Environmental pollution is one of the main problems to confront humanity, with the heavy metals occupying a leading role among the most pernicious pollutants. The metals cause cancer and other sicknesses. Their cytotoxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic potentials are not fully understood, and any thorough investigation demands the combined efforts of scientists drawn from many different disciplines. But the effects of heavy metals are not all negative: some, like cis-DDP, and some ruthenium and tin complexes, have antitumour activity. The idea underlying the present work is therefore to present a multidisciplinary perspective on heavy metals in the environment, affording a better understanding of their action on human organisms and health, aiming to make them less polluting and more environmentally friendly.

The objective of the 6th ISMIBM is to foster exchange of opinions between professionals and specialists working on analysis, research and applications of metal ions, trace elements and minerals in biological, biochemical, medical sciences, toxicology and environmental health. The scientific program, composed of plenary and concurrent sessions, and poster presentations is designed to promote intensive and productive dialogue among experts in these fields. A special program with short courses and mini-symposia have also been organised, featuring specialised areas including toxicology, analysis, pathology, remediation strategies, and environmental medicine. Original contributions (oral and/or poster presentations) are invited on the following themes: Metals and Environmental Health; Molecular Toxicology of Metals; Carcinogenicity of Metals; Speciation of Metals and Other Elements; Uses of Metals in Clinical Applications; Metals and Disease: Environmental and Toxicologic Pathology; Epidemiology and Occupational Health; Metals and Aging; Metals and Homeostasis; Effects of Low and High Nutritional Trace Element Status; Metals and Hormone Actions; Metals and Enzyme Activity; Metals and Chelation Therapy; Health Effects of Arsenic; Risk Assessment of Trace Element Status and Health; Advanced Methods for the Analysis of Trace Elements and Metal Ions.

Molecular Biology and Toxicology of Metals provides a critical review and analysis of the current state of knowledge of metal ion transport and metabolism in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cellular systems. It covers the latest information on specific metals and the biological molecules with which metals interact. It also details mechanisms in the handling and toxicity of metals in specific organ systems, and the role of metals in cell signalling and gene transcription in target cells. This book is sure to prove a fertile meeting ground for the disciplines of molecular genetics and metal toxicology.

Information Resources in Toxicology, Third Edition is a sourcebook for anyone who needs to know where to find toxicology information. It provides an up-to-date selective guide to a large variety of sources--books, journals, organizations, audiovisuals, internet and electronic sources, and more. For the Third Edition, the editors have selected, organized, and updated the most relevant information available. New information on grants and other funding opportunities, physical hazards, patent literature, and technical reports have also been added.This comprehensive, time-saving tool is ideal for toxicologists, pharmacologists, drug companies, testing labs, libraries, poison control centers, physicians, legal and regulatory professionals, and chemists. - Serves as an all-in-one resource for toxicology information - New edition includes information on publishers, grants and other funding opportunities, physical hazards, patent literature, and technical reports - Updated to include the latest internet and electronic sources, e-mail addresses, etc. - Provides valuable data about the new fields that have emerged within toxicological research; namely, the biochemical, cellular, molecular, and genetic aspects

It is an old wisdom that metals are indispensable for life. Indeed, severalof them, like sodium, potassium, and calcium, are easily discovered in livingmatter. However, the role of metals and their impact on life remainedlargely hidden until inorganic chemistry and coordination chemistryexperienced a pronounced revival in the 1950s. The experimental and theoreticaltools created in this period and their application to biochemicalproblems led to the development of the field or discipline now known asBioinorganic Chemistry, Inorganic Biochemistry, or more recently alsooften addressed as Biological Inorganic Chemistry. By 1970 Bioinorganic Chemistry was established and further promoted bythe book series Metal Ions in Biological Systems founded in 1973 (edited byH. S., who was soon joined by A.S.) and published by Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, for more than 30 years. After this company ceased to be a familyendeavor and its acquisition by another company, we decided, after havingedited 44 volumes of the MIBS series (the last two together with R.K.O.S.)to launch a new and broader minded series to cover today's needs in the LifeSciences. Therefore, the Sigels new series is entitledMetal Ions in Life Sciences. After publication of the first four volumes (2006-2008) with John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., Chichester, UK, we are happy to join forces now in this still newendeavor with the Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge, UK; a mostexperienced Publisher in the Sciences.

In an ever-increasing domain of activity Amino Acids Peptides and Proteins provides an annual compilation of the world's research effort into this important area of biological chemistry. Volume 31 provides a review of literature published during 1998. Comprising a comprehensive review of significant developments at this biology/chemistry interface each volume opens with an overview of amino acids and their applications. Work on peptides is reviewed over several chapters ranging from current trends in their synthesis and conformational and structural analysis to peptidomimetics and the discovery of peptide-related molecules in nature. The application of advanced techniques in structural elucidation is incorporated into all chapters whilst periodic chapters on metal complexes of amino acids, peptides and beta-lactams extend the scope of coverage. Efficient searching of specialist topics is facilitated by the sub-division of chapters into discrete subject areas allowing annual trends to be monitored. All researchers in the pharmaceutical and allied industries and at the biology/chemistry interface in academia will find this an indispensable reference source.

Each volume provides the reader, whether engaged in chemistry, biochemistry, biology or molecular medicine, with a comprehensive summary and critical overview of a topic of great current interest written by leading international experts.

Volume 8, solely devoted to the toxicology of metals and metalloids as well as their compounds, focuses on human health. Not surprisingly, all related research areas are rapidly developing due to the role of metals and metalloids in the environment, for the work place, for food and water supply, etc. Written by 40 internationally recognized experts, the 14 stimulating chapters provide an authoritative and timely resource for scientists working in the wide range from analytical, physical, inorganic, and environmental biochemistry all the way through to toxicology, physiology, and medicine. Volume 8 highlights, supported by nearly 1900 references, in a comprehensive and timely manner the principles of risk assessment regarding the effects of metals on human health. It examines how metal ions and their compounds affect the pulmonary, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal (including liver), hematological, immune, and neurological systems, the kidney, skin and eyes, as well as human reproduction and development. MILS-8 terminates with the role of metal ions as endocrine disrupters, in genotoxicity, and cancer risk.