Le Bihan D., Fukuyama H. (Eds.) Water: The Forgotten Biological Molecule

Pan Stanford Publishing, 2011. - 380 p.The book addresses a number of highly topical aspects of a fast-emerging field and emphasizes some important, but yet unclear, roles of water in biological processes, up to brain function. The main objective of this book is to bring together multidisciplinary contributions from leading authorities on the properties and roles of water in cell systems which are otherwise dispersed in the literature and difficult to gather. The authors are drawn from areas of physics, chemistry, biology and physiology, where water plays a central role.
The book focuses on current research and developments in the theoretical and experimental studies of water in biological systems and compounds, such as interaction with hydrophobic or hydrophilic structures, protein and membrane surfaces. It provides insights into the importance of water in cellular processes and physiology and, ultimately, in life, brain function and health.
- Discusses current knowledge and outstanding questions on the importance of water in living systems.
- Features contributions by leading experts in the field from USA, Europe and Asia, with an extensive bibliography for further reading.
- Has a good balance of theoretical and experimental chapters.