A collection of topical essays on noteworthy discoveries in the biological sciences published in the journal Nature.

The Problems Book helps students appreciate the ways in which experiments and simple calculations can lead to an understanding of how cells work by introducing the experimental foundation of cell and molecular biology. Each chapter reviews key terms, tests for understanding basic concepts, and poses research-based problems. The Problems Book has be

An overview of algorithms important to computational structural biology that addresses such topics as NMR and design and analysis of proteins.Using the tools of information technology to understand the molecular machinery of the cell offers both challenges and opportunities to computational scientists. Over the past decade, novel algorithms have been developed both for analyzing biological data and for synthetic biology problems such as protein engineering. This book explains the algorithmic foundations and computational approaches underlying areas of structural biology including NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance); X-ray crystallography; and the design and analysis of proteins, peptides, and small molecules. Each chapter offers a concise overview of important concepts, focusing on a key topic in the field. Four chapters offer a short course in algorithmic and computational issues related to NMR structural biology, giving the reader a useful toolkit with which to approach the fascinating yet thorny computational problems in this area. A recurrent theme is understanding the interplay between biophysical experiments and computational algorithms. The text emphasizes the mathematical foundations of structural biology while maintaining a balance between algorithms and a nuanced understanding of experimental data. Three emerging areas, particularly fertile ground for research students, are highlighted: NMR methodology, design of proteins and other molecules, and the modeling of protein flexibility. The next generation of computational structural biologists will need training in geometric algorithms, provably good approximation algorithms, scientific computation, and an array of techniques for handling noise and uncertainty in combinatorial geometry and computational biophysics. This book is an essential guide for young scientists on their way to research success in this exciting field.

A new edition of the popular introductory textbook for biochemistry and molecular biology. * Contains substantial new material * Contains even more of the clear, colour diagrams Completely up to date. Elimination of inessential material has permitted full coverage of the areas of most current interest as well as coverage of essential basic material. Areas of molecular biology such as cell signalling, cancer molecular biology, protein targeting, proteasomes, immune system, eukaryotic gene control are covered fully but still in a clear student friendly style. This makes the book suitable for the most modern type of courses. WHAT'S NEW New or completely re-written chapters - 2. Enzymes 3. The structure of proteins 4. The cell membrane - a structure depending only on weak forces 13. Strategies for metabolic control and their applications to carbohydrate and fat metabolism 17. Cellular disposal of unwanted molecules 23. Eukaryotic gene transcription and control 24. Protein synthesis, intracellular transport and degradation 25. How are newly synthesised proteins delivered to their correct destinations? - Protein targeting 26. Cell signalling 27. The immune system 30. Molecular biology of cancer 33. The cytoskeleton, molecular motors and intracellular transport There are also several major insertions of new material, and minor editing to the rest of the book. SUPPORT MATERIAL ON THE WEB www.oup.com/elliott (look for the site in August 2000) * There will be a sample chapter in November 2000 so that readers can see the design and content * All the illustrations will be available free for downloading (from March 2001) * A detailed description of the purpose of the book: who it's aimed at and why it was written (from August 2000) * A detailed description of what's new to this edition (from August 2000) PLUS Student's Solutions Manual Instructor's Solutions Manual (tbc)

The biological world operates on a multitude of scales - from molecules to tissues to organisms to ecosystems. Throughout these myriad levels runs a common thread: the communication and onward passage of information, from cell to cell, from organism to organism and ultimately, from generation to generation. But how does this information come alive to govern the processes that constitute life? The answer lies in the molecular components that cooperate through a series of carefully-regulated processes to bring the information in our genome to life. These components and processes lie at the heart of one of the most fascinating subjects to engage the minds of scientists today: molecular biology. Molecular Biology: Principles of Genome Function, Second Edition, offers a fresh approach to the teaching of molecular biology by focusing on the commonalities that exist between the three kingdoms of life, and discussing the differences between the three kingdoms to offer instructive insights into molecular processes and components. This gives students an accurate depiction of our current understanding of the conserved nature of molecular biology, and the differences that underpin biological diversity. Additionally, an integrated approach demonstrates how certain molecular phenomena have diverse impacts on genome function by presenting them as themes that recur throughout the book, rather than as artificially separated topics As an experimental science, molecular biology requires an appreciation for the approaches taken to yield the information from which concepts and principles are deduced. Experimental Approach panels throughout the text describe research that has been particularly valuable in elucidating difference aspects of molecular biology. Each panel is carefully cross-referenced to the discussion of key molecular biology tools and techniques, which are presented in a dedicated chapter at the end of the book. Molecular Biology further enriches the learning experience with full-color artwork, end-of-chapter questions and summaries, suggested further readings grouped by topic, and an extensive glossary of key terms. Features: A focus on the underlying principles of molecular biology equips students with a robust conceptual framework on which to build their knowledge An emphasis on their commonalities reflects the processes and components that exist between bacteria, archae, and eukaryotes Experimental Approach panels demonstrate the importance of experimental evidence by describing research that has been particularly valuable in the field

This text is designed to help students appreciate the ways in which experiments and simple calculations can lead to an understanding of how cells work. The new edition of 'A Problems Approach' is completely reorganized and revised to match the fourth edit