The Complement FactsBook (Factsbook)

The Complement FactsBook contains entries on all components of the Complement System, including C1q and Lectins, C3 Family, Serine Proteases, Serum Regulators of Complement Activation, Cell Surface Proteins, and Terminal Pathway Proteins. Domain Structure diagrams are incorporated to clearly illustrate the relationships between all the complement proteins, both within families and between families. The FactsBook also includes the cDNA sequences, marked with intron/exon boundaries, which will facilitate genetic studies.

• Includes the cDNA sequences, marked with intron/exon boundaries, facilitating genetic studies
• Presents detailed structural information including cDNA and gene structure for all proteins
• Introduces complement function, simply described for each function
• Data is as up-to-date as possible, including unpublished work from many contributors
• Incorporates domain structures diagrams, which beautifully illustrate the relationship between all the complement proteins, both within, and between, familiesEach chapter has been written by an expert in the field
• Data is as up-to-date as possible, including unpublished work from many contributors
• Entries provide information on: Alternative nomenclature, Physiochemical properties, Structure and function, Tissue distribution and regulation expression, Protein sequence/modules, Chromosomal location, Genomic structure, Database accession numbers, Deficiency and polymorphic variants, Key references

Scott Barnum received his B.S. in Biology (cum laude) from Loyola University in Maryland and his Ph.D. from the University of Alabama at Birmingham where he worked on the biosynthesis of factor D for his thesis studies. He then pursued postdoctoral studies on the genomic organization of several complement genes in the Department of Immunology at the Scripps Research Institute. He returned to UAB as a member of the faculty in the Department of Microbiology and holds secondary appointments in the Department of Neurology and the Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology. Since returning to UAB, Dr. Barnum’s research has focused primarily on the role of complement in the central nervous system. Through a combination of in vitro and in vivo studies, his lab demonstrated that glia cells and neurons produce a variety of complement proteins and receptors. Subsequently, the lab identified the role of complement in numerous animal models of human disease including, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, bacterial meningitis, stroke, and cerebral malaria. In addition to numerous teaching awards, he produced the first high quality animated videos for teaching complement activation and biological functions. Dr. Barnum is currently working on the development of complement diagnostics for use in a variety of infectious disease and autoimmune indications.