Book Description

The latest edition of this highly acclaimed textbook, provides a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the science and medical applications of biopharmaceutical products. Biopharmaceuticals refers to pharmaceutical substances derived from biological sources, and increasingly, it is synonymous with 'newer' pharmaceutical substances derived from genetic engineering or hybridoma technology.

This superbly written review of the important areas of investigation in the field, covers drug production, plus the biochemical and molecular mechanisms of action together with the biotechnology of major biopharmaceutical types on the market or currently under development. There is also additional material reflecting both the technical advances in the area and detailed information on key topics such as the influence of genomics on drug discovery. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Bridging the gap from physics to cell biology
I wish there was a way to give a book more than five stars, because if there was, this book would get them! One of the most important trends in cell biology in recent years is the study of mechanics at a single molecule level. Since most of the really interesting processes in cell biology, such as division and motility, ultimately are carried out by molecules that convert energy into motion, the question of how these molecules actually move has very broad implications and impinged on everyone. However, in order to understand this, one has to understand some basic physics which of course involves some math. The biologist who is interested in this subject thus has two, and only two options. one is to bury one's head in the sand and say its just too hard to understand, and the other is to read Joe Howard's book. Although the mathematical content is readily apparent, only the basics are needed to get started. The author has thoughtfully compiled detailed derivations at the end in an appendix, so that one can see the details without becoming enmired in them on first reading. Considering the potential difficulties of taking a "hard science" approach to cell biology, the book is remarkably easy to read, which is a tribute to the thought the author has put into presenting the subject in the most logical possible way.
In addition to being an excellent entry point for biologists into this subject, this book would also be an excellent resource for engineers who become interested in cell biology (like myself) because it presents many of the current research frontiers in cell biology from an essentially engineering perspective and using quantitative reasoning. Again, the author has taken great pains to present the subject in a logical way that does not require much prior knowledge about biology on the part of the reader. Thus, either for biologists who want to learn about the quantitative/physical approach to cell biology, and for engineers or physicists who want to learn how they can apply their type of thinking to problems of cell biology, this book is highly recommended. ... Read more

Book Description

University of Florida. Comprehensive text on all aspects of disinfection and sterilization. Includes 17 new chapters on topics such as AIDS, infection control, aseptic food packaging, building-related illness. Section on disposal of medical waste revised and expanded. For microbiologists and all health professionals. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A complete and valuable tool
A comprehensive review of this book appears in the March-April 2002 issue of "Biomedical Instrumentation and Technology", Vol. 36, No. 2, p. 141. The book is an important part of a library for anyone engaged in technologies or products dependent on sterilization or disinfection.

There is no better book out there
I have used this book for many years and it never ceases to amaze me how comprehensive it is. This book covers all modes of microbiological control. This is a must have for all Quality Assurance and Quality Control Professionals in the Food, Pharmacetical and Allied industries. ... Read more

Book Description

Biotechnology and Biopharmaceuticals: Transforming Proteins and Genes into Drugs defines biotechnology from the perspective of pharmaceuticals. The first section focuses on the process of transforming a biologic macromolecule into a therapeutic agent, while the second section provides a brief overview of each class of macromolecule with respect to physiological role and clinical application. Additional detail is also provided in the second section for each FDA approved, recombinantly derived biopharmaceutical for each category of macromolecule. The final section looks to the future and the new advances that will enhance our ability to develop new macromolecules into effective biopharmaceuticals. This last section discusses various drug delivery strategies while also describing gene and cell therapy strategies. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

general introduction book for biological science
This book is only provided general information for biological science.The main part is focus on the drug information, which can be found in the public resources.Little information is mentioned about how to develop a new drug.Thus, it is suitable for undergranduate student reading, not for academic research.

Useful Book
"...faculty that teach in the pharmaceutics curriculum will find the Ho and Gibaldi text of great value as course content is revised and new areas are added and expanded. The book provides important linkages between the science and therapeutics of biotechnology products that faculty will find useful in integrating the subject matter in health sciences and graduate program curricula." --Stuart Feldman, Ph.D., Biomedical and Health Sciences Institute and Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia

Disappointingly written and edited
This book appears to me to be very poorly edited, with numerous clerical and scientific errors. For instance, multiple sclerosis is termed a "neurogenerative" disease rather than a "neurodegenerative" disease. The writing includes some of the longest sentences I've ever seen in scientific writing, and not to the author's benefit. The authors repeat themselves quite a bit from one chapter to the next. Disappointing! ... Read more

Book Description

This book describes how cells work.It challenges the current wisdom of cell function, and presents a new, simpler approach to fundamental processes such as movement, transport, division, and communication, based on sound physical principles.The book is profusely illustrated with many color figures.It is written for the non-expert in an accessible, often humorous style. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Changed My View of Science
During my senior year of bioengineering at ASU, one of my instructors recommended that I read this book. I went on Amazon and purchased a copy. Tragically, I let it sit on my shelf for almost six months without reading it. About a year ago, I picked it up and read it, expecting it to be a labor-intensive read. It was not. Instead, in very simple terms and using simple yet convincing examples, Pollack managed to challenge everything I ever learned in school in two days (It only took two days because I found myself reading this book every chance I got; I coult not put it down).

Challenging even many of the basic tenets of cellular biology-- from even the existance of selective ion channels in the fluid mosaic model of the cell wall to blowing the lid off of what every student is taught in school about the way muscle cells contract--Pollack writes a book that has been and will continue to be challenging, because it challenges the premises of the life-long work of many scientists.

While I'm sure that some of his critiques of the beliefs of the faith of cellular biology today will prove to be wrong, Pollack is not afraid of the challenge or the community backlash against him. I applaud the work. I recommend it as required reading for just about everybody: the writing style makes it accessible for even high school students, but it is not too plebian to challenge even a professor or researcher in the area.
-Jacob

Cells, Gels and the Engines of Life
Cells, Gels and the Engines of Life written by Gerald H Pollack is a well-written book the challenges the accepted dogma of cellular biology.

You have to read this book with an open mind as some of the information given the reader is contraversial, as the emphasis of the author's narrative is the gel-like nature of the cell. The author makes his point and builds upon this feature as we read and explore the underlying mechanisms within the cell itself. Contraction, division, transport are just a few of the mechanisms brought to light in this book... could these mechanisms be much simpler than envisioned.

I found the book to be very readable with illustrations to explain the text and complicated principles. The author makes an impressive and convincing argument with his gel theory mechanism... this book shakes the foundation from which cell biology has been built upon. This book has a detective flavor to it keeping the reader engaged as the story unfolds.

This book requires the reader to have some knowledge of chemistry and biology to understand the underlying principles, but it is not out of the realm of a layperson who has scientific knowledge. To some up this book in a single word... provocative.

A Must Read
Pollack's book is extremely insightful, although sometimes controversial. It looks at cell biology from a unique viewpoint. After reading this book, I have re-evaluated many established concepts in cell biology with new understanding and perspective. This is a must read for any serious student or researcher in the field of cell biology. I highly recommend this book.

a good book
I like this book very much. I wish I had this book as supplement reading when I took my cell biology. This book provides an alternative view and provokes many questions in modern cell biology. I highly recommend this book to senior undergraduate students and graduate students

Complete nonsense!
This is an absurd rehash of Gilbert Ling's interesting (at the time, the 1960's) theories that have been fundamentally and completely tested and found wanting. Do not waste your money or time on this vanity publication. If you want to understand contemporary cell physiology, go elsewhere. ... Read more

Book Description

An Introduction to Tissue-Biomaterial Interactions acquaints an undergraduate audience with the fundamental biological processes that influence these sophisticated, cutting-edge procedures.  Chapters one through three provide more detail about the molecular-level events that happen at the tissue-implant interface, while chapters four through ten explore selected material, biological, and physiological consequences of these events. The importance of the body’s wound-healing response is emphasized throughout. Specific topics covered include:    Structure and properties of biomaterials  Proteins  Protein-surface interactions  Blood-biomaterial interactions  Inflammation and infection  The immune system  Biomaterial responses to implantation  Biomaterial surface engineering  Intimal hyperplasia and osseointegration as examples of tissue-biomaterial interactions  The text also provides extensive coverage of the three pertinent interfaces between the body and the biomaterial, between the body and the living cells, and between the cells and the biomaterial that are critical in the development of tissue-engineered products that incorporate living cells within a biomaterial matrix.  Ideal for a one-semester, biomedical engineering course, An Introduction to Tissue-Biomaterial Interactions provides a solid framework for understanding today’s and tomorrow’s implantable biomedical devices.

  ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Excellent Book
"...excellent attention to detail...recommended for graduate students, faculty and researchers, and bioengineers and physicians." (Choice, Vol. 40, No. 6, February 2003) ... Read more

Book Description

This book—the first in its field—lays the foundation for individuals studying tissue engineering. It provides a conceptual framework that includes exposure to all the necessary background material in all areas. KEY TOPICS A four-part presentation covers quantitative cell and tissue biology, cell and tissue characterization, engineering methods and design, and clinical implementation.For cell culture scientists and engineers. ... Read more

Book Description

Developments in minimal access surgery are increasingly being driven by advances in technology. The operating room of the future will be a sophisticated mix of stereo imaging systems, microbots, robotic manipulators, virtual reality/telepresence workstations, and computer integrated surgery. This volume explores the emerging technologies that are revolutionizing modern surgical practice. ... Read more

Book Description

The increasing use of fiber optics in the field of medicine has created a need for an interdisciplinary perspective of the technology and methods for physicians as well as engineers and biophysicists. This book presents a comprehensive examination of lasers and optical fibers in an hierarchical, three-tier system. Each chapter is divided into three basic sections: the Fundamentals section provides an overview of basic concepts and background; the Principles section offers an in-depth engineering approach; and the Advances section features specific information on systems and biophysical parameters. All those interested in the fields of lasers and fiber optics will find this book fascinating and instructive reading. ... Read more

Book Description

Polyurethanes in Biomedical Applications studies the use of polyurethanes in implanted medical devices. This analysis describes the concepts of polymer science, the manufacture of polyurethanes, and the biological responses to implant polyurethanes, reflecting the developments in biomaterials science and the interdisciplinary nature of bioengineering. ... Read more

Book Description

Cochlear implants have instigated a popular but controversial revolution in the treatment of deafness. This book discusses the physiological bases of using artificial devices to electrically stimulate the brain to interpret sounds. As the first successful device to restore neural function, the cochlear implant serves as a model for research in neuroscience and biomedical engineering. These and other auditory prostheses are discussed in the context of historical treatments, engineering, psychophysics and clinical issues as well as implications for speech, behavior, cognition and long-term effects on people. ... Read more

Book Description

"Where Biology Meets Psychology is a welcome addition to the growing literature linking biology--especially neuroscience and evolution--to psychology and the philosophy of mind. This volume has the further advantage of not being another gathering of the usual suspects." -- Robert Cummins, Professor of Philosophy, University of California, Davis

A great deal of interest and excitement surround the interface between the philosophy of biology and the philosophy of psychology, yet the area is neither well defined nor well represented in mainstream philosophical publications. This book is perhaps the first to open a dialogue between the two disciplines. Its aim is to broaden the traditional subject matter of the philosophy of biology while informing the philosophy of psychology of relevant biological constraints and insights.

The book is organized around six themes: functions and teleology, evolutionary psychology, innateness, philosophy of mind, philosophy of science, and parallels between philosophy of biology and philosophy of mind. Throughout, one finds overlapping areas of study, larger philosophical implications, and even larger conceptual ties. Woven through these connections are shared concerns about the status of semantics, scientific law, evolution and adaptation, and cognition in general.

Contributors: André Ariew, Mark A. Bedau, David J. Buller, Paul Sheldon Davies, Stephen M. Downes, Charbel Niño El-Hani, Owen Flanagan, Peter Godfrey-Smith, Todd Grantham, Valerie Gray Hardcastle, Gary Hatfield, Daniel W. McShea, Karen Neander, Shaun Nichols, Antonio Marcos Pereira, Tom Polger, Lawrence A. Shapiro, Kim Sterelny, Robert A. Wilson, William C. Wimsatt. ... Read more

Book Description

Looking for an industry with a potent and promising future? Consider the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. Turn to this WetFeet Insider Guide for the latest forces driving these industries a run-down of opportunities available profiles oftop-ranked companies profiles of nine people currently working in these industries information on the recruiting process and specific tips for landing a job. ... Read more

Book Description

Biomechanics applies the principles and rigor of engineering to the mechanical properties of living systems. This book integrates the classic fields of mechanics--statics, dynamics, and strength of materials--using examples from biology and medicine. Fundamentals of Biomechanics is excellent forteaching either undergraduates in biomedical engineering programs or health care professionals studying biomechanics at the graduate level. Extensively revised from a successful first edition, the book features a wealth of clear illustrations, numerous worked examples, and many problem sets. The book provides the quantitative perspective missing from more descriptive texts, without requiring an advanced background in mathematics. It will be welcomed for use in courses such as biomechanics and orthopedics, rehabilitation and industrial engineering, and occupational or sports medicine. ... Read more

Book Description

CategoryBiomedical EngineeringSubcategoryContact Editor: Stern ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Biomedical overview
This text is the first word in Biomedical Ref. It is arranged in a user friendly manner and is filled with useful data. The ethics section is a plus for ISO compliant users. Charts, formulas, and frequently used Engineering terminology abound. This updated version is a vast improvement over the 1995 edition.

Excellent introduction to Biomedical Engineering
This handbook provides the reader with an excellent overview of what Biomedical Engineering is and what are the trend that we can expect in the future.

The handbook covers 18 different sections, each one containing about 6 different topics. At the beginning of each section there is a short explanation of the main issues that will be covered.

Although the Handbook will not be useful for an expert in one of the topics, it will certainly be useful to explore different areas in Biomedical Engineering for professionals, or students who need a brief but concise and depth analysis for a particular topic. ... Read more