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Messen in der Biotechnologie. 1985, 115 pp., DM45.00.
H. Btihler. Dr. Alfred Hiithig Verlag, Heidelberg,
The book “Messen in der Biotechnologie” was written by Hans Biihler with the intention of giving much informations with a high degree of clearness on measurements and sensors in biotechnology. Regarding the alphabetically classified summary of methods, principles and technical realizations enabling a fast consultation, the result can be regarded successful. A short representation, restricted to vital points, as well as the handy size are essential suppositions for the use by students, engineers and scientists interested in the technical equipment of bioreactors. However, in the case of an intensive study with a special method a consultation of more detailed secondary literature is necessary. The papers quoted at the end of every section are helpful in this connection, although some of them are older than 10 years. In a future edition it would be useful to add more information on the accuracy of the methods, for example, in the sections E2 (enzyme electrodes), Fl (fluorimetry), Sl (salt concentration), or T2 (light scattering), respectively For graphical representations on the errors of measuring points, see, e.g., Figs. BlA or P2A. Furthermore, as additional techniques for biomass determination, dielectric methods should be added (section Bl). All in all, the present compendium is a helpful and very well prepared summary of techniques for measurements of process parameters in biotechnology which can be recommended to everybody working in this field. U. KATENKAMP Jena
Biomolecular Stereodynamics, Vols. 3 and 4. R.H. Sarma and M.H. Sarma (Editors). Adenine Press, Guilderland, New York, 1986, ISBN O-940030-14-4, 306 pp., US$75.00 (Vol. 3), 324 pp., US$83.00 (Vol. 4). These two volumes contain the proceedings of the Fourth Conversation in Biomolecular Stereodynamics, held at the State University of New York at Albany, June 4-8, 1985. They constitute essentially the invited presentations with a total of 38 articles. Each volume is complemented by a subject index. Among the biomolecules investigated, the nucleic acids rank first. Volume 4 is devoted exclusively to the structure and dynamics of nucleic acids. Volume 3 deals with DNA-protein and DNA-drug interactions (9 articles), but also with protein conformation and self-assembly of supramolecular structures (6 articles). Other topics represented by one article each are: water-hydronium interaction, hydration sites of urea, gelation of agarose sols, and computer graphics. The reader of Vol. 3 is confronted with very different research fields, among them DNA-protein recognition as one of the fundamental processes of life,