Paul O.P. Ts'o – författare

Basic Principles in Nucleic Acid Chemistry, Volume I provides information pertinent to the fundamental aspects of nucleic acids. This book discusses the development of the basic principles in nucleic acid research that will serve as a foundation for further advancement in nucleic acid research. Organized into six chapters, this volume begins with an overview of the history of the scientific study of nucleic acid as a genetic material. This text then examines the utility of the analogs of the naturally occurring nucleic acid components as biochemical tools and as therapeutic agents. Other chapters consider mass spectrometry that deals with the production and chemistry of ions in the vapor phase. This book discusses as well the various aspects of the excited states of the nucleic acids. The final chapter deals with the systematic study of the physiochemical properties of the monomeric units of nucleic acid. This book is a valuable resource for molecular biologists, scientists, and research workers.

Basic Principles in Nuclear Acid Chemistry, Volume II presents the significant progress in nucleic acid research and its contribution and influence on various aspects of human life. This book contains five chapters and begins with the susceptibility of nucleic acids towards attack by chemical reagents whose reactions with polynucleotides have been studied. This topic is followed by a presentation of experimental techniques used to study the properties of nucleic acids. The following chapter discusses some basic features embodied in the polyribo- and poly-deoxyribonucleotide backbone chains; the possibility of rotation around backbone bonds in the ""random"" single-stranded form; and the short- and long-range interactions in idealized and real chains. This chapter also looks into the thermodynamic and polyelectrolyte aspects of nucleic acid behavior. A chapter describes the special features of the third class of DNA, namely, closed duplex DNA, in which covalent chain scissions are absent. The last chapter examines the intrinsic properties and the interaction of the dimers and oligomers, with special emphasis on the influence of the phosphodiester linkages on the conformation and interaction of these short segments of nucleic acids. This book is of great value to workers in biomedical research and to higher level biochemistry instructors.

th The 13 Jerusalem Symposium on Quantum Chemistry and Bio- chemistry was dedicated to the memory of Ernst David Bergmann, one of the founders of this series of Symposia, at the occasion of the 5th anniversary of his death. The opening session was honored by the pre- sence of H. E. Yzhak Navon, President of the State of Israel and of Baron Edmond de Rothschild whose generous and constant support makes these Symposia possible. To both these distinguished guests we address the expression of our deep gratitude. Our thanks are also due to the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities, in particular to its President Professor Aryeh Dvoretzky and to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem for their hospita- lity and helpful association. I had the privilege this time to join efforts in the organi- zation of this Symposium with two distinguished American colleagues, Prof. P. O. P. Ts'o from Johns Hopkins University and Dr. Harry Gelboin from the National Institute for Cancer Research. I wish to thank them for their invaluable help and the two Institutions which they repre- sent for important financial support. th The subject of the 13 Jerusalem Symposium brings us back to that of the 1st Symposium held in 1967.The comparison of the two Proceedings enables us to evaluate the important developments which occurred in this field of research during the last 13 years.

In 1980. a distinguished group of scientists gathered In Washington. D. C. for an International Symposium on Aging and Cancer. Among the recommendations of this Symposium was to convene a future meeting to discuss the molecular basis for Interrelationships between aging and cancer when the appropriate scientific knowledge was available. That same year. the 13th Jerusalem Symposium on Quantum Chemistry and Biochemistry entitled ·Carcl­ nogenesls : Fundamental Mechanisms and Environmental Effects·. was held. attended by some 50 International authorities In this field. At this meeting. It became clear that the fundamental process of carcinogenesis 15 Intimately associated with differentiation. which must also be mechanistically related to aging. It was therefore proposed that the next Jerusalem Symposium on Cancer could provide the appropriate forum for the study on the Interrelationship among cancer. aging and differentiation. The Impressive advances In our knowledge of the nature of the genome through molecular genetic and physical chemical techniques have now provided the opportunity to examine the Interrelationships between these complex biolo­ gical processes. Through the Isolation. cloning and rearranging of genes we are able to dissect and manipulate the genome In a fashion that was unanticipated only a decade ago. At the same time. the Increase In longevity and the Increased numbers of Individuals entering the last decades of life where cancer Incidences are highest raise the profound and practical question of whether aging and cancer are linked through common mechanisms.

In 1980. a distinguished group of scientists gathered In Washington. D. C. for an International Symposium on Aging and Cancer. Among the recommendations of this Symposium was to convene a future meeting to discuss the molecular basis for Interrelationships between aging and cancer when the appropriate scientific knowledge was available. That same year. the 13th Jerusalem Symposium on Quantum Chemistry and Biochemistry entitled ·Carcl­ nogenesls : Fundamental Mechanisms and Environmental Effects·. was held. attended by some 50 International authorities In this field. At this meeting. It became clear that the fundamental process of carcinogenesis 15 Intimately associated with differentiation. which must also be mechanistically related to aging. It was therefore proposed that the next Jerusalem Symposium on Cancer could provide the appropriate forum for the study on the Interrelationship among cancer. aging and differentiation. The Impressive advances In our knowledge of the nature of the genome through molecular genetic and physical chemical techniques have now provided the opportunity to examine the Interrelationships between these complex biolo­ gical processes. Through the Isolation. cloning and rearranging of genes we are able to dissect and manipulate the genome In a fashion that was unanticipated only a decade ago. At the same time. the Increase In longevity and the Increased numbers of Individuals entering the last decades of life where cancer Incidences are highest raise the profound and practical question of whether aging and cancer are linked through common mechanisms.

th The 13 Jerusalem Symposium on Quantum Chemistry and Bio- chemistry was dedicated to the memory of Ernst David Bergmann, one of the founders of this series of Symposia, at the occasion of the 5th anniversary of his death. The opening session was honored by the pre- sence of H. E. Yzhak Navon, President of the State of Israel and of Baron Edmond de Rothschild whose generous and constant support makes these Symposia possible. To both these distinguished guests we address the expression of our deep gratitude. Our thanks are also due to the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities, in particular to its President Professor Aryeh Dvoretzky and to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem for their hospita- lity and helpful association. I had the privilege this time to join efforts in the organi- zation of this Symposium with two distinguished American colleagues, Prof. P. O. P. Ts'o from Johns Hopkins University and Dr. Harry Gelboin from the National Institute for Cancer Research. I wish to thank them for their invaluable help and the two Institutions which they repre- sent for important financial support. th The subject of the 13 Jerusalem Symposium brings us back to that of the 1st Symposium held in 1967.The comparison of the two Proceedings enables us to evaluate the important developments which occurred in this field of research during the last 13 years.