Based on the third symposium on “Molecular Immunology of Complex Carbohydrates,” this text covers the latest in glycotopes, structures and functions of complex carbohydrates, recognition factors of lectins, biomolecular interactions and other glycosciences. This volume highlights the informative events of the Symposium on Molecular Immunology of Complex Carbohydrates III, held at the Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, on July 15-20, 2007, in Taipei, Taiwan.
During the past three decades, the sugar moiety of complex carbohydrates has been found to be involved in important interactions of immunological specificity of antigens and to participate in a variety of cellular functions. The long polysaccharide side chains of the lipopolysaccharides on the outer membrane of Gram negative organisms provide surface antigens for differential serodiagnosis. Bacterial surface lectins are important in mediating the attachment of bacteria to host cells in the of infectious diseases. The carbohydrate pathogenesis moieties of cell surface glycoconjugates (glycoproteins and glycolipids) of mammals are the sites for intercellular recognition and for the regulatory molecular interactions such as interaction of complex carbohydrate with hormones or hepatic lectins. The carbohydrate side chains of many complex carbohydrates play essential roles as antigenic determinants b of human blood group ABH, Lea, Le , I, and i activities, as the Forssman specific determinant, and as tumor associated antigenic determinants. Prompted by these and other advances in the field, a Symposium on Molecular Immunology of Complex Carbohydrates was organized as a satellite meeting of the 8th International Glycoconjugate Conference held on September 8- 13, 1985, in Houston, Texas, U. S . A. Many eminent scientists contributed their knowledge at this meeting. The lecture and poster materials of the symposium are contained in this proceeding book, which is divided into four Sections and one Appendix. Section I is entitled Antibody Specificity, Epitope, and Lectinology. Dr. Elvin A.
Sugar chains (glycans) are often attached to proteins and lipids and have multiple roles in the organization and function of all organisms. "Essentials of Glycobiology" describes their biogenesis and function and offers a useful gateway to the understanding of glycans.
Demonstrating the interdisciplinary nature of modern glycosciences, this volume covers research in the fields of polysaccharides and small carbohydrates from the synthetic and structural viewpoints, with applications ranging from biology to the bioeconomy. Key aspects of the synthesis and properties of imino disaccharides and regioselective glycosylation reactions are reviewed, glycosyltransferase inhibitors are shown to be potential future therapeutic agents, protein-carbohydrate interactions in plant cell-wall biodegradation are targeted by the use of glycan microarrays, biological properties of polysaccharidic microbial surface antigens are discussed with respect to their intimate structure, and contributions on carbohydrate-based hydrogelators, green/blue sugar-based surfactants and carbohydrate-based green solvents illustrate the modern design of tomorrow’s chemicals. With the increase in volume, velocity and variety of information, researchers can find it difficult to keep up to date with the literature in their field and this book remains a valuable addition to any researcher’s library.
It can be seen that the insects are the still attracting most research and researchers. However, an increasing interest is emerging to study new invertebrate groups, especially those where the genome is known. Even though Drosophila has been and still is an excellent model for immune studies, it is now clear that there are great differences between immune responses in Drosophila and that of several other invertebrates, which indeed calls for more research on other invertebrates
Advances in Cancer Research provides invaluable information on the exciting and fast-moving field of cancer research. Here, once again, outstanding and original reviews are presented on a variety of topics. - Provides information on cancer research - Outstanding and original reviews - Suitable for researchers and students
Sialic Acids and Sialoglycoconjugates in the Biology of Life, Health and Disease enables the reader to understand the role of sialylation as a post translational modification. The book provides insights on the latest knowledge in the field of sialoglycobiology. Sialic acids as terminal residues of oligosaccharide chains play crucial roles in several cellular recognition events. Synthesized post translationally, they play an important role in recognition, signaling, immunological response and cell-cell interaction. Improper sialylations have been associated with several diseases including cancer. In the post genomics and proteomics era, sialoglybiology has become more and more important in deciphering health and disease conditions. - Discusses the sialic acids and their role in different diseases (other than cancer) - Provides an understanding of sialylations as post translational modifications (PTM) - Demonstrates the impact sialylation has on infectious diseases, the autoimmune system and health - Gives insights on the importance of sialic acid biology through animal models
Melanoma is considered to be one of the most aggressive forms of skin neoplasms. Despite aggressive researches towards finding treatments, no effective therapy exists to inhibit the metastatic spread of malignant melanoma. The 5-year survival rate of metastatic melanoma is still significantly low, and there has been an earnest need to develop more effective therapies with greater anti-melanoma activity. Through the accomplishment of over 100 distinguished and respected researchers from 19 different countries, this book covers a wide range of aspects from various standpoints and issues related to melanoma. These include the biology of melanoma, pigmentations, pathways, receptors and diagnosis, and the latest treatments and therapies to make potential new therapies. Not only will this be beneficial for readers, but it will also contribute to scientists making further breakthroughs in melanoma research.
Prions and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Volume 172, in the Progress in Molecular Biology and Translational Science series, provides the most topical, informative and exciting monographs available on a wide variety of research topics. The series includes in-depth knowledge on the molecular biological aspects of organismal physiology, with this release including chapters on Cell-free amplification of prions: where do we stand? Transgenic mouse models for the study of prion diseases and much more. - Includes comprehensive coverage of molecular biology - Presents ample use of tables, diagrams, schemata and color figures to enhance the reader's ability to rapidly grasp the information provided - Contains contributions from renowned experts in the field - Includes comprehensive coverage of molecular biology - Presents ample use of tables, diagrams, schemata and color figures to enhance the reader's ability to rapidly grasp the information provided - Contains contributions from renowned experts in the field
