Here is a fascinating reader-friendly exploration of “the phosphorus enigma.” The volume attempts to answer the questions: How did phosphorus atoms, which are produced inside the inner cores of a handful of huge stars, become concentrated in relatively high proportions in the organisms composing Earth’s biosphere? And how did these phosphate derivatives manage to be included in such a great variety of organic molecules playing essential biochemical roles in all known life forms? Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the topic, the volume is arranged in three sections. The first section introduces the fundamental concepts and notions of physics, chemistry, and biology necessary for the proper understanding of the topics discussed within an astronomical framework. The author then focuses on the role of phosphorus and its compounds within the context of chemical evolution in galaxies, considering its relevance in most essential biochemical functions as well as its peculiar chemistry under different physicochemical conditions. The third section provides an overall perspective on the role of phosphorus and its compounds in current areas of research of solid state physics, materials engineering, nanotechnology or medicine.

Here is a fascinating reader-friendly exploration of “the phosphorus enigma.” The volume attempts to answer the questions: How did phosphorus atoms, which are produced inside the inner cores of a handful of huge stars, become concentrated in relatively high proportions in the organisms composing Earth’s biosphere? And how did these phosphate derivatives manage to be included in such a great variety of organic molecules playing essential biochemical roles in all known life forms? Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the topic, the volume is arranged in three sections. The first section introduces the fundamental concepts and notions of physics, chemistry, and biology necessary for the proper understanding of the topics discussed within an astronomical framework. The author then focuses on the role of phosphorus and its compounds within the context of chemical evolution in galaxies, considering its relevance in most essential biochemical functions as well as its peculiar chemistry under different physicochemical conditions. The third section provides an overall perspective on the role of phosphorus and its compounds in current areas of research of solid state physics, materials engineering, nanotechnology or medicine.

The book is the first thorough study of the role of phosphorus chemistry in the origin of life. This book starts with depiction of the phosphorus role in life creation and evolution. Then it outlines in vital processes how different phosphorus-containing compounds participate as biomarker in life evolution. Written by renowned scientists, it is suitable for researchers and students in organic phosphorus chemistry and biochemistry.

The origin of life is one of the biggest unsolved scientific questions. This book deals with the formation and first steps of the chemical evolution of nucleic acids, including the chemical roots behind the origin of their components from the simplest sources in a geochemical context. Chemical evolution encompasses the chemical processes and interactions conducive to self-assembly and supramolecular organization, leading to an increase of complexity and the emergence of life. The book starts with a personal account of the pioneering work of Stanley Miller and Jeffrey Bada on the Chemistry of Origins of Life and how the development of organic chemistry beginning in the 19th century led to the emergence of the field of prebiotic chemistry, situated at the frontier between organic, geo- and biochemistry. It then continues reviewing in tutorial manner current central topics regarding the organization of nucleic acids: the origin of nucleobases and nucleosides, their phosphorylation and polymerization and ultimately, their self-assembly and supramolecular organization at the inception of life.

Each review within the volume critically surveys one aspect of that topic and places it within the context of the volume as a whole. The most significant developments of the last 5 to 10 years are presented using selected examples to illustrate the principles discussed. The coverage is not intended to be an exhaustive summary of the field or include large quantities of data, but should rather be conceptual, concentrating on the methodological thinking that will allow the non-specialist reader to understand the information presented. Contributions also offer an outlook on potential future developments in the field.

Now in a second edition, Biochemistry of Inorganic Polyphosphates fills the need for an exhaustive resource on inorganic polyphosphate metabolism. The authors describe the structure and properties of these compounds and presents a comparative analysis of the newest and traditional methods of their extraction from cells. Distribution of polyphosphates in organisms, their localization in cells and tissues is also described. Comprehensive presentation of inorganic polyphosphate metabolism Follows polyphosphates in cells of organisms from different stages of evolution Presents methods for the analysis and study of polyP-dependent enzymes Comprehensive information on genetics, metabolism and biotechnology of polyphosphates Textbook and reference work on all aspects of polyphosphates

This book addresses some important open questions in this interdisciplinary field of research. In spite of its broad scope, ranging from the earliest evidence of life on earth to the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, the main focus is on chemical evolution. Once the macromolecules of life were formed, the evolution of the earliest life forms enhanced the importance of chirality. This led to the highly asymmetric environment of the macromolecules of the living cell the hallmark of life itself. The subject of chirality, in particular, is discussed in depth: the status of the weak force as the only true chiral influence is presented. A substantial number of papers review both the theoretical as well as the experimental basis of the origin of biochirality. A second broad area discussed in detail is the RNA world. Some successes of this hypothesis are highlighted; the hierarchy of previous evolutionary stages leading to the origin of life, such as the pyrophosphate world, are considered. The question is raised whether useful hints may still be inferred from molecular fossils existing in contemporary cells. Contents The Origin, Evolution, and Distribution of Life in the Universe C. Ponnamperuma Chemical Origin and Early Evolution of Biological Energy Conversion H. Baltscheffsky Phosphate in Models for Chemical Evolution G. Arrhenius, B. Gedulin and Mojzsis Evolution in an RNA World P. Schuster Small Pathogenic RNAs of Plants: Living Fossils of the RNA World? T.O. Diener The Weak Force and the Origin of Life A.J. MacDermott The Origin of Chirality, the Role of Phase Transitions and Their Induction in Amino Acids A. Salam Spontaneous Regulating Mechanisms That May Have Led to the Origin of Life J. Chela-Flores Chirality and the Origin of Life R. Navarro Gonzalez, R.K. Khanna and C. Ponnamperuma >Search for Phase Transitions Changing Molecular Chirality A. Figureau, E. Duval and A. Boukenter Theoretical and Experimental Studies on the Possibility of Chirality Dependent Time Direction in Molecules A.S. Garay Extraterrestrial Intelligences J. Heidmann Discussion Sessions Biochemical Markers in Precambian Sediments--Indian Subcontinent S.S. Rane, A.V. Patankar, M.S. Chadha, B. Udayraj and S.M. Naqvi Practicabilities and Limits of Stereospecific Autocatalysis: An Experimental Approach T. Buhse, W. Thiemann, D. Lavabre and J.-C. Micheau Ionizing Radiation and Chemical Processing of Waters on Early Earth I.G. Draganic and S.I. Vujosevic Chemical Effects of Ionizing Radiation and Sonic Energy in the Context of Chemical Evolution A. Negron-Mendoza and G. Albarran Differences in Radiolysis Behavior of D,L-Amino Acid in Primary Stage and Thermodynamic Equilibrium State W.Q. Wang, J.L. Wu and J. Jiang Experimental Searches for the Origin of Biomolecular Asymmetry L. Keszthelyi True and False Chirality L.D. Barron Chiral Interaction and Biomolecular Evolution G. Gilat Chiral Forces and Molecular Dissymmetry R. Mohan Viroids and Viruses at the Origin of Organized Life L.J. Boya and P. Boya The Role of Neoteny and Sociogenesis in the Evolution of Cell Structure V.J.A. Novak

The Novartis Foundation Series is a popular collection of the proceedings from Novartis Foundation Symposia, in which groups of leading scientists from a range of topics across biology, chemistry and medicine assembled to present papers and discuss results. The Novartis Foundation, originally known as the Ciba Foundation, is well known to scientists and clinicians around the world.