Driven in part by the development of genomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics as new disciplines, there has been a tremendous resurgence of interest in... physical methods to investigate macromolecular structure and function in the context of living cells. This volume in Methods in Cell Biology is devoted to biophysical techniques in vitro and their applications to cellular biology. The volume covers methods-oriented chapters on fundamental as well as cutting-edge techniques in molecular and cellular biophysics. This book is directed toward the broad audience of cell biologists, biophysicists, pharmacologists, and molecular biologists who employ classical and modern biophysical technologies or wish to expand their expertise to include such approaches. It will also interest the biomedical and biotechnology communities for biophysical characterization of drug formulations prior to FDA approval. * Describes techniques in the context of important biological problems* Delineates critical steps and potential pitfalls for each method* Includes full color plates to illustrate techniques

Biophysics is an evolving, multidisciplinary subject which applies physics to biological systems and promotes an understanding of their physical... properties and behaviour.Biophysics: An Introduction, is a concise balanced introduction to this subject. Written in an accessible and readable style, the book takes a fresh, modern approach with the author successfully combining key concepts and theory with relevant applications and examples drawn from the field as a whole.Beginning with a brief introduction to the origins of biophysics, the book takes the reader through successive levels of complexity, from atoms to molecules, structures, systems and ultimately to the behaviour of organisms. The book also includes extensive coverage of biopolymers, biomembranes, biological energy, and nervous systems. The text not only explores basic ideas, but also discusses recent developments, such as protein folding, DNA/RNA conformations, molecular motors, optical tweezers and the biological origins of consciousness and intelligence.Biophysics: An Introduction* Is a carefully structured introduction to biological and medical physics* Provides exercises at the end of each chapter to encourage student understandingAssuming little biological or medical knowledge, this book is invaluable to undergraduate students in physics, biophysics and medical physics. The book is also useful for graduate students and researchers looking for a broad introduction to the subject.

Specifically tailored to life science students, this textbook explains quantitative aspects of human biophysics with examples drawn from contemporary... physiology, genetics and nanobiology. It outlines important physical ideas, equations and examples at the heart of contemporary physiology, along with the organization necessary to understand that knowledge. The wide range of biophysical topics covered include energetics, bond formation and dissociation, diffusion and directed transport, muscle and connective tissue physics, fluid flow, membrane structure, electrical properties and transport, pharmacokinetics and system dynamics and stability. Enabling students to understand the uses of quantitation in modern biology, equations are presented in the context of their application, rather than derivation. They are each directed toward the understanding of a biological principle, with a particular emphasis on human biology. Supplementary resources, including a range of test questions, are available at www.cambridge.org/9781107001442.

Neural network research often builds on the fiction that neurons are simple linear threshold units, completely neglecting the highly dynamic and complex... nature of synapses, dendrites, and voltage-dependent ionic currents. Biophysics of Computation: Information Processing in Single Neurons challenges this notion, using richly detailed experimental and theoretical findings from cellular biophysics to explain the repertoire of computational functions available to single neurons. The author shows how individual nerve cells can multiply, integrate, or delay synaptic inputs and how information can be encoded in the voltage across the membrane, in the intracellular calcium concentration, or in the timing of individual spikes.Key topics covered include the linear cable equation; cable theory as applied to passive dendritic trees and dendritic spines; chemical and electrical synapses and how to treat them from a computational point of view; nonlinear interactions of synaptic input in passive and active dendritic trees; the Hodgkin-Huxley model of action potential generation and propagation; phase space analysis; linking stochastic ionic channels to membrane-dependent currents; calcium and potassium currents and their role in information processing; the role of diffusion, buffering and binding of calcium, and other messenger systems in information processing and storage; short- and long-term models of synaptic plasticity; simplified models of single cells; stochastic aspects of neuronal firing; the nature of the neuronal code; and unconventional models of sub-cellular computation.Biophysics of Computation: Information Processing in Single Neurons serves as an ideal text for advanced undergraduate and graduate courses in cellular biophysics, computational neuroscience, and neural networks, and will appeal to students and professionals in neuroscience, electrical and computer engineering, and physics.

In this intelligently argued and principled book, internationally renowned Third World environmentalist Vandana Shiva exposes the latest frontier of the... North's ongoing assault against the South's biological and other resources. Since the land, the forests, the oceans, and the atmosphere have already been colonized, eroded, and polluted, she argues, Northern capital is now carving out new colonies to exploit for gain: the interior spaces of the bodies of women, plants and animals.

The biological features of human beings are now measured, observed, and understood in ways never before thought possible, defining norms, establishing... standards, and determining average values of human life. While the notion of “biopolitics” has been linked to everything from rational decision-making and the democratic organization of social life to eugenics and racism, Thomas Lemke offers the very first systematic overview of the history of the notion of biopolitics, exploring its relevance in contemporary theoretical debates and providing a much needed primer on the topic. Lemke explains that life has become an independent, objective and measurable factor as well as a collective reality that can be separated from concrete living beings and the singularity of individual experience. He shows how our understanding of the processes of life, the organizing of populations and the need to “govern” individuals and collectives lead to practices of correction, exclusion, normalization, and disciplining. In this lucidly written book, Lemke outlines the stakes and the debates surrounding biopolitics, providing a systematic overview of the history of the notion and making clear its relevance for sociological and contemporary theoretical debates.

As an area of high topical interest, Biopolymers – New materials for Sustainable Films and Coatings covers the development and utilization of polymers... derived from bioresources, with a particular focus on film and coating applications.With growing concern for the environment and the rising price of crude oil, there is increasing demand for non-petroleum-based polymers from renewable resources. Leading research groups worldwide in industry and academe are working on such technology with the objective of applying the latest advances in the field.Written by well-respected experts, this text systematically covers the extraction and production of selected biopolymers as well as their properties and application as films or coatings in a variety of uses. The areas addressed include food packaging, edible coatings, paper coatings and agricultural films.Intended for researchers and students, this book will also be of interest to industry, especially in terms of the practical applications.

Complete International Law provides law students with an essential introduction to the field. It combines clear explanatory text and practical learning... features with extracts from a wide range of primary and secondary materials. This innovative text engages in an active approach to learning that aims to stimulate reflection about the importance of international law in today's world. Each chapter begins by highlighting learning objectives and uses numerous features throughout, including key point summaries, thinking points and a glossary of key terms. Clearly explained case extracts demonstrate legal principles and the significance of case law. An Online Resource Centre containing the following resources for students and lecturers accompanies this book. The Online Resource Centre includes: Regular updates A flashcard glossary of key terms Annotated web links A test bank of multiple choice questions

Bioprocess Engineering, Second Edition thoroughly updates the leading introductory textbook on biochemical and bioprocess engineering to reflect... advances that are transforming the field -- from genomics to cellular engineering, modeling to nonconventional biological systems. It introduces techniques with wide applicability in pharmaceuticals, biologics, medicine, environmental engineering, and beyond.

The emergence and refinement of techniques in molecular biology has changed our perceptions of medicine, agriculture, and environmental management.... Scientific breakthroughs in gene expression, protein engineering, and cell fusion are being translated by a strengthening biotechnology industry into revolutionary new products and services. Many a student has been enticed by the promise of biotechnology and the excitement of being near the cutting edge of scientific advancement. However, graduates trained in molecular biology and cell manipulation soon realize that these techniques are only part of the picture. Reaping the full benefits of biotechnology requires manufacturing capability involving the large-scale processing of biological material. Increasingly, biotechnologists are being employed by companies to work in cooperation with chemical engineers to achieve pragmatic commercial goals. For many years, aspects of biochemistry and molecular genetics have been included in chemical engineering curricula, yet there has been little attempt until recently to teach aspects of engineering applicable to process design to biotechnologists.This textbook is the first to present the principles of bioprocess engineering in a way that is accessible to biological scientists. Other texts on bioprocess engineering currently available assume that the reader already has engineering training. On the other hand, chemical engineering textbooks do not consider examples from bioprocessing, and are written almost exclusively with the petroleum and chemical industries in mind. This publication explains process analysis from an engineering point of view, but refers exclusively to the treatment of biological systems. Over 170 problems and worked examples encompass a wide range of applications, including recombinant plant and animal cell cultures, immobilized catalysts, as well as traditional fermentation systems. Key Features* First book to present the principles of bioprocess engineering in a way that is accessible to biological scientists* Explains process analysis from an engineering point of view, but uses worked examples relating to biological systems * Comprehensive, single-authored* 170 problems and worked examples encompass a wide range of applications, involving recombinant plant and animal cell cultures, immobilized catalysts, and traditional fermentation systems* 13 chapters, organized according to engineering sub-disciplines, are grouped in four sections--Introduction, Material and Energy Balances, Physical Processes, and Reactions and Reactors* Each chapter includes a set of problems and exercises for the student, key references, and a list of suggestions for further reading* Includes useful appendices, detailing conversion factors, physical and chemical property data, steam tables, mathematical rules, and a list of symbols used* Suitable for course adoption--follows closely curricula used on most bioprocessing and process biotechnology courses at senior undergraduate and graduate levels