Science and Scientists: Essays by Biochemists, Biologists and Chemists

ISBN-13: 9789400977570 / Angielski / Miękka / 2011 / 469 str.

Makoto Kageyama; Keiko Nakamura; Tairo Oshima

Opis

In this volume are collected essays contributed by biochemists, biologists and chemists from all over the world who are prominent in their respective domains. The themes dealt with in these essays are related to different aspects of today's respective sciences including reminiscence into the past, problems we are facing today and the outlook for the future. This collection itself will undoubtedly provide a source of enlightenment not only for accomplished researchers but also to those young students who are about to embark upon their research activities. Originally, this project was initiated to commemorate the 70th birthday of Dr. F. Egami, who headed the laboratories to which all of the members of this Editorial Committee once belonged, and the essays contributed by his friends and associates were forged into this one volume. It is expected that this publication will receive widespread scholastic attention because of its instructive substance covering diver sified areas of science. Editorial Committee Contents Preface........................................................... v Contributors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Xl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Long Journey ....................................... M. CALVIN 1 Adventures in Coordination Chemistry ...................... M.T. BECK 9 The Role of Clay Minerals in Prebiotics Protein Synthesis ............... . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . C. . . PONNAMPERUMA, . E. FRIEBELE, and A. SHIMOY AMA 15 HCN as a Possible Precursor of the Amino Acids in Lunar Samples ...... . ............................................. S. YUASA and]. OR6 31 A Model for Protocellular Coordination of Nucleic Acid and Protein Syntheses ....................................................... S.W. Fox 39 Evolution of Uphill Electron Transfer in Photosynthesis ................. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . A.A. . . . . KRASNOVSKY . . . . . . . . . 47 ."

Spis treści

The Long Journey.- Adventures in Coordination Chemistry.- The Role of Clay Minerals in Prebiotics Protein Synthesis.- HCN as a Possible Precursor of the Amino Acids in Lunar Samples.- A Model for Protocellular Coordination of Nucleic Acid and Protein Syntheses.- Evolution of Uphill Electron Transfer in Photosynthesis.- Antiquity of Photoautotrophy: A frontier Revisited.- Fermentations Dependent on Accessory Oxidants, and Their Significance in Biochemical Evolution.- Comparative Cytochrome c Biochemistry.- Biochemical Diversity and Evolution.- Trace Elements and the Synthesis of Acetate by Clostridium thermoaceticum.- Enzyme Classification and Nomenclature: Origin, Development, and Future Problems.- Conservation of Primary Structure at the Proteinase-Sensitive Site of Vertebrate Fructose 1,6-Bisphosphatases.- Some Aspects of the Enzymology of Pancreas and Intestine.- The Mechanism of Pepsin Action.- Specificity and Cytochemical Localization of Ribonucleases.- Regulation of Ribosome Biosynthesis: Ten Years of Study.- Is Ageing a Biochemical Problem?—On the Accuracy of Protein Biosynthesis.- tRNA-Like Structures: Possible Role of Ancestral tRNAs in Viral RNA Genome Formation.- 1H NMR Study on a Short DNA Helix in Aqueous Solution.- How Different Is Z from B?.- Cleavage with Restriction Enzymes of DNA from 39 Species of Plants and Animals.- Chromosome Replication in Bacillus subtilis and Differentiation of Rat Nervous System.- Observations on Enzyme Systems Involved in the Biodegradation of Anionic Surfactants.- Biosynthesis of Proteoglycans.- Enigma on the Function of Glycolipids and Glycoproteins.- Molecular Exploration in Unknown Metabolic Worlds.- Amino Acids and Brain Function.- ?-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA): A Major Inhibitory Transmitter in the Vertebrate Nervous System.- Ion Channels of Excitable Membranes.- Precursors and Intermediates in Enkephalin Biosynthesis.- Endocrine Control of the Prostate.- Siderophores.- Studies with Nitrifying Bacteria Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter Using Electrode and Fluorescence Techniques.- Where There’s Life There’s Phosphorus.- Thermodynamics and Bioenergetics.- The Early Days of Polymer Science: Cellulose and Polypeptide.- Viscissitudes of “Tsuzumi” Complexes.- A Personal View of a Japanese Natural Products Chemist in an American Institution.- Fifty Years of Scientific Research: The Fool’s Luck.- The Problem of Chemical Convergence in Secondary Metabolism.- Seed-Transmitted Crop Diseases: Diagnostics, Control, International Cooperation.- Some Personal Recollections and Reflections.- From Enzymes to Insulin and Back.- The Chemist’s Magic Bullets: Selectivity as a Guiding Principle in Biomedical Research.- On the Chief Factors of Historical Evolution in Biochemistry.- Control of Differentiation Pathways—Ontogenesis of an Embryologist.- On Becoming an Exact Science.- The Development of the Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry.- Organisation and Administration of Governmental Research in Israel.- Personality Factors of Major Importance for Creative Efficiency of a Scientist.- Reflections on the Art and Science of Doing Research.- You Carry Out Eukaryote Experiments on Shellfish Selfish DNA: An Essay on the Vulgarization of Molecular Biology.- The Role of University Scientists in Furthering Understanding between Peoples.- Ethics and Evolution in Boltzmann’s and Einstein’s Thought.- The Predominance of English and the Potential Use of Esperanto for Abstracts of Scientific Articles.- Message of Thanks.- Postscript.- Name Index.