D. Rickwood Knihy

Sequence data--either lists of nucleotides or of amino acids--are now easily gathered using automated equipment; the real effort is involved in interpreting the data to produce predictions of protein structure or function. With the advent of worldwide computer networks, a plethora of software is now available for sequence analysis. This book describes the techniques for computer analysis of sequence data, with the emphasis on general issues rather than specific algorithms. Unlike many books on these topics, which focus on the "how-to" aspects of software packages, this one places more emphasis on the science behind the packages and on interpretation of the results.

The prediction of the three-dimensional structure of a protein from its amino acid sequence is a problem faced by an increasing number of biological scientists. This book provides a practical guide to making these predictions by reviewing strategies of different computer modeling algorithms and highlighting the degree of confidence attributed to them. Also in the volume are descriptions of the the principles of protein folding; sequence homology and motif searches; prediction of secondary structure; homology modeling; modeling of antibody combining sites; tertiary fold recognition; modeling of transmembrane proteins; ab initio prediction; protein-ligand docking simulations; and the use of molecular mechanics and dynamics. both non-specialists who require guidance to identify and evaluate appropriate strategies and experts who require a contemporary view of the field, will find this volume a worthy addition to their research libraries.

Cytokines are important mediators of immunity, inflammation, and cell growth and are relevant to many areas of biomedical research. This book, now in its second edition, provides detailed up-to-date practical information for the study of cytokines and their receptors, including guides to manyof the most useful current techniques in cell and molecular biology, immunology, and biochemistry. In all it contains 184 protocols, providing a comprehensive resource for researchers in many disciplines of biomedical research. This book will be essential for graduate students, researchers andprofessionals in immunology, infectious diseases, autoimmunity, oncology and biomedical research.

The last ten years have seen an increase in travel to tropical countries and, as a consequence, infections such as malaria and schistosomiasis are more common. It is therefore essential that physicians, microbiologists, and scientists are familiar with the diagnosis of these parasitic diseases. There is a growing recognition of the importance of "temperate" parasites, and this has been emphasized by the HIV epidemic.This book is a practical manual for use in both routine diagnostic microbiology laboratories and more specialists laboratories diagnosing human parasites. All of the major groups of parasites are dealt with in individual chapters which include detailed protocols and recommendation for the diagnosis of infections caused by those parasites, together with color and black and white illustrations. The authors provide information and practical guidance appropriate for both the developed and developing world. This informative new book will be of great use to clinical pathologists, laboratory technicians, and students and researchers in tropical medicine.