A representative cross-section of elastic biomolecules is covered in this volume, which combines seventeen contributions from leading research groups. State-of-the-art molecular mechanics experiments are described dealing with the elasticity of DNA and nucleoprotein complexes, titin and titin-like proteins in muscle, as well as proteins of the cytoskeleton and the extracellular matrix. The book speaks particularly to cell biologists, biophysicists, or bioengineers, and to senior researchers and graduate students alike, who are interested in recent advances in single-molecule technology (optical tweezers technique, atomic force microscopy), EM imaging, and computer simulation approaches to study nanobiomechanics. The findings discussed here have redefined our view of the role mechanical signals play in cellular functions and have greatly helped improve our understanding of biological elasticity in general.

"The chapters in this book survey the progress in simulating biomolecular dynamics.... The images conjured up by this work are not yet universally loved, but are beginning to bring new insights into the study of biological structure and function. The future will decide whether this scientific movement can bring forth its Picasso or Modigliani." –from the Foreword by Peter G. Wolynes, Bullard-Welch Foundation Professor of Science, Rice University This book highlights the state-of-art in coarse-grained modeling of biomolecules, covering both fundamentals as well as various cutting edge applications. Coarse-graining of biomolecules is an area of rapid advances, with numerous new force fields having appeared recently and significant progress made in developing a systematic theory of coarse-graining. The contents start with first fundamental principles based on physics, then survey specific state-of-art coarse-grained force fields of proteins and nucleic acids, and provide examples of exciting biological problems that are at large scale, and hence, only amenable to coarse-grained modeling. Introduces coarse-grained models of proteins and nucleic acids. Showcases applications such as genome packaging in nuclei and understanding ribosome dynamics Gives the physical foundations of coarse-graining Demonstrates use of models for large-scale assemblies in modern studies Garegin A. Papoian is the first Monroe Martin Associate Professor with appointments in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the Institute for Physical Science and Technology at the University of Maryland.

Continued interest in the field of biologically inspired materials is strongly motivated by the fact that the nanoscale and microscale organization found in biological materials often leads to exceptional macroscopic materials properties. The ability to mimic these structures should lead to new synthetic materials with similarly remarkable behavior in both biomedical and materials arenas. This has led to an enormous amount of research in a variety of materials areas, including those aimed at: 1) unique ceramics or composites for use in biomaterials, magnetic and optical applications; 2) self-assembled biopolymeric systems for use in biomaterials and biosensor applications; and 3) colloidal and amphiphilic systems for application in biomedicine, nanotechnology and biosensors. Accordingly, this volume brings together a broad range of researchers whose interests span the full breadth of biology, and in addition, those who find different inspiration in biology itself. For some, that inspiration is in the creation of new materials that have important biological (especially biomedical) applications. For others, it is the imitation of the behavior of a biological material, molecule or process that is of interest. Finally, with increasing frequency, researchers are drawing inspiration from the synthetic pathways that biology uses, exploiting these pathways, and modifying them chemically or genetically to make entirely novel molecules and materials. Biologically inspired materials is a rapidly evolving arena of materials science research, and the work presented here reflects recent advances and new perspectives in the field. Topics include: tissue engineering and biomaterials; novel biomimeticand bioinspired polymers; biomineralization, colloidal and templated materials; and amphiphilic membranes and surfaces.

Infrared Spectroscopy of Biomolecules Edited by Henry H. Mantsch and Dennis Chapman Dramatic new advances in the application of infrared spectroscopy to biomolecules and instrumentation are revolutionizing this branch of molecular spectroscopy. Infrared Spectroscopy of Biomolecules provides an up-to-date, detailed look at the different spectroscopic techniques now available and offers a framework for progression in the field, including the evolution of Fourier transform methods, the development of time-resolved techniques and difference spectroscopy, as well as new modulation methods. The book begins with a fundamental introduction to the theories behind both infrared spectroscopy and the Fourier transform method, which lays the groundwork for the instrumental and mathematical chapters that follow. Once the basics of the infrared methods are established, the proceeding chapters cover the application of infrared spectroscopy to proteins, lipids, enzymes, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and biomembranes. Other chapters in this excellent reference include: Theoretical Analyses of the Amide I Infrared Bands of Globular Proteins Slow and Fast Infrared Kinetic Studies Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy of Cell Surface Polysaccharides What Can Infrared Spectroscopy Tell Us About the Structure and Composition of Intact Bacterial Cells Biomedical Infrared Spectroscopy Editors Henry Mantsch and Dennis Chapman, leading experts in the field, conclude with an exciting look at much-anticipated future developments, including the use of caged compounds and studies of oxidation reduction systems within the IR spectrometer. A solid introduction to the basics with up-to-the-minute coverage of the latest developments in the field, Infrared Spectroscopy of Biomolecules is an indispensable reference tool for biochemists, biophysicists, and structural biologists alike.