Ciba Foundation Symposium
12 primary works • 35 total works
Papillomaviruses cause benign papillomas in humans and other mammals, but concern about their association with certain malignant lesions and appreciation of their heterogeneity (over 30 different types exist) have recently heightened interest in the genus. This multidisciplinary symposium volume brings together new research on molecular biological, physiological and clinical aspects of papillomaviruses, focusing on the virus - host interaction and the links between genomic organization and the pathological consequences of infection. The book starts with discussion of the classification and molecular genetics of papillomaviruses, with emphasis on transcriptional control, transforming functions and plasmid replication. The in vitro studies described provide clues to how benign papillomavirus-associated lesions might progress to malignancy. The nature and range of papillomavirus-associated diseases are then explored by reference to diverse lesions, from skin warts and laryngeal papillomatosis to epidermodysplasia verruciformis, bovine carcinomas of the bladder and alimentary tract and human cervical carcinoma.
The potential of both vaccines and interferon in preventing or treating such disorders is also assessed. It is stressed throughout that problems remain in establishing the oncogenicity of papillomaviruses and evaluating the possible roles of cocarcinogens and immunosuppression, and that despite improved methods for diagnosing infection there is still much to be learnt about the natural history of the viruses.
The potential of both vaccines and interferon in preventing or treating such disorders is also assessed. It is stressed throughout that problems remain in establishing the oncogenicity of papillomaviruses and evaluating the possible roles of cocarcinogens and immunosuppression, and that despite improved methods for diagnosing infection there is still much to be learnt about the natural history of the viruses.
Epithelial cells cover the outer abd inner surfaces of the body, forming a selective polarized barrier between the intercellular space and the 'external' world. Linking the cells of this continuous layer and contributing to epithelial organization and function are specialized membrane domains- desomes, gap junctions and occluding junctions.The contributors to this multidisciplinary symposium volume explore the nature of such junctional structures, focusing on the molecular organization and diversity of their constituent proteins, their formation and control, and interactions with ions and cytoskeletal elements. The physiological significance of cell-cell interaction in epithelia is considered, with reference to cell adhesion, barrier formation and intracellular communication and to the functional implications for tissue architecture, embryonic development, morphogenesis and carcinogenesis.
We live in a rapidly changing world in which science and technology influence the quality of our lives, for better or worse. An understanding of science is therefore important for all of us, yet the general level of scientific literacy is low. This conference brings together scientists and others working in museums, the media and education to discuss how science can be effectively communicated to the public. The contributors describe the public perception of science, the role of schools, museums and zoos in the communication of science, and the part played by the mass media and by science books. They debate the value of formal and informal sources of science education, the importance of active participation in science exhibits, the effectiveness of science theatre, and the influence of pseudoscience, parascience and science fiction. One conclusion of the conference is that science needs credibility; another is that scientists should learn to communicate better among themselves, as well as with the general public.
Cyanide Compounds in Biology
by Ciba Foundation Symposium, David Evered, Sarah F Garnety, and Foundation Symposium Ciba
Published 6 February 1989
Proteoglycans are macromolecules containing glycosaminoglycan chains covalently bound to protein cores. In this symposium workers from a range of disciplines (biochemistry, cell biology, pathology and developmental biology among others) focus on the structure and functions of the many types of proteoglycan found in mammalian tissues. The proteoglycans are a major ingredient of the extracellular matrix of connective tissue and help determine its properties. The structure of the large proteoglycan of cartilage has been elucidated in part and distinct families of small proteoglycans are now being identified in skin, bone, cartilage, sclera, tendon and arterial wall. Proteoglycans occur on cells as well as between them. The surface location of these largely heparan sulphate proteoglycans gives them a role in cell-cell and cell-matrix attachments. Several chapters of the symposium deal with these adhesive responses, which involve interactions with the cytoskeleton and with extracellular molecules such as fibronectin. Other proteoglycans are basement membrane constituents; members of this proteoglycan family have been characterized in adult and embryonic tissues.
The storage granules of mast cells, and the granules of cytotoxic NK (natural killer) cells, also contain proteoglycans; their function and fate in mast cell exocytosis and in the killing of tumour and other cells is being actively investigated, as reported here. Proteoglycans are immensely varied but already, molecular biological studies of their protein cores suggest that a relatively small number of major gene families may exist within this heterogeneous, multifunctional and fascinating group of molecules. Proteoglycans are major components of the extracellular matrix of connective tissues and also occur in cell surfaces, as mediators of cell attachment. Other proteoglycans are found in basement membranes and in the granules of mast cells and cytotoxic natural killer cells. The symposium emphasizes the structural and functional diversity of these fascinating macromolecules.
The storage granules of mast cells, and the granules of cytotoxic NK (natural killer) cells, also contain proteoglycans; their function and fate in mast cell exocytosis and in the killing of tumour and other cells is being actively investigated, as reported here. Proteoglycans are immensely varied but already, molecular biological studies of their protein cores suggest that a relatively small number of major gene families may exist within this heterogeneous, multifunctional and fascinating group of molecules. Proteoglycans are major components of the extracellular matrix of connective tissues and also occur in cell surfaces, as mediators of cell attachment. Other proteoglycans are found in basement membranes and in the granules of mast cells and cytotoxic natural killer cells. The symposium emphasizes the structural and functional diversity of these fascinating macromolecules.
Applications of Plant Cell and Tissue Culture
by Ciba Foundation Symposium
Published 1 September 1988
Cell and Molecular Biology of Vertebrate Hard Tissues
by Ciba Foundation Symposium
Published 3 August 1988
Postimplantation Development in the Mouse
by Ciba Foundation Symposium, Foundation Ciba, Foundation Caba, and Derek J Chadwick
Published 25 May 1992
The Novartis Foundation Series is a popular collection of the proceedings from Novartis Foundation Symposia, in which groups of leading scientists from a range of topics across biology, chemistry and medicine assembled to present papers and discuss results. The Novartis Foundation, originally known as the Ciba Foundation, is well known to scientists and clinicians around the world.
v. 180
The Biosynthesis of the Tetrapyrrole Pigments Chairman: Duilio Arigoni 1994 Arguably the most important pigments of life are the chlorophylls, the light energy-harvesting green pigments of plants and algae, and haem, which forms the non-protein part of haemoglobin, myoglobin and cytochrome c. These, and related crucial molecules such as vitamin B12 and the protoporphyrin IX unit of the cytochromes, are all members of the family of tetrapyrrole pigments sharing many biosynthetic steps and owing their origin to the amino acid pool. Since the pioneering work of the 1940s and 1950s showing glycine to be an amino acid precursor of the porphyrins (at least in mammals) via the ubiquitous trisubstituted pyrrolic intermediate porphobilinogen, chemists, and, more recently, biochemists, have been fascinated by the challenge of unravelling the intricate details of the natural synthesis of these architecturally beautiful and chemically complex molecules. In this book, a distinguished international group of chemists and biochemists review the progress being made in our understanding of the biosynthesis of the tetrapyrrole pigments.
Topics covered include the early biosynthetic steps to 5-aminolaevulinic acid, the subsequent transformations leading to uroporhyrinogen III, and the elaboration of the side chains. Studies of chlorophyll biosynthesis, of recently identified novel haems from bacteria and of coenzyme F430, a nickel-containing porphinoid involved in methanogenesis, are described. The biosynthesis of open-chain tetrapyrroles in plants, algae and cyanobacteria is also outlined. The book ends with a detailed exploration of current knowledge of the genetics and enzymology of the biosynthetic pathway leading to vitamin B12, and of the synthesis, isolation and structural determination of intermediates along this pathway. Related Ciba Foundation Symposia: No. 158 Host - guest molecular interactions: from chemistry to biology Chairman: I.O. Sutherland 1991 ISBN 0 471 92958 1 No. 161 Protein conformation Chairman: F.M. Richards 1991 ISBN 0 471 92969 7 No. 171 Secondary metabolites: their function and evolution Chairman: J. Davies 1992 ISBN 0 471 93447 X
Topics covered include the early biosynthetic steps to 5-aminolaevulinic acid, the subsequent transformations leading to uroporhyrinogen III, and the elaboration of the side chains. Studies of chlorophyll biosynthesis, of recently identified novel haems from bacteria and of coenzyme F430, a nickel-containing porphinoid involved in methanogenesis, are described. The biosynthesis of open-chain tetrapyrroles in plants, algae and cyanobacteria is also outlined. The book ends with a detailed exploration of current knowledge of the genetics and enzymology of the biosynthetic pathway leading to vitamin B12, and of the synthesis, isolation and structural determination of intermediates along this pathway. Related Ciba Foundation Symposia: No. 158 Host - guest molecular interactions: from chemistry to biology Chairman: I.O. Sutherland 1991 ISBN 0 471 92958 1 No. 161 Protein conformation Chairman: F.M. Richards 1991 ISBN 0 471 92969 7 No. 171 Secondary metabolites: their function and evolution Chairman: J. Davies 1992 ISBN 0 471 93447 X
v. 159
Catalytic Antibodies Chairman: W.P. Jencks 1991 Antibodies are a key component of the immune system which protects higher organisms from invading pathogens. Molecular biology has made possible the preparation of homogeneous (monoclonal) antibodies in large amounts, thereby enhancing their applicability as diagnostic and therapeutic tools in biology and medicine. A recent advance with profound ramifications for chemistry is the recognition that monoclonal antibodies can possess catalytic activity. Using transition state analogues of certain chemical reactions as haptens, antibodies can be generated that bind such analogues with their characteristic high affinity. The antibody may then bind the substrate of the chemical reaction and some of the binding energy may be used to alter the conformation of the substrate to that of the transition state. Antibodies have been shown to catalyse a range of basic organic reactions, including ester and amide hydrolyses, the Claisen rearrangement and the Diels - Alder reaction; the list of possible reactions is much longer.
Expression of the antigen-binding portions of antibodies in bacteria will facilitate screening, either for binding activity or directly for catalysis. Interest is also focused on ways to introduce reactive groups, such as metal ions, into the binding site of antibodies to increase the rate of catalysis. As well as their potential commercial applications, particularly to catalyse reactions for which there are no known enzymes, antibodies promise to provide valuable insight into the detailed mechanisms of biological catalysis and organic chemistry. Related Ciba Foundation Symposia: No 119 Synthetic peptides as antigens Chairman: G.L. Ada 1986 ISBN 0 471 91203 4 No 158 Host - guest molecular interactions: from chemistry to biology Chairman: I.O. Sutherland 1991 ISBN 0 471 92958 1 No 161 Protein conformation Chairman: F. Richards 1991 ISBN 0 471 92969 7
Expression of the antigen-binding portions of antibodies in bacteria will facilitate screening, either for binding activity or directly for catalysis. Interest is also focused on ways to introduce reactive groups, such as metal ions, into the binding site of antibodies to increase the rate of catalysis. As well as their potential commercial applications, particularly to catalyse reactions for which there are no known enzymes, antibodies promise to provide valuable insight into the detailed mechanisms of biological catalysis and organic chemistry. Related Ciba Foundation Symposia: No 119 Synthetic peptides as antigens Chairman: G.L. Ada 1986 ISBN 0 471 91203 4 No 158 Host - guest molecular interactions: from chemistry to biology Chairman: I.O. Sutherland 1991 ISBN 0 471 92958 1 No 161 Protein conformation Chairman: F. Richards 1991 ISBN 0 471 92969 7