Radioactive Tracers In Biology

Radioactive Tracers in Biology: An Introduction to Trace Methodology, Second Edition focuses on the biochemical and physiological aspects of tracer research, including medical applications of tracer techniques, radioactivity, radiation hazards, and radioactive isotopes. The book first offers information on atomic nuclei, radioactivity, and the production of radioactive isotopes and radiation characteristics of tracer atoms. Discussions focus on nuclear reactions, neutron-induced and deuteron-induced transmutations, properties of atomic nuclei, and target techniques and radiochemistry. The manuscript also ponders on the procedures for radioactive assay and radiation hazards. The text examines the biochemical, medical, and physiological applications of tracer methodology. The manuscript also takes a look at radioactive hydrogen, short-lived and long-lived radioactive carbon, radioactive phosphorus and sulfur, and alkali metal and alkaline earth tracers. Topics include synthesis of organic intermediates for tracer carbon studies; biosynthesis of labeled carbon compounds; and general survey of alkali metal tracers. The publication is a dependable reference for readers interested in radioactive tracers.

"The book entitled Radio Tracer Techniques for Agriculturists and Biologist narrates the fundamentals and principles behind radio tracer techniques. Its application in agriculture and biological sciences and also the instrumentation and laboratory set up with safety aspects required to be followed while working with radio active substances. This is a comprehensive collection useful to all concerned with radio tracers."

Isotopic Tracers in Biology: An Introduction to Tracer Methodology, Third Edition focuses on stable isotopes, structures, composition, and reactions of nitrogen and oxygen, and radioactive tracers. The book first takes a look at atomic nuclei, radioactivity, and the production of radioactive isotopes and radiation characteristics of tracer atoms. Topics include nuclear reactions, general properties of nuclei, radioactivity, target techniques and radiochemistry, and beta and gamma radiations. The text also discusses isotopic assay, radiation hazards, procedures related with sample preparation for radioactive assay, and combustion of labeled materials. The manuscript examines the biochemical, physiological, and medical aspects of tracer methodology, as well as biochemical applications, value of tracer methods for biology, intermediary metabolism, and applications to clinical research. The text also ponders on the isotopes of hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur. Concerns include assay of deuterium and tritium, short-lived and heavy stable carbon, and oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus isotopes. The publication is a dependable reference for readers interested in isotopic tracers.

Provides an introduction to the use of radioactivity in the bioscience laboratory. The text covers general aspects of radioactivity, methods for the detection of radioactivity, radioisotope protocols used to study key cellular processes, and a summary of legislative requirements in the US and European Union. Guidance on safe handling and detailed recipes are provided.

This book serves as a practical guide and a manual on the application of isotopic tracers in understanding the cellular processes (e.g. molecular interactions, protein synthesis) in growth, development, and disease conditions. The techniques described in the book have been carefully chosen to underscore the role and relevance of isotopic tracers in the identification of molecular targets and mechanisms, and preclinical validation of potential therapeutics. This book is intended to be a valuable resource to non-experts that may include students, researchers, educators/teachers, and others who have an interest to understand the application of isotopic tracers in research. Each chapter includes a background, an outline of the method and underlying principles, and a detailed step-wise protocol. To augment the clarity and intellectual grasp, the chapters also include relevant illustrations and study questions. More importantly, the book covers techniques involving radioactive as well as non-radioactive tracers to expand the scope of isotopes in preclinical research including basic and applied science.