Frontiers of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Biology covers the proceedings of the International Symposium on Frontiers of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Biology, held in Moscow and Tashkent, USSR on September 25-October 2, 1978. This symposium is devoted to a discussion of the physico-chemical basis of life processes. This book contains 56 chapters, and reflects the results in the study of peptides and proteins, nucleic acids, polysaccharides, and other biopolymers. Other chapters deal with the study of low molecular regulators, including steroids, alkaloids, and antibiotics. This book also includes discussion of the achievements in the study of genetic structures and of cellular protein synthesizing systems of the molecular basis of enzymic catalysis and of bioenergetic processes. This book will be of value to biochemists and molecular biologists.

From a mathematical point of view, physiologically structured population models are an underdeveloped branch of the theory of infinite dimensional dynamical systems. We have called attention to four aspects: (i) A choice has to be made about the kind of equations one extracts from the predominantly verbal arguments about the basic assumptions, and subsequently uses as a starting point for a rigorous mathematical analysis. Though differential equations are easy to formulate (different mechanisms don't interact in infinites imal time intervals and so end up as separate terms in the equations) they may be hard to interpret rigorously as infinitesimal generators. Integral equations constitute an attractive alternative. (ii) The ability of physiologically structured population models to increase our un derstanding of the relation between mechanisms at the i-level and phenomena at the p-level will depend strongly on the development of dynamical systems lab facilities which are applicable to this class of models. (iii) Physiologically structured population models are ideally suited for the for mulation of evolutionary questions. Apart from the special case of age (see Charlesworth 1980, Yodzis 1989, Caswell 1989, and the references given there) hardly any theory exists at the moment. This will, hopefully, change rapidly in the coming years. Again the development of appropriate software may turn out to be crucial.

The purpose of Protein-Protein Recognition is to bring together concepts and systems pertaining to protein-protein interactions in a single unifying volume. In the light of the information from the genome sequencing projects and the increase in structural information it is an opportune time totry to make generalizations about how and why proteins form complexes with each other. The emphasis of the book is on heteromeric complexes (complexes in which each of the components can exist in an unbound state) and will use well-studied model systems to explain the processes of formingcomplexes. After an introductory section on the kinetics, thermodynamics, analysis, and classification of protein-protein interactions, weak, intermediate, and high affinity complexes are dealt with in turn. Weak affinity complexes are represented by electron transfer proteins and integrincomplexes. Anti-lysozyme antibodies, the MHC proteins and their interactions with T-cell receptors, and the protein interactions of eukaryotic signal transduction are the systems used to explain complexes with intermediate affinities. Finally, tight binding complexes are represented by theinteraction of protein inhibitors with serine proteases and by nuclease inhibitor complexes. Throughout the chapters common themes are the technologies which have had the greatest impact, how specificity is determined, how complexes are stabilized, and medical and industrial applications.

The growth and differentiation of living organisms are continuously adjusted to a multitude of environmental factors, each of which underlies a perpetual variation. The sessile existence of plants further emphasizes the requirement for efficient adaptation and defence mechanisms. The changes in environmental factors may range from moderate to dramatic and can concern many components at the same time. They may be abiotic or biotic in nature and range from essential to toxic in their effects. Among the numerous abiotic factors are nutrients, light, oxygen, water, temperature, gravity, wind, touch and chemicals. Biotic factors are represented by other organisms involved in symbiotic, pathogenic or herbivorous interactions with plants. All of these environmental factors are independently and specifically recognized by plants. Perception and overall response are linked by signal transduction pathways at cellular, systemic and interorganismic levels. In order to guarantee proper adaptation to the environment, signals generated following perception of a multitude of environmental factors need to be integrated and evaluated according to their importance. Cross-talk between different signaling pathways within such networks appears to be the basis for the evaluation of the importance of incoming signals. Knowledge of these complex processes allows a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying adaptation. Modulation of distinct signaling elements can generate plants with improved stress resistance. This book represents a comprehensive summary of the enormous amount of information that is now available on signal transduction processes involved in the communication of plants with abiotic and biotic elements of their environment.

The Frontiers in Chemistry Editorial Office team are delighted to present the inaugural “Frontiers in Chemistry: Rising Stars” article collection, showcasing the high-quality work of internationally recognized researchers in the early stages of their independent careers. All Rising Star researchers featured within this collection were individually nominated by the Journal’s Chief Editors in recognition of their potential to influence the future directions in their respective fields. The work presented here highlights the diversity of research performed across the entire breadth of the chemical sciences, and presents advances in theory, experiment and methodology with applications to compelling problems. This Editorial features the corresponding author(s) of each paper published within this important collection, ordered by section alphabetically, highlighting them as the great researchers of the future. The Frontiers in Chemistry Editorial Office team would like to thank each researcher who contributed their work to this collection. We would also like to personally thank our Chief Editors for their exemplary leadership of this article collection; their strong support and passion for this important, community-driven collection has ensured its success and global impact. Laurent Mathey, PhD Journal Development Manager

Molecular Biology of Weed Control assesses the impact of the new tools of molecular biology on the science of weed control as well as the ways in which the science of weed control has helped and influenced molecular biology. Accentuating the utility of molecular biology to contribute to the control of intransigent weed species both in the developing and developed world, the book also looks to the future and describes how molecular biology can be used to diminish the use of chemical herbicides, and enhance crop competitiveness for light, nutrients and water. This volume is essential reading for all weed scientists, environmental students, researchers, and regulators.