From New York Times bestselling author Sam Kean comes incredible stories of science, history, finance, mythology, the arts, medicine, and more, as told by the Periodic Table. Why did Gandhi hate iodine (I, 53)? How did radium (Ra, 88) nearly ruin Marie Curie's reputation? And why is gallium (Ga, 31) the go-to element for laboratory pranksters? The Periodic Table is a crowning scientific achievement, but it's also a treasure trove of adventure, betrayal, and obsession. These fascinating tales follow every element on the table as they play out their parts in human history, and in the lives of the (frequently) mad scientists who discovered them. The Disappearing Spoon masterfully fuses science with the classic lore of invention, investigation, and discovery -- from the Big Bang through the end of time. Though solid at room temperature, gallium is a moldable metal that melts at 84 degrees Fahrenheit. A classic science prank is to mold gallium spoons, serve them with tea, and watch guests recoil as their utensils disappear.

Enzymes are giant macromolecules which catalyse biochemical reactions. They are remarkable in many ways. Their three-dimensional structures are highly complex, yet they are formed by spontaneous folding of a linear polypeptide chain. Their catalytic properties are far more impressive than synthetic catalysts which operate under more extreme conditions. Each enzyme catalyses a single chemical reaction on a particular chemical substrate with very high enantioselectivity and enantiospecificity at rates which approach “catalytic perfection”. Living cells are capable of carrying out a huge repertoire of enzyme-catalysed chemical reactions, some of which have little or no precedent in organic chemistry. The popular textbook Introduction to Enzyme and Coenzyme Chemistry has been thoroughly updated to include information on the most recent advances in our understanding of enzyme action, with additional recent examples from the literature used to illustrate key points. A major new feature is the inclusion of two-colour figures, and the addition of over 40 new figures of the active sites of enzymes discussed in the text, in order to illustrate the interplay between enzyme structure and function. This new edition provides a concise but comprehensive account from the perspective of organic chemistry, what enzymes are, how they work, and how they catalyse many of the major classes of enzymatic reactions, and will continue to prove invaluable to both undergraduate and postgraduate students of organic, bio-organic and medicinal chemistry, chemical biology, biochemistry and biotechnology.

In contrast to the second edition, the third edition of ‘‘Fungi and Food Spoilage’’ is evolutionary rather than revolutionary. The second edition was intended to cover almost all of the species likely to be encountered in mainstream food supplies, and only a few additional species have been included in this new edition. The third edition represents primarily an updating – of taxonomy, physiology, mycotoxin production and ecology. Changes in taxonomy reflect the impact that molecular methods have had on our understanding of classification but, it must be said, have not radically altered the overall picture. The improvements in the understanding of the physiology of food spoilage fungi have been relatively small, reflecting perhaps the lack of emphasis on physiology in modern mic- biological science. Much remains to be understood about the specificity of particular fungi for particular substrates, of the influence of water activity on the growth of many of the species treated, and even on such basic parameters as cardinal temperatures for growth and the influence of pH and preservatives. Since 1997, a great deal has been learnt about the specificity of mycotoxin production and in which commodities and products-specific mycotoxins are likely to occur. Changes in our understanding of the ecology of the included species are also in most cases evolutionary. A great number of papers have been published on the ecology of foodborne fungi in the past few years, but with few exceptions the basic ecology of the included species remains.

"One impressive and compressive book. . . . This review would have to be book size to do full justice to all the insights in this volume." —Journal of Metals Online Fully updated and expanded to reflect recent advances, this Fifth Edition of the classic text provides students and professional chemists with a comprehensive introduction to the principles and general properties of organometallic compounds, as well as including practical information on reaction mechanisms and detailed descriptions of contemporary applications. With increased focus on organic synthesis applications, nanoparticle science, and green chemistry, the Fifth Edition brings this vital resource up to date. New to the Fifth Edition: Chapters have been updated with relevant examples in the field, modern trends, and new applications; the organic applications chapter has been completely rewritten New end-of-chapter problems, along with their solutions Coverage enhanced with developments in nanoparticle science Increased focus on green chemistry An unparalleled pedagogic resource as well as a valuable working reference for professional chemists, with comprehensive coverage and up-to-date information, students and researchers in organic and organometallic chemistry will turn to The Organometallic Chemistry of the Transition Metals, Fifth Edition for the critical information they need on organometallic compounds, their preparation, and their use in synthesis.

Essential Biochemistry, 5th Edition is comprised of biology, pre-med and allied health topics and presents a broad, but not overwhelming, base of biochemical coverage that focuses on the chemistry behind the biology. This revised edition relates the chemical concepts that scaffold the biology of biochemistry, providing practical knowledge as well as many problem-solving opportunities to hone skills. Key Concepts and Concept Review features help students to identify and review important takeaways in each section.

Outlines the extensive history and use since the dawn of civilization of alliums, as well as the understanding of their botany and chemistry.

Making explicit the connections between physical organic chemistry and critical fields such as organometallic chemistry, materials chemistry, bioorganic chemistry and biochemistry, this book escorts the reader into an area that has been thoroughly updated in recent times.

A Q&A Approach to Organic Chemistry is a book of leading questions that begins with atomic orbitals and bonding. All critical topics are covered, including bonding, nomenclature, stereochemistry, conformations, acids and bases, oxidations, reductions, substitution, elimination, acyl addition, acyl substitution, enolate anion reactions, the Diels–Alder reaction and sigmatropic rearrangements, aromatic chemistry, spectroscopy, amino acids and proteins, and carbohydrates and nucleosides. All major reactions are covered. Each chapter includes end-of-chapter homework questions with the answer keys in an Appendix at the end of the book. This book is envisioned to be a supplementary guide to be used with virtually any available undergraduate organic chemistry textbook. This book allows for a "self-guided" approach that is useful as one studies for a coursework exam or as one reviews organic chemistry for postgraduate exams. Key Features: Allows a "self-guided tour" of organic chemistry Discusses all important areas and fundamental reactions of organic chemistry Classroom tested Useful as a study guide that will supplement most organic chemistry textbooks Assists one in study for coursework exams or allows one to review organic chemistry for postgraduate exams Includes 21 chapters of leading questions that covers all major topics and major reactions of organic chemistry

Vaccinology, the concept of a science ranging from the study of immunology to the development and distribution of vaccines, was a word invented by Jonas Salk. This book covers the history of the methodological progress in vaccine development and to the social and ethical issues raised by vaccination. Chapters include "Jenner and the Vaccination against Smallpox," "Viral Vaccines," and "Ethical and Social Aspects of vaccines." Contributing authors include pioneers in the field, such as Samuel L. Katz and Hilary Koprowski. This history of vaccines is relatively short and many of its protagonists are still alive. This book was written by some of the chief actors in the drama whose subject matter is the conquest of epidemic disease.

Sets forth the history, state of the science, and future directions of drug discovery Edited by Jie Jack Li and Nobel laureate E. J. Corey, two leading pioneers in drug discovery and medicinal chemistry, this book synthesizes great moments in history, the current state of the science, and future directions of drug discovery into one expertly written and organized work. Exploring all major therapeutic areas, the book introduces readers to all facets and phases of drug discovery, including target selection, biological testing, drug metabolism, and computer-assisted drug design. Drug Discovery features chapters written by an international team of pharmaceutical and medicinal chemists. Contributions are based on a thorough review of the current literature as well as the authors' firsthand laboratory experience in drug discovery. The book begins with the history of drug discovery, describing groundbreaking moments in the field. Next, it covers such topics as: Target identification and validation Drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics Central nervous system drugs In vitro and in vivo assays Cardiovascular drugs Cancer drugs Each chapter features a case study, helping readers understand how science is put into practice throughout all phases of drug discovery. References at the end of each chapter serve as a gateway to groundbreaking original research studies and reviews in the field. Drug Discovery is ideal for newcomers to medicinal chemistry and drug discovery, providing a comprehensive overview of the field. Veterans in the field will also benefit from the perspectives of leading international experts in all aspects of drug discovery.