Academic Press Chemistry and Biology: 50 (The Alkaloids): Volume 50

Chemistry and Biology is a celebration of the outstanding contributions to the field by Professor R.H.F. Manske, who founded the series in 1950. This special volume demonstrates the dramatic changes in alkaloidchemistry since then. It also offers a unique overview of recent developments in major areas of alkaloid chemistry and biology and looks at how these areas will develop in the future. These fourteen contributions are written by many of the leading alkaloid chemists in the world, and thus comprise a unique view of alkaloids and their contributions to the health and well-being of humankind. Indispensable reference work written by leading experts in the field Provides up-to-date, timely reviews on compounds and classes of great interest Covers synthesis, biosynthesis, biology, as well as isolation and structure elucidation An essential research tool for anyone working with alkaloids from a chemical or biological perspective Review "....as one might expect for a fiftieth edition, this volume is especially rich in chapters that present interesting historical perspectives from a number of internationally known senior investigators in the field....All of the chapters in this volume are neat, well-proofed, and attractively illustrated, with a uniform format differing from one chapter to the next only in the structure drawing style....this volume is a particularly valuable entry in the series, and departmental libraries should make every effort to acquire it." --JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS, 1998 "Authoritative, precise, thorough, and above all, permeated with enthusiasm." --JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES "The most authoritative treatise on alkaloids." --JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS "An indispensable addition to the library of anyone in the field of alkaloid chemistry." --JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY "The present volume [Volume 50] is a particularly rewarding one with thirteen reviews covering almost every aspect of current alkaloid research...The natural polyamines more usually figure in biochemistry tests, so it is particularly good to see a review of these relatively simple molecules from more chemical point of view." --Jeffrey B. Harborne, Plant Science Laboratories, University of Reading "This fiftieth volume of the long running series familiarity known as "Manske" continues the tradition of comprehensive excellence initiated by its founding editor, the late R.H. Manske, and begins with an engaging overview of the life of this outstanding alkaloid chemist by two of his colleagues, D.B. MacLean and V. Sniekus...up to date and authoritative...consistently useful to alkaloid scientists that it deserves to reach its centennial year." --Tom H. Cheavens, New Mexico Highlands University, JOURNAL OF AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY, 1998 About the Author Professor Emeritus Geoffrey A. Cordell obtained his Ph.D. in synthetic natural product chemistry at the University of Manchester in 1970. After two years as a NATO postdoctoral fellow at the Department of Chemistry, M.I.T., he joined the College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). A Professor since 1980, he served as a Department Head for 12 years and as Interim Dean of the College of Pharmacy for almost three years, as well as holding several other senior academic and research administrative positions at the Department, College, and Campus levels. He was the Co-founder of the US - Thai Consortium for Pharmacy Education, which developed and trained faculty for six new schools of pharmacy in Thailand. He retired from the University of Illinois in 2007. Since 1983, he has served as President of Natural Products Inc., a consulting company. He is the author of about 600 research publications, book chapters, comprehensive reviews and professional publications; is the author of two books, with three more in progress; the editor of 37 books, including 29 volumes in the series “The Alkaloids: Chemistry and Biolog