Fibrous Protein: Coiled-Coils, Collagen and Elastomers is the first of a three-part series on Fibrous Proteins. The books are based on a very successful workshop in Alpbach, Austria on the general topic of Fibrous Proteins that gave rise to the award winning issue of Journal of Structural Biology. Part II will contain an extensive discussion of Molecular Motors and Muscle, Part III on Amyloids, Prions and Beta Proteins. Advances in Protein Chemistry is available online on ScienceDirect - full-text online of volumes 53 onwards. Reveals new structural and functional aspects of fibrous proteins Based on Fibrous Protein workshop in Alpbach, Austria that gave rise to 2003 Nobel Prize winners in Chemistry

This book provides the readers with an up-to-date review of the design, structure and function of a representative selection of fibrous proteins in both health and disease. The importance of the α-helical coiled coil, a conformational motif based on the heptad repeat in the amino acid sequence of all α-fibrous proteins (and parts of some globular proteins) is underlined by three Chapters devoted to its design, structure, function and topology. Specific proteins covered in the text and which depend on the coiled coil for their structure and function, include the intermediate filament proteins, tropomyosin, myosin, paramyosin, fibrin and members of the spectrin superfamily. Also described are fibrous proteins based on the β-pleated sheet and collagen conformations. Recombinant structural proteins, especially of silk and collagen, are discussed in the context of developing new biomaterials with varied applications. Established researchers and postgraduate students in the fields of protein chemistry, biochemistry and structural biophysics will find Fibrous Proteins: Structures and Mechanisms to be an invaluable collection of topical reviews that describe the basic advances made in the field of fibrous proteins over the past decade. This book, written by recognized authorities in the field, provides a clear account of the current status of fibrous protein research and, in addition, establishes the basis for deciding the most appropriate directions for future activity, including the applications of protein engineering and the commercial exploitation of new biomaterials.

Fibrous Proteins will give an overview over some of the most important fibrous proteins including amyloids, collagens, fibrin, flagella, intermediate filaments, microtubules, silks concerning structure and function and possible applications as biomaterials.While our knowledge on globular proteins has been increasing over the past decades, fibrillar

Molecular Motors and Muscle is the second of a three-part series on Fibrous Proteins. The books are based on a very successful workshop in Alpbach, Austria on the general topic of Fibrous Proteins that gave rise to the award-winning issue of Journal of Structural Biology. There are two major types of protein: Globular proteins which are often enzymes which speed up biochemical reactions and Fibrous proteins which often have more structural roles but can also have dynamic properties. Fibrous proteins are usually either elongated molecules which pack together to form long filaments, as in the case of the intermediate filaments in our hair and skin and as in collagen fibrils in tendons and bones or they are globular proteins which aggregate linearly to form long filaments, such as actin filaments or microtubules. Fibrous proteins act as molecular scaffolds in cells, they can be involved in transport of cell organelles or even on a visible scale as in our muscles. They provide the supporting structures of our skeletons, bones, tendons, cartilage, and skin. They define the mechanical properties of our internal hollow organs such as the intestines, heart, and blood vessels. They are vital for life and represent a fascinating subset of the proteome. Advances in Protein Chemistry is available online on ScienceDirect - full-text online of volumes 53 onwards. Elsevier book series on ScienceDirect gives multiple users throughout an institution simultaneous online access to an important compliment to primary research. Digital delivery ensures users reliable, 24-hour access to the latest peer-reviewed content. The Elsevier book series are compiled and written by the most highly regarded authors in their fields and are selected from across the globe using Elsevier's extensive researcher network. For more information about the Elsevier Book Series on ScienceDirect Program, please visit: http://www.info.sciencedirect.com/bookseries/ *Allows a comparison to be made between unique but related structures. *Quality of the text and illustrations allows ready comprehension of key protein design features. *Identifies fibrous protein sequence features for analysis of the human genome. *Analyzes design principles for fibrous protein sequences thus leading potentially to development of new devices by nanofabrication.

Nanostructured Polymer Composites for Biomedical Applications addresses the challenges researchers face regarding the creation of nanostructured polymer composites that not only have superior performance and mechanical properties, but also have acceptable biological function. This book discusses current efforts to meet this challenge by discussing the multidisciplinary nature of nanostructured polymer composite biomaterials from various fields, including materials science, polymer science, biomedical engineering and biomedicine. This compilation of existing knowledge will lead to the generation of new terminology and definitions across individual disciplines. As such, this book will help researchers and engineers develop new products and devices for use in effective medical treatment. - Summarizes the most recent strategies to develop nanostructured polymer composite biomaterials for biomedicine - Outlines the major preparation and characterization techniques for a range of polymer nanocomposites used in biomedicine - Explores the design of new types of nanostructured polymer composites for applications in drug delivery, tissue engineering, gene therapy and bone replacement

This book reviews the current knowledge on tunable hydrogels, including the range of different materials and applications, as well as the existing challenges and limitations in the field. It covers various aspects of the material design, particularly highlighting biological responsiveness, degradability and responsiveness to external stimuli. In this book, readers will discover original research data and state-of-the-art reviews in the area of hydrogel technology, with a specific focus on biotechnology and medicine. Written by leading experts, the contributions outline strategies for designing tunable hydrogels and offer a detailed evaluation of the physical and synthetic methods currently employed to achieve specific hydrogel properties and responsiveness. This highly informative book provides important theoretical and practical insights for scholars and researchers working with hydrogels for biomedical and biotechnological applications.

This second volume on a burgeoning field retains the proven concept of the spectacularly successful first one, extending and supplementing it. Individual sections are each dedicated to nanoparticles, nanostructures and patterns, nanodevices and machines, and nanoanalytics. Essential reading for an entire generation of scientists, this authoritative survey defines one of the most important new scientific fields to have emerged for many decades.