Many advances have been made in the last decade in the understanding of the computational principles underlying olfactory system functioning. Neuromorphic Olfaction is a collaboration among European researchers who, through NEUROCHEM (Fp7-Grant Agreement Number 216916)-a challenging and innovative European-funded project-introduce novel computing p

In this new edition of The Membranes of Cells, all of the chapters have been updated, some have been completely rewritten, and a new chapter on receptors has been added. The book has been designed to provide both the student and researcher with a synthesis of information from a number of scientific disciplines to create a comprehensive view of the structure and function of the membranes of cells. The topics are treated in sufficient depth to provide an entry point to the more detailed literature needed by the researcher. Key Features * Introduces biologists to membrane structure and physical chemistry * Introduces biophysicists to biological membrane function * Provides a comprehensive view of cell membranes to students, either as a necessary background for other specialized disciplines or as an entry into the field of biological membrane research * Clarifies ambiguities in the field

Hardly a decade ago, membrane receptors were an attractive but largely unproven concept. Since that time enormous progress has been made, and we are now able to consider receptors much more concretely. Their existence has been established, their binding properties have been determined, and in some cases, they have been highly purified and their physical-chemical properties studied. It is now even possible to visualize microscopically some receptors. This progress has resulted largely from the development of highly powerful methods. These methods are the subject of this volume. Although considerably diverse, different receptors share certain common pro perties, and common problems are encountered in their study. Consequently, a small number of techniques are particularly useful in studying different types of receptors. Thus, it makes sense to speak about membrane receptor methodology. A very apparent problem in the study of membrane receptors is their presence in exceedingly small quantities and in a highly impure state. Therefore, very sensitive and specific techniques are required for their detection, characterization and purification. Such sensitivity and specificity is provided by the ability of receptors to bind certain ligands with very high affmity, and it is not surprising that most of the methods described in this volume depend upon this high affinity binding. The antigen-antibody interaction is of comparable sensitivity and speci ficity. Recently, a number of anti-receptor antibodies have been produced or found to occur spontaneously in auto-immune diseases. Undoubtedly, more will be produced in the future.

The NATO Advanced Study Institute entitled "Surface Membrane Receptors: Interface Between Cells and Environment" was held in Bellagio, Italy September 13-21, 1975. This meeting was an attempt to bring together in an international and interdisci plinary forum scientists who are studying recognitive phenomona which take place at the surface membrane of cells. While an attempt was made to restrict the subject areas covered at the meeting to those experimental systems which have been biochemi cally characterized to some extent, it will also be noted that some contributions to this volume represent a preliminary iden tification of interesting regulatory substances which might reasonably be expected to act at the cell surface. This book is divided into four sections reflecting the subject areas covered during the course of the meeting. The first section entitled "Membrane Structure and Receptor Function" is intended as an overview of the role of membrane structure in determining the regulatory properties, physical state, structure and location of cell surface receptors. It should be noted that the plasma membrane itself provided the unifying theme for the intention ally diverse contributions to this volume. The following three sections represent an arbitrary division into three levels of structural complexity of the things in their external environ ment with which cells must specifically interact.

The Principles of Biology sequence (BI 211, 212 and 213) introduces biology as a scientific discipline for students planning to major in biology and other science disciplines. Laboratories and classroom activities introduce techniques used to study biological processes and provide opportunities for students to develop their ability to conduct research.