This book deals with polymorphism - the existence of different solid structures of the same chemical entity (for example graphite and diamond, both composed of carbon) which provide ideal systems for investigating the relationship between the structure and properties of a wide variety of materials.

Edited by one of the leading experts in the field, this handbook emphasizes why solid-state issues are important, which approaches should be taken to avoid problems and exploit the opportunities offered by solid state properties in the pharmaceutical and agricultural industries. With its practical approach, this is at once a guideline for development chemists just entering the field as well as a high-quality source of reference material for specialists in the pharmaceutical and chemical industry, structural chemists, physicochemists, crystallographers, inorganic chemists, and patent departments.

Most people are familiar with the fact that diamond and graphite are both composed only of carbon; yet they have very different properties which result from the very different structures of the two solids - they are polymorphs of carbon. Understanding the relationship between the structures and the properties of materials is of fundamental importance in developing and producing new materials with improved or new properties. The existence of polymorphic systems allows the direct study of the connection between structures and properties. This book provides grounding on the fundamental structural and energetic basis for polymorphism, the preparation and characterization of polymorphic substances and its importance in the specific areas of pharmaceuticals, pigments and high energy (explosive) materials. The closing chapter describes the intellectual property implications and some of the precedent patent litigations in which polymorphism has played a central role. The book contains over 2500 references to provide a ready entry into the relevant literature.

"Polymorphism in the Pharmaceutical Industry - Solid Form and Drug Development" highlights the relevance of polymorphism in modern pharmaceutical chemistry, with a focus on quality by design (QbD) concepts. It covers all important issues by way of case studies, ranging from properties and crystallization, via thermodynamics, analytics and theoretical modelling right up to patent issues. As such, the book underscores the importance of solid-state chemistry within chemical and pharmaceutical development. It emphasizes why solid-state issues are important, the approaches needed to avoid problems and the opportunities offered by solid-state properties. The authors include true polymorphs as well as solvates and hydrates, while providing information on physicochemical properties, crystallization thermodynamics, quantum-mechanical modelling, and up-scaling. Important analytical tools to characterize solid-state forms and to quantify mixtures are summarized, and case studies on solid-state development processes in industry are also provided. Written by acknowledged experts in the field, this is a high-quality reference for researchers, project managers and quality assurance managers in pharmaceutical, agrochemical and fine chemical companies as well as for academics and newcomers to organic solid-state chemistry.

The objective of this Genetic Polymorphisms book is to rehighlight and provide few updates on the role of genetic polymorphisms in medicine and agriculture, which void emerging opinion on "full death" of genetic polymorphisms as useful genetic markers. Chapters presented here demonstrate the future benefit of SNPs in many genetic studies as well as prognosis disease and diagnosis.

Resulting from a Royal Society discussion meeting, this volume presents a short review of the topic of parasite-host co-evolution. Current thinking on evolution in parasites, viruses and other pathogens is discussed.

This book provides a glimpse into the dynamic process of genetic polymorphism by presenting studies carried out on different kinds of organisms at the DNA level or gene expression level. Chapters address such topics as genetic polymorphism in animals, gametocyte biomarkers, thrombotic disorders, prostate cancer, and more.

The book in your hands presents chapters revealing the magnitude of genetic polymorphisms that exist in different kinds of living beings. Natural populations contain a considerable amount of genetic change, which provides a genomic flexibility that can be used as a raw material for adaptation to changing environmental conditions. The analysis of genetic polymorphisms provides information about DNA sequence changes at a given locus. The increasing availability of PCR-based molecular markers allows for the detailed analyses and the detection of genetic changes influencing some important traits. The purpose of this book is to provide a glimpse into the dynamic process of genetic polymorphisms by presenting the thoughts of scientists engaged in the generation of new ideas and techniques employed for the assessment of genetic polymorphisms. The book should prove useful to students, researchers and experts in the area of molecular genetics.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is a critical enzyme in both folate and homocysteine metabolism. It first achieved medical recognition in 1972 with the report of severe deficiency of MTHFR in a patient with homocystinuria, an inborn error of metabolism characterized by marked elevation of homocyst(e)ine in plasma and urine. Although the majority of cases of homocystinuria are due to a deficiency of the first enzyme in the transsulfuration pathway for homocysteine metabolism, cystathionine-ß-synthase (CBS), disruption of homocysteine remethylation to methionine can also result in homocystinuria. With the identification of additional patients with severe MTHFR deficiency, the heterogeneity of this disorder became manifest. This book covers many of the complex traits that have been reported to be influenced by the well-characterized 677C→T variant; there is less information on the 1298A→C variant, but it is discussed where appropriate. It is quite surprising, and unique, that a single variant should influence such a wide variety of clinical conditions.