Concise chapters, written by experts in the field, cover a wide spectrum of topics on lipid and membrane formation in microbes (Archaea, Bacteria, eukaryotic microbes).All cells are delimited by a lipid membrane, which provides a crucial boundary in any known form of life. Readers will discover significant chapters on microbial lipid-carrying biomolecules and lipid/membrane-associated structures and processes.

This book provides the first comprehensive coverage of the quickly evolving research field of membrane contact sites (MCS). A total of 16 chapters explain their organization and role and unveil the significance of MCS for various diseases. MCS, the intracellular structures where organellar membranes come in close contact with one another, mediate the exchange of proteins, lipids, and ions. Via these functions, MCS are critical for the survival and the growth of the cell. Owing to that central role in the functioning of cells, MCS dysfunctions lead to important defects of human physiology, influence viral and bacterial infection, and cause disease such as inflammation, type II diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer. To approach such a multifaceted topic, this volume assembles a series of chapters dealing with the full array of research about MCS and their respective roles for diseases. Most chapters also introduce the history and the state of the art of MCS research, which will initiate discussion points for the respective types of MCS for years to come. This work will appeal to all cell biologists as well as researchers on diseases that are impacted by MCS dysfunction. Additionally, it will stimulate graduate students and postdocs who will energize, drive, and develop the research field in the near future.

This book provides an up-to-date review of the fundamentals of lipid metabolism and its role in cardiovascular diseases. Focusing on lipid transfer proteins in the circulation and cells, the role of important lipid transporters, the effect of recently discovered lipid binding proteins, and the link between lipid metabolism disorders and cardiovascular diseases, it covers phospholipid transfer protein, cholesteryl ester transfer protein, lipopolysaccharide binding protein, microsomal triglyceride transfer protein, ABC binding cassette members, and more. The book offers graduate students and researchers a coherent overview of lipid transfer and transport, as well as the limitations of current research in the field, and promotes further studies on cardiovascular diseases, as well as pharmaceutical research on drug discovery based on lipid transfer, transport, and binding.

Sugar chains (glycans) are often attached to proteins and lipids and have multiple roles in the organization and function of all organisms. "Essentials of Glycobiology" describes their biogenesis and function and offers a useful gateway to the understanding of glycans.

Cerebral and Cerebellar Cortex - Interaction and Dynamics in Health and Disease discusses several important issues of cerebro-cerebellar collaboration and interactions. The morphological and functional study of the cerebral and cerebellar cortices and their interaction has considerable value for interpreting the clinical phenomenology of cortical degenerations in the initial stage of the disease. In addition, the analysis of cerebro-cerebellar interactions strongly supports the concept of the close functional unity and harmonization of the brain and the cerebellum, underlining the important role that the cerebellar cortex plays in the performance of higher mental faculties, creativity, emotional processes, and homeostatic equilibrium of the human body.

Many individual aspects of the dynamics and assembly of biological membranes have been studied in great detail. Cell biological approaches, advanced genetics, biophysics and biochemistry have greatly contributed to an increase in our knowledge in this field.lt is obvious however, that the three major membrane constituents - lipids, proteins and carbohydrates- are studied, in most cases separately and that a coherent overview of the various aspects of membrane biogenesis is not readily available. The NATO Advanced Study Institute on "New Perspectives in the Dynamics of Assembly of Biomembranes" intended to provide such an overview: it was set up to teach students and specialists the achievements obtained in the various research areas and to try and integrate the numerous aspects of membrane assembly into a coherent framework. The articles in here reflect this. Statting with detailed contributions on phospholipid structure, dynamics, organization and biogenesis, an up to date overview of the basic, lipidic backbone of biomembranes is given. Extensive progress is made in the research on membrane protein biosynthesis. In particular the post- and co-translational modification processes of proteins, the mechanisms of protein translocation and the sorting mechanisms which are necessary to direct proteins to their final, intra - or extracellular destination have been characterized in detail. Modern genetic approaches were indispensable in this research area: gene cloning, hybrid protein construction, site directed mutagenesis and sequencing techniques elucidated many functional aspects of specific nucleic acid and amino acid sequences.

Cellular Lipid in Health and Disease presents a comprehensive and systematic coverage of the various roles lipids play in human biology. This book is organized in four parts covering the foundational concepts of lipid biology all the way to the therapeutic opportunities they present. The first part is dedicated to the basic concepts of cellular lipid, the roles it plays in the cell, structure and physiology, regulation mechanisms, storage, and utilization. The second part is focused on lipid metabolism, covering the organelles involved in lipid trafficking, metabolism in aging, cholesterol homeostasis, lipid droplets (LDs), and lipid oxidation. Part three is dedicated to the roles lipids play in specific disease states including renal, metabolic, cardiovascular, and fatty liver diseases. Other conditions include cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and the intricate relationship between cellular lipids and autophagy. The final part covers therapeutic opportunities, including drug carrier systems, modeling lipid metabolism, and prevention therapeutics. Cellular Lipid in Health and Disease is a complete reference targeted at graduate students and early career researchers in cell biology, biochemistry, and pharmacology. Research physicians can also benefit from the foundational content and links to pathologies and therapeutic opportunities. - Offers a complete and systematic coverage of lipid biology - Provides foundational content and establishes the needed connections to translational aspects of the research in this area - Includes chapters on the therapeutic opportunities presented by lipids

This timely volume explores the impact of autophagy in various human diseases, emphasizing the cell biological aspects and focusing on therapeutic approaches to these diseases. The chapters cover autophagy and its potential applications on diseases ranging from obesity, osteoarthritis, pulmonary fibrosis, and inflammation, through ALS, Parkinson's, retinal degeneration, breast cancer, alcoholic liver disease and more. The final chapters round out the book with a discussion of autophagy in drug discovery and 'bench to bedside'. Chapters are contributed by leading authorities and describe the general concepts of autophagy in health and disease, marrying cell biology and pharmacology and covering: studies derived from preclinical experiments, manufacturing considerations,and regulatory requirements pertaining to drug discovery and manufacturing and production. This volume will be useful for basic scientists as well as already practicing clinicians and advanced graduate students.

Biological Membrane Vesicles: Scientific, Biotechnological and Clinical Considerations, Part 1 Volume 32 in the Advances in Biomembranes and Lipid Self-Assembly series, highlights new advances in the field, with this release presenting chapters written by an international board of authors. Topics in this new release include Amyloid ß-peptide interaction with GM1 containing model membrane, The Human EV Membranome, Protocol for isolation of Microvesicles form blood plasma, Urinary Extracellular Vesicles: Single patient analysis for clinical applications, Treatment of chronic wounds with platelet and extracellular vesicles enriched plasma, Liposome loading and imaging, Standardization and reproducibility in EV research: the support of a Quality management system, and much more. - Provides the authority and expertise of leading contributors from an international board of authors - Presents the latest release in the Advances in Biomembranes and Lipid Self-Assembly series - Updated release includes the latest information on the Biological Membrane Vesicles: Scientific, Biotechnological and Clinical Considerations