Computational Approaches in Molecular Radiation Biology

Computational Approaches in Molecular Radiation Biology
Author: Matesh N. Varma
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 262
Release: 2013-11-11
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1475797885

The Office of Health and Environmental Research (OHER) has supported and continues to support development of computational approaches in biology and medicine. OHER's Radiological and Chemical Physics Program initiated development of computational approaches to determine the effects produced by radiation of different quality (such as high energy electrons, protons, helium and other heavy ions, etc. ) in a variety of materials of biological interest-such as water, polymers and DNA; these include molecular excitations and sub-excitations and the production of ionization and their spatial and temporal distribution. In the past several years, significant advances have been made in computational methods for this purpose. In particular, codes based on Monte Carlo techniques have ·been developed that provide a realistic description of track-structure produced by charged particles. In addition, the codes have become sufficiently sophisticated so that it is now possible to calculate the spatial and temporal distribution of energy deposition patterns in small volumes of subnanometer and nanometer dimensions. These dimensions or resolution levels are relevant for our understanding of mechanisms at the molecular level by which radiations affect biological systems. Since the Monte Carlo track structure codes for use in radiation chemistry and radiation biology are still in the developmental stage, a number of investigators have been exploring different strategies for improving these codes.

Computational Molecular Biology

Computational Molecular Biology
Author: J. Leszczynski
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 663
Release: 1999-06-10
Genre: Science
ISBN: 008052964X

This book covers applications of computational techniques to biological problems. These techniques are based by an ever-growing number of researchers with different scientific backgrounds - biologists, chemists, and physicists.The rapid development of molecular biology in recent years has been mirrored by the rapid development of computer hardware and software. This has resulted in the development of sophisticated computational techniques and a wide range of computer simulations involving such methods. Among the areas where progress has been profound is in the modeling of DNA structure and function, the understanding at a molecular level of the role of solvents in biological phenomena, the calculation of the properties of molecular associations in aqueous solutions, computationally assisted drug design, the prediction of protein structure, and protein - DNA recognition, to mention just a few examples. This volume comprises a balanced blend of contributions covering such topics. They reveal the details of computational approaches designed for biomoleucles and provide extensive illustrations of current applications of modern techniques.A broad group of readers ranging from beginning graduate students to molecular biology professions should be able to find useful contributions in this selection of reviews.

Physical and Chemical Mechanisms in Molecular Radiation Biology

Physical and Chemical Mechanisms in Molecular Radiation Biology
Author: William A. Glass
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 512
Release: 2012-12-06
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1468476270

The fundamental understanding of the production of biological effects by ionizing radiation may well be one of the most important scientific objectives of mankind; such understanding could lead to the effective and safe utilization of the nuclear energy option. In addition, this knowledge will be of immense value in such diverse fields as radiation therapy and diagnosis and in the space program. To achieve the above stated objective, the U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) and its predecessors embarked upon a fundamental interdisciplinary research program some 35 years ago. A critical component of this program is the Radiological and Chemical Physics Program (RCPP). When the RCPP was established, there was very little basic knowledge in the fields of physics, chemistry, and biology that could be directly applied to understanding the effects of radiation on biological systems. Progress of the RCPP program in its first 15 years was documented in the proceedings of a conference held at Airlie, Virginia, in 1972. At this conference, it was clear that considerable progr:ess had been made in research on the physical and chemical processes in well-characterized systems that could be used to understand biological effects. During this period of time, most physical knowledge was obtained for the gas phase because the technology and instru mentation had not progressed to the point that measurements could be made in liquids more characteristic of biological materials.

Springer Handbook of Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics

Springer Handbook of Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics
Author: Gordon W. F. Drake
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 1505
Release: 2007-02-05
Genre: Science
ISBN: 038726308X

Comprises a comprehensive reference source that unifies the entire fields of atomic molecular and optical (AMO) physics, assembling the principal ideas, techniques and results of the field. 92 chapters written by about 120 authors present the principal ideas, techniques and results of the field, together with a guide to the primary research literature (carefully edited to ensure a uniform coverage and style, with extensive cross-references). Along with a summary of key ideas, techniques, and results, many chapters offer diagrams of apparatus, graphs, and tables of data. From atomic spectroscopy to applications in comets, one finds contributions from over 100 authors, all leaders in their respective disciplines. Substantially updated and expanded since the original 1996 edition, it now contains several entirely new chapters covering current areas of great research interest that barely existed in 1996, such as Bose-Einstein condensation, quantum information, and cosmological variations of the fundamental constants. A fully-searchable CD- ROM version of the contents accompanies the handbook.

Laser-Driven Particle Acceleration Towards Radiobiology and Medicine

Laser-Driven Particle Acceleration Towards Radiobiology and Medicine
Author: Antonio Giulietti
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 326
Release: 2016-05-04
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3319315633

This book deals with the new method of laser-driven acceleration for application to radiation biophysics and medicine. It provides multidisciplinary contributions from world leading scientist in order to assess the state of the art of innovative tools for radiation biology research and medical applications of ionizing radiation. The book contains insightful contributions on highly topical aspects of spatio-temporal radiation biophysics, evolving over several orders of magnitude, typically from femtosecond and sub-micrometer scales. Particular attention is devoted to the emerging technology of laser-driven particle accelerators and their application to spatio-temporal radiation biology and medical physics, customization of non-conventional and selective radiotherapy and optimized radioprotection protocols.

Structural Biology in Drug Discovery

Structural Biology in Drug Discovery
Author: Jean-Paul Renaud
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 1437
Release: 2020-01-09
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 1118900502

With the most comprehensive and up-to-date overview of structure-based drug discovery covering both experimental and computational approaches, Structural Biology in Drug Discovery: Methods, Techniques, and Practices describes principles, methods, applications, and emerging paradigms of structural biology as a tool for more efficient drug development. Coverage includes successful examples, academic and industry insights, novel concepts, and advances in a rapidly evolving field. The combined chapters, by authors writing from the frontlines of structural biology and drug discovery, give readers a valuable reference and resource that: Presents the benefits, limitations, and potentiality of major techniques in the field such as X-ray crystallography, NMR, neutron crystallography, cryo-EM, mass spectrometry and other biophysical techniques, and computational structural biology Includes detailed chapters on druggability, allostery, complementary use of thermodynamic and kinetic information, and powerful approaches such as structural chemogenomics and fragment-based drug design Emphasizes the need for the in-depth biophysical characterization of protein targets as well as of therapeutic proteins, and for a thorough quality assessment of experimental structures Illustrates advances in the field of established therapeutic targets like kinases, serine proteinases, GPCRs, and epigenetic proteins, and of more challenging ones like protein-protein interactions and intrinsically disordered proteins

Interaction of Radiation with Matter

Interaction of Radiation with Matter
Author: Hooshang Nikjoo
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Total Pages: 364
Release: 2016-04-19
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 1466509600

Interaction of Radiation with Matter focuses on the physics of the interactions of ionizing radiation in living matter and the Monte Carlo simulation of radiation tracks. Clearly progressing from an elementary level to the state of the art, the text explores the classical physics of track description as well as modern aspects based on condensed mat

Neutrons in Biology

Neutrons in Biology
Author: Benno P. Schoenborn
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 453
Release: 2012-12-06
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1461558476

This compendium presents some of the major applications of neutron scattering techniques to problems in biology. It is a record of the papers presented at the Neutrons in Biology Conference, the third in an occasional series held to highlight progress in the field and to provide a focus for future direction. The strength ofthe neutron scattering technique remains principally in the manipula tion of scattering density through hydrogen and deuterium atoms. The development ofad vanced detectors, innovative instrument and beamline components, and sophisticated data acquisition systems through the 1970s and early 1980s provided a sound foundation for the technique. With continued development, some of the exotic and expensive equipment has become affordable by the medium-sized facilities, thereby broadening the user base considerably. Despite problems with the major neutron sources in the late 1980s and early 1990s, some spectacular results have been achieved. Whilst the high and medium flux beam reac tors will continue to make a major impact in the field, the results from the first experi ments, and the planned developments on spallation neutron sources, clearly indicate that the technique has enormous potential.

Biology of Root Formation and Development

Biology of Root Formation and Development
Author: Arie Altman
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 372
Release: 2012-12-06
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1461554039

This book contains the majority of the presentations of the Second International Symposium on the Biology of Root Formation and Development that was hcld in Jerusa lem, Israel, June 23---28, 1996. Following the First Symposium on the Biology of Adventi tious Root Formation, held in Dallas. USA, 1993, we perceived the need to include all kinds of roots, not only the shoot-borne ones. The endogenous signals that control root formation. and the subsequent growth and development processes, are very much alike, re gardless of the sites and sources of origin of the roots. Therefore, we included in the Sec ond Symposium contributions on both shoot-borne (i.e., adventitious) roots and root-borne (i.e., lateral) roots. Plant roots have remained an exciting and an intriguing field of sciencc. During thc years that followed the first symposium, an exceptional proliferation of interest in root biology has developed, associated with the intensive research activity in this field and the contemporary developments in the understanding of root function and development. New methods have been applied, and old ideas and interprctations werc rccxamined. Alto gether, it became necessary to update our viewpoints and to expand them.