Superantigen Protocols

Superantigen Protocols
Author: Teresa Krakauer
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 259
Release: 2008-02-05
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 1592593674

Leading researchers in the biological, chemical, and physical investigation of superantigens describe in step-by-step detail their best experimental techniques to assess the physical characteristics and biological effects of superantigens. Their protocols range from those for investigating the interactions of superantigens with cellular receptors to those for the analysis of their immunological and biological effects, including methods for using BIOcore to determine binding kinetics and establishing various lymphocyte cell culture systems. There are also accounts of such methods as the RNase protection assay, cytokine ELISA, FACS analysis, and cytokine production at the single cell level..

Cancer Cell Signaling

Cancer Cell Signaling
Author: David M. Terrian
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 330
Release: 2008-02-05
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 1592593569

Cells respond to environmental cues through a complex and dynamic network of signaling pathways that normally maintain a critical balance between cellular proliferation, differentiation, senescence, and death. One current research challenge is to identify those aberrations in signal transd- tion that directly contribute to a loss of this division-limited equilibrium and the progression to malignant transformation. The study of cell-signaling m- ecules in this context is a central component of cancer research. From the knowledge of such targets, investigators have been able to productively advance many insightful hypotheses about how a particular cancer cell may misinterpret, or respond inappropriately to, growth regulatory cues in their environment. Despite these key insights, the rapidly evolving nature of cell signaling research in cancer has necessitated a continuous revision of these theoretical constructs and the updating of methods used in their study. One contemporary example of the evolution of this field is provided by an analysis of the Human Genome Project data, which reveal a previously unsuspected diversity in the multigene families encoding for most signaling pathway int- mediates. In assessing the usefulness of a particular methodological approach, therefore, we will need to keep in mind that there is a premium on those p- tocols that can be easily adapted for the analysis of multiple members within a gene family. Cancer Cell Signaling: Methods and Protocols brings together several such methods in cell signaling research that are scientifically grounded within the cancer biology field.

Thyroid Hormone Receptors

Thyroid Hormone Receptors
Author: Aria Baniahmad
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 232
Release: 2008-02-05
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 1592591744

A panel of outstanding investigators surveys and explains the major cutting-edge methods used in thryroid receptor (TR) research and explains their practical experimental details. Described in step-by-step detail to ensure robust experimental results, the techniques presented cover a wide variety of key areas, including TR in development and knockout (mouse and Xenopus), transcriptional regulation by TRs in both cell-free systems and in living cells, and TR mutant analysis of patients. Additional methods provide powerful tools for the isolation of TR-regulated protein complexes, for studying the oncogene v-Erba in blood cell differentiation, and for target gene analysis in the brain. Microarray chip methods are also presented for analyzing the organs of transgenic mice to identify target genes in the liver.

Cytokines and Colony Stimulating Factors

Cytokines and Colony Stimulating Factors
Author: Dieter Körholz
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 466
Release: 2008-02-04
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 1592593453

The immune system is a complex network in which different cell types and soluble factors interact to efficiently eliminate various kinds of microorganisms as well as aberrant cell clones. The roots of immunologic investigations reach far into the past. In 430 BC, Thucydides reported that survivors of the plague did not present a second time with similar symptoms. The first report of a successful immu- therapy was made by Edward Jenner in 1798 who found a protective effect of cowpox vaccination against human pox. Since then, much knowledge has been accumulated; today, investigations of the molecular mechanisms of immune regulation are of central research interest. The novel insights into gene polymorphisms and gene regulation gathered from this work has improved our knowledge of individual immune reactions and risk factors in overcoming infections. Strategies to use the immune system for cancer treatment have been propelled by the discovery of divergent immunoregulatory cytokines and the introduction of new gene therapy strategies to modify immune responses. Recently, the discovery of various dendritic cells has focused attention on these cell types as central elements of the immune response and to the possibility of dendritic cell expansion, maturation, and consecutive stimulation with immuno- active tumor-specific peptides. Similarly, methods for ex vivo expansion of various stem cell-derived cell types have led to an improved therapeutic management of various benign and malignant diseases.

Peptide Nucleic Acids

Peptide Nucleic Acids
Author: Peter E. Nielsen
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 270
Release: 2008-02-04
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1592592902

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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Cancer Cytogenetics

Cancer Cytogenetics
Author: John Swansbury
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 283
Release: 2008-02-05
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 1592593631

A collection of key cytogenetic and FISH techniques used by modern clinical laboratories in the genetic analysis of human malignancies. The book's practical advice and methods are suitable for use at every level of expertise, including fully established laboratories, but with a sympathetic bias towards anyone considering setting up a new cytogenetics service. Here the reader will find not only elementary tutorials on the fundamentals of human karyotypes and chromosome analysis, but also detailed discussions on how laboratories may optimally upgrade their repertoire of capabilities to include such newer complementary techniques as CGH, FISH, and M-FISH.

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms
Author: Pui-Yan Kwok
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 276
Release: 2008-02-04
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 1592593275

A comprehensive collection of readily reproducible techniques for the difficult process of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) discovery and genotyping. These cutting-edge protocols for mutation/SNP detection utilize denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (dHPLC), single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP), conformation-sensitive gel electrophoresis (CSGE), chemical cleavage, and direct sequencing. Equally powerful and up-to-date methods are given for genotyping SNPs, including molecular beacons, the Taqman assay, single-base extension approaches, pyrosequencing, ligation, the Invader assay, and primer extension with mass spectrometry detection.

Oxidants and Antioxidants

Oxidants and Antioxidants
Author: Donald Armstrong
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 351
Release: 2008-02-02
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1592592740

In our first protocols book, Free Radical and Antioxidant Protocols (1), r- erence to in vivo, ex vivo, or in situ techniques were few compared to classical biochemical assays and only 6 of the 40 chapters were concerned with these applications. In our second book, Oxidative Stress Biomarkers and Antioxidant Protocols (2), which is being published concurrently with this third volume, Oxidants and Antioxidants: Ultrastructure and Molecular Biology Protocols, the number of such chapters has increased. The literature dealing with histoche- cal/cytochemical and immunohistochemical techniques and staining to identify cellular/subcellular sites of oxidative stress has expanded rapidly, as has the molecular biology methodology used to analyze free radical and antioxidant (AOX) reactions, as well as the monitoring of living tissue. A two-way search was performed for each technique listed in Table 1, coupled with “oxidative stress” using the PUBMED search engine from the National Library of Medicine at NIH. Most of the techniques involved in m- suring oxidative stress employ molecular biology or ultrastructural approaches. Of these techniques, histology, polymerase chain reaction, and Western blotting are the most widely used. Several forms of therapy are now available for patients with increased oxidative stress. In addition to standard antioxidant therapy supplementation in vivo and in vitro, photodynamic therapy (PDT) employs excitation of a photon-emitting compound delivered systemically for free radical-mediated necrosis of affected tissues, and stem cells are also being used to induce signaling events or replace antioxidant enzymes.

Cardiac Cell and Gene Transfer

Cardiac Cell and Gene Transfer
Author: Joseph M. Metzger
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 251
Release: 2008-02-03
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 159259350X

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in developed countries. Recent experimental advances featuring cellular, molecular, and genetic tools and technologies offer the potential for new therapeutic strategies directed toward remediation of inherited and acquired heart diseases. Whether these recent basic science advances will ultimately translate to clinical efficacy for patients with heart disease is unknown and is important to ascertain. Cardiac Cell and Gene Transfer: Principles, Protocols, and Applications is designed to provide the reader with up-to-date coverage of a myriad of specific methodo- gies and protocols for gene and cell transfer to the myocardium. Each chapter features a “Notes” section that provides useful “how to” problem-solving insights that are often left unstated in standard published protocols. Cardiac Cell and Gene Transfer: Principles, Protocols, and Appli- tions addresses principles and applications of cell and gene transfer to the heart, including protocols for vector production and purification. Detailed step-by-step methods and applications for first/second-generation adenoviral vectors, adeno-associated vectors, gutted adenoviral vectors, and lentiviral vectors are included. Additionally, detailed methods for cardiac cell grafting and transplantation are provided, and these chapters highlight the prospects of cell-based therapies for cardiac repair. The book also covers specific in vivo techniques for cardiac gene transfer, and specifies subsequent cellular and organ-level physiological assessment techniques and protocols. Accordingly, this book is designed for basic science and clinical researchers in the academic, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology sectors of the cardiovascular community.

Functional Genomics

Functional Genomics
Author: Michael J. Brownstein
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 264
Release: 2008-02-03
Genre: Science
ISBN: 159259364X

This collection of robust, readily reproducible methods for microarray-based studies includes expert guidance in the optimal data analysis and informatics. On the methods side are proven techniques for monitoring subcellular RNA localization en masse, for mapping chromosomes at the resolution of a single gene, and for surveying the steady-state genome-wide distribution of DNA binding proteins in vivo. For those workers dealing with massive data sets, the book discusses the methodological aspects of data analysis and informatics in the design of microarray experiments, the choice of test statistic, and the assessment of observational significance, data reduction, and clustering.