The book summarizes important aspects of cheminformatics that are relevant for natural product research. It highlights cheminformatics tools that help to match natural products with their respective biological targets or off-targets, and discusses the potential and limitations of this approach.

The volumes of this classic series, now referred to simply as "Zechmeister" after its founder, L. Zechmeister, have appeared under the Springer imprint ever since the series was founded in 1938. The volumes contain contributions on various topics related to the origin, distribution, chemistry, synthesis, biochemistry, function or use of various classes of naturally occurring substances ranging from small molecules to biopolymers. Each contribution is written by a recognized authority in his field and provides a comprehensive and up-to-date review of the topic in question. Addressed to biologists, technologists and chemists alike, the series can be used by the expert as a source of information and literature citations and by the non-expert as a means of orientation in a rapidly developing discipline.

Mit Beiträgen zahlreicher Fachwissenschaftler

Natural products play an integral and ongoing role in promoting numerous aspects of scientific advancement, and many aspects of basic research programs are intimately related to natural products. With articles written by leading authorities in their respective fields of research, Studies in Natural Products Chemistry, Volume 37 presents current frontiers and future guidelines for research based on important discoveries made in the field of bioactive natural products. It is a valuable source for researchers and engineers working in natural products and medicinal chemistry. - Describes the chemistry of bioactive natural products - Contains contributions by leading authorities in the field - A valuable source for researchers and engineers working in natural product and medicinal chemistry

Isocoumarins have been isolated from a wide variety of microbial, plant and insect sources and have been shown to possess an impressive array of biological activities. Since the review by BARRY in 1963 (24), the number of known naturally occurring isocoumarins has increased dramatically. This increase is largely due to improvements in isolation procedures and structural analysis. Previous reviews have concentrated on fungal isocoumarins (293,294) and mycotoxic isocoumarins (301). This review lists over 160 naturally occurring isocoumarins. Leading references on isolation, structure elucidation, biosynthesis and synthesis are given in the accompanying Tables. The known natural isocoumarins are listed in the Tables according to the number and orientation of oxygen atoms on the benzenoid ring and by carbon substituents. For completeness, those isocoumarins bearing additional fused carbocyclic rings and those containing nitro gen substituents are included in separate Tables. It is hoped that by using these Tables in conjunction with the Formula Index, the Trivial Name Index and the Source Index the reader will be able to locate key references in the literature and gain an understanding of the fascin ating chemistry and action of naturally occurring isocoumarins.

The book presents the current state of the art on phytocannnabinoid chemistry and pharmacology and will be of much use to those wishing to understand the current landscape of the exciting and intriguing phytocannabinoid science. The focus is on natural product cannabinoids which have been demonstrated to act at specific receptor targets in the CNS.

A New York Times Notable Book for 2011 A Globe and Mail Best Books of the Year 2011 Title A Kirkus Reviews Best Nonfiction of 2011 title Virtually all human societies were once organized tribally, yet over time most developed new political institutions which included a central state that could keep the peace and uniform laws that applied to all citizens. Some went on to create governments that were accountable to their constituents. We take these institutions for granted, but they are absent or are unable to perform in many of today’s developing countries—with often disastrous consequences for the rest of the world. Francis Fukuyama, author of the bestselling The End of History and the Last Man and one of our most important political thinkers, provides a sweeping account of how today’s basic political institutions developed. The first of a major two-volume work, The Origins of Political Order begins with politics among our primate ancestors and follows the story through the emergence of tribal societies, the growth of the first modern state in China, the beginning of the rule of law in India and the Middle East, and the development of political accountability in Europe up until the eve of the French Revolution. Drawing on a vast body of knowledge—history, evolutionary biology, archaeology, and economics—Fukuyama has produced a brilliant, provocative work that offers fresh insights on the origins of democratic societies and raises essential questions about the nature of politics and its discontents.