Techniques In Endocrine Research

Techniques in Endocrine Research covers the proceedings of the NATO Advanced Study Institute held at Stratford-upon-Avon, England, under the Auspices of the University of Birmingham. The book focuses on the techniques in endocrinology, as well as x-ray crystallography, electron microscopy, and autoradiography. The selection first offers information on x-ray crystallography in hormone research and the separation and significance of hormone containing subcellular particles, including formation of granules, specificity of granule storing capacity, chromaffin cell granules, and adrenergic nerve granules. The book also takes a look at the possibilities for the use of antibody staining techniques in electron microscopy and in the study of neurosecretion. The publication examines problems in the ultrastructure of endocrine glands, with special reference to the mammalian pituitary, autoradiography in endocrine research, and chromatographic methods of separations. The text also ponders on the state, transport, and regulation of hormones in blood; immunochemical methods in hormone research; and interpretation of biochemical techniques. Discussions focus on the state of insulin in human blood, state of pituitary hormones in blood, and transport of thyroxin in blood. The selection is a vital source of information for readers interested in the techniques in endocrinology.

Written by experts in the field, Handbook of Endocrine Research Techniques is currently the only single source of up-to-date methods and strategies particularly useful in endocrinological research. As a resource for both the novice and experienced investigator, the book includes chapters which provide an introduction to the area, general concepts, detailed protocols, and extensive references.

Endocrine Methods contains descriptions of contemporary and cutting-edge methodologies in various areas of endocrinology, including receptor theory and immunologic techniques for endocrine research. The book presents step-by-step procedures easily available to study the endocrine system and includes experts in their respective fields as contributors. The book presents step-by-step procedures for many important areas of endocrine target organs.Endocrine Methods serves as a valuable methodological resource for investigators using endocrine methods. Includes comprehensive, yet rapid methodical proceduresOffers a wide spectrum of assays including both in vivo and in vitro systems important to the several areas of hormone researchDescribes several techniques for studying receptors, examining osteoblast activity, and measuring parathyroid hormonesEncompasses a host of important research tools that can be utilized by the toxicologist and other biomedical scientists

The purpose of this monograph is to describe theoretical aspects of the interpretation of data obtained from experiments performed with labeled hormones. Quantitative endocrinologic studies involving the use of tracers include the determination of rates at which hormones are secreted by endocrine glands and are produced outside these glands by conversion of other secreted hor mones. Tracer experiments are also performed with the purpose of measuring rates of metabolic reactions. These measurements reveal the contribution of secreted hormones to the formation of circulating compounds and urinary metabolites. The estimation of rates of fetal and placental production and exchange of hormones characterizes a class of in vivo quantitative studies performed with isotopically labeled hormones (radioactive or not). In addi tion, tracers are used to measure permeability and rates of reaction in in vitro systems, and to study the uptake of hormones by tissues, both in vivo and in vitro. The stability of the steroid nucleus carrying the isotopic label and the large number of reversible metabolic reactions in which steroids are involved, both facilitated and motivated the development of a sophisticated theoretical treat ment of tracer experiments in the field of endocrinology. Although the prac tical examples used to illustrate the concepts and calculations presented in this monograph involve labeled hormones, the theory is presented in a general symbolic manner and is applicable to other fields of investigation.

Written by experts in the field, Handbook of Endocrine Research Techniques is currently the only single source of up-to-date methods and strategies particularly useful in endocrinological research. As a resource for both the novice and experienced investigator, the book includes chapters which provide an introduction to the area, general concepts, detailed protocols, and extensive references.

Historically the field of endocrine research has always been at the forefront of scientific endeavors. The investigators of these important breakthroughs in research have been rewarded by numerous Nobel awards. In the field of diabetes alone, Nobel prizes have been awarded to researchers who discovered insulin, characterized the protein and invented radioimmunoassays using insulin as a paradigm. Not surprisingly, biomedical researchers have always been attracted by the endocrine system and other similar systems of intercellular communication. Over the past two decades, endocrine research has developed rapidly and adapted modern molecular and cellular biology techniques for its specific use. These changes have allowed researchers in the field to maintain their edge. Thus, endocrine disease-related genes have been characterized and mutations in these genes have helped explain common and less common endocrine disorders. Our understanding of the regulation of gene expression has been greatly enhanced by molecular techniques. In an attempt to bring investigators up to date with the recent advances in this exploding field we have decided to publish a series entitled Advances in Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology. Internationally famous investigators have agreed to participate and their contributions are appreciated. Volume 1 has focused on aspects of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis including GnRH and GH gene regulation, molecular aspects of insulin, insulin-like growth factors and glucagon. In addition, reviews on the recently cloned calcium receptor and steroid receptor interactions with DNA are presented.