The second edition of this book has drawn heavily on the first edition but a huge amount of research on steroid analysis has been published over the last 15 years. As a result, the Editors decided to let the first edition of this book stand on its own and direct readers interested in pre-1995 steroid analysis to it, simply because the post-1995 research can on its own fill the second edition. We have tried to keep a balance but equally have allowed authors of each chapter a significant degree of freedom to approach their particular topics as they thought fit - they are after all the experts in their field. We hope that readers will agree that we have got the balance right. In re-writing or updating these chapters, we have been greatly assisted by the developments in the availability of research publications electronically. Huge strides have been made in this area since 1995 and the ability to read a paper on one's computer rather than trekking to the British Library is a tremendous advantage. The editors wish to express their gratitude to their respective insti- tions (St. Bartholomew's and the Royal London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London and Kings College London) for providing us with el- tronic access to research journals from our home computers. Without such access, it would have been impossible to complete this book.
Hugh Makin obtained his PhD at the institute of Child Health, University of London in 1966 and was awarded the degree DSc in 1996 for his research on steroid analysis.
He has been successively Lecturer, Senior Lecturer and Professor in the Department of Clinical Biochemistry at St. Bartholomew's & the Royal London School of Medicine & Dentistry since joining the Medical School in 1967. His research interests involve the use of for the measurement of vitamin D metabolites and, in collaboration with Glen Jones, the use of mass spectrometry for the identification of calcitriol analogue metabolites both in vivo and in vitro.
Hugh was the Programme Adviser to the UK Food Standards Agency Phytoestrogen Research Programme which supported a phytoestrogen quality assurance scheme organised by the Institute of Food Research in Norwich.
D.B.Gower is Emeritus Professor of Steroid Biochemistry in the University of London, United Kingdom. He holds a B.Sc. in Chemistry(1955) and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry(1959) from the University of London and in 1972 he was awarded a D.Sc (Lond.) for his research into the biochemical mechanisms for the control of steroid hormone formation and the pheromonal properties of some C19 steroids.
His University teaching and research career began in 1960 at Guy's Hospital Medical School, London and in 1986, he was promoted to Professor and Vice-Chairman of the Division of Biochemistry in the United Medical and Dental Schools of Guy's and St. Thomas's (now merged with King's College London).
Professor Gower is a Chartered Chemist and Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry as well as a Chartered Biologist and Fellow of The Institute of Biology.
