Download or read book Complement Methods and Protocols written by B. Paul Morgan and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2008-02-05 with total page 268 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The complement system, first described more than a century ago, was for many years the ugly duckling of the immunology world, but no more. Complement in recent years has blossomed into a fascinating and fast moving field of immediate relevance to clinical scientists in fields as diverse as transplantation biology, virology, and inflammation. Despite its emergence from the shadows, complement retains an unwarranted reputation for being “difficult.” This impression derives in large part from the superficially complicated nomenclature, a relic of the long and tortuous process of unraveling the system, of naming components in order of discovery rather than in a syst- atic manner. Once the barrier of nomenclature has been surmounted, then the true simplicity of the system becomes apparent. Complement comprises an activation system and a cytolytic system. The former has diverged to focus on complement to distinct targets—bacteria, - mune complexes, and others—so that texts now describe three activation pa- ways, closely related to one another, but each with some unique features. The cytolytic pathway is the same regardless of the activation process and kills cells by creating pores in the membrane. Complement plays an important role in killing bacteria and is essential for the proper handling of immune complexes. Problems occur when complement is activated in an inappropriate manner—the potent inflammation-inducing products of the cascade then cause unwanted tissue damage and destruction.

Download or read book Complement Methods and Protocols written by B. Paul Morgan and published by Humana Press. This book was released on 2000-03-30 with total page 259 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The complement system, first described more than a century ago, was for many years the ugly duckling of the immunology world, but no more. Complement in recent years has blossomed into a fascinating and fast moving field of immediate relevance to clinical scientists in fields as diverse as transplantation biology, virology, and inflammation. Despite its emergence from the shadows, complement retains an unwarranted reputation for being “difficult.” This impression derives in large part from the superficially complicated nomenclature, a relic of the long and tortuous process of unraveling the system, of naming components in order of discovery rather than in a syst- atic manner. Once the barrier of nomenclature has been surmounted, then the true simplicity of the system becomes apparent. Complement comprises an activation system and a cytolytic system. The former has diverged to focus on complement to distinct targets—bacteria, - mune complexes, and others—so that texts now describe three activation pa- ways, closely related to one another, but each with some unique features. The cytolytic pathway is the same regardless of the activation process and kills cells by creating pores in the membrane. Complement plays an important role in killing bacteria and is essential for the proper handling of immune complexes. Problems occur when complement is activated in an inappropriate manner—the potent inflammation-inducing products of the cascade then cause unwanted tissue damage and destruction.

Download or read book Zebrafish written by James F. Amatruda and published by Humana. This book was released on 2023-10-16 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This fully updated edition introduces new tools, models, and analytic insights that position the zebrafish even more strongly as an engine of discovery for developmental and disease biology. Beginning with a section exploring detailed methods for use of zebrafish to model a variety of human diseases, the book continues by illuminating the key ongoing role of the fish model in studies of the vertebrate nervous system, tools and approaches using zebrafish to study stem cell and regenerative biology, as well as techniques in genetics and genomics. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step and readily reproducible laboratory protocols, as well as tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and up-to-date, Zebrafish: Methods and Protocols, Third Edition serves as an invaluable guide to propel advances in developmental biology, disease modeling, and regeneration research using zebrafish and medaka as model systems.

Download or read book Inflammation Protocols written by Paul G. Winyard and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2008-02-03 with total page 373 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Inflammation has been described as the basis of many pathologies of human disease. When one considers the updated signs of inflammation, they would be vasodilation, cell migration, and, in the case of chronic inflam- tion, cell proliferation, often with an underlying autoimmune basis. Gen- ally, inflammation may be divided into acute, chronic, and autoimmune, - though the editors believe that most, if not all, chronic states are often the result of an autoimmune response to an endogenous antigen. Thus, a proper understanding of the inflammatory basis may provide clues to new therap- tic targets not only in classical inflammatory diseases, but atherosclerosis, cancer, and ischemic heart disease as well. The lack of advances in classical inflammatory diseases, such as rh- matoid arthritis, may in part arise from a failure to classify the disease into different forms. That different forms exist is exemplified in patients with d- fering responses to existing antiinflammatory drugs, ranging from nonresponders to very positive responders for a particular nonsteroidal an- inflammatory drug (NSAID). Though researchers have progressively unr- eled the mechanisms, the story is far from complete. It should also be noted that the inflammatory response is part of the innate immune response, or to use John Hunter’s words in 1795, “inflammation is a salutary response.” That may be applied in particular to the defensive response to invading micro- ganisms.

Download or read book Connexin Methods and Protocols written by Roberto Bruzzone and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2008-02-05 with total page 495 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Direct cell–cell communication is a common property of multicellular organisms that is achieved through membrane channels which are organized in gap junctions. The protein subunits of these intercellular channels, the connexins, form a multigene family that has been investigated in great detail in recent years. It has now become clear that, in different tissues, connexins speak several languages that control specific cellular functions. This progress has been made possible by the availability of new molecular tools and the improvement of basic techniques for the study of membrane channels, as well as by the use of genetic approaches to study protein function in vivo. More important, connexins have gained visibility because mutations in some connexin genes have been found to be linked to human genetic disorders. Connexin Methods and Protocols presents in detail a collection of te- niques currently used to study the cellular and molecular biology of connexins and their physiological properties. The field of gap junctions and connexin research has always been characterized by a multidisciplinary approach c- bining morphology, biochemistry, biophysics, and cellular and molecular biology. This book provides a series of cutting-edge protocols and includes a large spectrum of practical methods that are available to investigate the fu- tion of connexin channels. Connexin Methods and Protocols is divided into three main parts.

Download or read book Immunotoxin Methods and Protocols written by Walter A. Hall and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2008-02-02 with total page 305 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Immunotoxins represent a new class of human therapeutics that have widespread applications and a potential that has not yet been fully recognized since they were first conceived of by Paul Ehrlich in 1906. The majority of advances in the development and implementation of immunotoxins has occurred over the last 20 years. The reasons for this use of immunotoxins in basic science and clinical research are the powerful concurrent advances in genetic engineering and receptor physiology. Recombinant technology has allowed investigators to produce sufficient quantities of a homogeneous c- pound that allows clinical trials to be performed. The identification of specific receptors on malignant cell types has enabled scientists to generate immunotoxins that have had positive results in clinical trials. As more cellular targets are identified in coming years, additional trials will be conducted in different disease states affecting still larger patient populations. Modulation of the immune system to decrease the humoral response to immunotoxins may improve their overall efficacy. As increasingly more effective compounds are generated, it will be necessary to decrease the local and systemic toxicity - sociated with these agents, and methods for doing so are presently being - veloped. The work presented in Immunotoxin Methods and Protocols focuses on three specific areas of immunotoxin investigation that are being conducted by experts throughout the world. The first section describes the construction and development of a variety of immunotoxins.

Download or read book Peptide Nucleic Acids written by Peter E. Nielsen and published by Humana Press. This book was released on 2002-07-23 with total page 274 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) have now existed for slightly more than ten years, with the interest in and applications of this pseudopeptide DNA mimic steadily increasing during the entire period. PNAs have rapidly attracted the attention of scientists from a diversity of fields ranging from (bio)organic and biophysical chemistry to prebiotic evolution, and from molecular biology to genetic diagnostics and drug development. Many of the applications take advantage of the unique properties of PNA—an uncharged pseudopeptide—that distinguish this DNA mimic from more traditional DNA analogs. Rather than trying to create a comprehensive collection of all published methods and protocols involving PNA—many of which have not yet been validated— I have decided to concentrate on select protocols that are either very well established by several groups around the world, such as PCR-clamping and in situ hybridization, or on new methods that may have broader future impact. Basic methods for PNA oligomer synthesis and analyses have also been included. I am very grateful to those friends and colleagues who have enthusiastically contributed their work, discussions, and writing, and thereby made this book possible. Peter E. Nielsen v Contents Preface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v Contributors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix IINTRODUCTION 1 PNA Technology Peter E. Nielsen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 II CHEMISTRY 2 Solid Phase Synthesis of PNA Oligomers Frederik Beck. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 3 Synthesis of PNA-Peptide Conjugates Satish Kumar Awasthi and Peter E. Nielsen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 4 Parallel Synthesis of PNA-Peptide Conjugate Libraries Satish Kumar Awasthi and Peter E. Nielsen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Download or read book Nuclease Methods and Protocols written by Catherine H. Schein and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2008-02-03 with total page 521 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Nucleases, enzymes that restructure or degrade nucleic acid polymers, are vital to the control of every area of metabolism. They range from “housekeeping” enzymes with broad substrate ranges to extremely specific tools (1). Many types of nucleases are used in lab protocols, and their commercial and clinical uses are expanding. The purpose of Nuclease Methods and Protocols is to introduce the reader to some we- characterized protein nucleases, and the methods used to determine their activity, structure, interaction with other molecules, and physiological role. Each chapter begins with a mini-review on a specific nuclease or a nuclease-related theme. Although many chapters cover several topics, they were arbitrarily divided into five parts: Part I, “Characterizing Nuclease Activity,” includes protocols and assays to determine general (processive, distributive) or specific mechanisms. Methods to assay nuclease products, identify cloned nucleases, and determine their physiological role are also included here. Part II, “Inhibitors and Activators of Nucleases,” summarizes assays for measuring the effects of other proteins and small molecules. Many of these inhibitors have clinical relevance. Part III, “Relating Nuclease Structure and Function,” provides an overview of methods to determine or model the 3-D structure of nucleases and their complexes with substrates and inhibitors. A 3-D structure can greatly aid the rational design of nucleases and inhibitors for specific purposes. Part IV, “Nucleases in the Clinic,” summarizes assays and protocols suitable for use with t- sues and for nuclease based therapeutics.

Download or read book Cytoskeleton Methods and Protocols written by Ray H. Gavin and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2008-02-03 with total page 286 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Over the past two decades experimental studies have solidified the int- pretation of the cytoskeleton as a highly dynamic network of microtubules, actin microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and myosin filaments. Rather than a network of disparate fibers, these polymers are often interconnected and display synergy, which is the combined action of two or more cytoskeletal polymers to achieve a specific cellular structure or function. Cross-commu- cation among cytoskeletal polymers is thought to be achieved through cytoskeletal polymer accessory proteins and molecular motors that bind two or more cytoskeletal polymers. Development of the modern concept of the cytoskeleton is a direct o- growth of advances in experimental tools and reagents that are available to cell and molecular biologists. Technological advances and refinements in cell imaging have made it possible to selectively image a single cytoskeletal po- mer and monitor its dynamics through the use of fluorescence probes in vitro and in vivo. Two decades ago, cytoskeletal research was limited to a few perturbation reagents that included colchicine and cytochalasin. Today, the perturbation arsenal has expanded to a highly selective group of reagents that includes Taxol, nocodazole, benomyl, latrunculin, jasplakinolide, and such endogenous proteins as gelsolin. These reagents enable the investigator to selectively perturb or destroy a cytoskeletal polymer while leaving other cytoskeletal polymers intact. Site-specific monoclonal antibodies that target a specific cytoskeletal polymer have proven to be highly selective affinity tools for cytoskeletal research.

Download or read book The Complement System written by Mihaela Gadjeva and published by Humana. This book was released on 2013-11-12 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Complement Systems: Methods and Protocols is composed of 32 individual chapters that describe a variety of protocols to purify and analyze the activity of the individual complement components or pathways. It includes assays that describe detection of complement SNPs, clinical methods to evaluate complement system activation and data interpretation. 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. Authoritative and practical, Complement Systems: Methods and Protocols provides a collection of well-established “classical” assays and recently developed “new” assays to analyze the complement system activation will be useful to a wide audience of scientists.

Download or read book Bioluminescence written by Sung Bae Kim and published by Humana. This book was released on 2018-05-31 with total page 314 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This volume presents detailed laboratory protocols regarding the three major route technologies luciferases, efficient optical probes, and applications to visualizing molecular events in living subjects. Bioluminescence: Methods and Protocols, Third Edition guides readers through chapters on ingredients of bioluminescent probes, and fabrication of bioluminescent probes, applications to living subjects and instrumentations. 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. Authoritative and practical, Bioluminescence: Methods and Protocols, Third Edition is a useful complement to the first and second edition for new and experienced researchers alike.

Download or read book Immunophenotyping written by J Philip McCoy Jr and published by Humana. This book was released on 2019-09-29 with total page 375 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This volume presents the latest collection of immunophenotypic techniques and applications used in research and clinical settings. Chapters in this book cover topics such as constructions of high dimensions fluorescence and mass cytometry panels; fluorescence barcoding; using dried or lyophilized reagents; and immunophenotypic examples of specific cell types. The book concludes with a discussion on the critical roles of quality control and immunophenotyping in the clinical environment. 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. Cutting-edge and comprehensive, Immunophenotyping: Methods and Protocols is a valuable resource for any researchers, clinician, or scientist interested in learning more about this evolving field.

Download or read book Plant Metabolomics written by Nigel W. Hardy and published by Springer Science+Business Media. This book was released on 2012-01-01 with total page 340 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Estimating the metabolite complement of plant material involves a wide, and growing, range of techniques. This up-to-date guide provides stepwise, reproducible methodologies as well as key notes and implementation advice from experts in the field.

Download or read book Chaperonin Protocols written by Christine Schneider and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2008-02-05 with total page 212 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book 2 D Proteome Analysis Protocols written by Andrew J. Link and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2008-02-02 with total page 585 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: With the completion of sequencing projects and the advancement of a- lytical tools for protein identification, proteomics—the study of the expressed part of the genome—has become a major region of the burgeoning field of functional genomics. High-resolution 2-D gels can reveal virtually all p- teins present in a cell or tissue at any given time, including posttranslationally modified proteins. Changes in the expression and structure of most cellular proteins caused by differentiation or external stimuli can be displayed and eventually identified using 2-D protein gels. 2-D Proteome Analysis Protocols covers all aspects of the use of 2-D protein electrophoresis for the analysis of biological problems. The contri- tors include many of the leaders in the fields of biochemistry and analytical chemistry who were instrumental in the development of high-resolution 2-D gels, immobilized pH gradients, computer analysis, and mass spectromet- based protein identification methodologies. This book is intended as a benchtop manual and guide both for novices to 2-D gels and for those aficionados who wish to try the newer techniques. Any group using protein biochemistry—especially in the fields of molecular biology, biochemistry, microbiology, and cell biology—should find this book eminently useful. 2-D Proteome Analysis Protocols takes the researcher through the c- plete process of working with 2-D protein gels from making the protein - tract to finally identifying the proteins of interest. It includes protocols for generating 2-D protein extracts from most of the standard model organisms, including bacteria, yeast, nematode, Drosophila, plants, mouse, and human.

Download or read book The ELISA Guidebook written by John R. Crowther and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2008-02-04 with total page 426 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: John R. Crowther provides today's premier practical guide to the understanding and application of ELISA. Updating and greatly expanding his widely appreciated earlier publication, ELISA Theory and Practice (1995), this important work introduces chapters on such major new topics as checkerboard titrations, quality control of testing, kit production and control, novel monoclonal antibodies, validation of assays, statistical requirements for data examination, and epidemiological considerations. With its numerous worked examples, detailed instructions, and extensive illustrations, The ELISA Guidebook offers a powerful synthesis of all the basic concepts and practical experimental details investigators need to understand, develop, and apply the new ELISA methodology successfully in day-to-day basic and clinical research.

Download or read book Genomics Protocols written by Michael P. Starkey and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2008-02-03 with total page 537 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: We must unashamedly admit that a large part of the motivation for editing Genomics Protocols was selfish. The possibility of assembling in a single volume a unique and comprehensive collection of complete protocols, relevant to our work and the work of our colleagues, was too good an opportunity to miss. We are pleased to report, however, that the outcome is something of use not only to those who are experienced practitioners in the genomics field, but is also valuable to the larger community of researchers who have recognized the potential of genomics research and may themselves be beginning to explore the technologies involved. Some of the techniques described in Genomics Protocols are clearly not restricted to the genomics field; indeed, a prerequisite for many procedures in this discipline is that they require an extremely high throughput, beyond the scope of the average investigator. However, what we have endeavored here to achieve is both to compile a collection of procedures concerned with geno- scale investigations and to incorporate the key components of “bottom-up” and “top-down” approaches to gene finding. The technologies described extend from those traditionally recognized as coming under the genomics umbrella, touch on proteomics (the study of the expressed protein complement of the genome), through to early therapeutic approaches utilizing the potential of genome programs via gene therapy (Chapters 27–30).