Supramolecular Structure and Function 7

This volume contains the proceedings of the 7th International Summer School on Biophysics: Supramolecular Structure and Function, held September 14-26, 2000, in Rovinj, Croatia. An enormous amount of knowledge on the molecular basis of biological phenomena has emerged in the rapidly expanding field of biophysics. The principles and methods of modern biophysics provide a strong foundation for all of the biosciences, and serve as a rational common language for scientists from various disciplines. The series of books on "Supramolecular Structure and Function" was inspired by the International Summer School on Biophysics, established under the sponsorship of IUPAB, UNESCO, and ICGEB, held in Rovinj, in 2001, and follows the successful interdisciplinary approach. This volume covers some powerful methods, such as analytical centrifugation, mass spectrometry, fluorescence spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, electron spin resonance and nuclear magnetic resonance, for the study of complex biological structures, and discusses useful physical concepts as applied to biological and biochemical systems. Case-orientated studies concentrating on particular methodologies are presented and examples are given, addressing some of the most important aspects of structure-function relationship in biological assemblies. Biophysics collaborates closely with molecular biology and bioinformatics as well as with neurosciences, and this is also demonstrated in this book.