For new researchers and students, Konno (microbiology, Dokkyo Medical U., Japan) et al. bring together 16 chapters of recent research on D-amino acids, with a focus on specific methodologies for detection of these acids. Researchers in biosciences, engineering, chemistry and biochemistry, neuroscience, and pharmacology, from Asia, Europe, and the US, discuss evidence that these amino acids play a role in higher organisms; new methods for specific acid detection such as liquid chromatography; their detection in marine algae, animal tissue, and other biological tissue; and their presence in bivalves and other invertebrates. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)