Books in the Novartis Foundation Symposia series

This title provides an extremely helpful analysis of genes that may be associated with autoimmunity, and answers questions such as how these genes can be identified, and how the functions of the gene products can be elucidated.

Much research has attempted to show direct linear relations between genes and disorder. However, scientists have been discouraged by inconsistent findings based on this simple gene-phenotype approach. The alternative approach is to incorporate information about the environment.

This book brings together contributions from key investigators in the area of pathological pain.

Nature employs a wide variety of sex determining mechanisms and it is only comparatively recently that the tools have become available for these to be explored at the cellular and molecular levels.

In vertebrates, the endocrine system plays a key role in conveying environmental temporal information to changes in physiology. This book reviews the biological basis of pulsatile hormone release, exploring the current state of knowledge of pulsatile hormone secretion in health and disease.

Functional genomics is the use of genetic information to design drugs. The ability to gather genetic data in the form of complete genetic sequences for certain organisms, has accelerated to astonishing speeds, reflecting the equally astonishing growth of information-gathering technologies.

Several fundamentally important questions form the basis for this book.

Many human diseases such as cancer, diabetes and neural disorders arise from the malfunction of signaling components. This is frequently due to alterations of multiple components of an integrated signaling network.

This important book covers the structure and molecular biology of small round structured viruses (SSRVs) such as caliciviruses and astroviruses, and the basic pathology of infection. It provides readers with the knowledge needed to make progress in the prevention and treatment of these infections.

The cell cycle is the sequence of events between mitotic divisions. The cycle is conventionally divided into G0, G1 (G stands for gap), S (synthesis phase during which DNA is replicated), G2 and M (mitosis). The sequence, as it appears in this text, is reviewed in relation to the development of living organisms from embryonic states to maturity.

Ageing at individual and population levels presents one of the greatest challenges to humankind as we begin the 21st century. Throughout the world, older adults are the fasts growing population group. Ageing is associated with an increased risk for development of chronic diseases that contribute to morbidity and mortality.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), characterized by progressive chronic airflow obstruction, is the most common respiratory disorder of adults in the developed world and is the fourth main cause of death in the US. COPD has received little attention compared with other respiratory diseases such as asthma and lung cancer.

Brings together a cross-fertilization of ideas between human molecular genetics, develeopmental biology, tissue biology and the biochemistry of cell signalling pathways, in order to create new insights into the mechanisms of normal and abnormal skeletogenesis.

Recent progress has led to a better understanding of the molecular structure of sodium channels, how they work and the mechanisms that restrict their expression to particular cell types.

With contributions from leading cell and developmental biologists, structural biologists, geneticists, and clinical scientists, this book seeks to foster a better understanding of the mechanisms leading to disease pathogenesis.

Rice is the most important food crop for over half the world's population. The challenge to produce enough rice for the future is a daunting one as the current rate of population growth outpaces increases in rice production. Science has a central role to play in raising rice productivity.

Sepsis: New Insights, New Therapies brings together contributions from an international group of experts in diverse fields to consider how the various pathways implicated in early and late sepsis interact, with a particular emphasis on novel concepts and potential new therapeutic approaches.

This book covers basic issues concerning the nature of the worldwide health problem posed by cigarette smoking and explores the psychodynamics of cigarette addiction. The basic pharmacology and biochemistry of nicotine and its effect on the brain are reviewed here.

The formation of blood vessels is an essential aspect of embryogenesis in vertebrates. It is a central feature of numerous post-embryonic processes, including tissue and organ growth and regeneration. It is also part of the pathology of tumour formation and certain inflammatory conditions.

A comprehensive review of recent work on chromatin and non-histone proteins, this book arises from the interactions of a multidisciplinary group of scientists involved in the study of acetylation.

Neural transplantation can be used to treat neurodegenerative diseases through a variety of methods. The field is at a critical stage in its development, particularly in light of ongoing investigations into Parkinson's disease and alternatives to fetal transplantation.

Although normally thought of as a sex hormone, recent research has highlighted the numerous and significant effects that oestrogen has on the central nervous system. It has been shown that oestrogen acts as a neural growth factor with important influences on the survival, plasticity, regeneration, and aging of the mammalian forebrain.

This book features contributions from experts in cell biology, genetics, neurobiology, immunology and structural biology. The unifying element is that they all study processes of cell shape change and motility.

This book features scientists from a broad spectrum of disciplines discussing recent data on aggression in laboratory animals with particular reference to possible implications for understanding human aggression. Chapters focus on the major current experimental issues in the study of aggression in humans and animals.

Insect-Plant Interactions and Induced Plant Defence Chair: John A. Pickett 1999 This book examines the sophisticated mechanisms that plants use to defend themselves against attack by insects and pathogens, focusing on the networks of plant signalling pathways that underlie these defences.

Over the past five years, there has been dramatic progress in unravelling the cellular circuitry involved in cardiac failure, as well as in normal cardiac growth, development and apoptosis. These studies have revealed new and unanticipated therapeutic targets in the heart.