This volume covers some powerful biophysical methods, such as analytical centrifugation, mass spectrometry, fluorescence spectroscopy, electron spin resonance and nuclear magnetic resonance, for the study of complex biological structures, and discusses useful physical concepts as applied to biological and biochemical systems. Case-orientated studies concentrating on particular methodologies are presented and examples are given, addressing some of the most important aspects of structure-function relationship in biological assemblies. Biophysics nowadays collaborates closely with molecular biology and bioinformatics and this is also demonstrated in this book. The book will be of interest both to experienced researchers wishing to widen their insight into molecular structure and function, and to younger scientists at the doctoral and postdoctoral level interested in the molecular nature of fundamental biological entities and phenomena.

This book is an up-to-date text covering topics in utilizing hydrogen bonding for constructing functional architectures and supramolecular materials. The first chapter addresses the control of photo-induced electron and energy transfer. The second chapter summarizes the formation of nano-porous materials. The following two chapters introduce self-assembled gels, many of which exhibit unique functions. Other chapters cover the advances in supramolecular liquid crystals and the versatility of hydrogen bonding in tuning/improving the properties and performance of materials. This book is designed to bring together in a single volume the most important and active fields of hydrogen bonding strategy for designing supramolecular materials. The book will be a valuable resource for graduates and researchers working in the fields of supramolecular chemistry and materials sciences. Zhan-Ting Li, PhD, is a Professor of Organic Chemistry at the Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, China Li-Zhu Wu, PhD, is a Professor of Organic Chemistry at the Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China

Structure and Function of the Extracellular Matrix: A Multiscale Quantitative Approach introduces biomechanics and biophysics with applications to understand the biological function of the extracellular matrix in health and disease. A general multiscale approach is followed by investigating behavior from the scale of single molecules, through fibrils and fibers, to tissues of various organ systems. Through mathematical models and structural information, quantitative description of the extracellular matrix function is derived with tissue specific details. The book introduces the properties and organization of extracellular matrix components and quantitative models of the matrix, and guides the reader through predicting functional properties. This book integrates evolutionary biology with multiscale structure to quantitatively understand the function of the extracellular matrix. This approach allows a fresh look into normal functioning as well as the pathological alterations of the extracellular matrix. Professor Suki's book is written to be useful to undergraduates, graduate students, and researchers interested in the quantitative aspects of the extracellular matrix. Researchers working in mechanotransduction, respiratory and cardiovascular mechanics, and multiscale biomechanics of tendon, cartilage, skin, and bone may also be interested in this book. - Examines the evolutionary origins and consequences of the extracellular matrix - Delivers the first book to quantitatively treat the extracellular matrix as a multiscale system - Presents problems and a set of computational laboratory projects in various chapters to aid teaching and learning - Provides an introduction to the properties and organization of the extracellular matrix components

Building on decades of “host-guest” research, recent years have seen a surge of activity in water-soluble supramolecular receptors for protein recognition and assembly. Progress has been particularly rich in the area of calixarenes, cucurbiturils and molecular tweezers. Emerging applications include controlled protein assembly in solution, crystal engineering, supramolecular control of catalysis (both in vitro and in vivo), as well as novel mechanisms of protein-interaction inhibition with relevance to amyloids and disease. One challenge at the interface of supramolecular chemistry and protein science is to increase interaction and collaboration between chemists and biochemists/structural biologists.This book addresses the exciting interface of supramolecular chemistry and protein science. Chapters cover supramolecular approaches to protein recognition, assembly and regulation. Principles outlined will highlight the opportunities that are readily accessible to collaborating chemists and biochemists, enriching the breadth and scope of this multidisciplinary field. Supramolecular Protein Chemistry will be of particular interest to graduate students and researchers working in supramolecular chemistry, protein science, self-assembly, biomaterials, biomedicine and biotechnology.

This monograph describes the behavior of molecules confined to small spaces. The small spaces are created by the self-assembly of modules into hollow capsular structures through hydrogen bonding; capsules assembled by metal/ligand binding or other forces are not included. Topics discussed include how assembly of capsules occurs, how molecules get in and out of the capsules, new spatial arrangements (stereochemistry) created in the capsules, and the altered shapes, interactions and reactivities of molecules held inside the small spaces. The descriptions emphasize molecular recognition phenomena and the perspective is that of physical organic chemistry.The book is the first monograph to treat reversible molecular encapsulation. More than 20 university and institute groups worldwide engage in this research, which represents the leading edge of activity in molecular recognition and the physical organic chemistry of confined molecules.

Supramolecular Enzyme Organization: Quaternary Structure and Beyond provides a comprehensive discussion of enzyme interactions. It attempts to place conceptually related phenomena in a common perspective by first scrutinizing enzyme interactions at the quaternary level and then moving on towards higher orders of organization. The book begins with a discussion of the hierarchy of enzymes, covering the structure of monomeric enzymes, enzyme structures beyond the monomeric stage, and protein-protein interactions. Separate chapters cover the chemistry of protein associations; the quaternary structure of enzymes; multienzyme systems; multienzyme complexes and conjugates; the association of enzymes with cellular structures; and metabolite compartmentation. The final chapters discuss trends in the study of enzyme systems and the dialectics of enzymology. This book is intended, not for the specialist, who knows much more about the individual questions than the text offers, but rather for the general biochemical reader interested in enzyme organization. There is practically no mathematics involved. Instead, quite elementary things are described, so that students and biologists with less background knowledge on enzymes will be able to join in.

Non-covalent interactions, which are the heart of supramolecular chemistry are also the basis of most important functions of living systems. The ability to apply supramolecular chemistry principles to the life sciences, such as designing synthetic host compounds to selectively interact within biological targets, has gained wide appeal due the vast number of potential applications. Supramolecular Systems for Biomedical Fields provides in sixteen chapters a comprehensive overview of these applications. Each chapter covers a specific topic and is written by internationally renowned experts in that area. Sensing of bioactive inorganic ions and organic substrates is the focus of several contributions, as well as interactions with proteins and nucleic acids. Specific chapters are devoted to cyclodextrins, calixarenes and cucurbiturils as most frequently used receptors, including applications such as drug delivery and protection, gene transfer and others. Other chapters address the use of combinatorial libraries, molecular imprinting techniques, enzyme assays, supramolecular gels, bioimaging, drug activation, photodynamic therapy, and antitumour metal complexes. This timely publication will appeal to graduate students and researchers from chemical, pharmaceutical, biological, and medicinal fields interested in the supramolecular chemistry of biological systems and their practical potentials.