This book describes the Notch signaling pathway with a focus on molecular mechanisms. The Notch signaling pathway is a seemingly simple pathway that does not involve any second messenger. Upon ligand binding two consecutive proteolytic cleavages of the NOTCH receptor release the Notch intracellular domain from the membrane. The Notch intracellular domain migrates into the nucleus and activates gene expression. Recently, new technologies allowed us to better understand this pivotal signaling cascade and revealed new regulatory mechanisms. The different chapters cover many aspects of the Notch signaling focusing on the mechanisms governing the receptor/ligand interaction as well as on the downstream intracellular signaling events. Aspects of both canonical and non-canonical signaling are discussed and the function of Notch signaling in physiological and pathological contexts are elucidated. This book is not only intended for experts but it should also be a useful resource for young, sprouting scientists or interested scientists from other research areas, who may use this book as a stimulating starting point for further discoveries and developments.

Kidney Development, Disease, Repair and Regeneration focuses on the molecular and cellular basis of kidney development, exploring the origins of kidney lineages, the development of kidney tissue subcompartments, as well as the genetic and environmental regulation of kidney development. Special coverage is given to kidney stem cells and possible steps towards kidney repair and regeneration. Emphasis is placed on the fetal origins of postnatal renal disease and our current understanding of the molecular basis of damage and repair. Biomedical researchers across experimental nephrology and developmental biology will find this a key reference for learning how the underlying developmental mechanisms of the kidney will lead to greater advances in regenerative medicine within nephrology. - Offers researchers a single comprehensive resource written by leaders from both the developmental biology and the experimental nephrology communities - Focuses on understanding the molecular basis of organogenesis in the kidney as well as how this can be affected both genetically and environmentally - Explains the underlying developmental mechanisms which influence the kidney's inherent repair capacity - Demonstrates how a deeper understanding of mechanisms will lead to greater advances in regenerative medicine

Anaerobiosis and Stemness: An evolutionary paradigm provides a context for understanding the many complexities and evolutionary features of stem cells and the clinical implications of anaerobiosis stem cells. Combining theoretical and experimental knowledge, the authors provide a broad understanding of how the absence or low concentration of oxygen can play an influential role in the maintenance and self-renewal of stem cells and stem cell differentiation. This understanding has clinical implications for the fields of regenerative medicine, cancer biology and transplantation, as well as cell engineering and cell therapy. Anaerobiosis and Stemness is an important resource for stem cell and developmental biologists alike, as well as oncologists, cancer biologists, and researchers using stem cells for regeneration. - Highlights the molecular and evolutionary features of stem cells which make them so important to all biological research - Explores methods of isolation, characterization, activation, and maintenance of stem cells - Includes models for clinical application in regenerative medicine, cancer therapy, and transplantation

Epigenetic Cancer Therapy unites issues central to a translational audience actively seeking to understand the topic. It is ideal for cancer specialists, including oncologists and clinicians, but also provides valuable information for researchers, academics, students, governments, and decision-makers in the healthcare sector. The text covers the basic background of the epigenome, aberrant epigenetics, and its potential as a target for cancer therapy, and includes individual chapters on the state of epigenome knowledge in specific cancers (including lung, breast, prostate, liver). The book encompasses both large-scale intergovernmental initiatives as well as recent findings across cancer stem cells, rational drug design, clinical trials, and chemopreventative strategies. As a whole, the work articulates and raises the profile of epigenetics as a therapeutic option in the future management of cancer. - Concisely summarizes the therapeutic implications of recent, large-scale epigenome studies, including the cancer epigenome atlas - Discusses targeted isoform specific versus pan-specific inhibitors, a rational drug design approach to epigenetics relevant to pharmacoepigenetic clinical applications - Covers new findings in the interplay between cancer stem cells (CSCs) and drug resistance, demonstrating that epigenetic machinery is a candidate target for the eradication of these CSCs

This open access book focuses on the molecular mechanism of congenital heart disease and pulmonary hypertension, offering new insights into the development of pulmonary circulation and the ductus arteriosus. It describes in detail the molecular mechanisms involved in the development and morphogenesis of the heart, lungs and ductus arteriosus, covering a range of topics such as gene functions, growth factors, transcription factors and cellular interactions, as well as stem cell engineering technologies. The book also presents recent advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanism of lung development, pulmonary hypertension and molecular regulation of the ductus arteriosus. As such, it is an ideal resource for physicians, scientists and investigators interested in the latest findings on the origins of congenital heart disease and potential future therapies involving pulmonary circulation/hypertension and the ductus arteriosus.

The MD Anderson Solid Tumor Oncology series presents cutting-edge surgical treatment and medical therapy for specific sites. This volume, Pancreatic Cancer, addresses epidemiology and molecular biology, inherited syndromes, staging, surgical techniques, multimodality therapy, and emerging therapies. The individual chapters focus on narrow, specific topics to produce a reference work of value to those interested in pancreatic cancer from a clinical and translational research perspective. A must-have for surgical oncologists and general surgeons.

Unlike anything currently available in the market, Dr. Sally A. Moody and a team of world-renowned experts provide a groundbreaking view of developmental genetics that will influence scientific approaches in embryology, comparative biology, as well as the newly emerging fields of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. Principles of Developmental Genetics highlights the intersection of developmental biology with new revolutionary genomic technologies, and details how these advances have accelerated our understanding of the molecular genetic processes that regulates development. This definitive resource provides researchers with the opportunity to gain important insights into the clinical applicability of emerging new technologies and animal model data. This book is a must-have for all researchers in genetics, developmental biology, regenerative medicine, and stem cell biology.• Includes new research not previously published in any other book on the molecular geneticprocesses that regulates development• Chapters present a broad understanding on the application of animal model systems, allowingresearchers to better treat clinical disorders and comprehend human development• Relates the application of new technologies to the manipulation of stem cells, causes ofhuman birth defects, and several human disease conditions• Each chapter includes a bulleted summary highlighting clinical aspects of animal models

Notch signaling is an evolutionarily conserved pathway in multicellular organisms that regulates cell-fate determination during development and in stem cells. This volume, which is part of the Current Topics in Developmental Biology series, covers topics such as Notch signaling in cardiac development and disease and Notch in stem cells. International authors provide researchers with an overview and synthesis of the latest research findings and contemporary thought in the area. Covers topics such as Notch signaling in cardiac development and disease, and Notch in stem cells International authors provide researchers with an overview and synthesis of the latest research findings and contemporary thought in the area

This book is aimed at generating an updated reservoir of scientific endeavors undertaken to unravel the complicated yet intriguing topic of neurodegeneration. Scientists from Europe, USA and India who are experts in the field of neurodegenerative diseases have contributed to this book. This book will help readers gain insight into the recent knowledge obtained from Drosophila model, in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative disorders and also unravel novel scopes for therapeutic interventions. Different methodologies available to create humanized fly models that faithfully reflects the pathogenicities associated with particular disorders have been described here. It also includes information on the exciting area of neural stem cells. A brief discussion on neurofibrillary tangles, precedes the elaborate description of lessons learnt from Drosophila about Alzheimer's, Parkinson’s, Spinomuscular Atrophy, Huntington’s diseases, RNA expansion disorders and Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia. We have concluded the book with the use of Drosophila for identifying pharmacological therapies for neurodegenerative disorders. The wide range of topics covered here will not only be relevant for beginners who are new to the concept of the extensive utility of Drosophila as a model to study human disorders; but will also be an important contribution to the scientific community, with an insight into the paradigm shift in our understanding of neurodegenerative disorders. Completed with informative tables and communicative illustrations this book will keep the readers glued and intrigued. We have comprehensively anthologized the lessons learnt on neurodegeneration from Drosophila and have thus provided an insight into the multidimensional aspects of pathogenicities of majority of the neurodegenerative disorders.