Advances which have been made in the field of lipid chemistry and bio chemistry during the last ten years mainly are the results of progress in metho dology. The introduction of isotopic and chromatographic techniques has not only enriched our knowledge of normal lipid metabolism but has also greatly enhanced the understanding of the various lipidoses. This is well illustrated by a comparison of the contents of the present monograph with those of my 1955 review in Handbuch der Inneren Medizin (Springer). In addition to better information about the classic lipid thesaurismoses Nie mann-Pick disease, Gaucher's disease and Tay-Sachs disease, the number of hereditary lipid storage diseases has increased considerably through the recogni tion of new syndromes such as metachromatic leukodystrophy, Fabry's disease, Refsum's disease (heredopathia atactica polyneuritiformis), a-p-lipoproteinemia, and Tangier disease. Conversely, disorders such as Hand-Scholler-Christian disease which has been considered a lipidosis up to 1958 (THANNHAUSER) must now be differentiated from the hereditary disturbances of lipid metabolism. Essential hyperlipemia which at one time seemed to be a well defined entity has now been recognized to consist of a number of subgroups, whose pathogeneses appear to be quite different, and whose classification is by no means definite. Similar problems exist for "essential hypercholesterolemia". Since the knowledge of today is the key for the solutions of tomorrow, we are fortunate that the chapters on lipidoses are supplemented by a comprehensive account of lipid chemistry and biochemistry which has been coordinated by W. STOFFEL.

This book presents the proceedings of the meeting on "Lipid Storage Disorders" which took place in Toulouse, France, in September 14-18, 1987 and which was set up as a joint NATO Advanced Research Workshop and INSERM International Symposium. The meeting probably was the first truly international symposium devoted entirely to basic as well as applied aspects of lipid metabolism as related to the lipid storage disorders. Participants came from Europe, USA, Israel and Japan, and presented data on research in molecular biology and genetics, enzymology, cell biology as well as medical and epidemiological aspects of normal and pathological lipid metabolism. In the latter case, special attention was directed to the lysosomal B-glucosidase in relation to Gaucher disease and to sphin gomyelinase in relation to Niemann-Pick disease, and "two round" table discussions were devoted to the two respective items. But research on many other lipidoses was presented, as lectures or posters and avidly discussed. Other topics presented in special sessions were drug induced lipidoses and peroxisomal disorders. The meeting ended with a session devoted to medical aspects of disorders of lipid metabolism. The symposium which included about 50 lectures and close to 70 posters had an intense scientific character superimposed on a most pleasant and collegial atmosphere. Ample time was provided to personal discussions ; lodging of the participants in the students' residence located near the meeting place, permitted further contacts between them.

New discoveries in genetics, molecular, and cell biology are not only enhancing our understanding of the etiology and progression of disease, but are finding applications in the development of new drugs or the implementation of new kinds of therapy. This book provides an in-depth review of emerging areas in biomedical research at the interface of s

Glossy publication advertising the commercial photographs of Getty Images, showing very high quality images of sporting moments and events, and of entertainment and news stories.

Presents a multi-disciplinary perspective on the physics of life and the particular role played by lipids and the lipid-bilayer component of cell membranes. Emphasizes the physical properties of lipid membranes seen as soft and molecularly structured interfaces. By combining and synthesizing insights obtained from a variety of recent studies, an attempt is made to clarify what membrane structure is and how it can be quantitatively described. Shows how biological function mediated by membranes is controlled by lipid membrane structure and organization on length scales ranging from the size of the individual molecule, across molecular assemblies of proteins and lipid domains in the range of nanometers, to the size of whole cells. Applications of lipids in nano-technology and biomedicine are also described.