Biological magnetic resonance (NMR and EPR) is a rapidly expanding area of research with much activity in most universities and research institutions. International conferences are held biennially with an increasing number of participants. With the introduction of sophisticated and continuously im proving instrumentation, biological magnetic resonance is approaching the state of a common physical method in biochemical, biomedical, and bio logical research. The lack of monograpbs on the subject had been con spicuous for a long time. This gap started to close only recently. However, because of the rapid expansion and intensive research, many texts are dated by the time of their appearance. Therefore we have undertaken the editing of a series that is intended to provide the practicing chemist, biochemist, or biologist with the advances and progress in selected contemporary topics. In seeking to make the series as authoritative as possible, we have invited authors who have not only made significant contributions but who are also currently active in their fields. We hope that their expertise as well as their first hand experience as reflected in the chapters of this volume will be of benefit to the reader, inter alia, in planning his own experiments and in critically evaluating the current literature.

We present this special topics volume on an area which has not received thorough coverage for over 12 years. Spin Labeling: Theory and Applications represents a complete update on new theoretical aspects and applications of the spin-label method. In the "line-shape theory" sections, we are especially pleased to include an IBM-compatible diskette supplied by David Schneider and Jack Freed which contains fast, accurate, ready-to-use software for slow-motion simulations. Barney Bales discusses inhomogeneous broadening phenomena in detail. Several developments in techniques and interpretation in saturation transfer spectroscopy have appeared since the publica tion of Spin Labeling II: Theory and Applications (L. J. Berliner, ed., Academic Press, 1979). We have included an up-to-date chapter on spin-label applications by M. A. Hemminga and P. A. de Jager. By incorporating 15N and deuterium into nitroxide spin labels, several unique advantages are derived in line-shape analysis. Albert Beth and Bruce Robinson have contributed a detailed chapter on the analysis of these labels in the slow-motion regime while Jane Park and Wolfgang Trommer present the advantages for specific biochemical examples in our "applications" section. Derek Marsh's contri bution on spin-label spectral analysis may be regarded as a summary chapter which touches on several of the detailed spectral analysis methods described in the earlier chapters.

We present here the second issue devoted entirely to the spin-labeling technique as part of Biological Magnetic Resonance. Volume 14 commemorates a modifi- tion in our editorial policy with the retirement of my esteemed coeditor, Jacques Reuben. From thisjuncture into the future, each issue will focus on some special topic in magnetic resonance. Each volume will be organized in most cases by guest editors, for example forthcoming issues will address the following topics: in vivo magnetic resonance (P. Robitaille and L. J. Berliner, eds. ) Modern techniques in proton NMR ofproteins (R. Krishna and L. J. Berliner, eds. ) Instrumental techniques of EPR (C. Bender and L. J. Berliner, eds. ) Thecurrent volume, Spin Labeling: The NextMillennium, presents an excellent collection of techniques and applications that evolved during the past decade since the last volume, volume 8 (1989). Someobvious omissions, such as multiquantum EPR and very high-frequency FT-ESR were unfortunately not possible for this volume. Perhaps they will appear in Spin Labeling: 2001. Lastly it is a pleasure to honor two scientists whose contributions were both pioneering and pivotal to the spin label technique: Professor Eduard G. Rozantsev (Moscow), whose synthetic feats in nitroxyl chemistry set the broad stage for a versatile catalog of labels; and Professor Harden M. McConnell, last year's Int- national ESR (EPR) Society Gold Medalist, who conceived and developed the spin label technique to address many biological problems (proteins, enzymes, m- branes, cells, immune response, etc. ). Lawrence J.

Nitroxides are versatile small organic molecules possessing a stabilised free radical. With their unpaired electron spin they display a unique reactivity towards various environmental factors, enabling a diverse range of applications. They have uses as synthetic tools, such as catalysts or building blocks; imaging agents and probes in biomedicine and materials science; for medicinal antioxidant applications; and in energy storage. Polynitroxides (polymers bearing pendant nitroxide sidechains) have been used in organic radical batteries, oxidation catalysts and in exchange reactions for constructing complex architectures. Chapters in this book cover the synthesis of nitroxides, EPR studies and magnetic resonance applications, physiochemical studies, and applications including in batteries, imaging and organic synthesis. With contributions from leaders in the field, Nitroxides will be of interest to graduate students and researchers across chemistry, physics, biology and materials science.

Written by a pioneer in the development of spin labeling in biophysics, this expert book covers the fundamentals of nitroxide spin labeling through cutting-edge applications in chemistry, physics, materials science, molecular biology, and biomedicine. Nitroxides have earned their place as one of the most popular organic paramagnets due to their suitability as inhibitors of oxidative processes, as a means to polarize magnetic nuclei, and, in molecular biology, as probes and labels to understand molecular structures and dynamics AS DRAGS FOR CANCER AND OTHER DISEASES. Beginning with an overview of the basic methodology and nitroxides’ 145-year history, this book equips students with necessary background and techniques to undertake original research and industry work in this growing field.

Spin-label electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy is a versatile molecular probe method that finds wide application in molecular biophysics and structural biology. This book provides the first comprehensive summary of basic principles, spectroscopic properties, and use for studying biological membranes, protein folding, supramolecular structure, lipid-protein interactions, and dynamics. The contents begin with discussion of fundamental theory and practice, including static spectral parameters and conventional continuous-wave (CW) spectroscopy. The development then progresses, via nonlinear CW-EPR for slower motions, to the more demanding time-resolved pulse EPR, and includes an in-depth treatment of spin relaxation and spectral line shapes. Once the spectroscopic fundamentals are established, the final chapters acquire a more applied character. Extensive appendices at the end of the book provide detailed summaries of key concepts in magnetic resonance and chemical physics for the student reader and experienced practitioner alike. Key Features: Indispensable reference source for the understanding and interpretation of spin-label spectroscopic data in its different aspects. Tables of fundamental spectral parameters are included throughout. Forms the basis for an EPR graduate course, extending up to a thorough coverage of advanced topics in Specialist Appendices. Includes all necessary theoretical background. The primary audience is research workers in the fields of molecular biophysics, structural biology, biophysical chemistry, physical biochemistry and molecular biomedicine. Also, physical chemists, polymer physicists, and liquid-crystal researchers will benefit from this book, although illustrative examples used are often taken from the biomolecular field. Readers will be postgraduate researchers and above, but include those from other disciplines who seek to understand the primary spin-label EPR literature.

Starting from a comprehensive quantum mechanical description, this book introduces the optical (IR, Raman, UV/Vis, CD, fluorescence and laser spectroscopy) and magnetic resonance (1D and 2D-NMR, ESR) techniques. The book offers a timely review of the increasing interest in using spin-label ESR as an alternative structural technique for NMR or X-ray diffraction. Future aspects are treated as well, but only as an illustration of the progress of ESR in this field.