Cell differentiation and the development of multicellular organisms are processes of self-assembly, controlled and driven by signaling molecules and cascades including redox regulation. These reactions may have provided the energy for the first metabolic steps in the evolution of life. Today, redox modifications are established as important regulatory events in cellular functions including differentiation and development. Redox modifications of single cysteines regulate differentiation of stem cells, formation of functioning organs, and de-differentiation such as formation of cancer cells. Current cancer therapy is based on redox events as well and regeneration often reactivates developmental pathways. Understanding differentiation and de-differentiation on a molecular level is therefore a prerequisite for the continuing development of new medical therapies. This book summarizes the roles of redox regulation in development by bringing together different concepts and comparing similarities and differences between various cell types and species. An international team of contributors presents several new aspects of redox-regulated differentiation and de-differentiation, including aspects of redox medicine. Key Features Provides the first summary on this important topic Reviews redox-dependent development of model organisms and single organs Highlights the redox-regulated pathways important for differentiation processes Illustrates the potential of redox medicine Combines state-of-the-art knowledge in differentiation/development, aging/longevity, and repair/regeneration Written by leading experts in the field Related Titles Ayyanathan, K., ed. Cancer Cell Signaling: Targeting Signaling Pathways Toward Therapeutic Approaches to Cancer (ISBN 978-1-77188-067-1) Clarke, M. & J. Frampton. Stem Cells: Biology and Application (ISBN 9780-8153-4511-4) Lim, W. & B. Mayer. Cell Signaling: Principles and Mechanisms (ISBN 978-0-8153-4244-1) Wong, E., ed. Autophagy and Signaling (ISBN 978-0-367-65772-7)

Stem cell science has the potential to impact human reproductive medicine significantly - cutting edge technologies allow the production and regeneration of viable gametes from human stem cells offering potential to preciously infertile patients. Written by leading experts in the field Stem Cells in Reproductive Medicine brings together chapters on the genetics and epigenetics of both the male and female gametes as well as advice on the production and regeneration of gene cells in men and women, trophoblasts and endometrium from human embryonic and adult stem cells. Although focussing mainly on the practical elements of the use of stem cells in reproductive medicine, the book also contains a section on new developments in stem cell research. The book is essential reading for reproductive medicine clinicians, gynecologists and embryologists who want to keep abreast of practical developments in this rapidly developing field.

The first compilation of a wealth of knowledge on tobacco BY-2 cells, often cited as the HeLa cell line of higher plants. Basic issues of cell cycle progression, cytokinesis, cell organization and factors that are involved in these processes are covered in detail. Since the tobacco cell line is used as a tool for research in molecular and cellular biology, several chapters on such studies are also included. Further, changes of primary and secondary metabolites during culture and factors that affect these processes are treated. Last but not least, the so far unpublished historical background of the BY-2 cell line is described. This volume is a must for any scientist working in the field of plant biology.

“Infogest” (Improving Health Properties of Food by Sharing our Knowledge on the Digestive Process) is an EU COST action/network in the domain of Food and Agriculture that will last for 4 years from April 4, 2011. Infogest aims at building an open international network of institutes undertaking multidisciplinary basic research on food digestion gathering scientists from different origins (food scientists, gut physiologists, nutritionists...). The network gathers 70 partners from academia, corresponding to a total of 29 countries. The three main scientific goals are: Identify the beneficial food components released in the gut during digestion; Support the effect of beneficial food components on human health; Promote harmonization of currently used digestion models Infogest meetings highlighted the need for a publication that would provide researchers with an insight into the advantages and disadvantages associated with the use of respective in vitro and ex vivo assays to evaluate the effects of foods and food bioactives on health. Such assays are particularly important in situations where a large number of foods/bioactives need to be screened rapidly and in a cost effective manner in order to ultimately identify lead foods/bioactives that can be the subject of in vivo assays. The book is an asset to researchers wishing to study the health benefits of their foods and food bioactives of interest and highlights which in vitro/ex vivo assays are of greatest relevance to their goals, what sort of outputs/data can be generated and, as noted above, highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the various assays. It is also an important resource for undergraduate students in the ‘food and health’ arena.

Oxidative Stress: Eustress and Distress presents current knowledge on oxidative stress within the framework of redox biology and translational medicine. It describes eustress and distress in molecular terms and with novel imaging and chemogenetic approaches in four sections: - A conceptual framework for studying oxidative stress. - Processes and oxidative stress responses. Signaling in major enzyme systems (oxidative eustress), and damaging modification of biomolecules (oxidative distress). - The exposome addresses lifelong exposure and impact on health, nutrient sensing, exercise and environmental pollution. - Health and disease processes, including ischemia-reperfusion injury, developmental and psychological disorders, hepatic encephalopathy, skeletal muscle disorders, pulmonary disease, gut disease, organ fibrosis, and cancer. Oxidative Stress: Eustress and Distress is an informative resource useful for active researchers and students in biochemistry, molecular biology, medicinal chemistry, pharmaceutical science, nutrition, exercise physiology, analytical chemistry, cell biology, pharmacology, clinical medicine, and environmental science. - Characterizes oxidative stress within the framework of redox biology, redox signaling, and medicine - Empowers researchers and students to quantify specific reactants noninvasively, identify redox biomarkers, and advance translational studies - Features contributions from international leaders in oxidative stress and redox biology research

This book focuses on the impacts of anthropogenic radiation on wildlife and ecosystems and provides an in-depth look at the approaches and available tools we can use to gain information about biological effects of radiation in the environment. The nuclear accidents in Chornobyl in 1986 and Fukushima in 2011 focussed the attention of the world on the vulnerability of ecosystems to radiation. In Chornobyl, there still remains an exclusion zone where levels are considered to be too high for people and impacts on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems can still be measured 35 years later. In the area impacted by the Fukushima disaster, intense remediation is still under way at tremendous cost and causing widespread disruption to the environment. That accident impacted the terrestrial and marine ecosystems. In both accidents it became obvious that a radiation protection framework focussing on protection of “humans” (a single species) and using evacuation as a key strategy, was not sufficient to protect the natural environment. The complexity of ecosystems makes developing a protection framework very challenging but in order to even start the process it is vital to gather information about likely impacts of low dose exposures on wildlife and to develop monitoring tools to measure changes over time. This book contains reviews and original research aimed at filling our knowledge gaps about these important areas. Environmental Radiobiology will be a key resource for academics, researchers, and advanced students of Radiobiology, Radioecology, Biology, Ecology, Biomedicine and Research Methods. The chapters included in this book were originally published as a special issue of International Journal of Radiation Biology.

Platelets in Cardiovascular Disease provides an in-depth and current coverage of relevant platelet biology and antiplatelet therapy that is in clinical use today and potentially for the future. The book provides a succinct overview of the critical role of platelets in cardiovascular medicine. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality worldwide, and recent research has found that the platelet is central to the genesis of heart attacks and stroke as well as many of the complications of angioplasty and bypass surgery. An explosion of knowledge of the biology of platelets has established their important role in the formation of blood clots and, perhaps more intriguingly, their role as inflammatory cells. This growth in information has been paralleled by the development of several drugs that can interfere with platelet action and thereby improve patient outcomes. Indeed, several antiplatelet drugs already in development may ultimately lead to marked advances in both the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease. Drawing upon a panel of international experts, Platelets in Cardiovascular Disease delivers a concise yet thorough review of the major developments in antiplatelet therapy. Practicing clinicians as well as those involved in the development of new antithrombotic therapies will find the book interesting and useful. Sample Chapter(s). Chapter 1: Platelet Biology the Role of Platelets in Hemostasis, Thrombosis and Inflammation (274 KB). Contents: Platelet Biology: The Role of Platelets in Hemostasis, Thrombosis and Inflammation (R C Becker); Thromboxane Antagonists (B R Dulin & S R Steinhubl); Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors (S J Lehman et al.); ADP Receptor Antagonists (J Karha & C P Cannon); Monitoring Antiplatelet Therapy (P Harrison & A D Michelson); Platelet Genomics (B K Jefferson et al.); Future Strategies for the Development of Antiplatelet Drugs (R A Harrington). Readership: Physicians: cardiologists, vascular medicine specialists, hematologists; physicians in training: fellows, residents, interns; pharmacists; pharmaceutical industry: scientists, sales representatives.

This new volume of Methods in Enzymology continues the legacy of this premier serial with quality chapters authored by leaders in the field. This is the second of three volumes on hydrogen peroxide and cell signaling, and includes chapters on such topics as the cellular steady-state of H2O2, evaluating peroxiredoxin sensitivity towards inactivation by peroxide substrates, and peroxiredoxins as preferential targets in H2O2-induced signaling.

In contrast to the situation in heterotrophic organisms, plant genomes code for a significantly larger number of oxidoreductases such as thioredoxins (TRXs) and glutaredoxins (GRXs). These proteins provide a biochemical mechanism that allows the rapid and reversible activation or deactivation of protein functions in response to changing environmental conditions, as oxidative conditions caused by excessive photosynthesis. Indeed, owing to the fact that cysteines are sensitive to oxidation, TRXs and GRXs play an essential role in controlling the redox state of protein thiol groups. These redox-dependent post-translational modifications have proven to be critical for many cellular functions constituting regulatory, signalling or protective mechanisms. The articles contained in this Research Topic provide timely overviews and new insights into thiol-dependent redox regulation mechanisms with a focus on TRX- and GRX-based reduction systems in plants. The different contexts discussed take into account physiological, developmental and environmental conditions.