Neuroendocrine Peptide Methodology

Written by experts in the field, Handbook of Endocrine Research Techniques is currently the only single source of up-to-date methods and strategies particularly useful in endocrinological research. As a resource for both the novice and experienced investigator, the book includes chapters which provide an introduction to the area, general concepts, detailed protocols, and extensive references.

This textbook is the first to bring together and synthesize the neuropeptide research of the past decade in such a comprehensive, scholarly manner. In recent years there has been increasing interest and, subsequently, active research in neuropeptides. These neuroactive molecules coordinate, integrate, and regulate physiological processes in all organisms, throughout all phases of development. Acting as neurohormones, neurotransmitters, and/or neuromodulators, they maintain physiological homeostasis and influence important behavioral patterns. This textbook is the first to bring together and synthesize the neuropeptide research of the past decade in such a comprehensive, scholarly manner. The book is divided into two parts. In Part I the author defines the basic principles of neuropeptide action, including their biosynthesis, processing, transport, distribution, and interactions with receptors and second messenger systems. Strand also discusses the intimate interaction between the neuropeptides, stress, and the immune system. In Part II she discusses the regulatory functions of the families of neuropeptide in sufficient detail to provide both the advanced student and senior investigator with a thorough understanding of the most important neuropeptides. The text also contains a complete and up-to-date reference/reading list.

Serving as a complementary series to AIDS Research Reviews - edited by Drs. Wayne C. Koff, Flossie Wong-Staal, and Ronald C. Kennedy (Marcel Dekker, Inc.) - this new series reviews significant advances in immunization research and addresses scientific and public policy challenges for moving candidate vaccines from the laboratory to the population.;Exploring recent progress in immunology, vaccine development and improvement, and clinical trials, Vaccine Research and Developments: analyzes the capacity of lipophilic components to chemically modify peptide and protein antigens and augment their immunogenicity; discusses the potential of noninfectious packaging mutants to serve as prototype vaccines; provides a novel presentation system for peptide vaccines through the multiple antigen peptide approach; examines the current status and future prospects for contraceptive vaccines and offers perspectives for improving pertussis vaccines; furnishes a comprehensive update of vaccine clinical trials; and describes the legal policy aspects involved in developing HIV vaccines.;Containing over 915 useful references, Vaccine Research and Developments is for immunologists, microbiologists and virologists, molecular and cell biologists, infectious disease specialists, pharmacologists, government and industry drug regulatory personnel, and graduate level students in these disciplines.

Serving as a complementary series to AIDS Research Reviews - edited by Drs. Wayne C. Koff, Flossie Wong-Staal, and Ronald C. Kennedy (Marcel Dekker, Inc.) - this new series reviews significant advances in immunization research and addresses scientific and public policy challenges for moving candidate vaccines from the laboratory to the population.;Exploring recent progress in immunology, vaccine development and improvement, and clinical trials, Vaccine Research and Developments: analyzes the capacity of lipophilic components to chemically modify peptide and protein antigens and augment their immunogenicity; discusses the potential of noninfectious packaging mutants to serve as prototype vaccines; provides a novel presentation system for peptide vaccines through the multiple antigen peptide approach; examines the current status and future prospects for contraceptive vaccines and offers perspectives for improving pertussis vaccines; furnishes a comprehensive update of vaccine clinical trials; and describes the legal policy aspects involved in developing HIV vaccines.;Containing over 915 useful references, Vaccine Research and Developments is for immunologists, microbiologists and virologists, molecular and cell biologists, infectious disease specialists, pharmacologists, government and industry drug regulatory personnel, and graduate level students in these disciplines.

Non-Animal Techniques in Biomedical and Behavioral Research and Testing features the contributions of noted experts describing the application of non-animal methods in a wide variety of research and testing situations, including computer modeling/graphics, protein sequence analysis, behavioral analysis, drug design/testing, cosmetic and household products testing, toxicological testing, clinical testing, chemical identification and analysis, and disease investigations. Many of the alternatives covered have applications in behavioral as well as biomedical research and testing. Topics examined include in vitro techniques, molecular genetics, structure-activity relationships, physicochemical methods, computer-assisted drug designs, nutrition, epidemiology, autopsies, neural networks, ethology, image scanning devices, and medical microbiology. Future applications for non-animal methods are also explored. The book will appeal to toxicologists, pharmacologists, cosmetic and household product researchers, epidemiologists, medical microbiologists, biopsychiatrists, biomedical and psychological educators, biochemists, molecular geneticists, and other scientists interested in alternative testing methods.

Methods for Plant Molecular Biology is a collection of articles that focuses on the techniques used in plant molecular biology and genetics. The book discusses the isolation and characterization of nuclear, chloroplast, and mitochondrial nucleic acids and the factors and systems involved in transcription and gene expression. Procedures for the isolation of cell walls, chloroplast membranes, membrane proteins; techniques to carry out plant cell culture and protoplast formation; and methods for gene and organelle transfer are covered as well. Biologists, molecular biologists, botanists, and students will find the book very useful.

Volume 168 of Methods in Enzymology will prove invaluable not only to those in the field but also to those in related disciplines who find their studies becoming closely linked to the neurosciences. Methodologies are presented to allow easy adaptation to new systems and to stress their general applicability and potential limitations.

Because of the significance of morphology and cellular communication unique to the functioning and interdependence of neural systems, many of the advances in the neurosciences rely on classic as well as new microscopy techniques.A convenient bench-top format**Methods presented for easy adaptation to new systems**Comprehensive protocols included for**Autoradiography: measurement of hormone receptors, high-resolution techniques, double labeling and combined techniques**Statistical and computational methods: video imaging, three-dimensional reconstructions, means of structural quantitation, unbiased sampling methods, measurement of analysis of neuronal connections, staining, and individual axon arbors**Tracing neuronal connections: tracer, toxin, and dye methods**Staining techniques: fluoro-gold, SITS, and silver impregnation**Freezing techniques: freeze fracture and cryoprotection**Combined and high-resolution techniques: double-label tracer techniques, incident light polarization, light and electron microscopic techniques