This special volume on "bioanalysis and biosensors for bioprocess monitoring" has a twofold target. Firstly, it is dedicated to the 75th birthday ofArmin Fiechter, who was a major driving force among the pioneers to the progress of biochemical engineering. Not only the aseptic connection technique with septa and needles still used until today was established by him, but also the development of the first sterilizable pH electrodes with W Ingold is also credited to him. He made in vivo bio analysis a topic of general interest, for instance by setting up the first chemostat in Switzerland. It...

Volumes are organized topically and provide a comprehensive discussion of developments in the respective field over the past 3-5 years. The series also discusses new discoveries and applications. Special volumes are dedicated to selected topics which focus on new biotechnological products and new processes for their synthesis and purification. In general, special volumes are edited by well-known guest editors. The series editor and publisher will however always be pleased to receive suggestions and supplementary information. Manuscripts are accepted in English.

Today, ergot alkaloids have found widespread clinical use and more than 50 formulations contain natural or semisynthetic ergot alkaloids. They are used in the treatment of uterine atonia, postpartum bleeding, migraine, orthostatic circulatory disturbances, senile cerebral insufficiency, hypertension, hyp- prolactinemia, acromegaly, and Parkinsonism. Recently, new therapeutic - plications have emerged, e.g., against schizophrenia and for therapeutic usage based on newly discovered antibacterial and cytostatic effects, immunomodu- tory and hypolipemic activity.The broad physiological effects of...