1st Edition

Introduction to Instrumentation in Life Sciences

By Prakash S. Bisen, Anjana Sharma Copyright 2013
    384 Pages 225 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    384 Pages
    by CRC Press

    Instrumentation is central to the study of physiology and genetics in living organisms, especially at the molecular level. Numerous techniques have been developed to address this in various biological disciplines, creating a need to understand the physical principles involved in the operation of research instruments and the parameters required in using them. Introduction to Instrumentation in Life Sciences fills this need by addressing different aspects of tools that hold the keys to cutting-edge research and innovative applications, from basic techniques to advanced instrumentation. The text describes all topics so even beginners can easily understand the theoretical and practical aspects.

    Comprehensive chapters encompass well-defined methodology that describes the instruments and their corresponding applications in different scientific fields. The book covers optical and electron microscopy; micrometry, especially in microbial taxonomy; pH meters and oxygen electrodes; chromatography for separation and purification of products from complex mixtures; spectroscopic and spectrophotometric techniques to determine structure and function of biomolecules; preparative and analytical centrifugation; electrophoretic techniques; x-ray microanalysis including crystallography; applications of radioactivity, including autoradiography and radioimmunoassays; and fermentation technology and subsequent separation of products of interest.

    The book is designed to serve a wide range of students and researchers in diversified fields of life sciences: pharmacy, biotechnology, microbiology, biochemistry, and environmental sciences. It introduces different aspects of basic experimental methods and instrumentation. The book is unique in its broad subject coverage, incorporating fundamental techniques as well as applications of modern molecular and proteomic tools that are the basis for state-of-the-art research. The text emphasizes techniques encountered both in practical classes and in high-throughput environments used in modern industry. As a further aid to students, the authors provide well-illustrated diagrams to explain the principles and theories behind the instruments described.

    Microscopy
    Introduction
    Magnification, Resolution, and Contrast
    Light (Bright Field) Microscopy
    Dark Field Microscope
    Phase Contrast Microscope
    Interference Microscope
    UV and Fluorescence Microscopes
    Electron Microscopy
    Tunneling Electron Microscopy
    Confocal Microscopy
    Techniques in Microscopy
    Electron Microscopy
    Suggested Readings
    Important Links

    Micrometry
    Introduction
    Structure of an Ocular Micrometer
    Conjugate Image-Forming Focal Planes
    Eyepiece Designs
    Stage Micrometer
    Filar Eyepiece Micrometer
    Principle of Filar Eyepiece Micrometer
    Working
    Suggested Reading
    Important Links

    Electrochemical Techniques
    Introduction
    Structure of a pH Meter
    Principles
    Factors Limiting the Accuracy of pH Measurements
    Measurement of pH
    Working
    Procedure for Measuring pH Using a pH Meter
    Cleaning and Troubleshooting of Glass Probes
    Application of pH Measurements
    Oxygen Electrode
    Suggested Readings
    Important Links

    Chromatography
    Introduction
    General Principles
    Column Chromatography
    Paper Chromatography and Thin-Layer Chromatography
    Sample Collection, Preservation, and Preparation
    Adsorption Chromatography
    Partition Chromatography
    High-Performance Liquid Chromatography
    Fast Protein Liquid Chromatography
    Gas–Liquid Chromatography
    Ion-Exchange Chromatography
    Exclusion Chromatography
    Affinity Chromatography
    Suggested Readings
    Important Links

    Spectroscopy
    Introduction
    UV–Visible Spectroscopy
    IR (Vibrational) Spectroscopy
    Flame/Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy
    Fluorescence Spectroscopy
    ESR Spectroscopy
    NMR Spectroscopy
    MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry
    Circular Dichroism (CD) Spectroscopy
    Suggested Readings
    Important Links

    Centrifugation
    Introduction
    Principle of Centrifugation
    Types of Centrifuges
    Types of Centrifugal Separations
    Rotor Categories
    Selection of Centrifuge Tubes
    Common Centrifugation Vocabulary and Formulas
    Analytical Ultracentrifuge
    Suggested Reading
    Important Links

    Electrophoresis
    Introduction
    Principles of GE
    Working with the Electrophoresis Apparatus
    Denaturing Gradient GE
    Temperature Gradient GE
    Pulsed-Field GE
    Capillary Electrophoresis
    Suggested Readings
    Important Links

    X-Ray Microanalysis
    Introduction
    Principles
    Instrumentation
    Applications of X-Ray Microanalysis
    Techniques for the Analysis of Secondary, Tertiary, and Quaternary Proteins by X-Ray Crystallography
    Suggested Readings
    Important Link

    Techniques with Radioisotopes
    Introduction
    Isotopes and Radioactivity
    Ionization Effects
    Measurement Units
    Measurement Techniques
    Autoradiography
    Counting Statistics
    Biological Uses of Radioisotopes
    Tracer Dilution Technique
    Radioimmunoassay
    Miscellaneous Uses of Radioisotopes
    Radioisotope Production
    Most Widely Used Radioisotopes
    Suggested Reading
    Important Links

    Fermentation
    Introduction
    History
    Principles of Fermentation
    Introduction to Microorganisms
    Types of Fermentation Metabolism
    Fermentation Process
    Types of Fermentation
    Types of Fermentors
    Sterilization in Fermentation
    Product Recovery
    Suggested Readings
    Important Links

    Conductivity Meter
    Introduction
    Principles
    Common Definitions
    Conductivity Meter
    Conductivity Cells
    Factors Influencing the Measurement
    Measuring Techniques
    Reliable Measurements
    Maintenance and Storage
    Applications
    Suggested Readings
    Important Links

    Glossary

    Index

    Biography

    Prakash Singh Bisen, Anjana Sharma

    "The proposed book is an excellent one for use of students, research scholars and teachers of life sciences, biotechnology, biochemistry, biophysics and other related disciplines where such books exclusively dedicated for life sciences are not available."
    —Prof. Sukh Mahendra Singh, Coordinator, School of Biotechnology, Banaras Hindu University, India

    "A comprehensive text book on instrumentation methods which covers all major topics including practical exercises representing the syllabi of various postgraduate and undergraduate programmes in life sciences."
    —Prof. Vinay Sharma, Prof. & Head, Dept of Bioscience & Biotechnology, Banasthali University, India

    "I find that the book should be much useful for undergraduate (bachelors degree) and graduate (masters degree) students. Very good book, properly arranged topics, will certainly be useful for the audience."
    —Anil Kumar, Ph.D., Professor and Head (Chair), School of Biotechnology, Devi Ahilya University, India