Phosphodiesterase Methods and Protocols
Phosphodiesterase Methods and Protocols

Author: Claire Lugnier

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2008-02-04

Total Pages: 327

ISBN-13: 1592598390

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Research leaders in the PDE field describe new concepts and techniques for investigating the role of PDEs in orchestrating normal and pathophysiological responses. Presented in step-by-step detail, these readily reproducible methods allow the measurement of cyclic nucleotide variations in living cells, as well as their visualization in a spatio-temporal manner, the localization and characterization of their activities in tissues and living cells, and the assessment of targeted PDEs in creating specific tools and drugs.

Amyloid Proteins
Amyloid Proteins

Author: Einar M. Sigurdsson

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2008-02-02

Total Pages: 390

ISBN-13: 1592598749

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A proven collection of readily reproducible techniques for studying amyloid proteins and their involvement in the etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and therapy of amyloid diseases. The contributors provide methods for the preparation of amyloid and its precursors (oligomers and protofibrils), in vitro assays and analytical techniques for their study, and cell culture models and assays for the production of amyloid proteins. Additional chapters present readily reproducible techniques for amyloid extraction from tissue, its detection in vitro and in vivo, as well as nontransgenic methods for developing amyloid mouse models. The protocols follow the successful Methods in Molecular BiologyTM series format, each offering step-by-step laboratory instructions, an introduction outlining the principle behind the technique, lists of the necessary equipment and reagents, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.

Phosphodiesterase Methods and Protocols
Phosphodiesterase Methods and Protocols

Author: Claire Lugnier

Publisher: Humana

Published: 2005-06-22

Total Pages: 336

ISBN-13: 9781588293145

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Research leaders in the PDE field describe new concepts and techniques for investigating the role of PDEs in orchestrating normal and pathophysiological responses. Presented in step-by-step detail, these readily reproducible methods allow the measurement of cyclic nucleotide variations in living cells, as well as their visualization in a spatio-temporal manner, the localization and characterization of their activities in tissues and living cells, and the assessment of targeted PDEs in creating specific tools and drugs. Additional chapters discuss the generation of PDE4 knockout mice to demonstrate not only the potential role of targeted PDEs, but also their use in further studies of the central role of PDE regulation in intracellular signaling control. These techniques offer clinicians a way to find new therapies for numerous pathologies whose molecular origins are unknown and whose treatment is symptomatic. Alterations of intracellular signaling related to PDE deregulation in such pathologies as inflammation, neurodegeneration, and cancer may explain the difficulties observed in their prevention and treatment.

Human Retrovirus Protocols
Human Retrovirus Protocols

Author: Tuofu Zhu

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2008-02-04

Total Pages: 488

ISBN-13: 1592599079

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A cutting-edge collection of basic and state-of-the-art methods optimized for investigating the molecular biology of this class of retrovirus. These readily reproducible techniques range from methods for the isolation and detection of human retroviruses to cutting-edge methods for exploring the interplay between the viruses and the host. Here, the researcher will find up-to-date techniques for the isolation and propagation of HIV, HTLV, and foamy virus from a variety of sources. There are also assays for determining the cell tropism of HIV-1, the coreceptor usage of HIV-1, and human gene expression with HIV-1 infection by microarrays, as well as for phenotyping HIV-1 infected monocytes and examining their fitness. Highlights include the detection and quantification of HIV-1 in resting CD4+, a new cloning system for making recombinent virus, cDNA microarrays, and the determination of genetic polymorphisms in two recently identified HIV-1 co-factors that are critical for HIV-1 infection.

Cell Imaging Techniques
Cell Imaging Techniques

Author: Douglas J. Taatjes

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2008-02-04

Total Pages: 505

ISBN-13: 1592599931

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A diverse collection of state-of-the-art methods for the microscopic imaging of cells and molecules. The authors cover a wide spectrum of complimentary techniques, including such methods as fluorescence microscopy, electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and laser scanning cytometry. Additional readily reproducible protocols on confocal scanning laser microscopy, quantitative computer-assisted image analysis, laser-capture microdissection, microarray image scanning, near-field scanning optical microscopy, and reflection contrast microscopy round out this eclectic collection of cutting-edge imaging techniques now available. The authors also discuss preparative methods for particles and cells by transmission electron microscopy.

Hormone Assays in Biological Fluids
Hormone Assays in Biological Fluids

Author: Michael J. Wheeler

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2008-02-04

Total Pages: 259

ISBN-13: 1592599869

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Expert researchers who have developed and applied significant new assays describe in step-by-step detail a variety of methods for measuring a broad variety of hormones, related peptides, and synthetic steroids in various biological fluids. The hormones measured range from glucocorticoids in biological fluids, urinary steroids, aldosterone in blood, and plasma renin activity, to gut hormones in plasma, melatonin, prolactin, 6-sulfatoxymelatonin, and androgens in blood, saliva, and hair. The emphasis is on noncommercial assays so that investigators can set up novel methods suited to their special needs. Commercial assays are also described for comparative purposes. Tutorials on radioimmunoassay, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, high-performance liquid chromatography, and PCR techniques help the reader to choose the best method for his or her purpose.

Receptor Binding Techniques
Receptor Binding Techniques

Author: Anthony P. Davenport

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2008-02-02

Total Pages: 246

ISBN-13: 1592599273

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A comprehensive collection of readily reproducible methods for studying receptors in silico, in vitro, and in vivo. These cutting-edge techniques cover mining from curated databases, identifying novel receptors by high throughput screening, molecular methods to identify mRNA encoding receptors, radioligand binding assays and their analysis, quantitative autoradiography, and imaging receptors by positron emission tomography (PET). Highlights include phenotypic characterization of receptors in knockout mice, imaging receptors using green fluorescent protein and fluorescent resonance energy transfer, and quantitative analysis of receptor mRNA by TaqMan PCR. These book equips the researcher with techniques for exploring the unprecedented number of new receptor systems now emerging and the so-called "orphan" receptors whose activating ligand has not been identified.

Peptide Synthesis and Applications
Peptide Synthesis and Applications

Author: John Howl

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2008-02-02

Total Pages: 263

ISBN-13: 1592598773

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Hands-on experts describe in step-by-step detail the key methodologies of contemporary peptide synthesis and illustrate their numerous applications. The techniques presented include protocols for chemical ligation, the synthesis of cyclic and phosphotyrosine-containing peptides, lipoamino acid- and sugar-conjugated peptides, and peptide purification and analyses. Additional chapters detail methodologies and instrumentation for high-throughput peptide synthesis, many different applications of peptides as novel research tools and biological probes, and the design and application of fluorescent substrate-based peptides that can be used to determine the selectivity and activity of peptidases. A practical guide to the identification of proteins using mass spectrometric analyses of peptide mixtures is also included.

Clinical Applications of PCR
Clinical Applications of PCR

Author: Y. M. Dennis Lo

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2008-02-04

Total Pages: 204

ISBN-13: 159745074X

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In this updated second edition, leading researchers apply molecular diagnostics to the many recent advances that have occurred in polymerase chain reaction( PCR)-based technologies. Highlights include real-time PCR, which allows the technique to be performed in a quantitative manner with improved sensitivity, robustness, and resilience to carryover contamination, mass spectrometric analysis of nucleic acids, and circulating cell-free nucleic acids in plasma. The authors apply these innovations to a broad spectrum of applications, including gene expression, methylation, trace molecule, gene dosage, and single cell analysis.

Signal Transduction Protocols
Signal Transduction Protocols

Author: David A. Kendall

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2008-02-02

Total Pages: 305

ISBN-13: 1592595286

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As our understanding of the biological sciences expands, the bou- aries between traditional disciplines tend to blur at the edges. Physio- gists and pharmacologists, for instance, now need to embrace techniques that until recently were the strict preserves of biochemists and mole- lar biologists. However, the acquisition of new technologies can be a time-consuming and frustrating business, and unless an expert is on hand to give instruction, precious hours can be spent poring over half-described Methods sections with no guarantee of eventual success. The aim of Signal Transduction Protocols has been to get experts with "hands-on" experience in particular techniques to give detailed accounts of experimental protocols in a recipe-type format, which we hope will circumvent the problems of ambiguity often encountered when reading the literature. The techniques described in Signal Transduction Protocols are those that we think will be most useful in addressing questions in the area of receptor-mediated cell signaling, with particular regard to those receptors that are part of the G-protein-linked superfamily. To keep it to a manageable size, we have omitted any reference to electrophysi- ogy and have instead concentrated on more biochemical approaches.