It is a source of pride that this book has been produced by a member of the teaching staff of the faculty of medical sciences of the University of the West Indies. It is the hallmark of the best academic institutions that their members disseminate their knowledge and the results of research to the wider public. Moreover, that process benefits considerably from the lessons gained from the pedagogical process and the interaction between lecturer and students and thus ensures that the information that is transmitted is relevant and up-to-date.

Good academic texts are critical to teaching and learning. This is particularly important in the field of medical, allied health and nursing since those who are trained in those disciplines play a critical role in providing health care for the population and in undertaking research that addresses many of the medical problems prevalent in the wider society. Topics discussed in the book are highly relevant to the allied and nursing professions. These conform to the curricular requirements of the allied and nursing councils and allied nursing institutions in India and abroad. Chapters are concise, well-written, and the contents are easy to understand. Information provided is also examination-oriented; hence, students of allied and nursing would find the book very useful to prepare for examinations. Although this book is targeted primarily at the undergraduate allied and nursing students, medical students and others would also find the contents useful for quick revision.

I compliment Dr S Nayak for taking the initiative in producing a student-friendly textbook that facilitates training and education in this most important field and fulfills a genuine need in Biochemistry for this particular target group.

The salient features of the revised edition are as follows:

I tried to keep up my promise of bringing revised edition every two years and I hope my efforts will be appreciated by the teachers and students community at large. Please send your comments, suggestions and constructive criticisms to my e-mail address as: shiv25@gmail.com.

I take this opportunity to thank all those who warmly received my other book Manipal Manual of Clinical Biochemistry which was published by M/s Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers, New Delhi. I am always grateful to Dr Ramdas M Pai (Chancellor, Manipal University), Dr R Phaneendra Rao (Dean, Kasturba Medical College), Dr Sudhakar Nayak (Head, Department of Biochemistry), Dr Shivaraj (Professor of Biochemistry), Manipal and Dr S Gurumadva Rao, Vice-chancellor, RAK Medical and Health Sciences, UAE, for their inspirations and support throughout my service in Kasturba Medical College. I am indebted to Dr Bhoendradatt Tewarie (Principal and Pro-Vice-Chancellor, The University of the West Indies) for writing Foreword to this book. Last but not the least, I thank each and everyone who encouraged me to bring out this book in time.

A textbook will be improved only by successive revisions. I will try to revise this book in every two years. The comments, suggestions and constructive criticisms from the faculty, students and other readers are always welcome. Please feel free to communicate at my e-mail address as: shiv25@gmail.com if you have any suggestions. The success of the book was due to the active participation of the Publishers. This is to record my appreciation for the support extended by Shri Jitendar P Vij, Chairman and Managing Director, Mr Tarun Duneja, General Manager (Publishing), Mr Venugopal, Branch Manager, Bengaluru branch and their associates of M/s Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) Ltd., New Delhi, India, for readily conceding my request to publish the book in color and taking all pains to bring out this book to my utmost satisfaction.

I am grateful to Dr Geetha Samanth, MSc, PhD, DVS College Shimoga; Mrs Vinutha Bhat MSc, KMC, Manipal; Dr Krishnananda Prabhu MBBS, MD, KMC, Manipal for contributing the following chapters—Cell, Biochemistry of Cancer and Radioisotopes in Medicine, respectively.

A textbook will be improved only by successive revisions. As per my promise, I am bringing this second edition on right time. The comments, suggestions and constructive criticisms from the faculty, students and other readers are always welcome. The success of the book was due to the active participation of the Publishers. This is to record my appreciation for the support extended by Shri Jitendar P Vij (Chairman and Managing Director), Mr Tarun Duneja (Director-Publishing), Mr Venugopal, Branch Manager, Bengaluru Branch and their associates of M/s Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) Ltd., New Delhi, India, for readily conceding my request to publish the book in color and taking all pains to bring out this book to my utmost satisfaction.