In Adhesion Protein Protocols, an international corps of expert investigators describe their optimized techniques for both the identification of new cell adhesion proteins and the characterization of novel adhesive structures. Their cutting edge methods will enable both novice and experienced researchers readily to identify and clone new adhesion proteins, to successfully produce inhibitors of adhesive activity, to develop biological models for the assay of cell-to-matrix and cell-to-cell adhesion in vitro, and to measure the signaling activities of adhesion proteins. The protocols described here constitute a guide to some of the most important assays in cell biology, promising significant results not only to those interested in adhesion processes, but also to scientists from many different disciplines.

Adhesion Protein Protocols is the first collection of methodologies devoted entirely to the study of adhesion molecules. By illuminating these molecules and the possibilities for manipulating them, the new experimental strategies collected here offer powerful approaches to the regulation of immunity, inflammation, tissue remodeling, and embryonic development. The book will become the standard source for those wishing to discover new adhesion molecules and to characterize their biological activity.