This book focuses on respiratory proteins, the broad hemoglobin family, as well as the molluscan and arachnid hemocyanins (and their multifunctional roles). Featuring 20 chapters addressing invertebrate and vertebrate respiratory proteins, lipoproteins and other body fluid proteins, and drawing on the editors’ extensive research in the field, it is a valuable addition to the Subcellular Biochemistry book series. The book covers a wide range of topics, including lipoprotein structure and lipid transport; diverse annelid, crustacean and insect defense proteins; and insect and vertebrate immune complexes. It also discusses a number of other proteins, such as the hemerythrins; serum albumin; serum amyloid A; von Willebrand factor and its interaction with factor VIII; and C-reactive protein. Given its scope, the book appeals to biologists, biomedical scientists and clinicians, as well as advanced undergraduates and postgraduates in these disciplines. Available as a printed book and also as an e-book and e-chapters, the fascinating material included is easily accessible.

This book covers important topics such as the dynamic structure and function of the 26S proteasome, the DNA replication machine: structure and dynamic function and the structural organization and protein–protein interactions in the human adenovirus capsid, to mention but a few. The 18 chapters included here, written by experts in their specific field, are at the forefront of scientific knowledge. The impressive integration of structural data from X-ray crystallography with that from cryo-electron microscopy is apparent throughout the book. In addition, functional aspects are also given a high priority. Chapter 1 is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.

Ecophysiology of the Green Shore Crab (Carcinus maenas) and Related Species: Mechanisms Behind the Success of a Global Invader provides an in-depth perspective of this devastatingly invasive coastal species. During the last 175 years, Carcinus maenas has spread around the globe by human activities. Because of its ability to flourish in a wide variety of ecosystems and outcompete native species it has been listed as one of the top 100 worst global invaders. Written by international experts, this book focuses on Carcinus maenas and discusses other brachyurans with similar physiologies as comparisons, including control systems and mechanisms used. This book serves as a valuable resource for researchers in marine biology and invasive biology, as well as for university lecturers, government or environmental agencies. - Gathers all information on ecological physiology of this important species into one place - Discusses how this one species of crab has managed to be spread around the globe and survive in many different environments - Features a chapter by First Nations members on how this species may impact indigenous fisheries and culture

Cellular and Molecular Approaches in Fish Biology is a highly interdisciplinary resource to bring industry professionals, students and researchers up-to-date with the latest developments and information on fish biology research combining a historical overview of the different research areas in fish biology and detailed descriptions of cellular and molecular approaches with explanations and recommendations for research. The book presents a global perspective of each research area with detailed analytical methodologies on the cellular and molecular mechanisms within fish biology for expermentation. The book provides different points of view on how researchers have addressed timely issues, while describing and dissecting some of the new experimental/analytical approaches used to answer the key questions at cellular and molecular levels, making this a valuable resource to those in industry and academia as well as those entering the field. - Provides detailed descriptions of each research approach, highlighting the tricks of the trade for its effective and successful application - Includes the latest developments in fish reproduction, fish development and nutrition, fish welfare, fish immunology, ecology and biomedics - Presents hot topics of research such as genetics, transcriptomics and epigenetics

The immune system is a group of complex biological structures and processes in an organism which gives protection against wide range of pathogenic organisms and simultaneously distinguishes these pathogens from organism's own healthy cells and tissues, thus maintaining homeostasis in the body. It has been an age-old practice to use extracts and other parts of various plants in treating many diseases. Several plants contain various pharmacologically active substances, which can be used to treat different diseases. Among these medicinal plants many have shown good immunomodulatory properties and could act as natural immunosuppressant agents in treating autoimmune disorders. In 12 chapters, besides covering the basic concepts of immune system and its function, Autoimmune diseases and Medicinal Plants provides a comprehensive knowledge of autoimmune diseases and the role of various medicinal plant products in their treatment - Elucidates in-depth knowledge on the basics of Immunology, as well as the various autoimmune disorders and the medicinal plant extracts which could be an alternative and safe approach for their treatment and management - Provides updated content on the role of different medicinal plants in curing autoimmune diseases - Includes a section at the end of each autoimmune disease, giving a comparison between the treatment with conventional drugs and the medicinal plant products - Explains the benefits and risks of both treatment regimens in comprehensive, yet easily understandable way

Marine Biopolymers: Processing, Functionality and Applications focuses on recent developments in the isolation, characterization, and processability of these materials for biomedical, nutraceutical, cosmetic, and regenerative medicine applications.The marine environment represents a huge single resource for the development of natural biobased materials with enhanced, well-characterized and multi-functional properties. The isolation, characterization, and processability of these materials are crucial for the development of the marine biotechnological industries. In recent years, novel biobased materials have been extracted from marine habitats that have been proven to have exceptional wound-healing characteristics and anti-cancer therapeutic benefits. Moreover, some components based on marine resources can play a key role in medicinal food applications, in cosmetics as well as in the pharmaceutical sector.Marine Biopolymers: Processing, Functionality and Applications is a valuable reference resource for scientific and academic researchers, industrial R&D and those working in the marine biotechnology industries that produce microalgae and natural bioproducts. The book will also be relevant for researchers working in aquaculture, biology, bioenergy, and biofuels production, as well as food and nutrition, cosmetics, and the pharmaceutical industry. - Provides key information on the characterization and functionalization of marine biopolymers - Covers processing, properties, and applications - Contains case study examples in a broad range of industrial sectors including biomedical, environmental, food science, agricultural, and textiles

Many invertebrates are serious pests of agriculture (e.g., mites and locusts), vectors of disease (e.g., mosquitoes and aquatic snails) and venomous (e.g., scorpions), whilst others are beneficial to humans as pollinators, food sources, and detritivores. Despite their obvious ecological, medical, and economic importance, this is the first comprehensive review of invertebrate diseases to be available within a single volume. Concurrent molecular and bioinformatics developments over the last decade have catalysed a renaissance in invertebrate pathology. High-throughput sequencing, handheld diagnostic kits, and the move to new technologies have rapidly increased our understanding of invertebrate diseases, generating a large volume of fundamental and applied research on the topic. An overview is now timely and this authoritative work assembles an international team of the leading specialists in the field to review the main diseases and pathologic manifestations of all the major invertebrate groups. Each chapter adopts a common plan in terms of its scope and approach to achieve a succinct and coherent synthesis. Invertebrate Pathology is aimed at graduate students and researchers in the fields of disease ecology, invertebrate biology, comparative immunology, aquaculture, fisheries, veterinary science, evolution, and conservation. It will be particularly useful for readers new to the field as well as a broader interdisciplinary audience of practitioners and resource managers.