This book describes a global assessment of stem cell engineering research, achieved through site visits by a panel of experts to leading institutes, followed by dedicated workshops. The assessment made clear that engineers and the engineering approach with its quantitative, system-based thinking can contribute much to the progress of stem cell research and development. The increased need for complex computational models and new, innovative technologies, such as high-throughput screening te...

The application of nanotechnology in the biomedical field, known as nanomedicine, has gained much interest in the recent past as a versatile strategy for selective drug delivery and diagnostic purposes. The nanotheranostic approach, which aims to combine both therapeutic and imaging/diagnostic functionalities, is characterized by a strong pluridisciplinarity where the chemistry of materials, bioconjugate chemistry, pharmaceutical technology, drug delivery, imaging, and pharmacology, work t...

The editors have engaged leading scientists in the field to participate in the development of this book, which is envisioned as a “one of a kind” contribution to the field. The book is a comprehensive text that puts fundamental bioanalytical science in context with current practice, its challenges and ongoing developments. It expands on existing texts on the subject by covering regulated bioanalysis of both small and large molecule therapeutics from both a scientific and regulatory viewpoi...

Functionalized Conjugated Polyelectrolytes presents a comprehensive review of these polyelectrolytes and their biomedical applications. Basic aspects like molecular design and optoelectronic properties are covered in the first chapter. Emphasis is placed on the various applications including sensing (chemical and biological), disease diagnosis, cell imaging, drug/gene delivery and disease treatment. This book explores a multi-disciplinary topic of interest to researchers working i...

Nanomedicine can take advantage of the recent developments in nanobiotechnology research for the creation of platforms with superior drug carrier capabilities, selective responsiveness to the environment, unique contrast enhancement profiles, and improved accumulation at the disease site. This book provides a broad glimpse of how various dendritic nanomaterials have been designed and used as efficient tools for nanomedicine. It comprises a pedagogic introduction to dendrimers and hyperbran...

Frontiers in Computational Chemistry, originally published by Bentham and now distributed by Elsevier, presents the latest research findings and methods in the diverse field of computational chemistry, focusing on molecular modeling techniques used in drug discovery and the drug development process. This includes computer-aided molecular design, drug discovery and development, lead generation, lead optimization, database management, computer and molecular graphics, and the development of n...

This book presents an Assessment of Physical Sciences and Engineering Advances in Life Sciences and Oncology (APHELION) by a panel of experts. It covers the status and trends of applying physical sciences and engineering principles to oncology research in leading laboratories and organizations in Europe and Asia.The book elaborates on the six topics identified by the panel that have the greatest potential to advance understanding and treatment of cancer, each covered by a chapter i...

Stem cell bioprocessing describes the main large-scale bioprocessing strategies for both stem cell culture and purification, envisaging the application of these cells for regenerative medicine and drug screening. Bioreactor configurations are described, including their applications for stem cell expansion, and stem cell separation techniques such as isolation and purification are discussed. Basic definitions are provided concerning the different types of stem cells, from adult stem cells t...

This book offers a detailed overview of translational bioinformatics together with real-case applications. Translational bioinformatics integrates the areas of basic bioinformatics, clinical informatics, statistical genetics and informatics in order to further our understanding of the molecular basis of diseases. By analyzing voluminous amounts of molecular and clinical data, it also provides clinical information, which can then be applied. Filling the gap between clinic research and infor...

The increased use of biodegradable synthetic or natural scaffolds combined with cells and/or biological molecules, in order to create functional replacement tissue in a damaged tissue site, has led to the need for the development of 'best practice' methods in the area of tissue engineering to help ensure the creation of safe, high quality products. Standardisation in cell and tissue engineering introduces concepts and current practice in the field of cell and tissue engineering to a wide a...

The Ernst Schering Research Foundation sponsored its 15th workshop in Berlin on October 19-21, 1994. Leading scientists from Europe and North America were invited to discuss computer-aided drug design in industrial research. Computer-aided drug design is a very exciting field and an intellec tual challenge, like playing chess. But these reasons are no longer suf ficient to justify using this method in industry, if they ever were. Fig. 1. The participants of the workshop VI Preface Therefor...

Nanotechnology-based therapeutics, operating at scales of billionths of a metre, have great potential for future expansion in altering the scale and methods of drug delivery. The availability of these novel formulations to once-inaccessible areas of the body has greatly expanded the therapeutic window of existing drug molecules. Nanoparticulate drug delivery highlights and examines the transition of nanoparticulate drug delivery systems from the laboratory into a commercially viable sector...