Book description
This book is a comprehensive study of the subject of ionic interactions
in macromolecules. The first parts of the book review and analyze the
conventional treatments of fixed charges (e. g. in polyelectrolytes and
polyampholytes), including screening and condensation by mobile ions.
The interaction of ions with less polar sites on the macromolecule (e.
g. amide bonds), and the origin of the lyotropic effects (focusing on
binding versus condensation) will also be extensively addressed.
The book also explores complex micellar organizations involving
charged macromolecules (e. g. DNA) and low-molecular-weight ampholytes
and strong protein associations. The resulting structures are relevant
to a variety of functional biological systems and synthetic analogs.
The contribution of electrostatic and hydrophobic interaction to the
stability of proteins and other supramolecular structures will also be
analyzed. There are chapters on applications such as deionization and
cosmetic formulation.
This 21-chapter book is divided into three sections:
- Fundamentals
- Mixed Interactions
- Functions and Applications
Alberto Ciferri is currently a Visiting Professor at Duke University,
an Associate at the National Research Council (ISMAC), and President
of the Jepa-Limmat Foundation, which is devoted to advanced education
in developing countries. His research has had significant impact in
the areas of the rheological properties of natural and synthetic
polymers, fibrous proteins, interactions between salts and
macromolecules, liquid crystals, and supramolecular assemblies.
Angelo Perico is Research Director at the National Research Council,
associated with the Institute for Macromolecular Studies, in Genoa,
Italy. Dr. Perico's research is related to theory and modeling of
synthetic and biological macromolecules and their dynamics, assembly,
and functions, particularly the interactions among oppositely and
similarly charged polyelectrolytes and on the electrostatic effects
that promote the formation of complex biomolecular structures.
