Life Science

Medical Epigenetics provides a comprehensive analysis of the importance of epigenetics to health management. The purpose of this book is to fill a current need for a comprehensive volume on the medical aspects of epigenetics with a focus on human systems, epigenetic diseases that affect these systems and modes of treating epigenetic-based disorders and diseases. The intent of this book is to provide a stand-alone comprehensive volume that will cover all human systems relevant to epigenetic maladies and all major aspects of medical epigenetics. The overall goal is to provide the leading book on medical epigenetics that will be useful not only to physicians, nurses, medical students and many others directly involved with health care, but also investigators in life sciences, biotech companies, graduate students and many others who are interested in more applied aspects of epigenetics. Research in the area of translational epigenetics is a cornerstone of this volume.

The Mollusca, Volume 1: Metabolic Biochemistry and Molecular Biomechanics provides information pertinent to the advances in the traditional areas of biochemistry and in other developed areas that have become a part of molluskan biochemistry. This book discusses the developments in the various aspects of molecular biomechanics and environmental biochemistry. Organized into 11 chapters, this volume begins with an overview of the phylum Mollusca. This text then provides information about the general features of the main classes and their evolution, the anatomical organization of mollusks, and a classification of the primary taxonomic groups of mollusks. Other chapters consider the functional mechanical properties of two protein rubbers found in molluskan connective tissues. This book discusses as well the mechanical properties of molluskan mucins. The final chapter deals with the significance of quinone tanning in mollusks. This book is a valuable resource for researchers of the Mollusca and other phyla, as well as to teachers and qualified graduate students. Biochemists and physiologists will also find this book useful.

In recent years, rapid technological advances and changes in agricultural management have taken place. These have yielded benefits to society but have also generated new and significant environmental problems. Novel questions and challenges relating to agricultural practice and soil microbial ecology, ecotoxicology, biotechnology, and bioremediation must be addressed. As a consequence, the fields of soil microbiology and biochemistry have been highlighted. This book provides a modern, authoritative, and comprehensive collection of methods for the study of soil microbiology and biochemistry. Classical and modern, aerobic and anerobic, laboratory and field-based methods are presented. Detailed techniques are given, but in addition the theoretical basis behind such methodology is described, so that the origins and principles of the techniques are clear to the reader. Particular emphasis has been placed on uniform, simple, and clear presentation of the different methods. With respect to bioremediation of soils, this work provides a unique bridge between general and applied soil microbiology and biochemistry, presenting an integrated discussion of concepts, theories, and methods. This book will be essential for all scientists and students actively involved in natural and environmental sciences and engineering, and for those working in industry, authorities, and consulting companies.

"Methods in Plant Molecular Biology is a lab manual that introduces students to a diversity of molecular techniques needed for experiments with plant cells. Those included have been perfected and are now presented for the first time in a usable and teachable form. Because the manual integrates protein, RNA, and DNA techniques, it will serve students, teachers, and researchers in plant physiology, biophysics, and animal molecular biology who have no previous experience handling recombinant DNA or purified proteins. It can also be used by the established molecular biologist who wishes to utilize the powerful techniques of recombinant DNA to explore the mysteries of the plant kingdom. Key Features. Eight basic experiments which can be used collectively or individually cover. Recombinant Cloning and Screening in E. coli; DNA Sequencing. Plant RNA Isolation and in Vitro Translations. Plant DNA Isolations and Genomic DNA Southern AnalysisChloroplast Isolation and Protein SynthesisPlant Tissue Culture and Agrobacterium Transformations. Experiments that have been student tested for three years. Blueprints for setting up gel rigs. Comprehensive course schedule outlining individual procedures to be finished in each lab segment. Course can be tailored to suit the needs of the individual instructor"

Cell Culture and Somatic Cell Genetics of Plants, Volume 6: Molecular Biology of Plant Nuclear Genes focuses on the spectacular and rapid advances in the molecular biology and genetics of plants. This book consists of 19 chapters. Chapters 1 to 5 describe the most commonly used approaches for the genetic transformation of plants. The light-inducible and tissue-organ-specific genes are discussed in Chapters 6 to 11. In Chapters 12 to 14, the genes regulating phytohormone synthesis, heat shock proteins, and nodulation in legume roots are treated, while in Chapters 15 to 16, the relationship between chromatin structure and gene expression and molecular biology of plant RNA viruses are analyzed. The development of transgenic plants resistant to viruses, insects, and herbicides is dealt with in the last three chapters. This volume is suitable for plant molecular biologist, genetic engineers, and researchers concerned with plant cell and tissue culture.

Molecular Genetics, Part III: Chromosome Structure explores the structure and modification of DNA, chromatin, and higher order organization and possible subunits of chromosomes at the molecular level. It describes major changes in concepts of chromatin structure and packaging of DNA based on studies of nuclease digests and electron micrographs; the role of restriction endonucleases in molecular genetics; the involvement of DNA topoisomerases in concerted breaking and rejoining of DNA backbone bonds; enzymatic methylation of DNA; and transcriptional units in eukaryotic chromosomes. Organized into seven chapters, this volume begins with an overview of the general properties of type I and type II restriction enzymes, basic aspects of restriction enzyme technology, and applications of restriction enzyme technology to the study of chromosome structure and function. It then discusses recombinant DNA technology; possible biological roles of DNA topoisomerases; recognition and control sequences in nucleic acids; composition and substructure of nucleosomes; analysis of chromosome fibers by electron microscopy; organization of fibers into chromosomes; and functional aspects of organization of chromosome fibers. Molecular biologists, geneticists, scientists, and electron microscopists will find this book extremely helpful.

Molecular Genetics, Part II covers the significant developments in various areas of molecular genetics. This book is composed of 10 chapters that also consider the gene expression and regulation of some enzymes. The opening chapters deal with the mechanisms of nucleic acid replication and repair, as well as the structural aspects of the genetic apparatus of viruses and cells. The next chapters explore the patterns and mechanisms of genetic recombination, the in vitro and in vivo experiments to delineate the genetic code, and the initiation of peptide chains in Escherichia coli. These topics are followed by discussions of the mechanism of DNA-dependent RNA synthesis, the regulation of enzyme synthesis in microorganisms, and the regulation of viral replication. The final chapters consider the theoretical and practical aspects of the metabolic regulation in metazoan system and the procedures for the study of DNA-DNA and DNA-RNA interactions. This book will be of great value to molecular geneticists, biochemists, and researchers.

"Natural Resource and Wildlife Administration presents a clear perspective on natural resource administration in North America, how it developed, how it is currently structured, and where it might be heading. Intertwined areas of natural resources, including wildlife administration, fisheries, forestry, and other competitive land uses, are heavily discussed. The book covers the history of natural resource management in Europe and North America, proceeding to environmental law; agencies involved in wildlife and natural resource management; and the human dimensions of public relations and economic concerns. Natural Resource and Wildlife Administration provides solid background on the history of natural resource conservation, critical laws protecting resources, and the nature of agencies. The interconnectedness among natural resources makes this a useful text for disciplines such as wildlife, fisheries, and forestry. Key Features. Covers the development of natural resource law and the conservation agencies in North America, and also provides models for international use. Examines the roles of diverse federal, state, and non-governmental agencies, and how they cooperate as professionals to accomplish natural resources management. Leads readers to a greater understanding of the politics and interplay of priorities in professional conservation biology. Assists the certification processes of professional societies. Includes end-of-chapter questions for further thought and discussion, as well as offset boxes throughout the text to help explain more technical subjects"

Newer Methods of Nutritional Biochemistry: With Applications and Interpretations, Volume III, provides a compilation of biochemical procedures which have extensive applications in nutrition research. The focus is on simple procedures to evaluate the utilization of dietary proteins given the pressing problems in emergency feeding of populations in developing countries. Comprised of nine chapters, this book discusses the nutritional and metabolic implications of changes in urinary amino acid levels. It examines the concept, role, and implications of protein reserves in the young and adult subjects. It also describes procedures which have contributed to the development of in vitro methods for the evaluation of protein quality. The book also discusses plant protein resources; lipoprotein transport; chemical assay of adrenocorticosteroids; studies of zinc metabolism; and folates in human nutrition.

Newer Methods of Nutritional Biochemistry: With Applications and Interpretations, Volume IV, presents discussions and reviews of principles and procedures of nutritional biochemistry which have been developed for assays of nutritive quality of foods. Comprised of six chapters, this book describes determinations of dietary needs of fats, vitamins, and amino acids which fail to apply the long-known ""Law of Diminishing Returns"" to the experimental data. It examines the correlation of urinary metabolites with dietary conditions from the point of view of the dynamic state of metabolism. The book also discusses analytical methods for determining plasma amino acids and their application to nutritional problems of young children; laboratory methods for evaluating changes in protein quality; optimal nutrition for the aged and basic mechanisms of biological aging; and advances in instrumentation and methodology and their application in resolving biological and nutritional problems.