Following an introductory chapter, the authors discuss the theory of the operation of GFAAS. They included not only the basic principles as found in most college texts but also an abbreviated description of the state-of-the-art understanding of the chemical and physical processes occurring within the graphite furnace. This theory-based foundation is then used in the discussions of quantitation, instrumentation, and the attainment of interference-free analysis. Practical applications are discussed in chapters addressing methods of sample preparation and introduction to the furnace and the of GFAAS in the determining of elements The authors then provide their insights regarding the relative costs and training opportunities for the various commercially available instruments The final chapter includes some of the authors' nersoectives on the future of this techni e The authors have also added, as an appendix, a historical discussion of the development of atomic absorption spectrometry and the use of flame and graphite furnace atomizers. Also found in the appendices are invaluable listings of resources such as books, periodicals, reviews, and even some of the Internet resources. Although a listing of operating conditions for numerous analyses are also included, it is not as comprehensive as would be expected in a handbook for analyses. This is an excellent resource for beginning and experienced analysts. It is refreshing to see a discussion of this powerful technique, which addresses its strengths and limitations from a perspective of the basic processes governing its operation. The lists of references provided, aldiough not exhaustive, provide a good introduction to the literature. This book will be a useful addition to the library of anyone involved in using GFAAS. ReviewedbyGaryD. Rayson, New MexicoStateUniversity
New Uses of MS
Mass Spectrometry of Biological Materials Edited by Barbara S. Larsen and Charles McEwen Marcel Dekker, Inc. 270 Madison Ave. New York, NY 10016 1998, 461 pp.. $195
Mass spectrometry has grown considerably since the introduction of MALDI and electrospray ionization into general practice. MS research areas as diverse as drug metabolism, protein identification, protein-protein and protein-drug interactions have improved or seen dramatic developments. This second edition ofMass Spectrometry of Biological Materials reflects this progress by highlighting representative work from various new uses of MS. This edition contains excellent chapters on the study of protein interactions, immunology, regulated biological processes and glycoproteins, as well as a chapter on basic ionization methods. My laboratory has already found the book useful for guidance on protein-ligand experiments. Many of the chapters present excellent insight into the use of MS to solve particular problems. The chapter by Edmondson and Russell provides perspective on recent advances in time-of-flight instrumentation for accurate mass measurement of peptides and proteins. A chapter on the use of tan-
dem MS to identify peptide antigens illustrates the power of the approach developed at the University of Virginia for immunology studies, and two chapters show the growing success of MS for the analysis of oligonucleotides. An area of great interest to biochemists is the use of MS data to search sequence databases, and this topic is covered in two separate chapters. Frontier research areas such as direct analysis of proteins from polyacrylamide gels and studies of protein conformation can also be found. Much of the research presented by the specialists is up-to-date and easily digested. References reflect research over the last few years, although at least one chapter references heavily in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Subject indices are adequate for finding specific topics of interest. Specialists seeking a good starting point outside of their field and nonspecialists looking for an overview of MS applications will find this book useful. The editors have done a good job of distilling important representative applications for inclusion in this second edition. ReviewedbyJohnR.Yates, University of Washington
BOOKS RECEIVED Crystallographic Instrumentation L. A. Aslanov, G. V. Fetisov, and J.A.K. Howard J.A.K. Howard. Ed. Oxford University Press 198 Madison Ave. New York, NY 10016 1998, 309 pp.. $120
This book provides a current overview of crystallographic instrumentation and the various methods for diffraction measurement, which are used for crystal and mo-
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