Edited by
D. LeRoith, Diabetes Branch, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
Description
Historically the field of endocrine research has always been at the forefront of scientific endeavors. The investigators of these important
breakthroughs in research have been rewarded by numerous Nobel awards. In the field of diabetes alone, Nobel prizes have been awarded
to researchers who discovered insulin, characterized the protein and invented radioimmunoassays using insulin as a paradigm. Not surprisingly,
biomedical researchers have always been attracted by the endocrine system and other similar systems of intercellular communication.
Over
the past two decades, endocrine research has developed rapidly and adapted modern molecular and cellular biology techniques for its specific
use. These changes have allowed researchers in the field to maintain their edge. Thus, endocrine disease-related genes have been characterized
and mutations in these genes have helped explain common and
less common endocrine disorders. Our understanding of the regulation of
gene expression has been greatly enhanced by molecular techniques.
In an attempt to bring investigators up to date with the recent
advances in this exploding field we have decided to publish a series entitled Advances in Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology. Internationally
famous investigators have agreed to participate and their contributions are appreciated.
Volume 1 has focused on aspects of the hypothalamic-pituitary
axis including GnRH and GH gene regulation, molecular aspects of insulin, insulin-like growth factors and glucagon. In addition, reviews
on the recently cloned calcium receptor and steroid receptor interactions with DNA are presented.
Included in series
Advances in Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology
