Shedding light on photosynthesis reactions

It has been 100 years, almost to the day, since Italian Chemist Giacomo Luigi Ciamician first proposed harnessing the sun’s power to produce energy.  Writing in Science, Ciamician stated “And if in a distant future the supply of coal becomes completely exhausted, civilization will not be checked by that, for life and civilization will continue as long as the sun shines!”.  With these words in mind, we have selected Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer: A Carrefour of Chemical Reactivity edited by Sebastiao Formosinho and Monica Barroso as the October book of the month. 

Amongst other topics, this fascinating book discusses both natural and artificial photosynthesis and highlights the importance of proton-coupled electron transfer in biological systems, in particularly for bioenergetic conversion. 

The book gives a good insight into current research on a vibrant topic. It is to be expected that it will be the first in a long upcoming list of publications, given the importance of PCET processes such as the activation of water, production of H2, reduction of CO2, and reduction of N2.”  Reviewed in Angewandte Chemie International Edition.

Using personal accounts of experimental examples this book will provide a unique insight into the current understanding of this important reaction type.

Let the sun shine on your reactions.

Interested in other books on catalysis? Read more in the RSC Catalysis Series.

You may also be interested in the latest themed issue of Energy & Environmental Science on ‘Proton-coupled electron transfer’ .

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Want your project to stand out from the crowd? Let us offer the formula for success

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.

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Stepping up to the challenge of Type 2 Diabetes

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.

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Architecture at the Nanoscale

Materials with defined functional structures are needed for many applications such as catalysis, solar cells and drug delivery, however, to be able to produce the correct architecture an understanding of the concepts and methods is required.

‘Nanoarchitectonics’ was introduced by Masakazu Aono, Research Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics, National Institute for Materials Science, Japan and describes the organisation of nanostructured units into a specific arrangement to produce a specific function.

In Manipulation of Nanoscale Materials, Katsuhiko Ariga introduces this concept, covering nanoarchitectonics for materials development, bio-conjugates and bio-applications, and advanced devices. The first book in its field, this is essential reading for anyone interested in nanomaterials research.

Build up your knowledge – read the book today!

Interested in other books on nanomaterials? Read more in the RSC Nanoscience & Nanotechnology Series.

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How do you find out the structure of a protein?

The last decade has resulted in many exciting developments in NMR spectroscopy techniques and methods. NMR spectroscopy is a highly versatile and widely used method in biomolecular science, particularly for the structural elucidation of nucleic acids, proteins and carbohydrates. 

The most recent title in the RSC Biomolecular Sciences series, Recent Developments in Biomolecular NMR edited by Marius Clore and Jennifer Potts, will cover these important and exciting developments in NMR, with a particular influence on their impact on biomolecular science. 

Covering all the major advances, and edited by leading spectroscopists, the book will form an essential text for researchers in both industry and academia.

Learn more about the impact of NMR here.

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Discovering drugs comes naturally

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.

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Bringing Photofunctional Materials to Light

Photofunctional materials hold great promise for energy and optoelectronic/photonic applications. To design useful materials with specific functional roles we need to understand the different methods of synthesis available.

In this timely book, Molecular Design and Applications of Photofunctional Polymers and Materials, leading experts in the field provide a critical perspective of the current field, with emphasis on fundamental concepts and current uses.

Shed light on the subject – access the content now.

Interested in polymer research? Find further books in the RSC Polymer Chemistry Series.

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Spilling the beans…

Beans, lentils and peas are recognised as pulses and, like cereals, are widely acknowledged as a globally important food due to their dietary and economic significance. Cultivated throughout the world the processing of this food stuff is amongst the most oldest and most important in food science.

Pulse Chemistry and Technology, written by Brijesh Tiwari and Narpinder Singh, is the first book dedicated solely to the area of pulse processing and chemistry. Serving as a comprehensive guide, the book describes the importance of pulses, the trends in consumption and production and details the physical and chemical characteristics of their constituents and how these can be effectively utilised.

Providing an up-to-date insight into pulse science, processing and technology, the book will serve as an invaluable comprehensive guide for undergraduate and postgraduate students, academic and industry experts working in all areas of grain processing.

Enjoy the revelations here.

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RSC Book Author Wins Award

Congratulations to RSC Book Author, Dr Eric Block, State University of New York at Albany, on receiving the Sterling Hendricks Memorial Lectureship Award sponsored by USDA-Agricultural Research Service and co-Sponsored by AGFD and AGRO Divisions of the American Chemical Society.
 
Dr Block’s book, Garlic and Other Alliums, provides an entertaining account of the history and uses of these plants whilst introducing the reader to the chemistry and biochemistry.

“What do garlic and onions have in common with gunpowder? A lot. They’re incendiary. They can do harm and they delight. Sulfur is central to their powers. And they helped inspire the work of a chemist who has just published a welcome treatise on the smelly yet indispensable allium family. Dr. Block’s book may be the definitive word on the alliums for the moment, but as it and he make clear, there are new flavors to look forward to.” Reviewed in The New York Times

“Both entertaining, and at the same time a challenging read, there is a lot of valuable information in this book. My hat is off to Eric for the amazing contribution to the world’s collection of allium science.” Reviewed in The Garlic Press

Want to know more? Get your copy of Garlic and Other Alliums today.

Mad for Garlic? Dr Block will also be talking about the hidden world in a clove of garlic at the upcoming Toronto Garlic Festival, October 13-14 2012.

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The Chemistry of Autumn Colours

As the leaves start to change colour here in the UK, we’ve selected a book that helps us understand more about chromophores, the part of a molecule which gives it colour.
 
Circular Dichroism and Magnetic Circular Dichroism Spectroscopy are techniques that provide details about the conformations and electronic states of chromophore containing molecules. The technique isn’t widely employed due to the inaccessible theory underlying the method. Most books on the subject focus on the mathematical theory, which are aimed at physical chemists and physicists.

September’s book of the month, Circular Dichroism and Magnetic Circular Dichroism Spectroscopy for Organic Chemists, is written by researchers actively using these techniques for other researchers wanting to incorporate the method into their work with specific emphasis on interpreting the spectral data.

Put the colour back into your research – access the content now!

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