The aim this volume is to present the methods, challenges, software, and applications of this widespread and yet still evolving and maturing field. Computational Protein Design, the first book with this title, guides readers through computational protein design approaches, software and tailored solutions to specific case-study targets. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Computational Protein Design aims to ensure successful results in the further study of this vital field.

This Special Issue Book, “Marine Bioactive Peptides: Structure, Function, and Therapeutic Potential" includes up-to-date information regarding bioactive peptides isolated from marine organisms. Marine peptides have been found in various phyla, and their numbers have grown in recent years. These peptides are diverse in structure and possess broad-spectrum activities that have great potential for medical applications. Various marine peptides are evolutionary ancient molecular factors of innate immunity that play a key role in host defense. A plethora of biological activities, including antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anticancer, anticoagulant, endotoxin-binding, immune-modulating, etc., make marine peptides an attractive molecular basis for drug design. This Special Issue Book presents new results in the isolation, structural elucidation, functional characterization, and therapeutic potential evaluation of peptides found in marine organisms. Chemical synthesis and biotechnological production of marine peptides and their mimetics is also a focus of this Special Issue Book.

Acquire the tools for understanding new architectures and algorithms of dynamical recurrent networks (DRNs) from this valuable field guide, which documents recent forays into artificial intelligence, control theory, and connectionism. This unbiased introduction to DRNs and their application to time-series problems (such as classification and prediction) provides a comprehensive overview of the recent explosion of leading research in this prolific field. A Field Guide to Dynamical Recurrent Networks emphasizes the issues driving the development of this class of network structures. It provides a solid foundation in DRN systems theory and practice using consistent notation and terminology. Theoretical presentations are supplemented with applications ranging from cognitive modeling to financial forecasting. A Field Guide to Dynamical Recurrent Networks will enable engineers, research scientists, academics, and graduate students to apply DRNs to various real-world problems and learn about different areas of active research. It provides both state-of-the-art information and a road map to the future of cutting-edge dynamical recurrent networks.

This unique book will provide an up to date and comprehensive account of the potential of peptides and proteins from animal venoms as possible therapeutics. The pharmaceutical industry has become increasingly interested in biologics from animal venoms as a potential source for therapeutic agents in recent years, with a particularly emphasis on peptides. To date six drugs derived from venom peptides or proteins have been approved by the FDA, with nine further agents currently being investigated in clinical trials. In addition to these drugs in approved or advanced stages of development, many more peptides and proteins are being studied in varying stages of preclinical development. Topics covered include chemistry and structural biology of animal venoms, proteomic and transcriptomic approaches to drug discovery, bioassays, high-throughput screens and target identification, and reptile, scorpion, spider and cone snail venoms as a platform for drug development. Case studies are used to illustrate methods and successes and highlight issues surrounding administration and other important lessons that have been learnt from the development of approved therapeutics based on venoms. The first text to focus on this fascinating area and bridging an important gap, this book will provide the reader with essential and current knowledge on this fast-developing area. Venoms to Drugs will find wide readership with researchers working in academia and industry working in all medicinal and pharmaceutical areas.