New Book:

Antioxidants and Reactive Oxygen Species in Plants
By N. Smirnoff
Oxford, UK: Blackwell Pub., 2005.
Call# QK898 .A57 A57 2005

From Blackwell Publishing:

“Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced during the interaction of metabolism with oxygen. As ROS have the potential to cause oxidative damage by reacting with biomolecules, research on ROS has concentrated on the oxidative damage that results from exposure to environmental stresses and on the role of ROS in defence against pathogens. However, more recently, it has become apparent that ROS also have important roles as signalling molecules. A complex network of enzymatic and small molecule antioxidants controls the concentration of ROS and repairs oxidative damage, and research is revealing the complex and subtle interplay between ROS and antioxidants in controlling plant growth, development and response to the environment.

This book covers these new developments, generally focussing on molecular and biochemical details and providing a point of entry to the detailed literature. It is directed at researchers and professionals in plant molecular biology, biochemistry and cell biology, in both the academic and industrial sectors.”

New Book:

Bio-based Polymers & Composites
By Richard P. Wool
Amsterdam: Elsevier Academic Press, 2005.
Call# QK898 .P76 W66 2005

From Elsevier:

“Bio-Based Polymers and Composites is the first book systematically describing the green engineering, chemistry and manufacture of biobased polymersand composites derived from plants. This book gives a thorough introduction to bio-based material resources, availability, sustainability, biobased polymer formation, extraction and refining technologies, and the need for integrated research and multi-disciplinary working teams. It provides an in-depth description of adhesives, resins, plastics, and composites derived from plant oils, proteins, starches, and natural fibers in terms of structures, properties, manufacturing, and product performance. This is an excellent book for scientists, engineers, graduate students and industrial researchers in the field of bio-bassed materials.”

New Book:

Systems Biology in Practice : Concepts, Implementation and Application
By Edda Klipp
Weinheim: Wiley-VCH, 2005.
Call# QH308.2 .S98 2005

From Wiley:

“Presenting the main concepts, this book leads students as well as advanced researchers from different disciplines to an understanding of current ideas in the complex field of comprehensive experimental investigation of biological objects, analysis of data, development of models, simulation, and hypothesis generation.

It provides readers with guidance on how a specific complex biological question may be tackled:

• How to formulate questions that can be answered
• Which experiments to perform
• Where to find information in databases and on the Internet
• What kinds of models are appropriate
• How to use simulation tools
• What can be learned from the comparison of experimental data and modeling results
• How to make testable predictions.

The authors demonstrate how mathematical concepts can illuminate the principles underlying biology at a genetic, molecular, cellular and even organism level, and how to use mathematical tools for analysis and prediction.”

New Book:

Dictyostelium Genomics
William F. Loomis and Adam Kuspa, eds.
Wymondham: Horizon Bioscience, 2005
Call# QK635 .D5 D53 2005

From Horizon Bioscience:

“Dictyostelium discoideum is a model eukaryotic organism for basic biomedical research in cell and developmental biology and for the functional analysis of sequenced genes. The organism has unique advantages for studying fundamental cellular processes such as cytokinesis, motility, phagocytosis, chemotaxis, signal transduction, cell sorting, pattern formation, and cell-type determination. This book, written to coincide with the publication of the genome sequence of Dictyostelium, introduces the post-genomic era and focuses on the important aspects of Dictyostelium genomics. Leading experts in the field have contributed chapters on genomic mapping and sequencing, databases, multigene families, regulation of gene expression, signal transduction, the microfilament system, the GTPase superfamily, the kinome, glycosyltransferase genomics, and whole-genome functional analysis. Essential reading for all researchers and graduates with an interest in Dictyostelium or developmental and cellular biology and a recommended text for anyone involved in genomics research.”

New Book:

Understanding Pathogen Behaviour : virulence, stress response and resistance
Mansel Griffiths, ed.
Boca Raton : CRC Press, 2005
Call# QR201 .F62 U53 2005

From CRC Press:

“Pathogens respond dynamically to their environment. Understanding this behavior is critical for two reasons: emerging evidence of increased pathogen resistance to established sanitation and preservation techniques and the increased use of minimal processing technologies, which are potentially more vulnerable to the development of resistance. A comprehensive resource covering the range of pathogen behaviour, Understanding Pathogen Behavior: Virulence, Stress Response And Resistance summarizes the wealth of recent research in this area and its implications in the food industry.

After introducing methods for analysing and modelling pathogens, the book reviews current research on what determines pathogenicity, stress response, adaptation, and resistance. It examines the behaviour of particular pathogens, reviewing virulence, stress response, and resistance mechanisms in such pathogens as Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobactor. The final part of the book assesses how pathogens react and adapt to particular stresses, from heat treatment and the effects of low temperature to the use of disinfectant and sanitisers. Most chapters include sections on future trends and sources of further information and advice.”

New Book:

Molecular Genetics of Bacteria
by Jeremy W. Dale and Simon Park
4th ed.
Chichester, West Sussex, England: John Wiley & Sons, 2004.
Call# QH434 .D35 2004

From Wiley.com:

“The Fourth Edition of this highly successful book provides an essential introduction to the molecular genetics of bacteria. Thoroughly revised and updated, Molecular Genetics of Bacteria now includes a much greater coverage of genomics, microarrays and proteomics. An enhanced treatment of the ways in which both classical and modern genetics have contributed to our understanding of how bacteria work is included. The focus of the book remains firmly on bacteria and will be invaluable to those students studying microbiology, biotechnology, molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics and related biomedical sciences.

* Expanded treatment of the development of bacterial structures, cellular communication, quorum sensing and two-component regulation.
* Provides a distillation of key concepts of bacterial genetics to enhance student understanding.
* Includes examples of the applications of genetics focusing on bacterial pathogenicity.”

New Book:

Dictionary of Microscopy
by Julian P. Heath
Chichester, West Sussex, UK: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, 2005
Call# REF QH203 .H43 2005

From Wiley:

“The past decade has seen huge advances in the application of microscopy in all areas of science. This welcome development in microscopy has been paralleled by an expansion of the vocabulary of technical terms used in microscopy: terms have been coined for new instruments and techniques and, as microscopes reach even higher resolution, the use of terms that relate to the optical and physical principles underpinning microscopy is now commonplace.

The Dictionary of Microscopy was compiled to meet this challenge and provides concise definitions of over 2,500 terms used in the fields of light microscopy, electron microscopy, scanning probe microscopy, x-ray microscopy and related techniques. Written by Dr Julian P. Heath, Editor of Microscopy and Analysis (http://www.microscopy-analysis.com), the dictionary is intended to provide easy navigation through the microscopy terminology and to be a first point of reference for definitions of new and established terms.

The Dictionary of Microscopy is an essential, accessible resource for:

• students who are new to the field and are learning about microscopes
• equipment purchasers who want an explanation of the terms used in manufacturers’ literature
• scientists who are considering using a new microscopical technique
  experienced microscopists as an aide mémoire or quick source of reference
• librarians, the press and marketing personnel who require definitions for technical reports.”