Chlorophylls and Bacteriochlorophylls : Biochemistry, Biophysics, Functions and Applications

Chlorophylls are the most obvious natural pigments on Earth where they can be observed even from satellites in outer space: they also sustain life on Earth through their involvement in photosynthesis. With 37 authoritative chapters, this book reviews recent progress and current status of studies on the chemistry, metabolism and spectroscopy of chlorophylls, bacteriochlorophylls and their protein complexes. Also discussed is progress on the applications of the chlorophylls as photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy of cancerous tumours, and as molecular probes in biochemistry, medicine, plant physiology, ecology and geochemistry.

This book summarizes the chemical, physical, biological and medical aspects of chlorophyll (and bacteriochlorophyll) research and development, with a focus on the tremendous progress achieved over the past 15 years. Each section has an up-to-date introductory overview which is followed by a series of concise well-focused and fully-referenced chapters written by experts in (bio)chemistry, (bio)physics, photobiology and photomedicine.

From the reviews:

"This excellent book provides a comprehensive, up to date account of the chemistry and biology of chlorophylls and bacteriochlorophylls, written by world experts. Progress in the past few years in this area of science, especially on how these pigments are synthesised and degraded, and how they function in photosynthesis, has been remarkable. All of these recent advances are beautifully set out in this timely compendium, which is, at the same time, both very readable and very complete. The Editors are to be congratulated. It is interesting to see how fundamental research in this area has led to important, unexpected applications such as the treatment of cancers by photodynamic therapy or remote sensing of photosynthetic capacity from outer space. This will be essential reading for all of my research team and, I expect, for every other research group that works with these fascinating molecules."--- Professor Richard J. Cogdell, University of Glasgow, Scotland, UK

"The importance of the chlorophyll pigments is difficult to overestimate.  For the last two to three billion years, chlorophylls have made life possible on earth through the process of photosynthesis. Since the chlorophylls have been around for billions of years, apparently nature achieved perfection eons ago. The attempt to understand the perfection of the chlorophylls is the central theme of this book.  In today’s energy hungry world with renewed interest in solar energy, this collection on the chlorophylls is most timely, covering the latest aspects of chlorophyll research through the scholarship of 70 authorities. With the role of chlorophyll and bacteriochlorophyll in photosynthesis as revealed in these pages, the reality of practical applications of solar energy trapping and conversion becomes an intriguing possibility. These applications will go far beyond the biological process of photosynthesis to include such topics as solar energy conversion, environmental science, medical applications, cosmetics, sun screens, etc. Many of these applications are included in this comprehensive volume. Many new applications will arise as a result of this outstanding collection on the functions and applications of chlorophylls and bacteriochlorophylls." --- Professor James R. Norris, University of Chicago, Illinois, USA

"In this electronic age, with most scientific journals going back on line for many years, books sometimes seem to be a threatened species. Every so often a book appears in or close to our special interests that we know will be a valuable occupant of our bookshelves for many years. Chlorophylls and Bacteriochlorophylls: Biochemistry, Biophysics, Functions and Applications is such a volume. It is 16 years since publication of the last comprehensive book on the Chlorophylls and this latest volume is a wonderful synthesis and update of a topic with many ramifications ranging from molecular structure to photodynamic therapy. The chapters range from those suitable for advanced undergraduate students......to the very specialized ....The editors are to be congratulated,....for assembling so many authorities to synthesize the special interests in Chlorophylls ........its real value is as an onsite comprehensive reference work for any research group with an interest in plant pigments." ---Dr. Roger Hiller, Biology Dept, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia

"This book is a part (vol. 25) of the Advances in Photosynthesis and Respiration Series ... . Overall this is an interesting, useful and timely book ... . I recommend it to graduate students and scientists working on chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, biophysics, photo-medicine, remote sensing and molecular evolution of Chl, BChl, carotenoids and photosynthetic processes. ... I recommend that major science libraries and research institutions acquire it ... . also recommend this book to members of the International Society of Photosynthesis Research ... ." (Baishnab C. Tripathy, Current Science, Vol. 92 (12), 2007)

"The volume is subdivided into five sections, which, in general, begins with an overview chapter. ...References and content are highly up-to-date. ... The volume addresses advanced students as well as unskilled and experienced researchers. In sum, the editors together with the authors of the different chapters have created an outstanding, comprehensive textbook covering all aspects of research related to chlorophylls." (Dieter Dörnemann, Journal of Plant Physiology, Vol. 164 (11), 2007)