The Molecular Basis of Cellular Defence Mechanisms

The classic and authoritative textbook, Molecular Mechanisms of Photosynthesis,is now fully revised and updated in this much-anticipated second edition. Whilst retaining the first edition’s clear writing style and accessible description of this complex process, updates now include cutting-edge applications of photosynthesis, such as to bioenergy and artificial photosynthesis as well as new analytical techniques. Written by a leading authority in photosynthesis research, this new edition is presented in full color with clear, student-friendly illustrations. An interdisciplinary approach to photosynthesis is taken, with coverage including the basic principles of energy storage, the history and early development of photosynthesis, electron transfer pathways, genetics and evolution. A comprehensive appendix, containing an introduction to the basic chemical and physical principles involved in photosynthesis, is also included. Molecular Mechanisms of Photosynthesis,second edition, is an indispensable text for all students of plant biology, bioenergy, and molecular biology, in addition to researchers in these and related fields looking for an accessible introduction to this vital and integral process to life on earth. stresses an interdisciplinary approach emphasizes recent advances in molecular structures and mechanisms includes the latest insights and research on structural information, improved techniques as well as advances in biochemical and genetic methods comprehensive appendix, which includes a detailed introduction to the physical basis of photosynthesis, including thermodynamics, kinetics, and spectroscopy associated website with downloadable figures as powerpoint slides for teaching

Molecular Mechanisms of Photosynthesis stands as an ideal introduction to this subject. Robert Blankenship, a leading authority in photosynthesis research, offers a modern approach to photosynthesis in this accessible and well-illustrated text. The book provides a concise overview of the basic principles of energy storage and the history of the field, then progresses into more advanced topics such as electron transfer pathways, kinetics, genetic manipulations, and evolution. Throughout, Blankenship includes an interdisciplinary emphasis that makes this book appealing across fields. Leading authority in Photosynthesis and the the President of the International Society of Photosynthesis Research. First authoritative text to enter the market in 10 years. Stresses an interdisciplinary approach, which appeals to all science students. Emphasizes the recent advances in molecular structures and mechanisms. Only text to contain comprehensive coverage of both bacterial and plant photosynthesis. Includes the latest insights and research on structural information, improved spectroscopic techniques as well as advances in biochemical and genetic methods. Presents the most extensive treatment of the Origin and evolution of photosynthesis. Comprehensive appendix, which includes a detailed introduction to the physical basis of photosynthesis, including thermodynamics, kinetics and spectroscopy.

Sets the stage for the development of better diagnostic techniques and therapeutics Featuring contributions from an international team of leading clinicians and biomedical researchers, Molecular Basis of Oxidative Stress reviews the molecular and chemical bases of oxidative stress, describing how oxidative stress can lead to the development of cancer and cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, it explains the potential role of free radicals in both the diagnosis and the development of therapeutics to treat disease. Molecular Basis of Oxidative Stress is logically organized, beginning with a comprehensive discussion of the fundamental chemistry of reactive species. Next, the book: Presents new mechanistic insights into how oxidative damage of biomolecules occurs Examines how these oxidative events effect cellular metabolism Investigates the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of cancer, neurodegenerative disease, cardiovascular disease, and cystic fibrosis Explores opportunities to improve the diagnosis of disease and the design of new therapeutic agents Readers will find much novel information, including new radical chemistries and the latest discoveries of how free radicals react with biomolecules. The contributors also present recent findings that help us better understand the initiation of oxidative stress and the mechanisms leading to the pathogenesis of various diseases. Throughout the book, the use of molecular structures helps readers better understand redox chemistry. In addition, plenty of detailed figures illustrate the mechanisms of oxidative stress and disease pathogenesis. Examining everything from the basic chemistry of oxidative stress to the pathogenesis of disease, Molecular Basis of Oxidative Stress will help readers continue to explore the nature of oxidative stress and then use that knowledge to develop new approaches to prevent, detect, and treat a broad range of disease conditions.

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.

Recent application of the techniques of molecular biology and patch-clamp physiology has led to rapid advances in understanding the molecular events in chemosensory transduction. In this book, the latest results are presented and discussed by leading scientists. The extensive coverage encompasses many important topics, including mucous domains; microchemical heterogeneity in the mucociliary complex of the olfactory epithelium; membrane currents and mechanisms of olfactory transduction, and genetic and pathological taste variation.

Contributors to this symposium focus on the interface between genes and cells, covering genetic analysis, cloning studies, and the investigation of cell lineages and cellular interactions. They note how the body axes are already determined in the eggs of invertebrates and amphibia, then consider the mechanisms as the egg cleaves, in annelids, arthropods, amphibia, and mice that underlie assignation of cells to specific lineages, which give rise to different tissues in the adult. Closing chapters characterize the molecules that mediate each cell's particular fate, its position in the final body plan as the result of cell sorting or, in some cases, cell migration.

Plants are forced to adapt for a variety of reasons— protection, reproductive viability, and environmental and climatic changes. Computational tools and molecular advances have provided researchers with significant new insights into the molecular basis of plant adaptation. Molecular Mechanisms in Plant Adaptation provides a comprehensive overview of a wide variety of these different mechanisms underlying adaptation to these challenges to plant survival. Molecular Mechanisms in Plant Adaptation opens with a chapter that explores the latest technological advances used in plant adaptation research, providing readers with an overview of high-throughput technologies and their applications. The chapters that follow cover the latest developments on using natural variation to dissect genetic, epigenetic and metabolic responses of plant adaptation. Subsequent chapters describe plant responses to biotic and abiotic stressors and adaptive reproductive strategies. Emerging topics such as secondary metabolism, small RNA mediated regulation as well as cell type specific responses to stresses are given special precedence. The book ends with chapters introducing computational approaches to study adaptation and focusing on how to apply laboratory findings to field studies and breeding programs. Molecular Mechanisms in Plant Adaptation interest plant molecular biologists and physiologists, plant stress biologists, plant geneticists and advanced plant biology students.

This book features scientists from a broad spectrum of disciplines discussing recent data on aggression in laboratory animals with particular reference to possible implications for understanding human aggression. Chapters focus on the major current experimental issues in the study of aggression in humans and animals. The extensive discussions deal with specific problems of interpretation at the molecular level, as well as general issues relating to our understanding of human and animal aggression.

Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics aims to bring together key developments in the areas of molecular diagnostics, therapeutics and drug discovery. The book covers topics including diagnostics, therapeutics, model systems, clinical trials and drug discovery. The developing approaches to molecular and cellular therapies, diagnostics and drug discovery are presented in the context of the pathologies they are devised to treat.