Reactive Oxygen Species in Biology and Human Health

Reactive oxygen species are highly reactive chemical elements that include among others, oxygen as a core species. A variety of ROS have been identified in biological systems. They are ubiquitously produced in the human body especially in mitochondria via a number of biochemical reactions. On one hand they play positive biological roles; but if high levels of ROS prevail, they can induce significant damage (also known as oxidative stress). Damage to cellular components plays significant roles in causing a variety of human diseases. This book will be a comprehensive review of reactive oxygen species, the mechanisms by which they are produced, and the role they play in various diseases.

Shamim I. Ahmad, after earning his master’s degree in botany from Patna University, Bihar, India, and his PhD in molecular genetics from the University of Leicester, England, joined Nottingham Polytechnic as a grade 1 lecturer and was subsequently promoted to the senior lecturer post. Nottingham Polytechnic subsequently became Nottingham Trent University, where, after serving for about 35 years, he took early retirement, yet continued serving as a part-time senior lecturer. Dr. Ahmad is now spending much of his time producing/writing medical books. His present interests include DNA damage and repair, specifically by near-ultraviolet light.