Molecular Ecology in Health and Disease

Abstract

Why does Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease publish a comprehensive 70-page review article on a simple molecule of interest to radiation protection: Radiation protection following nuclear power accidents; a survey of putative mechanisms involved in the radioprotective actions of taurine during and after radiation exposure, by O A Christophersen (1).
My answer is as simple as the molecule itself: It is an excellent example of a molecule creating a completely new field of ecology that can be named molecular ecology. It is one of the smallest amino acids, but it contains three atoms of oxygen and one of sulfur. It is produced by all mammals except cats, and it is used by human organisms for many reactions in many organs and in many types of cells. In his review article, O. A. Christophersn has described the wide variety of these reactions as well as their physiological and patho-physiological consequences together with distinct therapeutic advice.

(Published: 14 February 2012)

Citation: Microbial Ecology in Health & Disease 2012, 23: 17302 - DOI: 10.3402/mehd.v23i0.17302

Read Olav Albert Christophersen's review article here.