Enzymology of Complex Alpha-Glucans - Paperback

by Felix Nitschke (Editor)

Glycogen and Starch: So Similar, yet so Different. Both carbohydrates are central to the primary metabolism of a large part of the living kingdom. Generally, animals, fungi, and bacteria store glycogen, while plants largely rely on starch. This book provides a broad and current view on both glycogen and starch, in lower and higher organisms. Beside biochemistry, physiology and regulation of glycogen and starch metabolism, the reader can expect an insight into glycogen storage diseases, select methods and relevant techniques. While significant progress has been made in both fields, this volume emphasizes an opportunity of collaboration for researchers working on a major intersection of the living world.

Author Biography

Felix Nitschke received his Ph.D. from the University of Potsdam, Germany (2013), under Dr. Martin Steup, an accomplished expert in starch metabolism. Early on Dr. Nitschke's work focused on particular glycogen storage diseases where pathological insoluble "starch-like" glycogen particles are accumulating, and for instance, drive the progressive childhood-onset epilepsy Lafora disease. After a post-doc under Dr. Berge Minassian at The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada, Dr. Nitschke was recruited as Assistant Professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center.