Books in the Methods in Molecular Biology series

The epigenetic regulation plays an important role in normal development and maintenance of tissue specific genes expression in humans and the disturbance of these patterns lead to changes involved in tumor formation.

Protein analysis is increasingly becoming a cornerstone in deciphering the molecular mechanisms of life. Proteomics, the large-scale and high-sensitivity analysis of proteins, is already pivotal to the new life sciences such as Systems Biology and Systems Medicine. Proteomics, however, relies heavily on the past and future advances of protein purification and analysis methods.  DIGE, being able to quantify proteins in their intact form, is one of a few methods that can facilitate this type of analysis and still provide the protein isoforms in an MS-compatible state for further identification and characterization with high analytical sensitivity. Differential Gel Electrophoresis: Methods and Protocols introduces the concept of DIGE and its advantages in quantitative protein analysis. It provides detailed protocols and important notes on the practical aspects of DIGE with both generic and specific applications in the various areas of Quantitative Proteomics. Divided into four concise sections, this detailed volume opens with the basics of DIGE, the technique and its practical details with a focus on the planning of a DIGE experiment and its data analysis. The next section introduces various DIGE methods from those employed by scientists world-wide to more novel methods, providing a glance at what is on the horizon in the DIGE world.  The volume closes with an overview of the wide range of DIGE applications from Clinical Proteomics to Animal, Plant, and Microbial Proteomics applications. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology¿ series format, chapters contain introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.Authoritative and accessible, Differential Gel Electrophoresis: Methods and Protocols can be used by novices with some background in biochemistryor molecular biology as well as by experts in Proteomics who would like to deepen their understanding of DIGE and its employment in many hyphenations and application areas.  With its many protocols, applications, and methodological variants, it is also a unique reference for all who seek fundamental details on the working principle of DIGE and ideas for possible future uses of DIGE in novel analytical approaches.

The discipline of developmental toxicology is an integration of concepts, models, and methodologies based heavily on the superimposition of toxicology principles upon the science of developmental biology.

Nervous system development evolves from the well-orchestrated processes of neural induction, cell proliferation, differentiation, cell migration, survival, and synapse formation. Among these environmental cues, neurotrophic factors are secreted proteins that promote neurite outgrowth, neuronal cell differentiation and survival both in vivo and in vitro. Nerve growth factor (NGF) is the founding and best characterized member of the neurotrophin family of neurotrophic polypeptides. Neurotrophic Factors: Methods and Protocols presents a selection of protocols and procedures which make use of cellular, tissue, and whole animal models which can be applied to the investigation of neurotrophic factors and other agents impacting on these systems. Chapters cover a wide-range of topics such as dealing with the culture of neurons and glia from the central and peripheral nervous systems, neuron-glia co-culture models, and cell-based assays for the evaluation of neuroprotective molecules, as well as assays which can be applied to the study of agents with neuroregenerative potential. Protocols describing viral- and nanoparticle-based delivery methods to neural cells are also presented, following by chapters dealing with organotypic slice culture protocols. Lastly, several chapters are dedicated to in vivo lesion models of relevance to nervous system pathology, which can be applied to the investigation of neurotrophic factors and peptides. Written in the successful Methods in Molecular Biology¿ series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and easily accessible, Neurotrophic Factors: Methods and Protocols seeks to serve both professionals and novices alike with its well-honed methodologies in an effort to further our knowledge ofwhat has been described as the last frontier of science.

The rapid pace of microRNA (miRNA) research continues to drive the advances of techniques for miRNA expression profiling, and innovative technologies that are more sensitive, specific, quantitative, and that are compatible with a wide range of biospecimens have been developed during the past few years.

Forensic DNA profiling procedures are mainly based on high resolution and high throughput capillary electrophoresis separation and detection systems of PCR amplicons obtained from DNA genomic markers with different inheritance patterns.

Due to the rapid and steady growth of available low-cost computer power, the use of computers for discovering and designing new drugs is becoming a central topic in modern molecular biology and medicinal chemistry.

Over the past decade, there has been an explosive development of research of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs), which are also known as unfolded proteins.

In Cellular and Subcellular Nanotechnology: Methods and Protocols expert researchers in the field detail the most recent advances which have been made in utilizing the enormous potential of nanotechnology for probing, imaging and manipulating life on a cellular and subcellular level.

While many cytokines are known for their inflammatory action, there is a growing interest in the tissue-protective effects of some cytokines.