Zbigniew J. Witczak - Böcker

The comprehensive guide to the current understanding of galectins and their promising potential in drug designThis is the first book focusing on galectins. It was inspired by topics discussed at the symposium "Galectins: Structures, Functions, and Therapeutic Targets" that was a part of the 234th American Chemical Society meeting in 2007. To help chemists, biochemists, and others understand the challenges inherent in the study of galectins and build on recent advances in the field, the editors have compiled articles from leading experts on galectins and their biomedical applications. Galectins includes: An overview of early galectin researchAn explanation of the nature of galectinsA discussion of the structure and functions of galectins, their ligand specificity and molecular mechanisms of action, and the localization of galectins in the cellAn exploration of the roles galectins play in tumor growth and cancer, fibrosis, inflammation, and immunityA discussion of the effect of galectins on cell migration, angiogenesis, and chemoresistanceAn introduction to new approaches to designing galectin inhibitorsThis is the premier reference on galectins for organic, medicinal, carbohydrate, and pharmaceutical chemists, biochemists, molecular and cell biologists, pharmacologists, cancer researchers, and graduate-level students in these disciplines, as well as clinicians and drug developers.

Lays the foundation for new methods and applications of carbohydrate click chemistryIntroduced by K. Barry Sharpless of The Scripps Research Institute in 2001, click chemistry mimics nature, giving researchers the tools needed to generate new substances quickly and reliably by joining small units together. With contributions from more than thirty pioneering researchers in the field, this text explores the many promising applications of click chemistry in glycoscience. Readers will learn both the basic concepts of carbohydrate click chemistry as well as its many biomedical applications, including synthetic antigens, analogs of cell-surface receptors, immobilized enzymes, targeted drug delivery systems, and multivalent cancer vaccines.Click Chemistry in Glycoscience examines a broad range of methodologies and strategies that have emerged from this rapidly evolving field. Each chapter describes new approaches, ideas, consequences, and applications resulting from the introduction of click processes. Divided into four sections, the book covers: Click chemistry strategies and decouplingThio-click chemistry of carbohydratesCarbohydrate click chemistry for novel synthetic targetsCarbohydrate click chemistry in biomedical sciencesThoroughly researched, the book reflects the most recent findings published in the literature. Diagrams and figures throughout the book enable readers to more easily grasp complex concepts and reaction processes. At the end of each chapter, references lead to the primary literature for further investigation of individual topics.The application of click chemistry to carbohydrates has tremendous implications for research. With this book as their guide, researchers have a solid foundation from which they can develop new methods and applications of carbohydrate click chemistry, including new carbohydrate-based therapeutics.

The book consists of a brief introduction, a foreward provided by professor Danishefsky of Columbia University, and about 14 - 16 chapters, each written by one or two eminent scholars/authors describing their recent research in the area of either domino reactions or intramolecular rearrangements in carbohydrate chemistry. Three or four chapters will be reviews. The domino (cascade, tandem) reactions are always intramolecular. They are usually very fast, clean and offer highly complex structures in a one pot process. Intramolecular rearrangements offer very similar advantages and often lead to highly complex products as well. Although many recently isolated carbohydrates fulfill various sophisticated functions, their structures are often very complex. The editors cover the broadest scope of novel methodologies possible. All the synthetic and application aspects of domino/cascade reactions are explored in this book. A second theme that will be covered is intramolecular rearrangement, which is also fast, stereoselective, and often constitutes one or more steps of domino / cascade process. Selected examples of intramolecular rearrangements are presented. Together, both processes offer an elegant and convenient approach to the synthesis of many complex molecules, which are normally difficult to synthesize via alternative routes. It appears that domino and intramolecular rearrangements are ideally suited to synthesize certain specific modified monosaccharides. What is particularly important is that both processes are intermolecular and almost always yield products with very well-defined stereochemistry. This high definition is absolutely crucial when synthesizing advanced, modified mono and oligosaccharides. The choice of contributors reflects an emphasis on both therapeutic and pharmacological aspects of carbohydrate chemistry.