Forkhead Transcription Factors: Vital Elements in Biology and Medicine provides a unique platform for the presentation of novel work and new insights into the vital role that forkhead transcription factors play in multiple systems throughout the body. Leading international authorities provide their knowledge and insights to offer a novel perspective for translational medicine that highlights the role of forkhead genes and proteins that may have the greatest impact for the development of new strategies for a broad array of disorders. Equally important, Forkhead Transcription Factors: Vital Elements in Biology and Medicine clearly sets a precedent for the necessity to understand the diverse and complex nature of forkhead proteins since this family of transcription factors can limit as well as foster disease progression depending upon the cellular environment. The presentation and discussion of innovative studies and especially those that examine previously unexplored pathways that may influence clinical survival and longevity offer an exciting approach to address the potential of forkhead transcription factors for new therapeutic avenues in multiple disciplines.

Insights into Immunity, Infection and Cancer.- FOXO1, T-Cell Trafficking and Immune Responses.- FOXP3 and Its Role in the Immune System.- Molecular Regulation ofCellular Immunity by FOXP3.- The Biology of FoxP3: A Key Player in Immune Suppression during Infections, Autoimmune Diseases and Cancer.- Elucidating the Components Responsible for Vascular Development and Disease in the Cardiovascular System.- The Cooperative Roles of Foxc1 and Foxc2 in Cardiovascular Development.- FoxO Proteins and Cardiac Pathology.- The Forkhead Transcription Factors Play Important Roles in Vascular Pathology and Immunology.- Regulatory T-Cells, FoxP3 and Atherosclerosis.- Dissecting the Pathways of Neuronal Integration and Plasticity in the Nervous System.- FOXP Genes, Neural Development, Speech and Language Disorders.- Pathophysiological Relevance of Forkhead Transcription Factors in Brain Ischemia.- New Insights for FOXO and Cell-Fate Decision in HIV Infection and HIV Associated Neurocognitive Disorder.- Translating Vital Cellular Mechanisms into Successful Clinical Care.- FOXP3+ Regulatory T-Cells in Chronic Kidney Disease: Molecular Pathways and Clinical Implications.- Transcriptional Role of FOXO1 in Drug Resistance through Antioxidant Defense Systems.- Foxp3 Expressing Regulatory T-Cells in Allergic Disease.- Human ClinicalPhenotype Associated with FOXN1 Mutations.- FOXL2: At the Crossroads of Female Sex Determination and Ovarian Function.- FOXO Transcription Factors: From Cell Fate Decisions to Regulation of Human Female Reproduction.- The ¿O¿ Class: Crafting Clinical Care with FoxO Transcription Factors.

KENNETH MAIESE is a physicianscientist whose interests focus on the basic and clinical mechanisms that control neuronal and vascular longevity and immune system function. He presently is the Chief of the Division of Cellular and Molecular Cerebral Ischemia and is a Professor in the Departments of Neurology and Anatomy and Cell Biology, the Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences at Wayne State University School of Medicine.

Dr. Maiese graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Suma cum Laude with Distinction and received his medical degree as a Teagle and Grupe Foundation Scholar from Weill Medical College of Cornell University. He obtained his internship and residency at The New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center and subsequently completed his clinical and basic science postdoctoral training at Cornell and the National Institute of Aging.

Dr. Maiese has been fortunate to receive recognition with outstanding teaching awards and election to America's Top Physicians and The Best of U.S. Physicians. His investigations are designed to translate basic science into successful therapeutic treatments for conditions such as cancer, metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke, and Alzheimer's disease. His work has received the distinction of "High Impact Research and Potential Public Health Benefit" by the National Institutes of Health with continuous funding from sources that include the American Diabetes Association, the American Heart Association, the Bugher Foundation, a Johnson and Johnson Focused Giving Award, and the National Institutes of Health. He chairs national grant committees and is a chartered panel member or consultant for several national and international foundations as well as multiple study sections and special emphasis panels for the National Institutes of Health.

Dr. Maiese serves as theEditor-in-Chief for two international journals as well an Associate Editor or a member of the editorial board for several journals, executive committees, technology transfer panels, and scientific advisory councils. Given the broad applications of his work, Dr. Maiese is frequently honored as the chairperson and/or the plenary speaker for a number of international symposiums in a range of disciplines that include cell biology, neuroscience, vascular biology, cardiac disease, molecular oncology, and renal physiology.