Molecular Clocks and Light Signalling

This book contains extremely detailed and informative content on structure and function of ligands, receptors, and signalling intermediates plus interactions … the extent of detail and appropriate referencing is impressive. –Microbiology Today, July 2009 «A very well-written book suitable for use as a reference or textbook for an undergraduate subject in cell signalling. For researchers interested in the molecular basis of cell signalling and how aberrant regulation of cell signalling proteins causes diseases, this is an excellent resource of biochemical and structural information.» –Australian Biochemist, August 2009 «From basics to details, this is an elegantly written and carefully edited book. The chapters on cell cycle control and oncogenesis are particularly fascinating and valuable to biomedical research. This is the book to have if you are interested in molecular mechanisms of signal transduction. It is a great introduction to the literature that will be welcomed by students and experts alike.» –Doody's, January 2009 This text is a concise and accessible introduction to the dynamic but complex field of signal transduction. Rather than simply cataloguing all signalling molecules and delineating every known pathway, this book aims to break signalling down into common elements and activities – the ‘nuts and bolts’ of cellular information exchange. With an emphasis on clarity of presentation throughout, the book teaches the basic principles focusing on a mature core of knowledge, providing students with a foundation of learning in this complex and potentially confusing subject. It also addresses the issue of variation in the numbering of key amino acids as well as featuring interaction with RasMol software, and exercises to aid understanding. An accessible introduction to the complex field of cell signalling Interacts with RasMol software – freely downloadable for viewing structures in 3D Includes exercises and clear instructions in the use of RasMol Well illustrated in full colour throughout Structure and Function in Cell Signalling is an invaluable resource to students across a range of life science degree programmes including biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, physiology, biomedicine and oncology. This book provides a clear, accessible introduction to this rapidly expanding field.

This fascinating book draws it subject matter from a range of relevant disciplines that extend from molecular nutrition, nutritional sciences, and nutrition dietetics through to genetics, genomics, and anthropology. It presents a vital portrait of the absolutely fundamental role that nutrition has played and continues to play in shaping who and what human beings are, as well as where they evolved from, and where they may be heading as a species. Molecular Nutrition: Nutrition and the Evolution of Humankind: Blends coverage of the molecular mechanisms that underpin nutrient-gene interactions with evolutionary theory Takes a molecular biological approach to problem solving, and moves nutrition away from its dietetic and anthropological origins to the front lines of genomic research Covers key concepts in molecular biology; the –omics revolution and bioinformatics; recent human evolution; molecular mechanisms of gene-nutrient interactions; the importance of nutrients and genomics in disease; the evolution of micronutrient metabolism, protein structure, and human disease; nutrients and the human lifecycle; contemporary dietary patterns; leading-edge laboratory tools in nutrigenomics and human evolutionary studies Written by an internationally recognised expert in the field, Molecular Nutrition: Nutrition and the Evolution of Humankind is an invaluable text and reference book for a wide range of teachers, students, and researchers.

An essential resource for graduate students, academic and industrial toxicologists, and environmental health scientists and professionals Over the course of thirty years and three editions, Introduction to Biochemical Toxicology has been an important source for coverage of the ongoing quest to define the biochemical, cellular, and molecular events induced by toxicants at the cellular and organismic levels. Now, as the principles and methods of molecular and cellular biology as well as genomic sciences play an ever increasing role in mechanistic toxicology, significant changes have been made to the book, resulting in this important new edition-now titled Molecular and Biochemical Toxicology, Fourth Edition. Much more than an introductory text, this crucial new edition has been completely revised to provide timely and thorough coverage of the underlying biochemical, molecular, and cellular mechanisms through which toxicants produce their adverse effects. Toxicological issues are covered from the molecule to the cell to the organ level. Complex methods used in toxicology are also described in a straightforward, easy-to-understand style. Additional features of this new edition include: New chapters that explore the interface between toxicology and genomic sciences, including: bioinformatics, proteomics, metabolomics, and toxicogenomics Increased emphasis on structure, mechanism, and regulation of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes, toxicogenetics, and xenobiotic transporters Additional new chapters on: molecular epidemiology and genetic susceptibility, DNA damage and mutagenesis, DNA repair, mechanisms of cell death, mitochondrial dysfunction, metals, reproductive toxicology, developmental toxicology, and reactive oxygen/metabolites and toxicity Molecular and Biochemical Toxicology, Fourth Edition guides graduate students, toxicologists, and environmental health professionals through the principles of molecular and biochemical toxicology and the complex mechanisms of toxicity. Whether it's used in the classroom or in industry, research, or academia, this book is essential for anyone interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms through which toxicants produce adverse effects.

In the current era of complete genome sequencing, Bioinformatics and Molecular Evolution provides an up-to-date and comprehensive introduction to bioinformatics in the context of evolutionary biology. This accessible text: provides a thorough examination of sequence analysis, biological databases, pattern recognition, and applications to genomics, microarrays, and proteomics emphasizes the theoretical and statistical methods used in bioinformatics programs in a way that is accessible to biological science students places bioinformatics in the context of evolutionary biology, including population genetics, molecular evolution, molecular phylogenetics, and their applications features end-of-chapter problems and self-tests to help students synthesize the materials and apply their understanding is accompanied by a dedicated website – www.blackwellpublishing.com/higgs – containing downloadable sequences, links to web resources, answers to self-test questions, and all artwork in downloadable format (artwork also available to instructors on CD-ROM). This important textbook will equip readers with a thorough understanding of the quantitative methods used in the analysis of molecular evolution, and will be essential reading for advanced undergraduates, graduates, and researchers in molecular biology, genetics, genomics, computational biology, and bioinformatics courses.

This book features contributions from experts in cell biology, genetics, neurobiology, immunology and structural biology. The unifying element is that they all study processes of cell shape change and motility. Several key questions in this field of research are discussed: What are the organising principles behind cell shape change? Are there ‘master switches’ present in every cell type? How are extracellular signals interpreted by the cell in order to activate intracellular mechanisms? What is the influence of the extracellular matrix on cell movement and internal signalling pathways? How do pathogens subvert cellular systems in order to stimulate or block their uptake? The book addresses all of these important questions. Data are presented on the key proteins that regulate cell shape: the GTP binding proteins of the Rho family. There are also extensive discussions of the potential applications of the data to clinical problems, particularly that of cell motility in cancer.

The proteins that gather light for plant photosynthesis are embedded within cell membranes in a site called the thylakoid membrane (or the «photosynthetic membrane»). These proteins form the light harvesting antenna that feeds with energy a number of vital photosynthetic processes such as water oxidation and oxygen evolution, the pumping of protons across the thylakoid membranes coupled with the electron transport chain of the photosystems and cytochrome b6f complex, and ATP synthesis by ATP synthase utilizing the generated proton gradient. The Photosynthetic Membrane: Molecular Mechanisms and Biophysics of Light Harvesting is an introduction to the fundamental design and function of the light harvesting photosynthetic membrane, one of the most common and most important structures of life. It describes the underlying structure of the membrane, the variety and roles of the membrane proteins, the atomic structures of light harvesting complexes and their macromolecular assemblies, the molecular mechanisms and dynamics of light harvesting and primary energy transformations, and the broad range of adaptations to different light environments. The book shows, using the example of the photosynthetic membrane, how complex biological structures utilize principles of chemistry and physics in order to carry out biological functions. The Photosynthetic Membrane: Molecular Mechanisms of Light Harvesting will appeal to a wide audience of undergraduate and postgraduate students as well as researchers working in the fields of biochemistry, molecular biology, biophysics, plant science and bioengineering.

The proteins that gather light for plant photosynthesis are embedded within cell membranes in a site called the thylakoid membrane (or the «photosynthetic membrane»). These proteins form the light harvesting antenna that feeds with energy a number of vital photosynthetic processes such as water oxidation and oxygen evolution, the pumping of protons across the thylakoid membranes coupled with the electron transport chain of the photosystems and cytochrome b6f complex, and ATP synthesis by ATP synthase utilizing the generated proton gradient. The Photosynthetic Membrane: Molecular Mechanisms and Biophysics of Light Harvesting is an introduction to the fundamental design and function of the light harvesting photosynthetic membrane, one of the most common and most important structures of life. It describes the underlying structure of the membrane, the variety and roles of the membrane proteins, the atomic structures of light harvesting complexes and their macromolecular assemblies, the molecular mechanisms and dynamics of light harvesting and primary energy transformations, and the broad range of adaptations to different light environments. The book shows, using the example of the photosynthetic membrane, how complex biological structures utilize principles of chemistry and physics in order to carry out biological functions. The Photosynthetic Membrane: Molecular Mechanisms of Light Harvesting will appeal to a wide audience of undergraduate and postgraduate students as well as researchers working in the fields of biochemistry, molecular biology, biophysics, plant science and bioengineering.

State-of-the-art techniques for tapping the vast potential of polymers The use of specific non-covalent interactions to control polymer structure and properties is a rapidly emerging field with applications in diverse disciplines. Molecular Recognition and Polymers covers the fundamental aspects and applications of molecular recognition—in the creation of novel polymeric materials for use in drug delivery, sensors, tissue engineering, molecular imprinting, and other areas. This reference begins by explaining the fundamentals of supramolecular polymers; it progresses to cover polymer formation and self-assembly with a wide variety of examples, and then includes discussions of biomolecular recognition using polymers. With chapters contributed by the foremost experts in their fields, this resource: Provides an integrated resource for supramolecular chemistry, polymer science, and interfacial science Covers advanced, state-of-the-art techniques used in the design and characterization of non-covalent interactions in polymers Illustrates how to tailor the properties of polymeric materials for various applications Stand-alone chapters address specific applications independently for easy reference. This is a premier resource for graduate students and researchers in polymer chemistry, supramolecular chemistry, materials science, and physical organic chemistry.

With a focus on functional relationships between drugs and their targets, this book covers basic and general pharmacology, from a cellular and molecular perspective, with particular attention to the mechanisms of drug action – the fundamental basis for proper clinical use- without neglecting clinical application, toxicology and pharmacokinetics. • Covers cell and molecular pharmacology, bringing together current research on regulation of drug targets, at a level appropriate for advanced undergrad and graduate students • Discusses the relevance of pharmacokinetics and drug development for the clinical application of drugs • Presents material from the perspective of drug targets and interaction, the theoretical basis of drug action analysis, and drug properties • Focuses on structure-function relationships of drug targets – informing about their biochemical and physiologic functions and experimental and clinical pathways for drug discovery and development • Has a companion website that offers a host of resources: short additional chapters about methodology, topics at the forefront of research, all figures and tables from the book, and Power Point slides

Written as an advanced text for toxicology students, this book is much more than an introduction and provides in-depth information describing the underlying mechanisms through which toxicants produce their adverse responses. • Links traditional toxicology to modern molecular techniques, important for teaching to graduate courses and professional studies • Uses a didactic approach with basic biological or theoretical background for the methodology presented • Brings together and comprehensively covers a range of dynamic aspects in biochemical and molecular toxicology • Guides student and professional toxicologists in comprehending a broad range of issues, compiled and authored by a diverse group of experts • “A good introductory textbook covering the biochemical toxicology of organic substances and the relevant methodology in some detail.... It offers good value for money and can be recommended as a textbook for appropriate courses” – BTS Newsletter review of the 4th edition