Progress In Biological Chirality

Following on from Advances in BioChirality, Progress in Biological Chirality provides a unique summary and review of the most recent developments in the field of biochirality. Living organisms use only one enantiomer of chiral molecules in the majority of biologically important processes. The exact origin and mechanisms for this surprising selectivity are not yet known. This book discusses current research aimed at identifying the scientific reasons that may contribute to this phenomenon. Progress in Biological Chirality takes an interdisciplinary approach to this exciting field, covering a wide range of topics, such as, theory, palaeontology and food technology, to name but a few. This book presents findings via a broad spectrum of scientific approaches making it an excellent overview of Biological Chirality, suitable for postgraduate students, practitioners and researchers in the field of chemistry, biochemistry, biology, palaeontology, and food science with an interest in Chirality. This book contains 32 chapters written by Authors, who are leading authorities in the field Presents the most recent research taking place in this highly challenging field Contains both reference material for the specialist and provides an overview for those who are interested in the fundamental problems of biology and chemistry

Chirality is a fundamental, persistent, but often overlooked feature of all living organisms on the molecular level as well as on the macroscopic scale. The high degree of preference for only one of two possible mirror image forms in Nature, often called biological homochirality is a puzzling, and not yet fully understood, phenomenon. This book covers biological homochirality from an interdisciplinary approach - contributions range from synthetic chemists, theoretical topologists and physicists, from palaeontologists and biologists to space scientists and representatives of the pharmaceutical and materials industries. Topics covered include - theory of biochirality, origins of biochirality, autocatalysis with amplification of chirality, macroscopic (present) biochirality, fossil records of chiral organisms - paleochirality, extraterrestrial origin of chirality, exceptions to the rule of biological homochirality, D-amino acids, chemical transfer of chirality, PV effects, and polarised radiation chemistry.

Biological Chirality describes this occurrence, its history, and early research around the topic. The work covers analytical methods for observing the phenomenon, providing current techniques and practice and discussing the asymmetric morphology of certain living organisms, such as the position of the heart and liver in humans and the exceptions to biological homochirality seen in D-Amino Acids. In addition, it explores the requirement of enantioselectivity prepared pharmaceuticals to address enantioselectivities biomolecules, a major challenge in today's organic chemistry. Finally, the work considers the possible origin of biological homochirality, as well as the outlook for future research in this area. Describes the history of biological chirality research, its possible origins, and future exploration areas Discusses asymmetric exceptions in morphology and D-Amino Acids Explores the critical implications of enantioselective biomolecules for preparative organic chemistry with a goal of developing effective pharmaceuticals

An integrated view of chiral drugs from concept and synthesisto pharmaceutical properties Chirality greatly influences a drug's biological and pharmacological properties. In an effort to achieve more predictable results from chiral drugs, the Food and Drug Administration now requires that these medicines be as pure as possible, which places great demands on drug synthesis, purification, analysis, and testing. To assist researchers in acquiring the essential knowledge to meet these rigid guidelines, Chiral Drugs focuses on three vital chiral technologies asymmetric synthesis, biocatalytic process, and chiral resolution to offer details on the basic concepts, key developments, and recent trends in chiral drug discovery, along with: The history of chiral drugs development and industrial applications of chiral technologies A section listing twenty-five approved or advanced-trial chiral drugs that lists each drug name, chemical name and properties, a representative synthetic pathway, pharmacological characterizations, and references An interdisciplinary approach combining synthetic organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and pharmacology Nearly two-thirds of the drugs on today's market are chiral drugs. Reducing and eliminating their negative characteristics is an ongoing and serious challenge for the pharmaceutical industry. With its well-balanced approach to covering each important aspect of chirality, Chiral Drugs champions important strategies for tipping the medical scale in a positive direction for the production of more effective and safer drugs.

Chirality is a concept related not only to organic chemistry but also to each field of natural science. Awareness of hierarchy is important for universal and comprehensive understanding. As such, this book examines myriad subjects related to chirality in chemistry and interdisciplinary applications. In contrast to the previous book, this new book about chirality includes contributions from authors in many fields of natural science, providing a wider overview. The book’s focus is chirality and organic chemistry, including synthesis and reactions.

Edited by two of the leading researchers in the field, this book provides a deep, interdisciplinary insight into stoichiometric and catalytic reactions in this continuously expanding area. A plethora of top German scientists with an international reputation covers various aspects, from classical organic chemistry to process development, and from the theoretical background to biological methods using enzymes. Throughout the focus is on the development of new synthetic methods in asymmetric synthesis, the synthesis of natural and bioactive compounds and the latest developments in both chemical and biological methods of catalysis, as well as the investigation of special technical and biotechnical aspects.

Reporting on the latest advances in molecular asymmetry, it explores the development of stereochemical analysis and its applications to the biosciences. Applications to pharmacology and therapeutics, food and beverage chemistry, the study of pesticides and other zenobiotics are also covered. Chapters examine the molecular principles of chiral recognition and biological selectivity and discuss stereoselectivity in drug action and metabolism. Some of the specific issues covered include: gas and liquid chromatography of enantiomers on chiral stationary phases; stereochemical assays of chiral drugs; pyrethroid isomers; configurational modification of peptide hormones; chiral fruit flavors; and human pharmacokinetics of enantiomers administered as racemates.

This book provides an interdisciplinary review of one of the great unsolved mysteries that has fascinated scientists for over 150 years: the origin of chirality in biomolecules. Current advances in fields as diverse as space exploration, prebiotic chemistry and high-energy physics may help to provide an answer. Important pieces of information will come from observations at the two frontiers of science: outer space and the subatomic world. Observation of distant planets, galaxies, and even actual sampling of celestial objects from beyond the solar system are projects currently underway. At the other end of the spectrum, there are experiments that study the elemental properties of matter, such as symmetry, and interactions with the fundamental forces. Completely revised and updated this new edition once again unifies all the theories of the origin of biomolecular homochirality together in a single source. This complete, interdisciplinary review of an intriguing subject condenses a large and disparate range of contributions from journals in almost every scientific field. The various theories have been organized, interrelated and explained in a unified way. It is fundamental, comprehensive and structured to be accessible for educational purposes.

This book presents the fascinating formation of the first simple bioorganic molecules and describes the hidden aspects of chiral compounds, which raise questions on the molecular beginnings of life. The occurrences of extraterrestrial, non-standard amino acids in meteorites are dealt with in detail, as well as their subsequent transfer to proteinogenic amino acids. The concept of asymmetric organo-catalysis for the synthesis of carbohydrates and ribonucleosides are considered. The notion of a single amino acid that functions as an enzyme is developed. Attempts to simulate ancient world scenarios are critically reviewed. There is a special focus on ribozymes and the resulting RNA world. Combinations of different world scenarios are discussed in view of an on-going evolution. The currently most plausible hypotheses and visions of ancient world scenarios that led to today’s DNA world are also provided. Included is a pre-cellular world of viruses that is presented for the first time.

Covering every essential element in the development of chiral products, this reference provides a solid overview of the formulation, biopharmaceutical characteristics, and regulatory issues impacting the production of these pharmaceuticals. It supports researchers as they evaluate the pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic, and toxicological characteristics of specific enantiomers and chiral drug compounds and addresses in one convenient reference all the major challenges pertaining to drug chirality that have been neglected in the literature. Chirality in Drug Design and Development collects the latest studies from an interdisciplinary team of experts on chiral drug design.