Analytical Chemistry Edited by R. Kellner, J.-M. Mermet, M. Otto, and H.M. Widmer Wiley-VCH, 1998 Pp xxv + 916, ISBN 3 527 28881 3

338 in producing a readable volume that provides a solid foundation from which to proceed. Charles J. Knill John F. Kennedy Handbook of Proteolytic Enzymes, Alan J. Barrett, Neil D. Rawlings & J. Fred Woessner (Eds.), Academic Press, 1998, pp. xxx + 1666, ISBN: 0-12-079370-9 One of the larger functional groups of proteins are the proteolytic enzymes. Their increased practical ap- plication in biotechnology and the realisation that they are major therapeutic targets has resulted in an acceleration of the pace of their research. The Handbook of Proteolytic Enzymes is a com- prehensive reference book listing over 500 known pep- tidases across all kinds of organisms. It also provides a framework for the addition of more peptidases, which may be identified by intensive genome research. The handbook is organised hierarchically by cata- lytic type, clan and family. There are five sections divided according to different catalytical types: serine and threonine peptidases; cysteine peptidases; aspartic peptidases; metallopeptidases and an unclassified sec- tion of peptidases. The handbook uses a new approach of classifying the peptidases which takes advantage of the new wealth of structural information. Import- ance is placed on the molecular structures and the evolutionary relationships of the proteolytic enzymes. There are 569 chapters and each chapter details the enzymes name and history, activity and specificity, structural chemistry, preparation, biological aspects and distinguishing features. Further reading and data- base sequence identifiers are also listed. Dendrograms are shown for many families and at least one Richard- son diagram depicting the protein tertiary structure (with a bound small inhibitor or substrate molecule where possible) has been constructed for each pepti- dase family. There are also two appendices, the first listing the organisms mentioned in the text, and the second listing the suppliers cited, along with a detailed index. The chapters are contributed by over 500 authors, all experts in the field. The editors have also edited the book to ensure consistency and inclusion of ex- tensive cross-references. The handbook is a complete reference for biochemists, biotechnologists and mo- lecular biologists. It includes its own CD-ROM in addition to the bound volume, which contains the full text plus enhancements (hyperlinks from the www to the MEROPS database, coloured figures) and is fully searchable. The Handbook of Proteolytic Enzymes En- zymes cites over 15 000 references and it is an essential reference book for every laboratory and library. John F. Kennedy Nahid Turan Analytical Chemistry Edited by R. Kellner, J.-M. Mermet, M. Otto, and H.M. Widmer Wiley-VCH, 1998 Pp xxv + 916 Price $29-95 ISBN 3 527 28881 3 The worldwide training of analytical chemists in both analytical skills and knowledge demands a high level of education using a uniform scientific language and worldwide agreement on the basic scientific contents. The Division of Analytical Chemistry – Curriculum “Analytical Chemistry” is the first universally accep- ted attempt to harmonise the basic curricula in analyt- ical chemistry for the benefit of the chemistry students working under this scheme. “Analytical Chemistry” is the offspring of the Di- vision of Analytical Chemistry of the Federation of European Chemical Societies. Its concept is based on the principle of combining solid foundations of scientific knowledge with flexibility towards novel analytical techniques. Besides providing a balanced mix of traditional methods of chemical analysis and modern techniques of biological analysis (Part II), re- cent, trendsetting developments in physical analysis (Part III) and chemometrics (Part IV) are also covered. An introductory Part I features general topics such as “Aims of analytical chemistry and its importance for society”, “The analytical process” and “Quality as- surance and quality control”. The book is completed by an industrially relevant Part V “Total analysis sys- tems” dealing with more complex “Hyphenated tech- niques” and “Process analysis systems” of industrial importance today and, in particular, in the future. The aim of ‘Analytical Chemistry” to offer chem- istry students a cohesive, structured overview of ana- lytical chemistry has been achieved. This completely 339 up-to-date and multiauthor textbook covers everything that the aspiring analytical chemist needs to know from sampling, quality assurance, chemical analysis, sensors, spectroscopic methods, to chemometrics and applications of total analysis to real problems. The learning objectives of each chapter are clearly identi- fied and numerous questions and problems help stu- dents develop a solid understanding of the material covered. John F. Kennedy Mercedes Garaita