This book challenges the current wisdom of how cells work. It emphasizes the role of cell water and the gel-like nature of the cell, building on these features to explore the mechanisms of communication, transport, contraction, division, and other essential cell functions. Written for the non-expert, the book is profound enough for biologists, chemists, physicists and engineers.--From publisher description.

Gels are used in a large variety of commercial and scientific products from drug delivery systems and food science to biomedical sensors. They also are invaluable in MRI physics research where they mimic biological tissue and in radiotherapy quality assurance where they are used to capture the three dimensional radiation dose distribution. This unique book discusses the state-of-the-art of NMR and MRI techniques in studying the physics and chemistry of gel systems, in their application as MRI phantoms and as three dimensional radiation dosimeters. The first part of the book will cover the fundamental physical concepts of gels and the NMR techniques to study gel systems. The second part is dedicated to the application of gels in the life sciences and in the medical practice to validate radiotherapy and new MRI techniques. Filling the gap in literature, this volume provides the scientific reader with an extensive overview of possible techniques and methods to study the interesting properties and applications of gels. For the MRI researcher and medical physicist, the book will be a valuable resource in using gel phantoms for validating contemporary MRI techniques and radiotherapy treatments.

This major reference work, covering the important materials science area of gels, is a translation of a Japanese handbook. The three-volume set is organized to cover the following: fundamentals, functions, and environmental issues. Gels Handbook also contains an appendix, complete references, and data on gel compounds.Recently, polymer gels have attracted many scientific researchers, medical doctors, and pharmaceutical, chemical, and agricultural engineers to the rapidly growing field. Gels are considered to be one of the most promising materials in the 21st Century. They are unique in that they are soft, gentle, and can sense and accommodate environmental changes. Because of these unique characteristics gels have a huge potential in technological and medical applications. They are irreplaceable in the separation of molecules, the release of drugs, artificial skins and organs, sensors, actuators, chemical memories, and many other applications.The 21st century is also said to be the century of biotechnology, where two kinds of biopolymers play crucial roles: DNA as a bearer of geneticinformation and proteins as molecular machines. In spite of the dramatic progress in molecular biology and the Human Genome project, the basic principles behind the function and design of such polymeric machines are in the black box. Science and technologies that will emerge from those of polymer gels will shed light on such principles.Some researchers have already developed prototypes of artificial glands (pancreas), artificial muscles and actuators, and chemical sensors and molecular recovery systems using polymer gels.The Gels Handbook is an invaluable source of information on this rapidly growing field. It covers the entire area from the scientific basics to the applications of the materials. The authors are among the leading researchers, doctors, engineers, and patent officers in Japan. This book can be used as a textbook or an encyclopedia and is a must for those involved in gel research or applications. Key Features* Comprehensive coverage of a popular topic in materials science* Is the first english-language gels handbook* Includes numerous figures, tables, and photos

Nuclear Analytical Methods in the Life Sciences •1994 is a forefront survey of key presentations from the 1993 International Conference on Nuclear Analytical Methods in the Life Sciences. Sponsored by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), this useful volume covers the spectrum of multidisciplinary research on both the methodological aspects and the development of nuclear analytical methods and their applications in the life sciences. The book is divided into six sections covering related material. These sections are: Methodology of Nuclear Analytical Methods; Environmental Applications; Biomedical Applications; Analysis of Biological Samples; Quality Assurance and Comparison with Other Methods; and a section dealing with miscellaneous issues, such as programs offered by the IAEA.

As applied life science progresses, becoming fully integrated into the biological, chemical, and engineering sciences, there is a growing need for expanding life sciences research techniques. Anticipating the demands of various life science disciplines, Laboratory Protocols in Applied Life Sciences explores this development. This book covers a wide spectrum of areas in the interdisciplinary fields of life sciences, pharmacy, medical and paramedical sciences, and biotechnology. It examines the principles, concepts, and every aspect of applicable techniques in these areas. Covering elementary concepts to advanced research techniques, the text analyzes data through experimentation and explains the theory behind each exercise. It presents each experiment with an introduction to the topic, concise objectives, and a list of necessary materials and reagents, and introduces step-by-step, readily feasible laboratory protocols. Focusing on the chemical characteristics of enzymes, metabolic processes, product and raw materials, and on the basic mechanisms and analytical techniques involved in life science technological transformations, this text provides information on the biological characteristics of living cells of different origin and the development of new life forms by genetic engineering techniques. It also examines product development using biological systems, including pharmaceutical, food, and beverage industries. Laboratory Protocols in Applied Life Sciences presents a nonmathematical account of the underlying principles of a variety of experimental techniques in disciplines, including: Biotechnology Analytical biochemistry Clinical biochemistry Biophysics Molecular biology Genetic engineering Bioprocess technology Industrial processes Animal Plant Microbial biology Computational biology Biosensors Each chapter is self-contained and written in a style that helps students progress from basic to advanced techniques, and eventually design and execute their own experiments in a given field of biology.

Instrumentation is central to the study of physiology and genetics in living organisms, especially at the molecular level. Numerous techniques have been developed to address this in various biological disciplines, creating a need to understand the physical principles involved in the operation of research instruments and the parameters required in u

Aerogels are the lightest solids known. Up to 1000 times lighter than glass and with a density as low as only four times that of air, they show very high thermal, electrical and acoustic insulation values and hold many entries in Guinness World Records. Originally based on silica, R&D efforts have extended this class of materials to non-silicate inorganic oxides, natural and synthetic organic polymers, carbon, metal and ceramic materials, etc. Composite systems involving polymer-crosslinked aerogels and interpenetrating hybrid networks have been developed and exhibit remarkable mechanical strength and flexibility. Even more exotic aerogels based on clays, chalcogenides, phosphides, quantum dots, and biopolymers such as chitosan are opening new applications for the construction, transportation, energy, defense and healthcare industries. Applications in electronics, chemistry, mechanics, engineering, energy production and storage, sensors, medicine, nanotechnology, military and aerospace, oil and gas recovery, thermal insulation and household uses are being developed with an estimated annual market growth rate of around 70% until 2015. The Aerogels Handbook summarizes state-of-the-art developments and processing of inorganic, organic, and composite aerogels, including the most important methods of synthesis, characterization as well as their typical applications and their possible market impact. Readers will find an exhaustive overview of all aerogel materials known today, their fabrication, upscaling aspects, physical and chemical properties, and most recent advances towards applications and commercial products, some of which are commercially available today. Key Features: •Edited and written by recognized worldwide leaders in the field •Appeals to a broad audience of materials scientists, chemists, and engineers in academic research and industrial R&D •Covers inorganic, organic, and composite aerogels •Describes military, aerospace, building industry, household, environmental, energy, and biomedical applications among others