The series introduces some of the biologically and medically relevant polymorphisms found in several species of bacteria, the basis for the genetic diversity in those populations, and its effect on human hosts.
Published February 2001
NF-kappaB is a primary effector of human disease. The series highlights the evolutionary conservation of the NF-kappaB pathway and its regulation as well as the diverse functions the transcription factor has in human health and disease.
Published January 2001
Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease that starts with peripheral insulin resistance, which in itself is a key feature of other human disease states. The series outlines the complex pathophysiology of insulin resistance, including the connections to obesity and cardiovascular disease.
Published January 2000
The series provides an update on progress in the field of nucleic acid-based therapeutics. Individual articles explore a number of strategies that exploit different facets of DNA and RNA biochemistry towards the development of safe and effective therapeutics.
Published January 2000
Epigenetic effects are changes in the genetic material that alter gene expression in a manner that is heritable during somatic cell divisions but nonmutational and therefore fundamentally reversible. The articles consider the consequences of epigenetic changes for human disease phenotypes.
Published January 2000
The series reviews the emerging field of tumor-targeted microbes, which offer great potential for antitumoral potency and selective targeting of cancer cells and act by mechanisms not subject to cross-resistance when combined with standard therapies.
Published January 2000
The series reviews the broad array of stem cell types and stimulate discussion of the controversies and challenges that face the field. The articles suggest that a new conceptual framework is needed for thinking about stem cells and their therapeutic potential.
Published January 2000
Ischemia arises when demands for energy substrates (primarily oxygen and glucose) are not matched by supply. The consequences differ depending on the affected tissue, and the series covers the effects of ischemia in a number of different tissues and organs.
Published January 2000
The series reviews a number of cellular processes that provide cancer drug targets, including angiogenesis, cell cycle and checkpoint control, growth factor signaling, and apoptosis. It also discusses target selection based on genomics and the specific case of the Abl inhibitor Gleevec.
Published December 1999
Articles in the series highlight recent advances pertaining to the accuracy of clinico-pathological diagnoses, genetic risk factors, mechanisms of disease, and therapeutic strategies, and point to areas for future investigations.
Published November 1999