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## IntechOpen Book Series Biochemistry Volume 23

Rama Sashank Madhurapantula is a research assistant professor in the Biology Department, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago. His current research involves developing microscopy techniques to establish macroscopic stress vs strain relations in body tissues that present mixed-tissue compositions, in conjunction with X-ray diffraction scanning techniques to establish tissue composition. His doctoral work was in understanding molecular changes to col-

lagens with diseases and changes in fibrous structures such as myelin. In recognition of scientific endeavors and achievements, Dr. Madhurapantula was elected as chair to the Fiber Diffraction Special Interest Group of the American Crystallographic Association in 2020 and awarded the Margaret C. Etter Student Lecturer award in 2014.

Professor Joseph Orgel is a British American scientist based at the Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech), Chicago, with appointments in biology and biomedical engineering. His research explores fundamental structural biochemistry underlying disease and possible treatments. Using novel techniques, Dr. Orgel and his group have been able to visualize the molecular organization of connective and neurological tissues at nanometer

(or better) resolution. He leads investigations of diseases such as Alzheimer's, traumatic brain injury, heart disease, and arthritis in collaboration with the US Army. An awardee of the NSF CAREER award, he has been Biochemistry Section Editor of PLOS ONE since 2008. In early 2021, he was named Vice Provost for Academic Affairs at Illinois Tech.

Dr. Zvi Loewy is a senior academic leader and an experienced global pharmaceutical–biotechnology executive. He leverages a diversified background in big-pharma senior management, biotech startup creation, and academia. Dr. Loewy has served as a board member of the New Jersey Bioscience Center Incubator since 2010. From 2005 to 2020 he was a board member of the Jerusalem College of Technology. His international experience has

included leading international research teams; championing the penetration and commercial launch of healthcare products worldwide; and leading open innovation in the Mideast. Dr. Loewy received his BA from Yeshiva University, New York, his MS from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, New York, and his Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York. He has more than twenty-five issued patents to his credit.

**Editors of Volume 23: Rama Sashank Madhurapantula** Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, USA **Joseph Orgel P.R.O.** Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, USA

**Zvi Loewy** New York Medical College, USA

**Book Series Editor: Miroslav Blumenberg**

NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, USA

### Scope of the Series

Biochemistry, the study of chemical transformations occurring within living organisms, impacts all of the life sciences, from molecular crystallography and genetics, to ecology, medicine and population biology. Biochemistry studies macromolecules - proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates and lipids –their building blocks, structures, functions and interactions. Much of biochemistry is devoted to enzymes, proteins that catalyze chemical reactions, enzyme structures, mechanisms of action and their roles within cells. Biochemistry also studies small signaling molecules, coenzymes, inhibitors, vitamins and hormones, which play roles in the life process. Biochemical experimentation, besides coopting the methods of classical chemistry, e.g., chromatography, adopted new techniques, e.g., X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, NMR, radioisotopes, and developed sophisticated microbial genetic tools, e.g., auxotroph mutants and their revertants, fermentation, etc. More recently, biochemistry embraced the 'big data' omics systems.

Initial biochemical studies have been exclusively analytic: dissecting, purifying and examining individual components of a biological system; in exemplary words of Efraim Racker, (1913 –1991) "Don't waste clean thinking on dirty enzymes." Today, however, biochemistry is becoming more agglomerative and comprehensive, setting out to integrate and describe fully a particular biological system. The 'big data' metabolomics can define the complement of small molecules, e.g., in a soil or biofilm sample; proteomics can distinguish all the proteins comprising e.g., serum; metagenomics can identify all the genes in a complex environment e.g., the bovine rumen. This Biochemistry Series will address both the current research on biomolecules, and the emerging trends with great promise.

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