RSC Books Blog

Nucleic acids have numerous biological functions and have been exploited as diagnostic tools, drug molecules, biosensors and nanostructures.  The properties and function can be further enhanced by adding conjugates such as fluorophores, small molecular and enzymes.  These attachments help to promote recognition properties, stabilise against degradation and facilitate detection.

DNA Conjugates and Sensors, recently published in the RSC Biomolecular Sciences series and edited by Keith Fox and Tom Brown describes these useful tools that have been used for disease identification and treatment and forensic applications. 

Written by leaders in the field and describing the preparation, properties and applications of DNA conjugates, this book will be of interest to a wide variety of researchers, including those working in analytical chemistry, chemical biology, medicinal chemistry, molecular pharmacology, structural and molecular biology.

Learn more about DNA conjugates here.

A good understanding of the organic chemistry of drug degradation is essential when considering the stability, efficacy and safety of a drug product.  A poor understanding of these mechanisms could result in an ineffective drug and could affect the shelf life of the product.

Organic Chemistry of Drug Degradation authored by Min Li is the latest book to be published in the RSC Drug Discovery Series.  Written by an expert in the field with firsthand experience of drug design and development, the book discusses degradation pathways and mechanisms, regulatory requirements and guidelines.

Complemented by drug degradation case studies, this book will provide an invaluable resource for medicinal chemists, pharmaceutical and analytical scientists working in both academia and industry.

Learn more about degradation here.

The most recently published student guide from RSC books is Research Project Success: The Essential Guide for Science and Engineering Students. Aimed at all students about to begin a project, whether undergraduate or postgraduate, this book introduces the core components common to the majority of projects within physical, engineering or life sciences and provides guidance and tips on how to overcome difficulties and achieve project success.

From initial steps in choosing, researching and beginning a project, through to constructing a dissertation and producing posters and oral presentations, this guide will assist students from start to finish, allowing them to dip in and out when necessary, particularly in those daunting “how to?” and “what if?” moments.

Using case studies and examples to highlight the relevance of the processes outlined, and written in an engaging and often humorous manner, Research Project Success will provide an essential straight-to-the-point reference guide for any project student.

Use the right formula for a winning project.

The incidence of Type 2 diabetes is increasing globally at a dramatic rate.  Sufferers are twice as likely to develop cardiovascular disease or have a stroke, and the long term health complications can be serious and debilitating. 

The cost of managing and treating this disease and its many complications are staggering and many of the currently approved therapies are inadequate, resulting in unmet needs and insufficient treatment.

Providing an overview of the most recent advances in small molecule discovery, New Therapeutic Strategies for Type 2 Diabetes, edited by Robert M Jones and published in the RSC Drug Discovery series, will enable readers to understand the trials and tribulations of developing new oral medications aimed at the treatment of this global epidemic.

Each chapter is written by a recognised expert and explains the biological mechanism underpinning each of the medicinal chemistry strategies highlighted.  New Therapeutic Strategies for Type 2 Diabetes will provide both biologists and medicinal chemists with a key text on this important medicinal and economic issue.

Find out how chemists are tackling this global killer here.

Pharmaceutical scientists have long been inspired by natural products in their quest for novel therapeutic agents, and many effective treatments are sourced from natural products.  The most recently published title in the Drug Discovery Series, Drug Discovery from Natural Products edited by Olga Genilloud and Francisca Vicente, reviews the recent trends in this area and describes some of the leading candidates being used as a starting point in novel drug development. 

The book begins by describing the recent approaches to exploiting the potential of microbial resources and goes on to explain the biosynthetic tools that have led to drug discovery from natural products. The detailed descriptions of the multiple stages of modern drug development are complemented by case studies presented by leading experts from academia and industry to give a unique commentary on the current state-of-the-art knowledge in natural product chemistry.

Benefitting from the editors and authors extensive experience in natural product drug discovery, microbiologists, medicinal chemists, pharmacologists and researchers based in academia and industry will find this an invaluable tool to understanding the impact of natural products on drug discovery techniques.

Learn more about natural products here.