Patch clamping is a widely applied electrophysiological technique for the study of ion channels; membrane proteins that regulate the flow of ions across cellular membranes and therefore influence the physiology of all cells. Patch Clamping aims to cover the basic principles and practical applications of this important technique. Starting with a review of the history of patch clamping, the text then goes on to cover the basic principles, platforms, equipment and environmental control, and will also include coverage of preparation types, recording modes and analysis of results. This book will explain the basic principles and practical application of patch clamp electrophysiology Written in a non-technical style to ensure its broad appeal to novice users Takes a practical approach This self-contained guide provides everything a practising patch clamp electrophysiologist needs to know to master this technique, including an overview of membrane biophysics, standard experimental design, data analysis, and technical concerns
An updated, practical guide to bioinorganic chemistry Bioinorganic Chemistry: A Short Course, Second Edition provides the fundamentals of inorganic chemistry and biochemistry relevant to understanding bioinorganic topics. Rather than striving to provide a broad overview of the whole, rapidly expanding field, this resource provides essential background material, followed by detailed information on selected topics. The goal is to give readers the background, tools, and skills to research and study bioinorganic topics of special interest to them. This extensively updated premier reference and text: Presents review chapters on the essentials of inorganic chemistry and biochemistry Includes up-to-date information on instrumental and analytical techniques and computer-aided modeling and visualization programs Familiarizes readers with the primary literature sources and online resources Includes detailed coverage of Group 1 and 2 metal ions, concentrating on biological molecules that feature sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium ions Describes proteins and enzymes with iron-containing porphyrin ligand systems-myoglobin, hemoglobin, and the ubiquitous cytochrome metalloenzymes-and the non-heme, iron-containing proteins aconitase and methane monooxygenase Appropriate for one-semester bioinorganic chemistry courses for chemistry, biochemistry, and biology majors, this text is ideal for upper-level undergraduate and beginning graduate students. It is also a valuable reference for practitioners and researchers who need a general introduction to bioinorganic chemistry, as well as chemists who want an accessible desk reference.
Navigate the complexities of biochemical thermodynamics with Mathematica(r) Chemical reactions are studied under the constraints of constant temperature and constant pressure; biochemical reactions are studied under the additional constraints of pH and, perhaps, pMg or free concentrations of other metal ions. As more intensive variables are specified, more thermodynamic properties of a system are defined, and the equations that represent thermodynamic properties as a function of independent variables become more complicated. This sequel to Robert Alberty's popular Thermodynamics of Biochemical Reactions describes how researchers will find Mathematica(r) a simple and elegant tool, which makes it possible to perform complex calculations that would previously have been impractical. Biochemical Thermodynamics: Applications of Mathematica(r) provides a comprehensive and rigorous treatment of biochemical thermodynamics using Mathematica(r) to practically resolve thermodynamic issues. Topics covered include: * Thermodynamics of the dissociation of weak acids * Apparent equilibrium constants * Biochemical reactions at specified temperatures and various pHs * Uses of matrices in biochemical thermodynamics * Oxidoreductase, transferase, hydrolase, and lyase reactions * Reactions at 298.15K * Thermodynamics of the binding of ligands by proteins * Calorimetry of biochemical reactions Because Mathematica(r) allows the intermingling of text and calculations, this book has been written in Mathematica(r) and includes a CD-ROM containing the entire book along with macros that help scientists and engineers solve their particular problems.
As will be seen, there is not much missing here. I thought that the sections were well balanced, with rarely too much or too little on a given topic…This is a text to be welcomed by both teachers and students. BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY EDUCATION (on the first edition) The second edition of this successful textbook explains the basic principles behind the key techniques currently used in the modern biochemical laboratory and describes the pros and cons of each technique and compares one to another. It is non-mathematical, comprehensive and approachable for students who are not physical chemists. A major update of this comprehensive, accessible introduction to physical biochemistry. Includes two new chapters on proteomics and bioinformatics. Introduces experimental approaches with a minimum of mathematics and numerous practical examples. Provides a bibliography at the end of each chapter. Written by an author with many years teaching and research experience, this text is a must-have for students of biochemistry, biophysics, molecular and life sciences and food science.
This relatively new field applies equations from string theory to solve the questions of early cosmology, since the standard picture of our universe emerging from a 'big bang' leaves many fundamental issues unanswered. String theory, on the other hand, postulates that fundamental ingredients of nature are not zero-dimensional point particles but tiny one-dimensional filaments. This theory harmoniously unites quantum mechanics and general relativity – the previously known laws of the small and the large – which are otherwise incompatible. The field of string cosmology has matured considerably over the past few years, attracting many new adherents. Due to the multidisciplinary nature of the topic, it is difficult for practitioners to be conversant with all the many different aspects. This book thus fills a huge gap by bringing together all the different strains of research into one single volume. The resulting collection of selected articles presents the latest, ongoing results from renowned experts currently working in the field. From the contents: * Introduction to Cosmology and String Theory * String Inflation: Brane Inflation and Inflation from Moduli * Cosmic Superstrings * The CMB as a Possible Probe of String Theory * String Gas Cosmology * Gauge-gravity Duality and String Cosmology * Heterotic M-theory and C A welcome addition to the literature for graduate students, students in astronomy, astronomers, mathematicians and theoretical physicists.
This 20th volume in the series contains 16 invited reviews and highlight contributions presented during the 2007 International Scientific Conference of the German Astronomical Society on the topic of «Cosmic Matter», held in Würzburg, Germany. The papers published here discuss a wide range of hot topics, including cosmology, high-energy astrophysics, astroparticle physics gravitational waves, extragalactic and stellar astronomy—together representing the roadmap for astroparticle physics in Europe.
This latest, up-to-date resource for research on extrasolar planets covers formation, dynamics, atmospheres and detection. After a look at the formation of giant planets, the book goes on to discuss the formation and dynamics of planets in resonances, planets in double stars, atmospheres and habitable zones, detection via spectra and transits, and the history and prospects of ESPs as well as satellite projects. Edited by a renowned expert in solar system dynamics with chapters written by the leading experts in the method described – from the US and Europe – this is an ideal textbook for graduates, students in astronomy, and astronomers.
This latest edition of the proven and comprehensive treatment on the topic – from the bestselling author of «Tapestry of Modern Astrophysics» – has been updated and revised to reflect the newest research results. Suitable for AS0000 and AS0200 courses, as well as advanced astrophysics and astronomy lectures, this is an indispensable theoretical backup for studies on celestial body formation and astrophysics. Includes exercises with solutions.
This revised edition of Solar Astrophysics describes our current understanding of the sun – from its deepest interior, via the layers of the directly observable atmosphere to the solar wind, right out to its farthest extension into interstellar space. It includes a comprehensive account of the history of solar astrophysics, along with an overview of the key instruments throughout the various periods. In contrast to other books on this topic, the choice of material deals evenhandedly with the entire scope of important topics covered in solar research. The authors make the advances in our understanding of the sun accessible to students and non-specialists by way of careful use of relatively simple physical concepts. The book offers an incisive, reliable, and well-planned look at all that is fascinating and new in studies of the sun.
Scientific Freedom outlines what needs to be done to restore the freedom that can transform scientific understanding. The author defines Transformative Research (Venture Research) and explains how an initiative might be designed and implemented; discusses the revolutionary concept of low-risk, high-reward research; explains the wider significance of instability, and introduces the formidable Damocles Zone; explores threats to the university as an institution; and describes how a Transformative Research initiative might work in practice.