virtual Screening and Docking: MD-based Free Energy Simulations (O Michielin); Protein-Protein Interactions and Aggregation Processes (R Dima); New Frontiers in X-ray Crystallography (M Grutter); New Frontiers in Electron Microscopy (A Engel); Other Selected Topics: Docking for Neglected Diseases as Community Effort (M Provinec et al.); Protein Structure Databases (K Henrick et al.); Molecular Graphics (A M Lesk); and other chapters.

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Book SynopsisBiological research and recent technological advances have resulted in an enormous increase in research data that require large storage capacities, powerful computing resources, and accurate data analysis algorithms. Bioinformatics is the field that provides these resources to life science researchers.The Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), which has celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2008, is an institution of national importance, recognized worldwide for its state-of-the-art work. Organized as a federation of bioinformatics research groups from Swiss universities and research institutes, the SIB provides services to the life science community that are highly appreciated worldwide, and coordinates research and education in bioinformatics nationwide. The SIB plays a central role in life science research both in Switzerland and abroad by developing extensive and high-quality bioinformatics resources that are essential for all life scientists. Knowledge developed by SIB members in areas such as genomics, proteomics, and systems biology is directly transformed by academia and industry into innovative solutions to improve global health. Such an astounding concentration of talent in a given field is unusual and unique in Switzerland.This book provides an insight into some of the key areas of activity in bioinformatics in Switzerland. With contributions from SIB members, it covers both research work and major infrastructure efforts in genome and gene expression analysis, investigations on proteins and proteomes, evolutionary bioinformatics, and modeling of biological systems.Table of ContentsMethods for Discovery and Characterization of DNA Sequence Motifs; Comparative Genome Analysis; From Modules to Models: Advanced Analysis Methods for Large-Scale Data; Integrated Analysis of Gene Expression Profiling Studies - Examples in Breast Cancer; Computational Biology of Small Regulatory RNAs; UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot Manual and Automated Annotation of Complete Proteomes: The Dictyostelium discoideum Case Study; Analytical Bioinformatics for Proteomics; Protein-Protein Interaction Networks: Assembly and Analysis; Protein Structure Modeling and Docking at the Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics; Molecular Modeling of Proteins: From Simulations to Drug Design Applications; An Introduction to Phylogenetics and Its Molecular Aspects; Phylogenetic Tree Building Methods; Bioinformatics for Evolutionary Developmental Biology; Spatiotemporal Modeling and Simulation in Biology.

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Book SynopsisThis book provides a comprehensive coverage of the basic principles of structural biology, as well as an up-to-date summary of some main directions of research in the field. The relationship between structure and function is described in detail for soluble proteins, membrane proteins, membranes, and nucleic acids.There are several books covering protein structure and function, but none that give a complete picture, including nucleic acids, lipids, membranes and carbohydrates, all being of central importance in structural biology.The book covers state-of-the-art research in various areas. It is unique for its breadth of coverage by experts in the fields. The book is richly illustrated with more than 400 color figures to highlight the wide range of structures.

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Book SynopsisThis book presents key concepts in the structure and function of vascular smooth muscle cells in health and disease. Supplemental reading may be drawn from the extensive references listed at the end of each chapter. Vascular smooth muscle cell is the major cell type in blood vessels. Dysfunction of vascular smooth muscle cells is an important cause of vascular diseases, for example, atherosclerosis, hypertension, and circulatory shock. Vascular smooth muscle cells are phenotypically plastic, capable of switching between two major phenotypes — contractile/differentiated phenotype and invasive/proliferative phenotype in response to environmental clues. Chapter 1 introduces the major areas of research presented in this monograph. Chapters 2 to 4 address the structure and function of the contractile/differentiated phenotype of vascular smooth muscle cell. Chapters 5 and 6 address the developmental basis of vascular smooth muscle cell phenotype and structure and function of podosomes (invasive organelles) in the invasive/proliferative phenotype of vascular smooth muscle cell. Chapters 7 to 9 address the role of vascular smooth muscle cell dysfunction in vascular diseases — atherosclerosis, hypertension, and circulatory shock.

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Book SynopsisEver since the birth of molecular biology, the tantalizing possibility of treating disease at its genetic roots has become increasingly feasible. Gene therapy — though still in its infancy — remains one of the hottest areas of research in medicine. Its approach utilizes a gene transfer vehicle ('vector') to deliver therapeutic DNA or RNA to cells of the body in order to rectify the defect that is causing the disease. Successful therapies have been reported in humans in recent years such as cures in boys with severe immune deficiencies. Moreover, gene therapy strategies are being adapted in numerous biomedical laboratories to obtain novel treatments for a variety of diseases and to study basic biological aspects of disease. Correction of disease in animal studies, is steadily gaining ground, highlighting the immense potential of gene therapy in the medical profession.This book will cover topics that are at the forefront of biomedical research such as RNA interference, viral and non-viral gene transfer systems, treatment of hematological diseases and disorders of the central nervous system. Leading experts on the respective vector or disease will contribute the individual chapters and explain cutting-edge technologies. It also gives a broad overview of the most important gene transfer vectors and most extensively studied target diseases. This comprehensive guide is therefore a must-read for anyone in the biotechnology, biomedical or medical industries seeking to further their knowledge in the area of human gene therapy.

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Book Synopsis'As an innovative treatment of scientific topics with philosophical undertones, this is an impressive work, Some may not be convinced by the arguments, but for scientists and philosophers alike the author presents a thesis worth exploring.'CHOICEThe book describes a common ground between the biology of life and the humanity of life without compromising either discipline. It attempts to bridge the gap between our 'two cultures' — the sciences and the humanities, as advocated by C P Snow fifty years ago. This book connects our meager existence to the entire living world and the universe, physically and spiritually, through the simple perspective of 'self,' being defined as a system that seeks its own perpetuation.

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Book Synopsis'As an innovative treatment of scientific topics with philosophical undertones, this is an impressive work, Some may not be convinced by the arguments, but for scientists and philosophers alike the author presents a thesis worth exploring.'CHOICEThe book describes a common ground between the biology of life and the humanity of life without compromising either discipline. It attempts to bridge the gap between our 'two cultures' — the sciences and the humanities, as advocated by C P Snow fifty years ago. This book connects our meager existence to the entire living world and the universe, physically and spiritually, through the simple perspective of 'self,' being defined as a system that seeks its own perpetuation.

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Book SynopsisThe Pacific Symposium on Biocomputing (PSB) 2017 is an international, multidisciplinary conference for the presentation and discussion of current research in the theory and application of computational methods in problems of biological significance. Presentations are rigorously peer reviewed and are published in an archival proceedings volume. PSB 2017 will be held on January 4 - 8, 2017 in Kohala Coast, Hawaii. Tutorials and workshops will be offered prior to the start of the conference.PSB 2017 will bring together top researchers from the US, the Asian Pacific nations, and around the world to exchange research results and address open issues in all aspects of computational biology. It is a forum for the presentation of work in databases, algorithms, interfaces, visualization, modeling, and other computational methods, as applied to biological problems, with emphasis on applications in data-rich areas of molecular biology.The PSB has been designed to be responsive to the need for critical mass in sub-disciplines within biocomputing. For that reason, it is the only meeting whose sessions are defined dynamically each year in response to specific proposals. PSB sessions are organized by leaders of research in biocomputing's 'hot topics.' In this way, the meeting provides an early forum for serious examination of emerging methods and approaches in this rapidly changing field.

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Book SynopsisThis book is a comprehensive guide for all tissue bank operators to screen, procure and process amniotic membrane for clinical application.The amnion comes close to being the ideal biological membrane or dressing — readily available, inexpensive to procure and process. Its basic science is discussed in detail — anatomy, biological and biomechanical properties.It can be procured from the placenta in normal vaginal deliveries and from Caesarean Sections. Processing is by freeze-drying or by air-drying process with sterilisation using gamma irradiation.The product has low antigenicity, has anti-microbial properties with ability to enhance epithelisation with marked relief of pain. It is useful as a dressing for wounds — flap wounds, burn wounds, injury wounds, diabetic ulcers, leprous ulcers and post-surgery wounds and post-radiation wounds. It is also used as a biological scaffold for cells in tissue engineering. Its ophthalmic applications include treatment of corneal ulcers and conjunctival tumours. Oral uses include gingiva depigmentation and periodontal regeneration.

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Book SynopsisRho GTPases control many aspects of cell physiology. This includes polarity, endo/exocytosis, adhesion, motility, transcriptional activation, cell cycle progression or apoptosis. In view of such pleiotropic activities, Rho-controlled signaling has proven to be of medical relevance, especially in tumorigenesis, disease-associated bone remodeling and infectiology.This book is divided into three parts. Part 1 gives an evolutionary perspective of the Rho family, its atypical members, and an overview of how Rho activity is regulated. Part 2 addresses two important aspects of multicellularity controlled by Rho-dependent pathways, namely, cell-cell interactions and mechanotransduction. It also describes how post-translational modifications control Rho activity and how this is exploited by pathogenic bacteria. Part 3 explores several examples of the variety of pathophysiological processes controlled by Rho signaling, and gives a successful example of translational research, from the inhibition of Rho activation to the development of new molecules against osteoporosis.This updated review on the biology of Rho GTPases is an essential read for molecular and cell biologists. It is also an invaluable guide to post-graduate and medical students who wish to deepen their knowledge in cell biology.

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Book SynopsisThe book reproduces 55 of more than 300 articles written by the author, representing milestones in methods development of single-particle cryo-EM as well as important results obtained by this technique in the study of biological macromolecules and their interactions. Importantly, neither symmetries nor ordered arrangements (as in two-dimensional crystals, helical assemblies, icosahedral viruses) are required. Although the biological applications are mainly in the area of ribosome structure and function, the elucidation of membrane channel structures and their activation and gating mechanisms are represented, as well. The book is introduced by a commentary that explains the original development of concepts, describes the contributions of the author's colleagues and students, and shows how challenges were overcome as the technique matured. Along the way, the ribosome served as an example for a macromolecule with intricate structure and conformational dynamics that pose challenges for three-dimensional visualization. Toward the end of the book — bringing us to the present time — molecular structures with near-atomic resolution are presented, and a novel type of computational analysis, manifold embedding, is introduced.Single-particle cryo-EM is currently revolutionizing structural biology, presenting a powerful alternative to X-ray crystallography as a means to solve the structure of biological macromolecules. The book presents in one place a number of articles containing key advances in mathematical and computational methods leading up to the present time. Secondly, the development of the technique over the years is reflected by ever-expanding discoveries in the field of ribosome structure and function. Thirdly, as all histories of ideas, the history of concepts pertaining to this new method of visualization is fascinating all in itself.

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Book Synopsis'This book brings back memories of the great Alex Rich, a pioneer in molecular biology. He was friend, a mentor and a colleague who contributed greatly to the understanding of living processes and molecular structures.'David Baltimore1975 Nobel Laureate in Physiology or MedicineThis book is intended for students and general readers who are interested in the structures of biological molecules and history of science. The center of gravity of Alexander Rich's work is on nucleic acids and their structures and their roles in biology, but the breadth of his work is nearly unparalleled. Alex Rich published important early discoveries on the structure and activity of RNA, information transfer (translation) from RNA to protein, the structure of ribosomes with insights into polyribosome functions, the first atomic-resolution structure of nucleic acid base pairings, and the discovery of a hitherto-unknown conformation of DNA. Many of Rich's articles also have a focus on the structure of proteins in general as well as specific proteins and some are concerned with the structure of viruses. Some of Rich's early experimental work is based on scattering of X-rays from fibers but X-ray diffraction from crystals became the dominating technique of the Cold War.This is a book full of rich history of early days of modern biology and many fundamental discoveries. Alex Rich's main focus throughout his long career was on nucleic acids. His first paper on nucleic acids, was published together with JD Watson. Two years later, Rich reported creating fibers of poly-Uracil and poly-Adenine and studied their structures by diffraction.Alex Rich's laboratory determined the high resolution crystal structures of the ApU and GpC fragments of double helical RNA from Rich's group is considered a landmark in the detailed understanding of nucleic acid structure.

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Book SynopsisThis thought-provoking publication covers a wide-range of innovative areas of research and technologies that are unlocking groundbreaking new potentials in science. It contains important scientific information gleaned from the lectures of some of the world's experts in their respective fields. The book offers 'exceptional scientific insights, oftentimes addressing challenges before they are even recognized as questions. Chronicling the revolutionary ideas of Nobel Laureates, winners of Wolf Prize, US National Medal of Science and other notable scientists.

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Book SynopsisEver since the birth of molecular biology, the tantalizing possibility of treating disease at its genetic roots has become increasingly feasible. Gene therapy — though still in its infancy — remains one of the hottest areas of research in medicine. Its approach utilizes a gene transfer vehicle ('vector') to deliver therapeutic DNA or RNA to cells of the body in order to rectify the defect that is causing the disease. Successful therapies have been reported in humans in recent years such as cures in boys with severe immune deficiencies. Moreover, gene therapy strategies are being adapted in numerous biomedical laboratories to obtain novel treatments for a variety of diseases and to study basic biological aspects of disease. Correction of disease in animal studies, is steadily gaining ground, highlighting the immense potential of gene therapy in the medical profession.This book will cover topics that are at the forefront of biomedical research such as RNA interference, viral and non-viral gene transfer systems, treatment of hematological diseases and disorders of the central nervous system. Leading experts on the respective vector or disease will contribute the individual chapters and explain cutting-edge technologies. It also gives a broad overview of the most important gene transfer vectors and most extensively studied target diseases. This comprehensive guide is therefore a must-read for anyone in the biotechnology, biomedical or medical industries seeking to further their knowledge in the area of human gene therapy.Table of ContentsNon-Viral Vectors (S Sullivan); Adenoviral Vectors (A Baker); Retroviral Vectors and Integration Analysis (C von Kalle); Lentiviral Vectors (T VandenDriessche & M Chuah); Herpes Virus Vectors (J Glorioso); Adeno-Associated Viral (AAV) Vectors (N Muzyczka); Regulatory RNAs (Ribozymes, RNAi and miRNA) (A Lewin); Integrating Vectors (Transposon, Phage Integrase) (M Calos); Gene Correction Strategies/Zinc Fingers (M Porteus); Gene Switches (P Moullier); Gene Therapy for Disorders of the CNS (D Young); Hemoglobinopathies (A Srivastava); Severe Immune Deficiencies (A Aiuti); Hemophilia (R Herzog); Obesity and Diabetes (S Zolotukhin & C Wasserfall); Musculoskeletal Disorders (S Takeda); Cancer Gene Therapy (K Weigel-Van Aiken); Autoimmune Disorders (P Robbins); Lysosomal Storage Diseases (C Mah); Retinal Diseases (B Hauswirth); Pulmonary Diseases (T Flotte); Cardiovascular Diseases (B Byrne).

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Book SynopsisThis invaluable book provides the first description of the diverse and fascinating functions of heme in life processes for a broad audience. It begins with an introduction to the intricate chemical properties of heme and the history of early observations of human diseases associated with heme. It then proceeds to describe the versatile roles of heme in controlling diverse molecular and cellular processes germane to human life and disease processes. Finally, an up-to-date review of human diseases associated with heme synthesis and application of heme synthesis in photodynamic therapy in cancer treatment is presented.Heme biology is unified and logical in presentation. It is well suited for students and professionals in life sciences who wish to comprehend the fascinating biology of heme and its usefulness in health and diseases. It may also be used as a reference book for advanced readers and researchers who are interested in heme biology. The explanations in the book are detailed enough to capture the interest of the curious reader, and complete enough to provide the necessary information for researchers to have an in-depth molecular understanding of heme biology and further their studies in this fascinating realm.Table of ContentsThe Intricate Chemical Properties of Heme; Versatile Roles of Heme in Life; Heme Biosynthesis; Heme in Protein Synthesis; Heme in microRNA Maturation; Heme in Erythropoiesis and Neurogenesis; Heme in Cell Signaling and Gene Regulation; Heme in Human Diseases; Heme in Cancer Therapy.

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Book SynopsisAdvances in stem cell biology and biotechnology have sparked hopes that therapies will soon be available for maladies which were considered incurable before. However, realization of the clinical potential of stem cells will require better understanding of stem cell physiology and the development of advanced technologies for their efficient differentiation in medically relevant quantities. Resolving these issues necessitates synergistic approaches from multiple fields. Systems biology can be employed to dissect the mechanisms regulating the genome and proteome of stem cells during self-renewal and commitment. Microfluidic platforms can be used to recreate aspects of the stem cell niche and obtain a better understanding of the interactions among stem cells and with their environment. The milieu of stem cells and their progeny can be shaped with appropriately designed biomaterials for the engineering of tissues to replace, reconstitute or regenerate damaged organs. To that end, enabling bioreactor technologies will be necessary for the generation of large quantities of stem cells and their derivatives in a robust and cost-efficient manner. This book invites world-renowned experts in the above fields to discuss the latest advances in their respective areas and to provide insights on the future challenges and achievements in the area of stem cells.Table of ContentsComputational Modeling of Biochemical Processes and Cell Differentiation; Modeling Stem Cell Fate from a Complex Systems Perspective; Molecular Mechanisms Controlling Stem Cell Pluripotency Assessed by Comparative Transcriptomics; A Common Integrative Nuclear Signaling Module for Stem Cell Development; Generation, Characterization and Propagation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells; The Importance of Physiologically Inspired Physicochemical Parameters on Stem-Cell Maintenance and Lineage-Specific Differentiation; Stem Cell Bioprocessing for Regenerative Medicine; Engineering Bioactive Scaffold for Stem Cell Vascular Therapy; Stem Cells The New Drug: Innovative Concepts in Cell Replacement Therapies; Biofunctionalized Surfaces Controlling Fate Decisions of Neural Stem Cells Derived from Human Umbilical Cord Blood; Targeting Endogenous Brain Stem Cells with DNA Nanoplexes for Neuronogenesis.

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Book SynopsisThis book starts out by presenting the evidence for the importance of hydrophilic interactions in biochemical processes and then goes on to describe the applications of the hydrophilic interactions in these processes, specifically protein folding, protein association, self assembly and molecular recognition.In this volume it is shown that the new paradigm, based on the hydrophilic effect, brings us as close as one can hope to the solutions of the protein folding problem, as well as the problem of self assembly and molecular recognition. In addition, the new paradigm also provides an explanation of the high solubility of globular proteins.The change in the paradigm is shown symbolically in the cover design of this book.Table of ContentsIntroduction, the Main Problem and the Main Tools; Solvation and Solubility of Globular Proteins; Protein Folding; Association and Self-Assembly of Biomolecules.

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Book SynopsisThis book starts out by presenting the evidence for the importance of hydrophilic interactions in biochemical processes and then goes on to describe the applications of the hydrophilic interactions in these processes, specifically protein folding, protein association, self assembly and molecular recognition.In this volume it is shown that the new paradigm, based on the hydrophilic effect, brings us as close as one can hope to the solutions of the protein folding problem, as well as the problem of self assembly and molecular recognition. In addition, the new paradigm also provides an explanation of the high solubility of globular proteins.The change in the paradigm is shown symbolically in the cover design of this book.Table of ContentsIntroduction, the Main Problem and the Main Tools; Solvation and Solubility of Globular Proteins; Protein Folding; Association and Self-Assembly of Biomolecules.

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Book SynopsisUnderstanding the functions and properties of molecules in living systems requires a detailed knowledge of their three-dimensional structures and the conformational variability that allows them to adopt multiple functional forms. Interpreting biological systems in the language of three-dimensional structures is of fundamental importance and innumerable research groups around the world are working in this area. This book is a compilation of articles describing attempts at understanding the intricacies of biological systems through the structures of and interactions between their constituent molecules.

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Book SynopsisAbout 50 publications out of more than 500 have been selected from the work of Michael Rossmann covering the years from 1958 to 2012. These include his early work with Max Perutz on hemoglobin and the first protein structures to his current work on the structures of small icosahedral and large polymorphic viruses. These papers describe not only some of the first protein and virus structures, but also the crystallographic and electron microscopic technologies. Furthermore, the author's interests include evolution and protein folding.The selected papers are a personal history of structural biology and especially of structural virology. The papers describe many of the basic techniques of structural biology such as isomorphous replacement, anomalous dispersion of X-rays, the molecular replacement method, X-ray diffraction data processing and combining crystallographic data with electron microscopic images.The book covers much of the historical development of the modern flourishing field of structural biology in terms of the authors' own contributions.

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Book SynopsisThe Pacific Symposium on Biocomputing (PSB) 2013 is an international, multidisciplinary conference for the presentation and discussion of current research in the theory and application of computational methods in problems of biological significance. Presentations are rigorously peer reviewed and are published in an archival proceedings volume. PSB 2013 will be held on January 3 - 7, 2013 in Kohala Coast, Hawaii. Tutorials and workshops will be offered prior to the start of the conference.PSB 2013 will bring together top researchers from the US, the Asian Pacific nations, and around the world to exchange research results and address open issues in all aspects of computational biology. It is a forum for the presentation of work in databases, algorithms, interfaces, visualization, modeling, and other computational methods, as applied to biological problems, with emphasis on applications in data-rich areas of molecular biology.The PSB has been designed to be responsive to the need for critical mass in sub-disciplines within biocomputing. For that reason, it is the only meeting whose sessions are defined dynamically each year in response to specific proposals. PSB sessions are organized by leaders of research in biocomputing's “hot topics.” In this way, the meeting provides an early forum for serious examination of emerging methods and approaches in this rapidly changing field.Table of ContentsComputational Challenges in Comparative Genomics; Computational Studies of Non-Coding RNAs; Dynamics of Biological Networks; Multi-Resolution Modeling of Biological Macromolecules; Personal Genomics; Reverse Engineering and Synthesis of Biomolecular Systems.

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Book SynopsisRhabdoviruses and Filoviruses are single-stranded, non-segmented, negative-strand RNA viruses, many of which cause significant morbidity and mortality in humans and animals. Certain members of these virus families have been used as excellent model systems to understand the molecular biology of replication, host responses to infections, and viral countermeasures. Rhabdoviruses have also been used as vaccine vectors as well as oncolytic agents.Studies on Filoviruses have now provided significant insights into how they enter susceptible cells, replicate and cause disease, and also how they evade the host's immune mechanisms. This book addresses the most recent findings on Rhabdovirus and Filovirus structure, replication mechanisms, host cell responses to virus infections and viral countermeasures. Chapters on emerging viruses as well as approaches for therapeutic interventions have also been included.This book represents an authoritative text that brings together the most recent advances on the cellular and molecular biology of Rhabdo- and Filoviruses, including mechanisms of pathogenesis.Table of ContentsOverview of Rhabdo- and Filoviruses (Asit K Pattnaik & Michael A.Whitt); Rhabdovirus Structure (Ming Luo); The Pathway of VSV Entry into Cells (Shem Johnson & Jean Gruenberg); Rhabdovirus Glycoproteins (Yves Gaudin & Michael A Whitt); VSV RNA Transcription and Replication (Jacques Perrault); Host Cell Functions in Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Replication (Phat X Dinh, Anshuman Das, & Asit K.Pattnaik); Cytopathogenesis of Rhabdoviruses (Douglas S Lyles); Assembly and Budding of Rhabdo- and Filoviruses (Ziying Han & Ronald N Harty); Rhabdoviruses as Vaccine Vectors: From Initial Development to Clinical Trials (John K Rose & David K Clarke); Oncolytic Rhabdoviruses (Nicole E Forbes and John C Bell); Use of Rhabdoviruses to Study Neural Circuitry (Melanie Ginger, Guillaume Bony, Matthias Haberl & Andreas Frick); Evolution of Rhabdo- and Filoviruses (Isabel S Novella, John B Presloid & R Travis Taylor); Emerging Rhabdoviruses (Imke Steffen & Graham Simmons); Rabies Virus Replication and Pathogenesis (Andrew W Hudacek & Matthias J Schnell); Activation and Evasion of Innate Immune Response by Rhabdoviruses (Karl-Klaus Conzelmann); Rabies Virus Vaccines (Ying Huang, Clement W Gnanadurai & Zhen F Fu); Filovirus Structure and Morphogenesis (Timothy F Booth, Daniel Beniac, Melissa Rabb, & Lindsey Lamboo); Epidemiology and Pathogenesis of Filovirus Infections (Logan Banadyga & Hideki Ebihara); Filovirus Entry into Susceptible Cells (Rohit K Jangra, Eva Mittler & Kartik Chandran); Filovirus Transcription & Replication (Kristina Brauburger, Laure R Deflube & Elke Muhlberger); Innate Immune Evasion Mechanisms of Filoviruses (Christopher F Basler, Gaya K Amarasinghe & Daisy W Leung); Vaccines and Antivirals for Filoviruses (Chad E Mire & Thomas W Geisbe);

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Book SynopsisAptamers, often termed as ‘chemical antibodies,’ are an emerging class of synthetic ligands for efficient target-specific molecular recognition. The objective of this book is to highlight recent advances and potential of aptamers in various disease conditions. . This book focuses on the applications of aptamers in targeted nanotherapy, detection, and in molecular imaging in various disease conditions such as cancer, neurological diseases and infectious diseases.Table of ContentsAptamers-General Introduction. History of aptamer development. Peptide aptamers: Development and applications. Aptamer selection methodologies. Selection and application of catalytically active oligonucleotides. Aptamer Development for Therapeutic Applications. Stem-cell specific aptamers for targeted cancer therapy. Aptamers as therapeutic tools in neurological diseases. Aptamers in bacterial, viral and parasitic diseases. Aptamers for Targeted Drug Delivery & Nanotherapy. Aptamers as tools for targeted drug delivery. Aptamer-liposome conjugates: Current art and future prospects. Application of Aptamers as Biosensors. Aptamers in medical diagnosis. Aptamers for Target Specific Imaging. Molecular imaging utilizing aptamer-targeted probes. Clinical Utility Scope and Limitations of Aptamers. First therapeutic aptamer: VEGF-targeting Macugen. Aptamers: Scope, limitations and future prospects.

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Book SynopsisThis book will serve as the preeminent text book on the topic of 'base excision repair', a key DNA repair pathway that protects cells from most spontaneous forms of DNA damage, including oxidative lesions that arise both in the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes. The book, which includes contributions from many of the world leaders in the field, provides a detailed description of the molecular mechanisms of base excision repair, as well as its emerging relationship to epigenetic regulation, the aging process and human disease, such as cancer susceptibility, immunological defects and neurological disorders. The book will also cover the state-of-the-art technologies being developed to assess base excision repair capacity among individuals in the population, in addition to the strategies being employed to target base excision repair as part of therapeutic paradigms to eradicate disease, namely cancer.This book represents one of the most extensive efforts to date to cover the topic of 'base excision repair'. It includes chapters by many of the most established investigators in the field, from all over the world.Table of ContentsHistory of Base Excision Repair (BER) and Book Overview (David M Wilson III); Uracil DNA Glycosylases (Hans Krokan); The GO System: OGG1 and MYH (Sheila David); NEIL and NTH1 Glycosylases (Susan Wallace); Alkylative DNA Glycosylase, AAG/MPG (Leona Samson); Abasic Endonuclease, APE1 (Gianluca Tell); DNA Polymerases in BER and Pathway Choice (Samuel Wilson); End-Processing in BER (Michael Weinfeld); PARP/XRCC1 Axis in BER (Janet Hall); DNA Ligases in BER (Alan Tomkinson); Post-Translational Regulation of BER (Robert Sobol); BER in Epigenetic Programming (TDG) (Primo Schar); BER in the Immune Response (SHM, CSR) (Carol Schrader); BER in Disease Etiology (Cancer, Lupus) (Joann Sweasy); BER in TNR Expansion Disorders (Margherita Bignami); BER in Neurological Disease (Yasaku Nakabeppu); Assessing BER Capacity in the Human Population (Zachary Nagel); BER as a Prognostic Marker (Srinivasan Madhusudan); BER as a Therapeutic Target (R Stephen Lloyd); Mitochondrial BER (Nadja de Souza Pinto); BER in Aging (Tinna Stevnsner);

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Book SynopsisThis book tells the story of a whole field of research which went disastrously wrong in many different directions when the wrong tools were used and the wrong targets aimed at, to solve a problem.It all started from the misinterpretation of Schellman's experiments which were carried out in the mid-1950s, and which were later encapsulated by the so-called 'Hydrogen-bond inventory argument.' As a result, hydrogen bonding was ignored in protein folding; along with that a whole repertoire of other possible hydrophilic effects were not even considered. Against this background the hydrophobic effects, as suggested by Kauzmann, became the single most important effects in protein folding.In addition, as a result of the misinterpretation of Anfinsen's hypothesis, as well as misunderstanding of the Second Law, people made futile attempts to search for the structure of proteins in the global minimum of either the Energy, or the Gibbs Energy Landscape.

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Book SynopsisThis book tells the story of a whole field of research which went disastrously wrong in many different directions when the wrong tools were used and the wrong targets aimed at, to solve a problem.It all started from the misinterpretation of Schellman's experiments which were carried out in the mid-1950s, and which were later encapsulated by the so-called 'Hydrogen-bond inventory argument.' As a result, hydrogen bonding was ignored in protein folding; along with that a whole repertoire of other possible hydrophilic effects were not even considered. Against this background the hydrophobic effects, as suggested by Kauzmann, became the single most important effects in protein folding.In addition, as a result of the misinterpretation of Anfinsen's hypothesis, as well as misunderstanding of the Second Law, people made futile attempts to search for the structure of proteins in the global minimum of either the Energy, or the Gibbs Energy Landscape.

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Book SynopsisThis unique volume reviews the beautiful architectures and varying mechanical actions of the set of specialized cellular proteins called molecular chaperones, which provide essential kinetic assistance to processes of protein folding and unfolding in the cell. Ranging from multisubunit ring-shaped chaperonin and Hsp100 machines that use their central cavities to bind and compartmentalize action on proteins, to machines that use other topologies of recognition — binding cellular proteins in an archway or at the surface of a 'clamp' or at the surface of a globular assembly — the structures show us the ways and means the cell has devised to assist its major effectors, proteins, to reach and maintain their unique active forms, as well as, when required, to disrupt protein structure in order to remodel or degrade. Each type of chaperone is beautifully illustrated by X-ray and EM structure determinations at near- atomic level resolution and described by a leader in the study of the respective family. The beauty of what Mother Nature has devised to accomplish essential assisting actions for proteins in vivo is fully appreciable.Table of ContentsHsp70 Molecular Chaperones: Versatile Modular Nanomachines that Mediate Multiple Biological Functions (Lila M Gierasch); Structural Analysis of GroEL/GroES Chaperone-mediated Protein Folding (Arthur L Howrich); Structural Analysis of Type II Chaperonins in Archaebacteria and the Eukaryotic Cytosol (Arthur L Howrich); The Small Heat Shock Proteins Family: Assembly and Binding Functions (C Slingsby & A R Clark); Structure and Mechanism of AAA+ Chaperones (Shannon M Doyle, Andrea N Kravats & Sue Wickner); Hsp90 ATP-dependent Molecular Chaperones (David Agard);

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Book SynopsisThis book intends to report the new progress of pseudotyped viruses, including the construction of pseudotyped viruses with different strategies or vectors for most important viruses. Especially for emerging viruses, optimization of the condition and parameters for assay development based on the pseudotyped viruses and widely application as surrogate of authentic virus to study the biological functions of virus, detection of neutralizing antibody, screening viral entry inhibiters, and others. It includes most pseudotyped viruses that have the protein of the target virus on the surface of the parent virus with incomplete genome. The book is likely to be of interest to all researchers in the field of virology, vaccine, and anti-viral drug development and evaluation.Table of ContentsChapter 1. Pseudotyped Viruses.- Chapter 2. Assays based on Pseudotyped Viruses.- Chapter 3. Application of Pseudotyped Viruses.- Chapter 4. Pseudotyped Viruses for Retroviruses.- Chapter 5. Pseudotyped Virus for Papillomavirus.- Chapter 6. Pseudotyped Viruses for Marburgvirus and Ebolavirus.- Chapter 7. Pseudotyped Viruses for Coronaviruses.- Chapter 8. Pseudotyped Viruses for Influenza.- Chapter 9. Pseudotyped Virus Systems for Studies of Henipavirus.- Chapter 10. Pseudotyped Viruses for lyssavirus.- Chapter 11. Pseudotyped Viruses for Enterovirus.- Chapter 12. Pseudotyped Viruses for Orthohantavirus.- Chapter 13. Pseudotyped Viruses for Phlebovirus.- Chapter 14. Pseudotyped Virus for Bandavirus.- Chapter 15. Pseudotyped Viruses for Mammarenavirus.- Chapter 16. Pseudotyped Viruses for the Alphavirus -- Chikungunya Virus.- Chapter 17. Pseudotyped Virus for Flaviviridae.- Chapter 18. Replicating-competent VSV-vectored Pseudotyped Viruses.

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