Current Opinion

This volume, which contains forty-six review articles from recent issues of Current Opinion in Neurobiology, provides easy access to the current state of theory and findings in the field.

Modern analytical biotechnology is focused on the use of a set of enabling platform technologies that provide contemporary, state-of-the-art tools for genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, drug discovery, screening, and analysis of natural product molecules. Thus, analytical biotechnology covers all areas of bioanalysis from biochips and nano-chemistry to biology and high throughput screening. Moreover, it aims to apply advanced automation and micro fabrica tion technology to the development of robotic and fluidic devices as well as integrated systems. This book focuses on enhancement technology development by promoting cross-disciplinary approaches directed toward solving key problems in biology and medicine. The scope thus brings under one umbrella many different techniques in allied areas. The purpose is to support and teach the fundamental principles and practical uses of major instrumental techniques. Major platforms are the use of immobilized molecules in biotechnology and bioanalysis, im munological techniques, immunological strip tests, fluorescence detection and confocal techniques, optical and electrochemical biosensors, biochips, micro dotting, novel transducers such as nano clusters, atomic force microscopy based techniques and analysis in complex media such as fermentation broth, plasma and serum. Techniques related to HPLC, capillary electrophoresis, gel electrophoresis, and mass spectrometry have not been included in this book but will be covered by further publications. Fundamentals in analytical biotechnology include basic and practical aspects of characterizing and analyzing DNA, proteins, and small metabolites.

An interdisciplinary analysis of protest participation, leading to integrated approaches to the social psychology of protest.

Green plants and photosynthetic organisms are the Earth's natural photoconverters of solar energy. In future, biomass and bioenergy will become increasingly significant energy sources, making a contribution both to carbon dioxide abatement and to the security, diversity and sustainability of global energy supplies. In this book, experts provide a series of authoritative chapters on the intricate mechanisms of photosynthesis and the potential for using and improving photosynthetic organisms, plants and trees to sequester carbon dioxide and to provide fuel and useful chemicals for the benefit of man. Contents:Photosynthesis and Photoconversion (J Barber & M D Archer)Light Absorption and Harvesting (A Holzwarth)Electron Transfer in Photosynthesis (W Leibl & P Mathis)Photosynthetic Carbon Assimilation (G E Edwards & D A Walker)Regulation of Photosynthesis in Higher Plants (D Godde & J F Bornman)The Role of Aquatic Photosynthesis in Solar Energy Conversion: A Geoevolutionary Perspective (P G Falkowski, R Geider & J A Raven)Useful Products from Algal Photosynthesis (R Martinez & Z Dubinsky)Hydrogen Production by Photosynthetic Microorganisms (V A Boichenko, E Greenbaum & M Seibert)Photoconversion and Energy Crops (M J Bullard)The Production of Biofuels by Thermal Chemical Processing of Biomass (A V Bridgwater & K Maniatis)Photosynthesis and the Global Carbon Cycle (D Schimel)Management of Terrestrial Vegetation to Mitigate Climate Change (R Tipper & R Carr)Biotechnology: Its Impact and Future Prospects (D J Murphy) Readership: Biologists, biochemists, plant scientists, environmentalists and ecologists.

The book explains the principles and fundamentals of Green Analytical Chemistry (GAC) and highlights the current developments and future potential of the analytical green chemistry-oriented applications of various solutions. The book consists of sixteen chapters, including the history and milestones of GAC; issues related to teaching of green analytical chemistry and greening the university laboratories; evaluation of impact of analytical activities on the environmental and human health, direct techniques of detection, identification and determination of trace constituents; new achievements in the field of extraction of trace analytes from samples characterized by complex composition of the matrix; “green” nature of the derivatization process in analytical chemistry; passive techniques of sampling of analytes; green sorption materials used in analytical procedures; new types of solvents in the field of analytical chemistry. In addition green chromatography and related techniques, fast tests for assessment of the wide spectrum of pollutants in the different types of the medium, remote monitoring of environmental pollutants, qualitative and comparative evaluation, quantitative assessment, and future trends and perspectives are discussed. This book appeals to a wide readership of the academic and industrial researchers. In addition, it can be used in the classroom for undergraduate and graduate Ph.D. students focusing on elaboration of new analytical procedures for organic and inorganic compounds determination in different kinds of samples characterized by complex matrices composition.Jacek Namieśnik was a Professor at the Department of Analytical Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Poland. Justyna Płotka-Wasylka is a teacher and researcher at the same department.