The target specific inhibition of gene-expression using antisense nucleic acids has developed into a key technology in molecular biology, bio-medical research and an entirely new field of pharmacotherapy. Like the first conference in 1993, the Second International Conference on Antisense Nucleic Acids will provide a forum for basic researchers, clinicians focusing on the application of antisense techniques in physiological settings and disease states. Major topics are Drug Delivery Systems, Pharmacology Targeting of sites of pathology and reports on the first clinical trials in virology and hematology.

Antisense technology is the ability to manipulate gene expression within mammalian cells providing powerful experimental approaches for the study of gene function and gene regulation. For example, methods which inhibit gene expression permit studies probing the normal function of a specific product within a cell. Such methodology can be used in many disciplines such as pharmacology, oncology, genetics, cell biology, developmental biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, and neurosciences. This volume will be a truly important tool in biomedically-oriented research.The critically acclaimed laboratory standard for more than forty years, Methods in Enzymology is one of the most highly respected publications in the field of biochemistry. Since 1955, each volume has been eagerly awaited, frequently consulted, and praised by researchers and reviewers alike. Now with more than 300 volumes (all of them still in print), the series contains much material still relevant today-truly an essential publication for researchers in all fields of life sciences.

Transforming Growth Factor- ß in Cancer Therapy, Vols. 1 and 2, provides a compendium of findings about the role of transforming growth factor- ß (TGF- ß) in cancer treatment and therapy. The second volume, Cancer Treatment in Therapy, is divided into three parts. The companion volume details the role of TGF- ß on basic and clinical biology.

In 1996, the National Bladder Foundation (NBF) was founded by a dedicated group of physicians and researchers propeIled by the urgent need to find better treatments for bladder disease. Committed to increasing bladder disease research and to supporting its research community, the NBF coordinates and sponsors the International Bladder Symposium (IBS) in Washington, DC. Now considered to be a premier scientific assembly, the IBS brings together international leaders in bladder disease research to present and discuss their findings. It is the only international conference where all areas of bladder disease research are exclusively covered and where bladder disease researchers are provided with a unique opportunity to share their results and theories. IBS participants contributed the research papers included in this publication in 2000 and 2001. AIl substantial areas of bladder disease research are addressed, including oncology and ceIlular biology, neurophysiology, neurogenic bladder and incontinence, immunology, inflammation and infection, muscle, matrix and obstruction, and new frontiers and therapies of the bladder. Assembled in one publication, these papers and their findings demonstrate the high scientific caliber of the dedicated researchers in this field and the potential for significant discoveries in treatment options in the next decade.

Antisense technology is a powerful procedure that permits the controlled silencing of a specific gene for investigations of mRNA and protein function. This valuable text provides proven step-by-step protocols for antisense techniques in a range of different organisms and cell culture systems. In addition it discusses the potential benefits and problems for various antisense methods which complement gene knock-out experiments. The book includes antisense techniques such as: analysis of nucleic acid structures; measurement and evaluation of antisense effects; selection, preparation and the use of antisense oligonucleotides; in vitro RNA transcription; construction strategies, testing and optimization of catalytic antisense RNAs based on hammerhead ribozymes; synthesis and evaluation of 2-5 A- antisense chimeras for targeted degradation of RNA. The application of these technologies are then described, with chapters on antisense techniques in IDictyostelium, plants and the medical uses and benefits of antisense sense technology both in vitro and in vivo. Finally, non-antisense effects of oligonucleotides, "anti-sense rescue", shotgun antisense mutagenesis, and in vivo, in vitro and in situ detection of sense: antisense duplexes by structure-specific anti-RNA antibodies are discussed. The numerous hints and tips for success and advice on trouble shooting, make this authoritative text invaluable to all those researchers who work on gene expression, RNA transcription, or protein function.

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