The study of RNA-protein interactions is crucial to understanding the mechanisms and control of gene expression and protein synthesis. The realization that RNAs are often far more biologically active than was previously appreciated has stimulated a great deal of new research in this field. Uniquely, in this book, the world's leading researchers have collaborated to produce a comprehensive and current review of RNA-protein interactions for all scientists working in this area. Timely, comprehensive, and authoritative, this new Frontiers title will be invaluable for all researchers in molecular biology, biochemistry and structural biology.

Following the succesful publication of "Proteome and Protein Analysis" in 2000, which was based on a former MPSA (Methods in Protein Structure Analysis) conference, "Methods in Proteome and Protein Analysis" presents the most interesting papers from the 14th MPSA meeting. Major topics include: X-ray crystallography, mass spectrometry or cryo-electron microscopy tomography and different experimental approaches for the study of very large multi-subunit molecular nanomaschines; development of high throughput methods for large-scale protein expression and purification and automatic data acquisition for structure determination by both X-ray diffraction and NMR spectroscopy; mechanisms of protein folding and misfolding in vitro and in vivo; protein-protein interactions; analysis of post-translational modifications; the classification, prediction of structure or functional sites, and evolution of protein folds and functions. TOC: Includes 25 chapters organized in the following parts: Structural Proteomics Proteome Analysis Structure-Function Correlations Protein-Protein Interaction Advanced Technologies Protein Sequencing and Amino Acids Analysis Bioinformatics

Directed evolution comprises two distinct steps that are typically applied in an iterative fashion: (1) generating molecular diversity and (2) finding among the ensemble of mutant sequences those proteins that perform the desired fu- tion according to the specified criteria. In many ways, the second step is the most challenging. No matter how cleverly designed or diverse the starting library, without an effective screening strategy the ability to isolate useful clones is severely diminished. The best screens are (1) high throughput, to increase the likelihood that useful clones will be found; (2) sufficiently sen- tive (i. e. , good signal to noise) to allow the isolation of lower activity clones early in evolution; (3) sufficiently reproducible to allow one to find small improvements; (4) robust, which means that the signal afforded by active clones is not dependent on difficult-to-control environmental variables; and, most importantly, (5) sensitive to the desired function. Regarding this last point, almost anyone who has attempted a directed evolution experiment has learned firsthand the truth of the dictum “you get what you screen for. ” The protocols in Directed Enzyme Evolution describe a series of detailed p- cedures of proven utility for directed evolution purposes. The volume begins with several selection strategies for enzyme evolution and continues with assay methods that can be used to screen enzyme libraries. Genetic selections offer the advantage that functional proteins can be isolated from very large libraries s- ply by growing a population of cells under selective conditions.

Despite exciting advances in genome sequencing, isolating a protein from its expression system in its native form still presents a complex challenge. In High Throughput Protein Expression and Purification: Methods and Protocols, leading scientists detail the most successful protocols currently in use, including various high throughput cloning schemes, protein expression analysis, and production protocols. This volume describes the use of E. coli, insect, and mammalian cells, as well as cell-free systems for the production of a wide variety of proteins, including glycoproteins and membrane proteins, in order to best represent strategies that create and exploit common features to enable simplified cloning, stable expression, and purification of proteins. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular BiologyTM series format, the chapters present brief introductions to the subject, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and a Notes section for tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Cutting-edge and comprehensive, High Throughput Protein Expression and Purification: Methods and Protocols is an ideal reference for protein biochemists and all those who wish to apply these easy-to-use protocols to the many applicable fields.

Approaches to the Purification, Analysis and Characterization of Antibody-Based Therapeutics provides the interested and informed reader with an overview of current approaches, strategies and considerations relating to the purification, analytics and characterization of therapeutic antibodies and related molecules. While there are obviously other books published in and around this subject area, they seem to be either older (c.a. year 2000 publication date) or are more limited in scope. The book will include an extensive bibliography of the published literature in the respective areas covered. It is not, however, intended to be a how-to methods book. Covers the vital new area of R&D on therapeutic antibodies Written by leading scientists and researchers Up-to-date coverage and includes a detailed bibliography