Books

Fluorescence methods are being used increasingly in biochemical, medical, and chemical research. An introduction to the fundamental aspects of fluorescence spectroscopy, this volume fills the need for a basic text and reference source on the subject. The volume discusses all basic phenomena and their various biochemical applications. The presentation is kept as simple as practicable, and wherever extensive equations are used, a good deal of text is included to explain the origin and meaning of each expression.

Each chapter begins with the theoretical basis of each phenomenon of fluorescence, followed by examples that illustrate the use of the phenomenon in the study of biochemical problems. The volume contains a wealth of figures to help the neophyte grasp the concepts more easily. Separate chapters are devoted to fluorescence polarization, lifetimes, quenching, energy transfer, solvent effects, protein fluorescence, and excited state reactions. To enhance the usefulness of this work as a textbook, problems are included that illustrate the concepts described in each chapter. An additional chapter is devoted to the instrumentation used in fluorescence spectrometry-an especially valuable feature for those performing or contemplating fluorescence measurements. The volumes includes extensive references to the primary literature of fluorescence spectroscopy that will be useful for those who need to go on to more advanced study.

A lucid presentation of a methodology used extensively in biochemical, chemical, and medical research, Principles of Fluorescence Spectroscopy will be of interest to students and professionals in the fields of biophysics, biochemistry, analytical chemistry as well as in applied spectroscopy, molecular biology, and immunobiology.

Third Edition (2006 Springer Science now is available!

Fluorescence spectroscopy and its applications to the physical and life sciences have evolved rapidly during the past decade. The increased interest in fluorescence appears to be due to advances in time resolution, methods of data analysis, and improved instrumentation. With these advances, it is now practical to perform time-resolved measurements with enough resolution to compare the results with the structural and dynamic features of macromolecules, to probe the structure of proteins, membranes, and nucleic acids, and to acquire two-dimensional microscopic images of chemical or protein distributions in cell cultures. Advances in laser and detector technology have also resulted in renewed interest in fluorescence for clinical and analytical chemistry.

Because of these numerous developments and the rapid appearance of new methods, it has become difficult to remain current on the science of fluorescence and its many applications. Consequently, I have asked the experts in particular areas of fluorescence to summarize their knowledge and the current state of the art. This has resulted in the initial two volumes of Topics in Fluorescence Spectroscopy, which is intended to be an ongoing series which summarizes, in one location, the vast literature on fluorescence spectroscopy.

The first three volumes are designed to serve as an advanced text. These volumes describe the more recent techniques and technologies (Volume 1), the principles governing fluorescence and the experimental observables (Volume 2), and applications in biochemistry and biophysics (Volume 3). Volume 4, reflects a new trend, which is the use of time-resolved fluorescence in analytical and clinical chemistry. These emerging applications of time-resolved fluorescence are the result of continued advances in laser detector and computer technology. These emerging applications of time-resolved fluorescence are the result of continued advances in laser detector and computer technology. Volume 5 describe nonlinear and two-photon induced fluorescence. (Volumes 1-12 on Springer.com).
Additional volumes in this series will be published to reflect further advances in fluorescence spectroscopy and its many applications. I welcome your suggestions for future topics or volumes, offers to contribute chapters on specific topics, or comments on the present volumes.

Finally, I thank all the authors for their excellent contributions, and for their patience with the inevitable delays incurred in release of this volume.

Editor Joseph R. Lakowicz