Alternative Splicing and Disease
Splicing of primary RNA transcript, i.e. removal of introns and joining of exons to produce mature mRNAs competent for translation into proteins, is a quasi-systematic step of gene expression in higher organisms. However, this process is not unequivocal but can follow alternate pathways. Alternative splicing of a given transcript can therefore yield several distinct mRNAs encoding as many different proteins. Its full biological significance has not been appreciated until it was recognized that alternative splicing is so general as to affect about 75% of all human genes. Therefore, alternative splicing not only vastly increases protein diversity but also offers numerous opportunities for aberrant splicing events with pathological consequences.
Alpha-1 antitrypsin : Methods and protocols
Provides a collection of protocols that will allow researchers to further explore the multiple, fascinating activities of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin (AAT) isoforms in innate immunity, and gene therapy. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.
Allosteric Regulatory Enzymes
This book provides a logical introduction to the limits for enzyme function as dictated by the factors that are limits for life. This book presents a complete description of all the mechanisms used for changing enzyme acticity. Eight enzymes are used as model systems after extensive study of their mechanisms. Wherever possible, the human form of the enzyme is used to illustrate the regulatory features.
Allelopathy in Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry
This book reports on the latest advances in allelopathy through the contributions of leading scientists in the field. The book addresses the history of allelopathy, the science of allelochemicals, and the application of allelopathy in agriculture and forestry. An emphasis on both methodology and application makes Allelopathy a truly practical reference for scientists, researchers and students of plant science, agriculture, forestry, terrestrial ecology and environmental science.
Allelopathy : A Physiological Process with Ecological Implications
This book provides the reader relevant information about actual knowledge about the process of allelopathy, covering all aspects from the molecular to the ecological level. Special relevance is given to the physiological and ecophysiological aspects of allelopathy. Several ecosystems are studied and methodological considerations are taken into account in several different chapters. The book has been written to be useful both for Ph.D. students and for senior researchers, so the chapters include all necessary information to be read by beginners, but they also include a lot of useful information and discussion for the initiated.
Allelochemicals : Biological Control of Plant Pathogens and Diseases
This book is organized around the indication that allelochemicals can be employed for biological control of plant pathogens and plant diseases. Specifically, this volume focuses on (i) discovery and development of natural product based fungicides for agriculture, (ii) direct use of allelochemicals as well as indirect effects through cover crops and organic amendments for plant parasitic pest control and (iii) application of allelopathy in pest management.
Alkaliphiles : Genetic properties and applications of enzymes
The pioneering work of Dr. Koki Horikoshi on the discovery, research and applications of alkaliphilic bacteria are described here in their entirety. The isolation, distribution and taxonomy of alkaliphilic microorganisms as well as their cell structure and physiology are discussed for a basic understanding of these entities. The molecular biology and genome sequencing of some alkaliphilic bacterial strains are also presented. Part II of the volume focuses on enzymes of alkaliphiles and their applications. These include alkaline proteases, starch-degrading enzymes and numerous others. Some of these enzymes are currently in wide commercial use as laundry detergent additives and in wastewater treatment. Alkaliphiles are a relatively recent field of research that will no doubt provide avenues to a wide range of further discoveries and applications for a new generation of workers in bioscience and technology.
Alicyclobacillus : Thermophilic Acidophilic Bacilli
Soft drinks with pHs lower than 4. 0 are subjected to minimum pasteuri- tion at 65 °C for 10 min as required by the Japanese Food Sanitation Law. Not only pathogenic bacteria but most spore-forming bacteria are unable to grow at this low pH condition, and thus reports of microbial spoilage in pasteurized acidic soft drinks are rare. Since 1982, when the spoilage of aseptically packed apple juice was - tributed to a new type of acidophilic spore-forming bacteria in Germany, a succession of similar complaints regarding other fruit juice concentrates and their products has been received. In the beginning, the bacteria were classified in the genus Bacillus, but later, in 1992, the new genus Ali- clobacillus was proposed owing to their characteristic cellular membranes containing omega-alicyclic fatty acids. A group of Alicyclobacillus strains, responsible for the tainting of fruit juices, was then described as A. a- doterrestris in 1999. They are acidophilic and grow preferably at around pH 4. 0. They are thermophilic and grow better at temperatures above 40 °C. This indicates that we might have been missing them by our or- nary methods of bacterial detection at pH 7. 0 and 35 °C.
Algal Toxins : Nature, Occurrence, Effect and Detection
This volume contains the lectures and seminars given at the NATO Advanced Study Institute on “Sensor Systems for Biological Threads: The Algal Toxins Case”, held in Pisa, Italy in October, 2007. Algae can form heavy growths in ponds, lakes, reservoirs and sl- moving rivers throughout the world; algae can house toxins which are - ually released into water when the cells rupture or die. Hundreds of toxins have been identified so far. Detection methods, including rapid screening, have been developed to help us learning more about them, especially to find out which toxins are a real threat for people and what conditions encourage their production and accumulation. Early detection of algal toxins is an - portant aspect for public safety and natural environment, and significant efforts are underway to develop effective and reliable tools that can be used for this purpose.
Algal Toxins : Nature, Occurrence, Effect and Detection
This volume contains the lectures and seminars given at the NATO Advanced Study Institute on “Sensor Systems for Biological Threads: The Algal Toxins Case”, held in Pisa, Italy in October, 2007. Algae can form heavy growths in ponds, lakes, reservoirs and sl- moving rivers throughout the world; algae can house toxins which are - ually released into water when the cells rupture or die. Hundreds of toxins have been identified so far. Detection methods, including rapid screening, have been developed to help us learning more about them, especially to find out which toxins are a real threat for people and what conditions encourage their production and accumulation. Early detection of algal toxins is an - portant aspect for public safety and natural environment, and significant efforts are underway to develop effective and reliable tools that can be used for this purpose.
Algal Chemical Ecology
This is the first ever book devoted entirely to the chemical ecology of algae. Algae from both marine and freshwater habitats are covered, as are macroalgae (seaweeds) and microalgae (including phytoplankton). While its main emphasis is on the ecological rather than chemical aspects of the field, the book also includes a unique introductory chapter intended as a primer on algal natural products chemistry for ecologists. It elucidates the roles of chemical defenses in various regions and habitats, of DMSP, oxidative burst responses, and herbivore offense. Topics such as algal sensory chemical ecology and defenses against ultraviolet radiation are also treated, and an introduction to the chemical ecology of phytoplankton is provided.
Algae and Cyanobacteria in Extreme Environments
ALGAE AND CYANOBACTRIA IN EXTREME ENVIRONMENTS is a unique collection of essays, contributed by leading scientists from around the world, devoted to algae – and some related microbes – observed in unexpected harsh habits, which it seems are an oasis or Garden of Eden for these organisms. This timely book on Extremophilic alga, including its especially impressive micrographs, may provide clues about the edges of life on Earth and possibly elsewhere in the universe. This volume is a must for students of the field of biodiversity, as well as those in Phycology, ecology and general biological research.
Agroforestry in Europe : Current Status and Future Prospects
Brings together some of the most important current research in European agroforestry, and evaluates the current scope and future potential of agroforestry across the EU.While the majority of Europe’s agroforestry practices are currently focused in the Mediterranean, this volume draws together examples from a wide range of countries – including Greece, Spain, the UK, Hungary, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, France and Slovenia. The book also covers a range of agroforestry types, including silvopastoralism – Europe’s predominant form of agroforestry – as well as alley cropping, forest farming, silvoarable systems and the use of trees for shelter. Through these examples the book also discusses the potential roles for these traditional land management systems in addressing both environmental issues such as water quality, biodiversity conservation, desertification, ecosystem services and socioeconomic issues such as rural population stabilization.
Agroecological transitions : From theory to practice in local participatory design
There is wide agreement on the need to change the prevalent agricultural models, given their negative impacts and their incompatibility with current societal issues. Agroecological transition has been promoted as a potential solution to the ecological, social and economic problems generated by these models. It however involves a systemic, multi-scale and transdisciplinary process. Due to this complexity, the overall picture of what farms and food systems “actually are” and “might be” may not be apparent at the individual level. Yet individuals’ knowledge and values provide complementary insights on how to proceed in deepening ecological modernisation. Expertise can also provide landmarks to be considered in that process. Because local stakeholders’ experience and skills are key resources in the adaptation and adoption of agroecological transition, new conceptual and methodological frameworks and tools have to be developed to support them in the design process of such a complex transition. This book presents feedback from the ‘Territorial Agroecological Transition in Action’- TATA-BOX research project, which was devoted to these specific issues.
Agrobacterium : From Biology to Biotechnology
Agrobacterium’ is a comprehensive book on Agrobacterium research, including its history, application, basic biology discoveries, and effects on human society. Although the book largely focuses on providing a detailed review of virtually all molecular events of the genetic transformation process, it also provides coverage of ethical and legal issues relevant to the use of Agrobacterium as a "genetic transformation machine". The result is an all-inclusive text which readers—including scientists and students involved in plant genetic engineering—will find useful as a reference source for all major aspects of the Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation of plant and non-plant organisms.
Agricultural Research Management
Agricultural research is one of the most widespread forms of organized research in the world, in both developed and developing countries. Management of agricultural research involves many decisions that have scientific, social and political consequences. Every country has established agricultural research priorities based on many complex factors that must be considered when decisions are made on the choice of research problems to be investigated. Resources must be divided among projects that often compete for the limited funding available that supports the total research enterprise.
Agricultural Biotechnology in China : Origins and Prospects
Building on a long tradition of agricultural advances, Chinese scientists have applied biotechnology techniques to develop hundreds of novel crop varieties suited to local farming conditions and challenges.Agricultural Biotechnology in China: Origins and Prospects is a comprehensive examination of how the origins of biotechnology research agendas, along with the effectiveness of the seed delivery system and biosafety oversight, help to explain current patterns of crop development and adoption in China. Based on firsthand insights from China’s laboratories and farms, Valerie Karplus and Dr. Xing Wang Deng explore the implications of China’s investment for the nation’s rural development, environmental footprint, as well as its global scientific and economic competitiveness.
African Biodiversity : molecules, organisms, ecosystems
BIOTA is an interdisciplinary research project focusing on sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity in Africa (http://www.biote-africa.de). Session titles were Biogeography and Speciation Processes, Phylogenetic Patterns and Systematics, Diversity Declines and Conservation, and Applied Biodiversity Informatics
Advances in Targeted Cancer Therapy
This volume is the first book to cover the general topic of targeted cancer therapy. It presents a range of targets such as tumor angiogenesis, cell cycle control and cell signalling, COX-2, apoptosis/cell survival, invasion and metastasis and approaches like kinase inhibitors, antisense, and antibody-based therapeutics. The emphasis is on preclinical development, including target validation, development of biomarkers, strategies for combination approaches, and development of resistance. The particular challenges involved in translating these data to clinical application are discussed.
Advances in Network Electrophysiology : Using Multi-Electrode Arrays
This book book is an attempt to review the recent progress in both electronics and computational tools developed to analyze the functional operations of large ensembles of neurons and to provide the readers with a sense of the applications made possible by these technological tools. While considerable progress has been made over the last decades in our understanding of electrophysiological processes at the single channel, single synapse, and single neuron levels, our understanding of electrophysiological


















