"A key aspect of DNA is its ability to form a variety of structures, this book explains the origins and importance of such structures"--Provided by publisher.

Molecular Biology of DNA Topoisomerases and Its Application to Chemotherapy is based on conference proceedings from the International Symposium on DNA Topoisomerases in Chemotherapy, held in Nagoya, Japan, in November 1991. The book opens with a discussion of the structural and functional properties of various types of DNA topoisomerases identified in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, in addition to their roles as cellular targets of anticancer and antimicrobial agents. Other topics addressed include the genetics and biology of DNA topoisomerases, inhibitors of microbial DNA topoisomerases and drug resistance, inhibitors of mammalian DNA topoisomerases and drug resistance, and preclinical and clinical studies of DNA topoisomerase inhibitors. Molecular Biology of DNA Topoisomerases and Its Application to Chemotherapy will broaden the understanding of biology and genetics of DNA topoisomerases and contribute to the development of antimicrobial and anticancer agents-inhibitors of topoisomerases. It will be invaluable for oncologists, molecular biologists, cellular biologists, geneticists, biochemists, and pharmaceutical researchers.

Space missions subject human beings or any other target of a spacecraft to a radiation environment of an intensity and composition not available on earth. Whereas for missions in low earth orbit (LEO), such as those using the Space Shuttle or Space Station scenario, radiation exposure guidelines have been developed and have been adopted by spacefaring agencies, for exploratory class missions that will take the space travellers outside the protective confines of the geomagnetic field sufficient guidelines for radiation protection are still outstanding. For a piloted Mars mission, the whole concept of radiation protection needs to be reconsidered. Since there is an increasing interest ci many nations and space agencies in establishing a lunar base and lor exploring Mars by manned missions, it is both, timely and important to develop appropriate risk estimates and radiation protection guidelines which will have an influence on the design and structure of space vehicles and habitation areas of the extraterrestrial settlements. This book is the result of a multidisciplinary effort to assess the state of art in our knowledge on the radiation situation during deep space missions and on the impact of this complex radiation environment on the space traveller. ]t comprises the lectures by the faculty members as well as short contributions by the students given at the NATO Advanced Study Institute "Biological Effects and Physics of Solar and Galactic Cosmic Radiation" held in Armacao de Pera, Portugal, 12-23 October, 1991.

Geometry and topology are subjects generally considered to be "pure" mathematics. Recently, however, some of the methods and results in these two areas have found new utility in both wet-lab science (biology and chemistry) and theoretical physics. Conversely, science is influencing mathematics, from posing questions that call for the construction of mathematical models to exporting theoretical methods of attack on long-standing problems of mathematical interest. Based on an AMS Short Course held in January 1992, this book contains six introductory articles on these intriguing new connections. There are articles by a chemist and a biologist about mathematics, and four articles by mathematicians writing about science and mathematics involved. Because this book communicates the excitement and utility of mathematics research at an elementary level, it is an excellent textbook in an advanced undergraduate mathematics course.

Each volume of Advances in Pharmacology provides a rich collection of reviews on timely topics. Emphasis is placed on the molecular basis of drug action, both applied and experimental.