This is the first book to summarize experimental results from the new, rapidly expanding field of research into the calcium channel in cell membrane. Calcium is an ubiquitous messenger of various cellular functions. Its fundamental role in the regulation of cardiac contractions has long been recognized. Drugs counteracting some actions of calcium ions, namely calcium antagonists, have since become essential to research. In the last decade it has been established that calcium ions reach their target intracellular system by passing through specialized calcium channels in the membrane. Recently...

His scientific contributions are regarded as classics: the studies about the insulin effect on adipose tissue (together with George F. Cahill Jr. ), his work on the biosyn thesis and secretion of insulin (together with Lelio Orci and Claes W ollheim) and his studies on various spontaneous and induced diabetes syndromes in rodents (together with Bernard Jeanrenaud and Eleazar Shafrir). Albert Renold will be remembered for a long time by all who knew him for his achievements, for his kindness and his humanity. We dedicate the Proceedings of this symposium to his memory. Werner Creutzfeldt...

Distinguished scientists and members of the medical profession discuss the research and development of safe and suitable drugs for the long-term treatment of chronic diseases. The book provides an up-to-date survey on new insights and technologies - as well as ethical considerations - , since traditional means and methods of drug research and drug development may no longer suffice to meet the challenges of the next century.