Comprehensive Series in Photochemical and Photobiological Sciences – serie

In an era of global warming knowledge of the effects of solar radiation on humans is of great importance and the latest discoveries in environmental photobiology are presented in this book. The Editor has brought together a wide range of world class contributors to provide the reader with information on the clinical effects of solar radiation, such as inflammation, pigmentation, immune-suppression, cancer and aging, with emphasis on the ethnic or genetic background. The book also offers updates on the biochemical mechanisms involved in the generation of damage to DNA, lipids and proteins and on their removal. Each chapter has been written to provide a "historical" description of the phenomenology followed by the description of the state of the art. In this way, non-specialized and specialised readers alike can be updated in the essential aspects of the field. Key topics include: - Damages from acute versus chronic sun exposure - Skin Color, Melanin, Race/Ethnicity and UV-Induced DNA Damage - The effects of solar radiation on the immune response in humans - Genetic background and UV-induced skin cancer - The photochemistry of indirect damages: Lipid and Protein Damage provoked by UV radiation - DNA repair therapy This title will become an indispensable resource for students and professional at all levels working in fields relating to photochemistry, environmental science, biochemistry and biotechnology.

This book offers extensive coverage of the most important aspects of UVR effects on all aquatic (not just freshwater and marine) ecosystems, encompassing UV physics, chemistry, biology and ecology. Comprehensive and up-to-date, UV Effects in Aquatic Organisms and Ecosystems aims to bridge the gap between environmental studies of UVR effects and the broader, traditional fields of ecology, oceanography and limnology. Adopting a synthetic approach, the different sections cover: the physical factors controlling UVR intensity in the atmosphere; the penetration and distribution of solar radiation in natural waters; the main photochemical process affecting natural and anthropogenic substances; and direct and indirect effects on organisms (from viruses, bacteria and algae to invertebrate and vertebrate consumers). Researchers and professionals in environmental chemistry, photochemistry, photobiology and cell and molecular biology will value this book, as will those looking at ozone depletion and global change.

For centuries, light has been used to cure various diseases. However, it is only recently that a new medical field has arisen. Photodynamic therapy (PDT), also known as photochemotherapy, is a fast growing technique which was initially devoted to cancer care but which is now recognised as a promising treatment technique in a variety of clinical fields. Written by recognised experts, Photodynamic Therapy provides a comprehensive explanation of what PDT is and how it has developed as a technique in areas such as the detection of lung cancer and applications in dermatology, gynaecology and neurosurgery. This book is ideal both as an introduction to PDT and as an informative text for those wishing to expand their knowledge. Practitioners in biological sciences, biotechnology and medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry will find it an invaluable source of information.

This book offers comprehensive coverage of the most important areas in photoreceptors and light signalling. Photoreceptors enable most species to sense not only the presence of light but also the information, such as irradiance, colour or spectral distribution, direction and polarization of light. They are vital, therefore, in providing organisms with energy and information about their surroundings, such as day and night cycles. This book covers the range of photoreceptors that have been discovered to date and the broad range of methods used when researching how they operate, including: action spectroscopy; methods for protein purification; the whole range of molecular biological and genetic methods; and numerous spectroscopic methods, from absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy to X-ray diffraction, used for solving the structure of photoreceptors. Written by leading experts in the field, Photoreceptors and Light Signalling provides the reader with the most recent results and research. This book will be valued by a wide-range of readers, including students of photochemistry, photobiology, biology, chemistry and physics and other professionals in academia.

The introduction of innovative light sources, fibre laser sources and light emitting diodes, is opening unexpected perspectives into optical techniques and is promising new exciting applications in the field of biomedicine. Lasers and Current Optical Techniques in Biology aims to provide an overview of light sources, together with an extensive and authoritative description of the optical techniques in bio-medicine. This book is designed to give biomedical researchers a strong feel for the capability of physical approaches, promote new interdisciplinary interests and persuade more practitioners to take advantage of optical techniques. Current developments in a variety of optical techniques, including Near-Infra Red Spectroscopy, and traditional and advanced fluorescence techniques are covered, ranging from those that are becoming common practice to those that need much more experimentation before they can be accepted as real breakthroughs. Further topics include optical coherence tomography and its variations, polarised light imaging and, principle laser and lamp sources- a usually fragmentary topic, often dispersed among specialist publications. The wide range of topics covered make Lasers and Current Optical Techniques in Biology of interest to a diverse range of scientific communities.

As modern day society takes an increasing interest in outdoor activities, its exposure to sunlight has never been greater. As a consequence, countries throughout the world are experiencing a dramatic increase in the incidences of skin carcinomas and melanomas. From DNA photolesions to mutations, skin cancer and cell death provides an authoritative source of information for photobiologists interested in the series of genetic events that occur in the skin, and eventually lead to cancer. With contributions from eminent scientists in the field, this book includes the latest information on DNA photolesions and repair, as well as the key mechanisms of solar UV in skin cancer initiation and development. Significant information relating to UV-induced photolesions and mechanisms of skin tumour occurrence is also included. By providing the basic phenomena underlying the science and an overview of the biological events that take place when cells are exposed to solar UV radiation, From DNA photolesions to mutations, skin cancer and cell death is suitable to all researchers interested in the process of photocarcinogenesis.

Flavins and flavoproteins are a widely investigated and highly versatile group of compounds. Participation of these compounds in photochemistry and photobiology processes are of particular importance in the fields of biology, chemistry and medicine. Written by leading experts in the field each section of the book includes a historical overview of the subject, state of the art developments and future perspectives. Flavins: Photochemistry and Photobiology begins with the properties and applications of flavins, including their photochemistry in aqueous and organic solutions. Subsequent sections discuss riboflavin as a visible light sensitizer in the photo degradation of drugs, antiviral and antibacterial effects, the role of flavins in light induced toxicity and blue light initiated DNA repair by photolyase. Finally there are sections on the flavin based photoreceptors in plants, bacteria and eukaryotic photosynthetic flagelettes. This book brings together leading experts with a unique interdisciplinary emphasis, to provide an authoritative resource on flavins and their role in photochemistry and photobiology.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is increasingly being used amongst health practitioners in combating a variety of diseases. One common strategy used during this light activated process is to induce the accumulation of significant amounts of a photosensitising agent in the diseased tissue. The naturally occurring amino acid 5-aminovulinic acid (ALA) is used to produce high levels of the photosensitizer, Protoprophyin IX, in the therapy known as ALA-PDT. Written by experts in the field Photodynamic therapy with ALA outlines a variety of clinical approaches to the topic, outlining current applications. These include the use of ALA-PDT and ALA-FD (fluorescence diagnosis) in the areas of dermatology, urology, brain, otorhinolaryngology, gynaecology and gastroenterology. Also included is a chapter that comprehensively reviews the scientific principles of ALA-PDT. Primarily aimed at a clinical audience Photodynamic therapy with ALA should provide a comprehensive review and useful insight into ALA-PDT.

Borne out of the current widespread interest in the pollution of water bodies, this book explores the latest research concerning the photochemical fate of organic pollutants in surface water. Considering both the functioning of ecosystems and the behaviour of emerging pollutants in those ecosystems, it is dedicated to techniques that can be used in the field and in the laboratory for the detection of pollutants and of their transformation intermediates. The inclusion of photochemical processes that have not gained previous coverage will afford the reader novel insights, whilst the focus on modelling and transformation intermediates will ensure the title’s relevance to academics, the chemical manufacturing industries and environmental assessment experts alike.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is increasingly being used amongst health practitioners in combating a variety of diseases. This book reviews the current state of development of PDT, and also presents the foreseeable advancements of the field in the next decade. Practitioners in biological sciences, biotechnology and medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry will find this book an invaluable source of information.Chapters are drawn from research discussed at the 10th International Symposium on Photodynamic Therapy and Photodiagnosis in Clinical Practice in Brixen and are written and edited by leaders in the field. Mirroring the philosophy of that meeting, this book contains an informative balance of the basic science and clinical applications of PDT. Following an introduction to PDT, its history, and how techniques have developed, chapters serve as a practical guide for practitioners, covering topics such as sensitizer dosage and light dosage, and examples of relevant studies. The text goes further to explore areas outside the medical field, such as the impact of PDT on society and the environment, and the economics of therapies. This book is dedicated to the memory of Professor Giulio Jori, an expert in this field, who sadly passed away on the 23rd December 2014.

This two-volume set very comprehensively covers the physical, chemical and biological properties of singlet oxygen, and also the increasingly important applications of this reactive oxygen species across chemical, environmental and biomedical areas. Meeting the desire for a comprehensive book that collects and curates the vast amount of knowledge gained in this field over recent years, the editors have invited contributions from experts from across the globe. The long and distinguished background of the editors and contributors in the field is evidenced within these pages that tackle such a broad topic. Chapters in the first volume cover properties, production, reactions of this species with biomolecules, and photosensitizers. The second volume explores detection methods, tools for understanding mechanisms and biology, and photodynamic therapy applications among other topics. The set provides an up to date reference resource for both the beginner and experienced researcher and crucially for those working across disciplines such as photochemistry, photobiology and photomedicine.

The identification and quantification of material present and collected at a crime scene are critical requirements in investigative analyses. Forensic analysts use a variety of tools and techniques to achieve this, many of which use light. Light is not always the forensic analyst’s friend however, as light can degrade samples and alter results. This book details the analysis of a range of molecular systems by light-based techniques relevant to forensic science, as well as the negative effects of light in the degradation of forensic evidence, such as the breakage of DNA linkages during DNA profiling. The introductory chapters explain how chemiluminescence and fluorescence can be used to visualise samples and the advantages and limitations of available technologies. They also discuss the limitations of our knowledge about how light could alter the physical nature of materials, for example by breaking DNA linkages during DNA profiling or by modifying molecular structures of polymers and illicit drugs. The book then explains how to detect, analyse and interpret evidence from materials such as illicit drugs, agents of bioterrorism, and textiles, using light-based techniques from microscopy to surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy. Edited by active photobiological and forensic scientists, this book will be of interest to students and researchers in the fields of photochemistry, photobiology, toxicology and forensic science.

Photoaging results from chronic exposure to UV radiation and is an increasingly common clinical feature, with an aging population the clinical burden is likely to increase despite advances in our understanding of the pathology and development of improved treatments. This book will present and review the latest progress from the forefront of translational research in cutaneous photoaging. The core chapters focus on the current understanding of the biochemical mechanisms of photoageing and lead on to aspects of photoprotection and photomedicine to provide a complete picture of the current field and a context for the importance of the basic mechanistic understanding. With a global team of authors Cutaneous Photoaging provides an international perspective on the causes, consequences, pathophysiology and treatment of photoaging, ideal for dermatologists, students and professionals in photoscience.

Optogenetic tools have allowed significant advances in the understanding of biological problems, particularly in the neurosciences field. Biological tools as well as optical set-ups have evolved and a wide range of probes and light-controllable modules are now available.The aim of this book is to give a flavour of illumination strategies and imaging with an overview of the different optogenetic tools and their main applications in cell biology. Based on examples covering the different aspects of cell biology, this book provides a practical approach for using light-emitting sensors and light-driven actuators.

Photochemistry is an important facet in the study of the origin of life and prebiotic chemistry. Solar photons are the unique source of the large amounts of energy likely required to initiate the organisation of matter to produce biological life. The Miller–Urey experiment simulated the conditions thought to be present on the early earth and supported the hypothesis that under such conditions complex organic compounds could be synthesised from simpler inorganic precursors. The experiment inspired many others, including the production of various alcohols, aldehydes and organic acids through UV-photolysis of water vapour with carbon monoxide. This book covers the photochemical aspects of the study of prebiotic and origin of life chemistry an ideal companion for postgraduates and researchers in prebiotic chemistry, photochemistry, photobiology, chemical biology and astrochemistry.

Induction of DNA damage by sunlight is a major deleterious event in living organisms. Recent developments have dramatically improved our understanding of the photochemical processes involved at the sub-picosecond time scale and along with next generation sequencing and data processing has generated a need for a complete up-to-date coverage of the field. Written in an accessible and comprehensive manner, DNA Photodamage will appeal to all scientists working in the area whether specialists in the discipline or not and provides a complete coverage of the field, from ultrafast spectroscopy to biomedical research. Bridging the gap between photophysical and photochemical research on model systems, and in vivo and in vitro biological studies, this book aims to identify the most important research trends in the field and review their major findings.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) was discovered over one hundred years ago after observing the death of microorganisms upon exposure to dyes and light. It is the combination of non-toxic dyes and harmless visible light that, in the presence of oxygen, produce highly toxic reactive species. The principal medical application during the last century was in cancer therapy but, in these days of rising antibiotic resistance, PDT shows increasing promise as an alternative approach to treating infections. PDT has also been used in blood product sterilization, peridontology, acne reduction, and the treatment of viral lesions such as those caused by human papilloma virus. It may also have potential as an environmentally friendly pesticide. This is the first and only book to comprehensively cover the use of light and photosensitising agents for controlling microbial pathogens. It provides a comprehensive and up-to-date coverage of an emerging field. There are several chapters on the design of antimicrobial photosensitizers, their use to kill pathogenic organisms and their success in treating infections in animal models. It has long been known that gram-positive bacteria are highly susceptible to photoinactivation but the book also discusses means of widening the range of microorganisms that can be tackled by PDT. Edited by two pioneers in the application of PDT to medical and environmental issues, this book covers the basic science, translational research in animals, and the clinical applications in various medical specialities. It represents an indispensable resource for microbiologists and infectious disease doctors as well as dentists, dermatologists, gastroenterologists and transfusion specialists.

Hydrogen could be the fuel of the future. Some microorganisms can produce hydrogen upon illumination. Biological methods of production could be greener than chemical or physical production methods, but the potential of biological methods is still being harnessed.This comprehensive book highlights the key steps necessary for future exploitation of solar-light-driven hydrogen production by microalgae. The highly regarded editors bring together 46 contributors from key institutions in order to suggest and examine the most significant issues that must be resolved to achieve the goal of practical implementation, while proposing reliable methodologies and approaches to solve such issues. This 19 chapter book will be an indispensable resource for academics, undergraduate and graduate students, postgraduates and postdoctoral scholars, energy scientists, bio/chemical engineers, and policy makers working across the field of biohydrogen and bioenergy.

This book provides a comprehensive review of chlorophyll fluorescence in plants, spanning fundamental principles to advanced applications. Bridging scales from the global ecosystem level to cellular and molecular processes, it explores how plants interact with light and regulate photosynthetic efficiency under dynamic environmental conditions. The chapters cover a wide range of topics, including the history and evolution of chlorophyll fluorescence research, its critical role in photosynthesis monitoring, and recent breakthroughs in proximal remote sensing technologies. The book also outlines time-resolved fluorescence techniques, light re-absorption and scattering models, and their relevance from satellite observations to intracellular dynamics.Edited and written by leading experts in plant physiology, biophysics, and environmental science, this volume highlights the practical applications of chlorophyll fluorescence in plant stress detection, crop monitoring, and ecosystem assessment. It is an essential reference for researchers working in plant biology, biochemistry, ecology, environmental science, agriculture, and remote sensing.With its interdisciplinary scope, the book equips scientists and practitioners with the tools to advance sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, and ecosystem management. Combining theoretical insights with applied methodologies, it serves as a critical resource for understanding the complex interplay between light, photosynthesis, and plant health.