Physicochemical Methods in the Study of Biomembranes

Physicochemical Methods in the Study of Biomembranes
Author: Herwig J. Hilderson
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 524
Release: 2013-11-11
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1461518636

In mammalian cells many physiological processes rely on the dynamics of the organization of lipids and proteins in biological membranes. The topics in this volume deal with physicochemical methods in the study of biomembranes. Some of them have a long and respectable history in the study of soluble proteins and have only recently been applied to the study of membranes. Some have tradi tionally been applied to studies of model systems of lipids of well-defined com position, as well as to intact membranes. Other methods, by their very nature, apply to organized bilayers comprised of both protein and lipid. Van Meer and van Genderen provide us with an introduction to the field (Chapter I). From their personal perspective regarding the distribution, trans port, and sorting of membrane lipids, they formulate a number of biologically relevant questions and show that the physicochemical methods described in this book may contribute in great measure to solving these issues. The methods of analytical ultracentrifugation have served faithfully for 60 years in the study of water-soluble proteins. The use of detergent extraction of membrane proteins, and the manipulation of density with H20/D20 mixtures, has extended this technique to the study of proteins, and in particular their interactions, from biological membranes. As described by Morris and Ralston in Chapter 2, this technique can be used to determine a number of important properties of proteins.

Biological Water

Biological Water
Author: Gertz I. Likhtenshtein
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 523
Release: 2021-10-21
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3030825035

This book embraces all physiochemical aspects of the structure and molecular dynamics of water, focusing on its role in biological objects, e.g. living cells and tissue, and in the formation of functionally active structures of biological molecules and their ensembles. Water is the single most abundant chemical found in all living things. It offers a detailed look into the latest modern physical methods for studying the molecular structure and dynamics of the water and provides a critical analysis of the existing literature data on the properties of water in biological objects. Water as a chemical reagent and as a medium for the formation of conditions for enzymatic catalysis is a core focus of this book. Although well suited for active researchers, the book as a whole, as well as each chapter on its own, can be used as fundamental reference material for graduate and undergraduate students throughout chemistry, physics, biophysics and biomedicine.

Lipid Bilayers

Lipid Bilayers
Author: J. Katsaras
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 304
Release: 2013-06-29
Genre: Science
ISBN: 366204496X

Provides the reader with an up to date insight of the current state of the art in the field of lipid bilayer research and the important insights derived for the understanding of the complex and varied behaviour of biological membranes and its function.

Pumps, Channels and Transporters

Pumps, Channels and Transporters
Author: Ronald J. Clarke
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 488
Release: 2015-09-16
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1119085144

Describes experimental methods for investigating the function of pumps, channels and transporters Covers new emerging analytical methods used to study ion transport membrane proteins such as single-molecule spectroscopy Details a wide range of electrophysiological techniques and spectroscopic methods used to analyze the function of ion channels, ion pumps and transporters Covers state-of-the art analytical methods to study ion pumps, channels, and transporters, and where analytical chemistry can make further contributions

Calcium-Binding Protein Protocols

Calcium-Binding Protein Protocols
Author: Hans J. Vogel
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 415
Release: 2008-02-05
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1592591841

Calcium plays an important role in a wide variety of biological processes. This divalent metal ion can bind to a large number of proteins; by doing so it modifies their biological activity or their stability. Because of its distinct che- cal properties calcium is uniquely suited to act as an on–off switch or as a light dimmer of biological activities. The two books entitled Calcium-Binding Protein Protocols (Volumes I and II) focus on modern experimental analyses and methodologies for the study of calcium-binding proteins. Both extracel- lar and intracellular calcium-binding proteins are discussed in detail. H- ever, proteins involved in calcium handling (e. g. , calcium pumps and calcium channels), fall outside of the scope of these two volumes. Also, calcium-bi- ing proteins involved in bone deposition will not be discussed, as this specific topic has been addressed previously. The focus of these two books is on studies of the calcium-binding proteins and their behavior in vitro and in vivo. The primary emphasis is on protein chemistry and biophysical methods. Many of the methods described will also be applicable to proteins that do not bind calcium. Calcium-Binding Protein Protocols is divided into three main sections. The section entitled Introduction and Reviews provides information on the role of calcium in intracellular secondary messenger activation mechanisms. Mo- over, unique aspects of calcium chemistry and the utilization of calcium in dairy proteins, as well as calcium-binding proteins involved in blood clotting, are addressed.

Phospholipid Metabolism in Apoptosis

Phospholipid Metabolism in Apoptosis
Author: Peter J. Quinn
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 352
Release: 2006-04-18
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0306479311

The last few years have witnessed an explosion of both interest and knowledge about apoptosis, the process by which a cell actively commits suicide. The number of publications on the topic has increased from nothing in the early 1980s to more than 10,000 papers annually today. It is now well recognized that apoptosis is essential in many aspects of normal development and is required for maintaining tissue homeostasis. The idea that life requires death seems somewhat paradoxical, but cell suicide is essential for an animal to survive. For example, without selective destruction of “non-self” T cells, an animal would lack immunity. Similarly, meaningful neural connections in the brain are whittled from a mass of cells. Further, developmental cell remodeling during tissue maturation involves programmed cell death as the major mechanism for functional and structural safe transition of undifferentiated cells to more specialized counterparts. Apoptosis research, with roots in biochemistry, developmental and cell biology, genetics, and immunology, embraces this long-ignored natural law. Failure to properly regulate apoptosis can have catastrophic consequences. Cancer and many diseases (AIDS, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, heart attack, stroke, etc. ) are thought to arise from deregulation of apoptosis. As apoptosis emerges as a key biological regulatory mechanism, it has become harder and harder to keep up with new developments in this field.

Membrane-active Peptides

Membrane-active Peptides
Author: Miguel A. R. B. Castanho
Publisher: Internat'l University Line
Total Pages: 675
Release: 2010
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0972077456

Sol-Gel Chemistry Applied to Materials Science

Sol-Gel Chemistry Applied to Materials Science
Author: Michelina Catauro
Publisher: MDPI
Total Pages: 216
Release: 2019-10-14
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3039213539

Sol–gel technology is a contemporary advancement in science that requires taking a multidisciplinary approach with regard to its various applications. This book highlights some applications of the sol–gel technology, including protective coatings, catalysts, piezoelectric devices, wave guides, lenses, high-strength ceramics, superconductors, synthesis of nanoparticles, and insulating materials. In particular, for biotechnological applications, biomolecules or the incorporation of bioactive substances into the sol–gel matrix has been extensively studied and has been a challenge for many researchers. Some sol–gel materials are widely applied in light-emitting diodes, solar cells, sensing, catalysis, integration in photovoltaic devices, and more recently in biosensing, bioimaging, or medical diagnosis; others can be considered excellent drug delivery systems. The goal of an ideal drug delivery system is the prompt delivery of a therapeutic amount of the drug to the proper site in the body, where the desired drug concentration can be maintained. The interactions between drugs and the sol–gel system can affect the release rate. In conclusion, the sol–gel synthesis method offers mixing at the molecular level and is able to improve the chemical homogeneity of the resulting composite. This opens new doors not only regarding compositions of previously unattainable materials, but also to unique structures with different applications.

Bacterial Toxins

Bacterial Toxins
Author: Otto Holst
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 378
Release: 2008-02-05
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1592590527

The interest of investigators across a broad spectrum of scientific dis- plines has been steadily stimulated by the field of bacterial toxin research, an area that makes use of a large variety of biological, chemical, physicochemical, and medically oriented approaches. Researchers studying bacterial toxins need to be acquainted with all these disciplines in order to work effectively in the field. To date, there has been no published collection offering detailed descr- tions of the techniques and methods needed by researchers operating across the field’sdiverse areas. The present volume Bacterial Toxins: Methods and Pro- cols, is intended to fill this gap. Bacterial Toxins: Methods and Protocols consists of two sections: one on protein toxins (15 chapters) and one on endotoxins (5 chapters). Each s- tion is introduced by an overview article (Chapters 1 and 16). The protocols collected represent state-of-the-art techniques that each have high impact on future bacterial toxin research. All methods are described by authors who have regularly been using the protocol in their own laboratories. Included in each chapter is a brief introduction to the method being described.