Defining ROS in Biology and Medicine HHS Public Access

Abstract

Utilization of molecular oxygen by aerobic organisms inevitably results in the formation of a number of oxygen-containing reactive species that are collectively known as reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS play important roles in both physiology and pathophysiology of aerobic life. The field of 'ROS biology and medicine' deals with the involvement of ROS and related species in contemporary biology and medicine. The purpose of this article is to survey common terms and concepts in ROS biology and medicine. It also introduces the 'ROS paradigm' so as to provide a conceptual framework for understanding the rapidly evolving field of ROS biology and medicine. Keywords Oxidative stress; Reactive oxygen species; Redox signaling; ROS paradigm 1. ROS BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE ROS biology and medicine is a relatively new field. To define it, we need to first consider the definitions of biology and medicine. The word biology is defined as the science of life and living things (e.g., plants and animals), studying their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, and distribution. On the other hand, the word medicine refers to the science or practice of the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. Modern medicine developed primarily as a result of our profound understanding of human and animal biology at the molecular and cellular levels. ROS biology and medicine may be defined as a field that studies the biological effects of ROS and related species as well as antioxidants with an emphasis on the involvement of these molecular entities in health and disease.