This volume is a collection of articles written by Nobel Laureate Rita Levi-Montalcini and published from 1942 to 1995. Studies described in the first part set the stage for the discovery of a protein molecule which became known as the Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), described in detail in the second part. The NGF synthesized in minute amounts in all vertebrate tissues, plays an essential role in the differentiation and survival of several nerve cell populations in the peripheral and central nervous system. The discovery of the NGF was defined by the Nobel Foundation as a milestone in developmental neurobiology, and the author was awarded in 1986 with this prestigious award. Studies pursued in subsequent years and still in progress, have unveiled other fundamental properties of the NGF, described in the third part of this volume.

"The role of nerve growth factor (NGF), a neurotrophic molecule, and its high-affinity receptor in intact and injured adult rat lumbar sensory neurons was examined at a cellular level using quantitative receptor radioautography to localize the NGF high-affinity receptor-positive subpopulation, in conjunction with histochemistry on adjacent sections. The 40-50% of sensory neurons displaying NGF receptors were characterized. Virtually all neurons containing substance P or CGRP were NGF receptor-positive, but not those with somatostatin or thiamine monophosphatase activity. The ability of a neuron to bind NGF with high-affinity correlates positively with growth-associated protein (GAP43) expression but not with neurofilament (NFM) expression. Following injury, sensory neurons atrophy, lose NGF receptors, decrease NFM expression, while GAP43 expression is elevated in all neurons irrespective of their ability to bind NGF. Infusion of NGF for 1 week, at the time of injury or 3 weeks following injury counteracts NGF receptor loss, cell atrophy, and decreased NFM expression, but only in those neurons bearing NGF receptors. GAP43 expression remained high in all neurons despite infusion. NGF's function in normal sensory neurons appears to be modulatory, permitting regulation of intrinsic properties. Injury disrupts this permissive state, which can be restored with exogenous NGF." --

Biological membranes are often effected by diseases. Molecular events leading to or arising from pathological changes in the course of different diseases are as yet not clearly understood. This competent study by leading experts covers changes of the cellular environment, membranes and the metabolic functions during tissue growth and differentiation as well as aspects of abnormal organelle function in lysosomal storage diseases, peroxisomal and mitochondrial disorders, enzyme defects and regulatory defects of receptors due to oncogenes.

Illustrations by Lorie M. Gavulic, MFA Sponsored by the American Society for Neurochemistry.

There have been tremendous strides in cellular transplantation in recent years, leading to accepted practice for the treatment of certain diseases, and use for many others in trial phases. The long history of cellular transplantation, or the transfer of cells from one organism or region of the body to another, has been revolutionized by advances in stem cell research, as well as developments in gene therapy. Cellular Transplants: From Lab to Clinic provides a thorough foundation of the basic science underpinning this exciting field, expert overviews of the state-of-the-art, and detailed description of clinical success stories to date, as well as insights into the road ahead. As highlighted by this timely and authoritative survey, scale-up technologies and whole organ transplantation are among the hurdles representing the next frontier. The contents are organized into four main sections, with the first covering basic biology, including transplant immunology, the use of immunosuppressive drugs, stem cell biology, and the development of donor animals for transplantation. The next part looks at peripheral and reconstructive applications, followed by a section devoted to transplantation for diseases of the central nervous system. The last part presents efforts to address the key challenges ahead, such as identifying novel transplantable cells and integrating biomaterials and nanotechnology with cell matrices. - Provides detailed description of clinical trials in cell transplantation - Review of current therapeutic approaches - Coverage of the broad range of diseases addressed by cell therapeutics - Discussion of stem cell biology and its role in transplantation

One of the Most Rapidly Advancing Fields in Modern Neuroscience The success of molecular biology and the new tools derived from molecular genetics have revolutionized pain research and its translation to therapeutic effectiveness. Bringing together recent advances in modern neuroscience regarding genetic studies in mice and humans and the practical