Bøger udgivet af Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press,U.S.

In the 19th century, the medicinal applications of leeches prompted basic research into their neurobiology, reproduction, development, and anatomy; subsequently, leeches became an important model for understanding the nervous system. In this monograph, each chapter provides a narrative account of experimental work on a particular area of leech neurobiology, and explains its significance for the broader field of neuroscience. The appendices describe methods for maintaining and manipulating leeches in the laboratory and include an atlas of neurons in the leech Hirudo medicinalis. Extensively illustrated, this book is a classic in the field and is considered a "must read" for neuroscientists and those interested in leech biology. It has been out of print for many years; however, some recent inquiries have prompted us to reprint it and make it available at an affordable price.

What happens when a cancer research institute's only remit is to be the best it can be? For more than 100 years, one laboratory in London has operated on just that premise. With a generous budget, inspired leadership, and a stable of scientific thoroughbreds, the Imperial Cancer Research Fund Laboratories produced some of the 20th century's most exciting advances in molecular biology. In its 21st century incarnation, as the Cancer Research UK London Research Institute, it continues to inspire a new generation of researchers. In this book, written with the assistance of the past and present inhabitants of the London Research Institute, Kathy Weston tells the inside story of the lab's greatest voyages into the scientific unknown, revealing the personalities behind the dry passive voice of the scientific paper. Science is an art, a vocation, a complicated landscape of data in which, just sometimes, the trained and alert eye can detect a glint of gold. In these pages, the gold is present, but equally to be treasured are the all-too-human scientists stumbling towards its seductive glimmer.

Cell culture systems for specific neural cell types are essential for studies of their development and function. This laboratory manual provides step-by-step protocols for isolating specific cell populations from rodent tissues and culturing them under conditions that closely resemble those in vivo. The contributors describe in detail how to dissect the brain, spinal cord, and other tissues; how to separate cells using mechanical and enzymatic tissue-dissociation strategies; the use of immunopanning and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) to enrich the target cell population; and the culture conditions that optimize cell viability and growth. Retinal ganglion cells, motor neurons, dorsal root ganglion cells, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and Schwann cells are covered, as are vascular cells such as pericytes and endothelial cells. Myelinating co-cultures of neurons and oligodendrocytes are also described. The manual includes detailed recipes for media and reagents, tips for avoiding common pitfalls, and advice for designing new immunopanning protocols using tissues from other sources. Many of the protocols are accompanied by freely accessible online movies that demonstrate critical steps of the procedures. This is an essential laboratory companion for all neurobiologists, from the graduate student level upwards.

The majority of PhDs trained in biomedical sciences do not remain in academia. They are now presented with a broad variety of career options, including science journalism, publishing, science policy, patent law, and many more. This book examines the numerous different careers that scientists leaving the bench can pursue, from the perspectives of individuals who have successfully made the transition. In each case, the book sets out what the job involves and describes the qualifications and skills sets required.

The transplantation of organs such as the heart, kidney, and lungs is an important means of replacing seriously damaged or diseased body parts. However, a transplanted organ may fail if the recipient's immune system mounts a response to it. Transplant patients are usually prescribed a life-long course of immunosuppressive medication, but these drugs can have adverse effects, including increased risk of infection and cancer. Written and edited by experts in the field, this collection from Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine provides a current and comprehensive review of the molecular mechanisms behind graft rejection and how they may be overcome. Contributors discuss immunosuppressive drug therapies and tolerance induction strategies, including the use of regulatory T cells, mesenchymal stromal cells, and lymphodepletion. They describe how mouse and non-human primate models have been used to gain insight into the immunobiology of transplantation and to test therapeutic approaches. Clinical considerations, such as donor selection, organ preservation, surgery, and post-operative care, are also covered. This volume includes discussion of the emerging field of regenerative medicine and the bioethical issues surrounding organ transplantation, and provides historical background to the field. It is an essential reference for immunologists, pharmacologists, clinicians, and all who are working to improve this remarkable medical procedure.

The regulation of gene expression in many biological processes involves epigenetic mechanisms. In this new volume, 36 chapters written by experts in the field discuss epigenetic effects from many perspectives. There are chapters on the basic molecular mechanisms underpinning epigenetic regulation, discussion of cellular processes that rely on this kind of regulation, and surveys of organisms in which it has been most studied. Thus, there are chapters on histone and DNA methylation, siRNAs and gene silencing; X-chromosome inactivation, dosage compensation and imprinting; and discussion of epigenetics in microbes, plants, insects, and mammals. The last part of the book looks at how epigenetic mechanisms act in cell division and differentiation, and how errors in these pathways contribute to cancer and other human diseases. Also discussed are consequences of epigenetics in attempts to clone animals. This book is a major resource for those working in the field, as well as being a suitable text for advanced undergraduate and graduate courses on gene regulation.

Bacterial pathogens cause numerous human diseases. This collection from Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine surveys the spectrum of bacterial pathogens from Salmonella and Shigella to Heliobacter pylori. It examines the basic biology of these parasites, their virulence mechanisms and the host's response to infection. The effectiveness of antibiotics and vaccine strategies are also covered, along with the novel antimicrobial therapies that are being developed.

Informatics can vastly assist progress in research and development in cell and molecular biology and biomedicine. However, many investigators are either unaware of the ways in which informatics can improve their research or find it inaccessible due to a feeling of "informatics anxiety". To make these concepts more accessible, the editors approach the field of bioinformatics from the viewpoint of a molecular biologist. All concepts will be paired with recommendations for the appropriate programming environment and tools best suited to solve the particular problem at hand.

All protists, fungi, animals, and plants on Earth are eukaryotes. Their cells possess membrane-bound organelles including a nucleus and mitochondria, distinct cytoskeletal features, and a unique chromosome structure that permits them to undergo mitosis or meiosis. The emergence of eukaryotic cells from prokaryotic ancestors about 2 billion years ago was a pivotal evolutionary transition in the history of life on Earth. But the change was abrupt, and few clues exist as to the nature of the intermediate stages. Written and edited by experts in the field, this collection from Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology examines evolutionary scenarios that likely led to the emergence and rapid evolution of eukaryotes. Contributors review the mechanisms, timing, and consequences of endosymbiosis, as well as molecular and biochemical characteristics of archaea and bacteria that may have contributed to the first eukaryotic lineage. They explore all of the available evidence, including clues from the fossil record and comparative genomics, and formulate ideas about the origin of genomic characteristics (e.g., chromatin and introns) and specific cellular features (e.g., the endomembrane system) in eukaryotes. Topics such as the origins of multicellularity and sex are also covered. This volume includes discussion of multiple evolutionary models that warrant serious attention, as well as lively debate on some of the most contentious topics in the field. It will thus be fascinating reading for evolutionary biologists, cell and molecular biologists, paleobiologists, and all who are interested in the history of life on Earth.

During endocytosis, extracellular molecules and plasma membrane components are selectively internalized by cells. This fundamental process of "cellular ingestion" is required for diverse activities such as nutrient uptake, cell adhesion and migration, signal transduction, cytokinesis, neurotransmission, and antigen presentation. Pathogens (e.g., HIV) exploit endocytic pathways to gain entry into cells, and defects in the endocytic machinery can lead to diseases such as cancer. Written and edited by experts in the field, this collection from Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology covers all of the major pathways of endocytosis and post-endocytic trafficking, and how they regulate cellular and organismal physiology. Contributors describe how cargo enters the cell via clathrin-mediated and clathrin-independent pathways, including caveolar endocytosis, micropinocytosis, cholesterol-sensitive endocytosis, phagocytosis, and the CLIC/GEEC pathway. They review the numerous machineries (e.g., Rab GTPases, tethering factors, and retromer) that transport cargo through endosomes and deliver it to lysosomes or recycle it back to the cell surface, and the signals and mechanisms governing these sorting decisions. Topics such as lysosomal dynamics, the biophysical challenges of bending membranes, and the evolution of endocytic systems are also covered. This volume also includes substantial discussion of the roles of endocytic trafficking in organismal development, physiology, and disease. It is thus an indispensable reference for cell biologists, but also neuroscientists, immunologists, developmental biologists, microbiologists, and others concerned with the physiological and therapeutic implications of this key cellular process.

"The skin is a continually renewing organ that acts as a protective barrier isolating us from the external environment. This book examines the cells that make up the skin and their functions, as well as diseases such as psoriasis that affect the skin and new molecular strategies for treating these"--

Recombination mechanisms allow cells to break and reattach DNA sequences. They are important for repair of damaged DNA. They also help generate additional genetic diversity in sperm and eggs cells by mixing DNA sequences from maternal and paternal chromosomes. This volume explores the molecular details of recombination and their roles in genome maintenance and meiosis.

Cell death plays a critical role in development, normal physiology and many diseases, including cancer. Research in this area is rapidly advancing and involves a variety of specific techniques. This manual provides a step-by-step guide to these techniques, along with background information informing researchers when they should be used.

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is an extensive network of membranes that folds, modifies, and transports proteins in eukaryotic cells. It also manufactures lipids and interacts extensively with other organelles, playing essential roles in cell growth and homeostasis. Written and edited by experts in the field, this collection from Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology covers all aspects of ER morphology and function, as well as its interactions with the nucleus, Golgi, and mitochondria. Contributors examine how proteins translocate across the ER membrane, the processes that occur inside the ER lumen (e.g., folding, glycosylation, and disulfide bond formation), and how the proteins are packaged into vesicles and transported to the Golgi. They also review quality-control mechanisms that are employed by the ER to detect and eliminate misfolded or unassembled proteins. Lipid synthesis and transport are also discussed. This volume covers not only the biochemistry and cell biology of the ER, but also ER stress, metabolism, and the role of the ER in viral replication. Thus, it is an essential reference for cell biologists, physiologists, and pathologists interested in understanding the numerous functions of the ER.

In the 1920s, the groundwork was laid for a uniquely Russian approach to medical genetics and (the foundation of) the world's leading center for the study of human genetics and susceptibility to disease. The immense success of the movement, which is little known even to Russians, is brought to life in V.V. Babkov's The Dawn of Human Genetics, as is its dramatic and violent end, which resulted in the purge of many of the country's finest biologists and a major setback to the development of science internationally.

Stereological techniques allow biologists to create quantitative, three-dimensional descriptions of biological structures from two- dimensional images of tissue viewed under the microscope. For example, they can accurately estimate the size of a particular organelle, the total length of a mass of capillaries, or the number of neurons or synapses in a particular region of the brain. This book provides a practical guide to designing and critically evaluating stereological studies of the nervous system and other tissues. It explains the basic concepts behind design-based stereology and how to get started. Also included are detailed descriptions of how to prepare tissue appropriately, perform pilot studies and decide on the appropriate sampling strategy, and account for phenomena such as tissue shrinkage. Numerous examples of applications of stereological methods that are applicable to studies of the central system and a wide variety of other tissues are explained. The book is therefore essential reading for neurobiologists and cell biologists interested in generating accurate representations of cell and tissue architecture.

NF-kB is a critical signaling molecule in the immune system that regulates cell survival and cell death, lymphocyte responses, and inflammation. Acting as a transcription factor that can receive several inputs, it coordinates distinct gene expression programs in response to a wide variety of stimuli. Written and edited by experts in the field, this collection from Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology includes contributions covering the structure of NF-kB, its DNA-binding activity and specificity, the role of the inhibitor I-kB, and canonical and alternative mechanisms of NF-kB activation. The contributors examine the physiological role of NF-kB in immune cells, as well as its functions in other tissues, such as the nervous system. They also discuss work indicating that NF-kB represents a critical link between inflammation and cancer. Including clinical perspectives on the use of NF-kB inhibitors in cancer therapy and a historical introduction by David Baltimore, in whose lab NF-kB was discovered, this volume is a vital reference for cell and molecular biologists, immunologists, and pathologists interested in regulation of cell function.

Parkinson's Disease is an incurable neurodegenerative disease characterized by a progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons that leads to slowness of movement, muscle rigidity, and tremors. Insoluble aggregates of proteins such as alpha-synuclein accumulate in the affected neurons, which also appear to be subject to oxidative stress. This collection from Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine discusses recent work that has begun to uncover the molecular mechanisms that underlie the condition, including studies that implicate dysfunction of mitochondrial proteins such as parkin and pink1.

Type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile-onset or insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), is caused by destruction of insulin-producing cells in the pancreas by the body's immune system. It affects hundreds of thousands of individuals worldwide, requiring regular insulin injections to control blood glucose levels and avoid severe consequences of

Wnt proteins are signaling molecules that play critical roles during embryonic development and in the regeneration of adult tissues. They bind to Frizzled and LRP family receptors on the cell surface, triggering a series of events that cause ?-catenin to enter the nucleus and activate transcription factors that control cell fate and cell proliferation. Mutations in components of the Wnt pathway lead to developmental defects and are common in cancer. Written and edited by experts in the field, this collection from Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology covers all aspects of canonical Wnt signaling, as well as ?-catenin-independent Wnt signaling and cross-talk with other pathways. The contributors examine the numerous Wnt ligands; their production, secretion, and interactions with components of the extracellular environment; and details of the downstream signaling pathways that mediate the effects of Wnt proteins on cells. The roles of Wnt signaling in stem cell self-renewal, cell polarity, body-axis specification, wound healing, and other aspects of normal development and physiology are also covered. This volume includes discussion of Wnt signaling in cancer, skeletal defects, neurological disorders, and other human disease states. Thus, it is an indispensable reference for cell and developmental biologists as well as those, especially in the fields of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine, who are interested in targeting the Wnt pathway for therapeutic purposes.