Springer Toxic Chemical and Biological Agents: Detection, Diagnosis and Health Concerns (NATO Science for Peace and Security Series A: Chemistry and Biology)

This book critically assesses the current state of knowledge on new and important detection technologies, e.g. mass spectrometry, tandem mass spectrometry, biosensor detection and tissue imaging, in connection with toxic chemical and biological agents.  In general, the main topics discussed concern the risks and consequences of chemical and biological agents for human health in general, with special emphasis on all biochemical and metabolic pathways including the reproductive system. The exposome, genetic risks and the environment, various health hazard agents, risk assessment, environmental assessment and preparedness, and analysis of sub-lethal effects at the molecular level are also discussed. In closing, the book provides comprehensive information on the diagnosis of exposure, and on health concerns related to toxic chemical and biological agents.  From the Back Cover This book critically assesses the current state of knowledge on new and important detection technologies, e.g. mass spectrometry, tandem mass spectrometry, biosensor detection and tissue imaging, in connection with toxic chemical and biological agents.  In general, the main topics discussed concern the risks and consequences of chemical and biological agents for human health in general, with special emphasis on all biochemical and metabolic pathways including the reproductive system. The exposome, genetic risks and the environment, various health hazard agents, risk assessment, environmental assessment and preparedness, and analysis of sub-lethal effects at the molecular level are also discussed. In closing, the book provides comprehensive information on the diagnosis of exposure, and on health concerns related to toxic chemical and biological agents.  About the Author Professor Giovanni Sindona from the Department of Chemistry, University of Calabria (Italy) died on Thursday January 16, 2020. We have lost a dear friend, a scholar and a gentleman. Giovanni was born in Messina, Italy in 9 April 1949 and graduated with a B.Sc. (Hons) Chemistry in 1972 at the University of Messina. After completing his PhD in applied to bioanalytical chemistry (mass spectrometry). In 1978, he was awarded he “Alexander von Humboldt foundation Fellowship” from the renowned Institute für Physikalische Chemie of Bonn University. At the beginning of the 80s, was as NATO scholar at the King’s college of London under the direction of Professor Colin B. Reese where he developed new strategies for the synthesis of nucleic acids. In 1990, he became full professor of organic chemistry at the university of Calabria teaching organic chemistry also at the University of Magna Graecia Catanzaro. In his academic career, he held important management offices: He was Dean of the Mathematics, Physics, and Natural Sciences faculty from 1994 to 1997. He directed the department of Chemistry from 1997 to 2003 and from 2007 to 2015 during the establishment of the former Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technologies From 1990 to 2019, Prof Sindona has organized and directed five NATO International Schools for young researchers on the application of mass spectrometry to biomolecular chemistry held in Italy and abroad. In 2009, he became co-director of many NATO-ASI, Science for Peace and Security Program for experts on the Detection of Biological Agents and Toxins for the Prevention of Bioterrorism in Homeland Security.  Professor Sindona has been member of the Italian Society of Chemistry (SCI), where he was president of the Mass Spectrometry Division and coordinator of the inter divisional group of proteomic; he was president of the SCI Calabria section, and from 1979 he was permanent member of the German foundation “Alexander von-Humboldt”; Professor Sindona was member of the American Society of Mass Spectrometry from 1990. He was awarded of the “Piria Award for research“in 2008, and in 2011 he received the international award “Il Bergamotto” for