Reviews (2)

Editor's Review
This book is written for biochemists, crystallographers, graduate students, lab technicians, undergraduates or anyone else working with proteins with the intention of crystallizing them. The first part introduces the beginner to the basic techniques, materials, and parameters that affect crystallization. Those readers with previous crystallization experience can turn directly to the chapter on dynamic light scattering as a diagnostic tool, or to the five chapters devoted to choosing a crystallization strategy. Interpretation of results is probably the area in which many have their greatest difficulty so 20 color plates have been included to assist in the identification of the phenomena found in crystallization drops. The second part of the book takes up more advanced methods such as crystallization for cryo-crystallography, seeding, the use of oils, microbatch methods, and special considerations for membrane proteins. Useful tips and recommendations have been collected in an A-Z section, again with an emphasis on practical problems and questions encountered at the lab bench. The appendices contain a list of good-to-have gizmos, suppliers and sources of crystallization materials, useful web sites, and a comprehensive listing of commercially available screens Laboratory exercises are included which can be used for teaching purposes in protein crystallization or crystallography courses. The chapters have been contributed by 18 scientists who are actively involved in the development of methodology for protein crystallization.

Great Book
Highly recommended to beginners who have interests in structural biology ... Read more

Book Description

Protein Physics is a lively presentation of the most general problems of protein structure, folding and function from the physics and chemistry perspective, based on lectures given by the authors. It deals with fibrous, membrane and, most of all, with the best studied water-soluble globular proteins, in both their native and denatured states. The major aspects of protein physics are covered systematically, physico-chemical properties of polypeptide chains; their secondary structures; tertiary structures of proteins and their classification; conformational transitions in protein molecules and their folding; intermediates of protein folding; folding nuclei; physical backgrounds of coding the protein structures by their amino acid sequences and protein functions in relation to the protein structure. The book will be of interest to undergraduate and graduate level students and researchers of biophysics, biochemistry, biology and material science.

* Designed for a wide audience of undergraduate and graduate students, as well as being a reference for researchers in academia and industry
* Covers the most general problems of protein structure, folding, and function and introduces the key concepts and theories
* Deals with fibrous, membrane and especially water-soluble globular proteins, in both their native and denatured states
* Summarizes and presents in a systematic form the results of several decades of world wide fundamental research on protein physics, structure and folding
* Examines experimental data on protein structure in the post-genome era ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Ptitsyn's 'Protein Physics': a book of worth.
A book of worth from the legendary institution, PhysTech (Moscow). Ptitsyn's 'Protein Physics' is a valuable source of information on folding thermodynamics and kinetics both to beginners and professionals in this (and related) fields. No more words. Strongly recommended!

By far the best book on this subject
Excellent book for both beginners and experts. I will recommend it to students as a source of initial knowledge not only on proteins, but also on biopolymers and biophysics in general. For instance, presentation of forces is superb. I am also positive that every expert will find new non trivial insights on great many subtle points of this difficult topic. ... Read more

Book Description

Written by a physicist with professional dance training, Physics and the Art of Dance explains how dancers can achieve better, safer performances through an understanding of physics in motion. Using simple, non-technical terms, Kenneth Laws combines his knowledge of both physics and dance to describe how the laws of gravity, momentum, and energy affect dancing bodies. The book explores the natural laws that govern the subtleties of balance, the techniques of leaps and pirouettes, and the impressive lifts and turns executed by ballet partners. Finally, Laws offers insight into two current discussions in the dance world--the effect of body size on ballet technique, and the relationship between science and the art of dance. Beautiful, original stop-action photographs by Martha Swope, along with clear diagrams, illustrate the concepts described in the text. Plus, an intriguing "puzzler" at the beginning of each chapter provides an engaging entree into the topics presented. For those who want a more advanced understanding of the physics, extensive appendices are provided. This new book combines the best features of Laws's widely acclaimed The Physics of Dance and Physics, Dance, and the Pas de Deux by Laws and Cynthia Harvey. Its expert application of the basic principles of physics to the art of dance will be an invaluable resource for dancers and dance instructors and will open a new level of appreciation for lovers of the form. It will also appeal to physicists who seek to include the arts in their scientific pursuits. ... Read more

Book Description

Biomechanics of the Musculo-skeletal System Second Edition Edited by Benno M. Nigg and Walter Herzog Human Performance Laboratory, The University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada This thoroughly updated and revised edition of Benno Nigg's and Walter Herzog's widely read 1994 book presents a unique and comprehensive account of the mechanics of the neuro-musculo-skeletal system. Geared towards students and researchers of biomechanics, the book covers key areas including the properties of biomaterials, common measuring techniques and modelling. Whilst retaining the overall structure of the original edition, this second edition incorporates:
* Extensive use of questions and answers for students at the end of sections.
* A new chapter covering the effects of age, exercise and immobility.
* Greatly expanded treatment of bone, cartilage, ligaments and tendons.
* Increased treatment of energy considerations and simulation.
* More thorough discussions of muscle and joints.
Once again, this well organized and authoritative book provides a comprehensive treatment of all aspects of the musculo-skeletal system. It is an indispensable tool for undergraduate students in mechanics or physics, medical students and graduate students in engineering, exercise and sport science, kinesiology, and indeed for all those with an interest in the biomechanical aspects of the human or animal body. From the reviews of the first edition 'The book is an absolute must for any biomechanics course and any department with an interest in biomechanics of the musculo-skeletal complex.' Journal of Engineering in Medicine 'This book is a welcome addition to the field and I recommend it to all serious students of biomechanics' American Society of Biomechanics ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A excellent work again!
Dr. Nigg and Dr. Herzog complete their excellent work again!

As their previous work, the second edition of this textbook presents a comprehensive survey of biomechanics in musculoskeletal system. I recommand it to all serious students who want to realize the fundamental knowledge about the mechanics of bone, muscle, and human movement. ... Read more

Book Description

This book describes the history and properties of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) used in artificial joints.

UHMWPE is currently used in 1.4 million patients around the world every year for use in the hip, knee, upper extremities and spine.It has been used in hip replacements for over 40 years.Although the use of this material is very succcessful, the lifetime of artificial joints is limited to approximately 10 years, after which the survivorship declines markedly.

Recently, the orthopedic industry has developed new processing techniques (radiation crosslinking), which are expected to dramatically reduce wear and improve the longevity of hip implants beyond 10 years.

A major emphasis of this book is to describe the properties of these new highly crosslinked UHMWPE materials and to review the latest clinical results.

* The most up-to-date information on the properties of UHMWPE

* Endorsed by Ticona - the world's leading manufacturer of UHMWPE for medical use

* An enormous 'installed base' of over 1.4 million procedures each year

* UHMWPE has been used by orthopedists for over 40 years, yet its properties and performance in situ are still not well understood ... Read more

Book Description

Intended for undergraduate courses in physics for students in biological physics, life sciences, biophysics, physiology, medical physics, and biomedical engineering, this book is an introduction to statistical physics with examples and problems from the medical and biological sciences. Topics include the elements of the theory of probability, Poisson statistics, thermal equilibrium, entropy and free energy, and the second law of thermodynamics.

This new edition of the classic set of books, originally published in 1974 from the authors' typescript, has been edited, updated, corrected, indexed, and typeset. It will satisfy the growing need for a working knowledge of the physical sciences among students and practitioners in the medical and biological sciences. The books can be used as supplements to standard introductory physics courses, as texts for medical schools, medical physics courses, and biology departments, and as a reference for practitioners.Chapters include problems and references.

The authors are recognized experts in the field. Benedek was the recipient of the 1995 Irving Langmuir Prize from the American Physical Society's Division of Chemical Physics, and the 1994 Biological Physics Prize from the American Physical Society.

FROM THE REVIEWS:

PHYSICS TODAY "These are classic books, and anyone planning to include bio-physical examples in a calculus-level course should study them carefully...The authors are to be congratulated for their work, and I commend AIP Press and Springer-Verlag for making the books available again." ... Read more

Book Description

In summary, the proposed book fills the current need for an advanced scientific text on diagnostic ultrasound for practitioners and for professionals wishing to enter the field. Suitable as a graduate level text for engineering or science students or as a reference for the practicing engineer, scientist or physician engaged in ultrasound research or development, this book will provide a well rounded and comprehensive overview of the major topics of interest in diagnostic medical ultrasound. Diagnostic Ultrasound Imaging: Inside Out will introduce ultrasound imaging from its historic acoustic beginnings to recent advances from a unified perspective as well as present new material not available elsewhere. Written with the reader in mind, this unique text will facilitate comprehension of complicated concepts, stress the interrelatedness of topics, and present a structure to enable the reader to extend his/her knowledge even farther. The book and its companion website will also include MATLAB programs and exercises.

ú Based on the author's over thirty-fiveyears of experience in developing laboratory methodology and standards and conducting research in ultrasound.

ú Conveys the fundamentals of diagnostic ultrasound as well as state-of-the-art reviews of major topics. from a historical perspective. Matlab MATLAB problems and examples included.

. MATLAB problems and examples included ... Read more

Book Description

This is a concise balanced introductin to this subject. Written in an accessible and readable style, the book takes a fresh, modern approach with the author successfully combining key concepts and theory with relevant applications and examples drawn from the field as a whole.

• A carefully structured introduction to biophysics and medical physics
• Combines coverage of the basic concepts and ideas along with the more cutting edge developments
• Assumes little biological or medical knowledge
• Includes a supplementary website which will include animations, simulations, colour images, additional content, solutions and links to other sites

Reviews (1)

complete and formal introduction
it is really a well written and upto date book, with perhaps the widest coverage. ... Read more

Book Description

Completely revised and updated to reflect changes in the field, The Structure of Biological Membranes, Second Edition is a sourcebook for membrane structure, function, and interaction dynamics. The book provides an integrated view of membranes as functioning units. This new edition incorporates the progress seen in the field of biological membranes characterization and expands into modeling of phase behavior, fusion systems, potassium channels GPCR (G-Protein Coupled Receptors) structures, and more. It presents an in-depth analysis of membrane structure and function and discusses recent molecular concepts of membrane physiology. ... Read more

Book Description

This book disseminates the latest information on how humans, animals, insects, and marine life perceive complex odors and tastes. It tells how they use the information from these mixtures to analyze the food they eat, safety of their environment, reproductive status of partners, and how they respond to these complex stimuli. ... Read more

Book Description

The fourth edition of this highly successful text has been extensively revised and restructured to take account of the many recent advances in the field. The classic observations of recent years can now be interpreted with the powerful new techniques of molecular biology. Consequently, there is much new material throughout the book, including many new illustrations and extensive references to recent work. The text's essential philosophy remains the same, however: it clearly explains fundamental concepts, and examines key experiments in detail.This thorough and clearly written textbook will be valuable for students of physiology, neuroscience, cell biology and biophysics. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A very good book
So, You're in grad school or a major in Neurobiology and you are looking to see if the book is worth the money??

This book does not give core facts in a easy to regurgitate format.Don't read this a day before your exam.

What the book gives you and does better than any other neurobiology book I know about (yes,that's a tall claim, but Im comfortable making it) is a clear and concise walk through the relevant ideas and experiments that went into building a simple 'taken for granted' concept like say the synaptic vesicles.

This book more than any other made me see the facts I read in tons of other books through the eye of an experimentalist and I had a clear appreciation of the thought that went towards designing an experiment and interpreting the result.I'm not sure if this would be the best book to read for an introduction to Neurobiology but if you have some background this is a book you would like to come back to again and again.

Poorly written and hard to follow.
I am a fist year graduate student in Neurobiology, and our class was assigned Aidley as our text for Neurophysiology. In short: this class has now become much more difficult because of Aidley's hard to follow style. He gives numerous details of experiments, but wholly fails to connect them to each other or to the reader. In addition, the numerous charts and graphs lend little support to the text since most often they are poorly explained and have little to do with the section in which they are placed. Each chapter follows a logical sequence, but the text within does not, jumping from descriptions of genetics experimental methods straight to physical chemistry. If you want to learn about Neurophysiology, there are many other texts to choose from, most of which the reader would find more interesting and more well written.

Aidley - Interesting and user friendly (mostly)
As part of my degree I study neuromuscular physiology and this is the recomended text.It has well layed out chapters with each unit taking a major topic in electrophysiology. It starts with the extreme basic but this gives you the instant reminder of all that you've learned and the basis of electrophysiology. The chapters are layed out in the topics generally study at university, though it goes into more detail. The graphs that accompany many of the topics were found very useful for comparison for practical experiments. This text is helpful and detailed, and useful for study. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

critical approach to nonlinear psychosocial dynamics
This book is the result of a conference which originally dealt with "chaos" themes, but subsequently distilled into nonlinear sciences and complexity as they relate to "Mind Sciences." Asignificant contribution of this book is its critical approach to the useof what are now commonplace tools of nonlinear science. A wide range oftopics are addressed, including biology, psychology, linguistics,anthropology and psychiatry. The choices emphasize that the use of suchtools are only a beginning for a dialogue based on the recognition thattraditional Newtonian paradigms have limits in this area. ... Read more

Book Description

Ion channels are membrane proteins that act as gated pathways for the movement of ions across cell membranes. They play essential roles in the physiology of all cells. In recent years, an ever-increasing number of human and animal diseases have been found to result from defects in ion channel function. Most of these diseases arise from mutations in the genes encoding ion channel proteins, and they are now referred to as the channelopathies.
Ion Channels and Disease provides an informative and up-to-date account of our present understanding of ion channels and the molecular basis of ion channel diseases. It includes a basic introduction to the relevant aspects of molecular biology and biophysics and a brief description of the principal methods used to study channelopathies. For each channel, the relationship between its molecular structure and its functional properties is discussed and ways in which genetic mutations produce the disease phenotype are considered.
This book is intended for research workers and clinicians, as well as graduates and advanced undergraduates. The text is clear and lively and assumes little knowledge, yet it takes the reader to frontiers of what is currently known about this most exciting and medically important area of physiology.

Key Features
* Introduces the relevant aspects of molecular biology and biophysics
* Describes the principal methods used to study channelopathies
* Considers single classes of ion channels with summaries of the physiological role, subunit composition, molecular structure and chromosomal location, plus the relationship between channel structure and function
* Looks at those diseases associated with defective channel structures and regulation, including mutations affecting channel function and to what extent this change in channel function can account for the clinical phenotype ... Read more

Reviews (4)

The answer is in here ...and here is the question:
The author has a splendid writing gift, and she has produced a broad and wonderfully clear survey of the state of the art in this vigorous field. For a detailed summary of what you will find in the book, check the editorial review (above) from the New England Journal of Medicine.

It seems to me the book might well be read in the context of two other important books in this field: One is Bertil Hille's classic, "Ionic Channels of Excitable Membranes." As a science gathers momentum (and this one is certainly surging) we tend to lose track of what is known and what is simply assumed. Hille's book will fill in some blanks at the fundamental level - and show you exactly where the underlying assumptions are in this science. If you are at all skeptical, and of course you should be, you will like Hille's calm precision and care.

The other background book is Spikes, by Rieke et al. The implication of Spikes is that Adrian was wrong and that, therefore, all of us have been wrong about what nerves actually do - and wrong since 1926. The authors put this rather more diplomatically than I have, but there it is: Adrian wrong.

Spikes summarize evidence accumulated since about 1993 that a single nerve impulse, all by itself, can somehow convey information to the brain. This shocking news will have to be either explained or explained away in terms of the biochemical machinery of the neuron. The current explanation (which is based on precise arrival timing) would seem to rely upon the physiological equivalent of a quartz crystal, um, a device we don't often come across in biochemistry.

It would be my guess that a better understanding of ion channels will point to a more biologically realistic solution. And a new and better picture of how the neuron works.

Ion Channels and Disease is the most current and broadest survey of the subject. The key to the problem is probably in here somewhere, or is referenced here, and is waiting to be discovered. I would pay particular attention to any type of evidence for linkage, structure or signaling between "individual" channels. Linkage between discrete trans-membrane ion channels could create a longitudinal channel running the length of the nerve, probably many of them. A multi-channel axon - a cable rather than a wire -- would be one possible solution to the new mystery of how a single impulse can be freighted with graded information.

Fantastic Compendium of Channelopathies
This is a fantastic book for anybody interested in ion channels or molecular medicine. If you happen to be a graduate student preparing for an exam in the field - this is your salvation! Personally, I read it with enormous delight. What a great compendium of this fascinating, quickly growing field! The style is very elegant, everything is lucid, the concepts come through crystal-clear. This was certainly an enormous amount of work and the book will be helpful to many in the field - for brushing up on channels that you don't work on, for checking things quickly, for teaching, and just for fun!

Blanche Schwappach, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, San Francisco

The very first book of a kind
This is really a landmark achievment to write such a good book in such a way, understandable .

Outstanding! Essential reading in modern molecular medicine
This is a lucid discussion of the role of ion channels in disease. It begins with a wonderful introduction to molecular biology and physiology of ion channels suitable for neophyte as well as the seasoned investigator. Then individual ion and ligand gated channels are discussed in individual chapters. After the basic properties of each channel are introduced, diseases of the channels are discussed. ... Read more

Book Description

Cell Movements is a synthetic account of cell shape and motility (the fascinating mechanisms by which cells move, divide, and organise their internal contents).This second edition is updated throughout with recent advances in the field and has a completely revised and redrawn artwork program. The text is suitable for advanced undergraduates and graduates as well as for professionals wishing for an overview of this field. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Excellent
This is an excellent and balanced overview of cell motility and the cytoskeleton.Thankfully there is a sense of perspective applied to the material, and the reader is spared the gory details of every last molecule or putative signalling pathway. There are copious elegant photomicrographs and line drawings.It is a pleasure to read.

cell motility in a nutshell
This is an introductory text to the field of cell motility and the cytoskeleton. It is written so that anyone who has taken some basic undergrad courses in biology should be able to pick it up and start learning. Because it is more of an introduction than an in-depth review of the entire field, it is mostly useful for getting a general idea of what is known and not known in cell biology, without going into excessive detail. The book is well written and fun to read, with tons of illustrations. ... Read more

Book Description

Both a landmark text and reference book, Steven Vogel's Life in Moving Fluids has also played a catalytic role in research involving the applications of fluid mechanics to biology. In this revised edition, Vogel continues to combine humor and clear explanations as he addresses biologists and general readers interested in biological fluid mechanics, offering updates on the field over the last dozen years and expanding the coverage of the biological literature. His discussion of the relationship between fluid flow and biological design now includes sections on jet propulsion, biological pumps, swimming, blood flow, and surface waves, and on acceleration reaction and Murray's law. This edition contains an extensive bibliography for readers interested in designing their own experiments. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Great book to start with!
This is a great book to start with when getting in to the field of bio-fluid dynamics. Not only does it explain the basic concepts of fluid dynamics, but it also illustrates a large number of cases where the life different plants and animals are affected by the fluids of their environment and their interior.

An authoritative and very readable introduction to the field
"Life in Moving Fluids" is a well-written and entertaining, as well as technically accurate, introduction to the behavior of fluids. It explains many of the concepts of fluid dynamics in terms of biological examples, and is my first choice of book to recommend to biologists who want to understand the design and behavior of a wide range of plants and animals that live, as most do, in moving air or water -- our two most common fluids.

That would be quite enough distinction for a book, but the utility of Vogel's book goes farther: it is one of the best introductions to the subject of fluid dynamics for those interested in physics, such as the nature of lift and drag, or the design of buildings or wind tunnels (sometimes the same thing). It also is helpful in physical chemistry where diffusion and convection must be understood -- to say nothing of how fluids move through the pipes and junctures of our equipment.

I was inspired to write this review because I had just recommended the book to a colleague who was designing a wind tunnel to work at Reynolds numbers in the 10,000 range and whose previous sources were from aerodynamicists, whose designs are generally not appropriate at this scale. If you don't know what a Reynolds number is or why it is interesting, this book has the best explanation I've seen. It does not assume that you remember much, it teaches what you need as it goes along.

Many are the times I've recommended "Life in Moving Fluids" to students and co-workers, and in each case, I have been warmly thanked. This review allows me to thank Dr. Vogel in a practical manner for his outstanding book. He also has a penchant for the occasional pun and keeps a light tone throughout, which makes the book suitable as pleasure reading for those who enjoy the popular science magazines, but don't mind a bit more depth.

If you work in fields where fluid dynamics counts (see the section on prairie squirrels), or just fly model planes, the book is also a handy refresher/reference work. It'll blow you away.

A good introductory text
A good introduction to aspects of fluid dynamics among living creatures such as plants and animals. Generally the book covers the material well with good explanations although I found that at times the concepts demonstrated were very well explained and at others not so well. Some of these fluid dynamical ideas are quite non-intuitive and I feel that a course covering this material really requires experiments to give the student a feel for the movements inherent in fluids and the various forces which act to produce the types of drag or filter feeding etc. Naturally such a course could use this book as a theoretical introduction along with maybe some sort of lab manual accompanying it. I did feel that it would have been good to have this together in one text rather than spread over two or more. Having said this I must note that this book is probably not intended in this way and possibly fits into the niche left open by the gap between a serious student text and an introduction which can be read purely for interest's sake as I did. It accomplished this second task quite well maintaining interest even though it dealt in mechanical laws and left out much of the biology, which would, if not directly, have added to the explanation offered yet, provide a link both as a source of the physics and as a means to connect the now separate streams of physics and biology, which is unfortunately nowadays always considered as completely disconnected. Darcy Thomson would have been dismayed at this process. Nonetheless some very beautiful drawings accompany the book and provide much needed sense of the plant and animal world. Altogether a fine introduction.

great for the novice and active scientist
This book is awesome! It is well written, and explains complex concepts in simple language. Steven Vogel is an excellent writer. This book got me through some of my graduate work!

A great combination of engineering and biology
Less technical than engineering texts, this gives a better introduction to fluid mechanics, by being less obsessed with mathematical analysis (and yet it doesn't skip the math). I would heartily recommend the book to life scientists interested in an engineering understanding, and engineers interested in expanding their awareness to biological systems. ... Read more

Book Description

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is part of a range of emerging microscopic methods for biologists which offer the magnification range of both the light and electron microscope, but allow imaging under the 'natural' conditions usually associated with the light microscope. To biologists AFM offers the prospect of high resolution images of biological material, images of molecules and their interactions even under physiological conditions, and the study of molecular processes in living systems. This book provides a realistic appreciation of the advantages and limitations of the technique and the present and future potential for improving the understanding of biological systems. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A powerful tool in biological sciences
Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is one technique in a family of new microscopies called scanning probe microscopies (SPMs) which has recently opened a wide range of novel, fascinating applications for biologists (biochemists, biophysicists, cell biologists, microbiologists,...). This book provides an excellent survey of those applications. It is nicely illustrated with numerous images from leading experts in the field. Clear descriptions of the apparatus and its basic principles are provided in a way accessible to students/scientists that do not have a strong physics background. This book will be useful to biologists, but also non-biologists dealing with biosystems, to evaluate the advantages and limitations of AFM in their specific field and to define appropriate procedures that will lead them to successful experiments.

Unravelling Biological Applications of SPM
"Atomic Force Microscopy for Biologists" is an excellent introduction for anybody wishing to enter this field. Nearly all aspects are covered. The book opens with an overview of the theory behind Atomic Force Microscopy and the different modes of use. This is presented in a concise manner without over-reliance on complex mathematical equations. Unlike many other volumes, practical advice on sample preparation techniques is provided for common systems such as proteins, cells and DNA. A comprehenive review of leading research in this area at the time of publication is sectioned by biomaterial type. Different approaches to imaging are tackled. The text is supported by numerous supporting images.

In summary I would strongly recommend this book to any biologist planning on carrying out research using SPM imaging technqiues and existing users in the field who wish to broaden their knowledge of SPM imaging and the research already carried out n common biological systems. ... Read more

Book Description

Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is a relatively new medical imaging method and its unique portability, safety and low cost suggest it could provide an important imaging modality with a range of applications. These factors have excited interest in a broad range of disciplines, including mathematicians interested in uniqueness proofs and inverse problems; physicists interested in bioimpedance; and electronic engineers and clinicians involved in developing and extending its applications.

Divided into four parts; Algorithms, Hardware, Applications and New Directions this book, with contributions from leading international researchers, provides an up-to-date review of the story of the development of EIT, the present state of knowledge, and a look at future developments and applications. An overview of the related and more exploited research area, industrial process tomography, included. All authors have been encouraged to draw conclusions from their experience and make recommendations, positive or negative, for future directions in development and research.

Given the interdisciplinary nature of the subject, two introductory non-technical appendices have been included for readers of any background to provide a brief and simple introduction to bioimpedance and the methods of EIT; and each chapter has been written in a style comprehensible to all target readers regardless of background. ... Read more

Book Description

How do single nerve cells multiply, integrate or delay synaptic inputs? What is the repertoire of computational operations available to individual nerve cells? How accurately can information be encoded in the voltage across the membrane, in the intracellular calcium concentration or in the timing of individual spikes? "Biophysics of Computation: Information Processing in Single Neurons" focuses on these questions at the interface between cellular biophysics and computational theory.Neural network research builds on the fiction that neurons are simple linear threshold units, completely neglecting the highly dynamic and complex nature of synapses, dendrites and voltage-dependent ionic currents. This textbook rectifies this situation.

Key topics are the linear cable equation, passive dendritic trees and dendritic spines, chemical and electrical synapses and how to treat them from a computational point of view, nonlinear interactions in passive and active dendritic trees, the Hodgkin-Huxley model of action potential generation and propagation, phase space analysis, linking stochastic ionic channels to membrane dependent currents, calcium- and potassium-currents and their role in information processing, the role of diffusion, buffering and binding of calcium and other messenger systems in information processing and storage, short- and long-term models of synaptic plasticity, simplified models of single cells, stochastic aspects of neuronal firing, the nature of the neuronal code and unconventional models of computation involving molecules, puffs of gas or neuropeptides.

Each chapter ends with a recapitulation of the material presented. The ultimate chapter provides a summary view of neuron-style computation, ending with a list of strategic questions for research. The text speaks to undergraduate and graduate students and beyond in the neuroscience, electrical and computer engineering and physics communities. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Single Neuron Computational Modeling
This is the main book, the "Bible", on single neuron and ion channel computational modeling. Plenty of theory & rigor here!

How smart is a neuron?
For young scientists who are interested in understanding the dynamics of the human brain this change in collective attitude is of profound significance, to which Koch's book provides an ideal introduction.Written in a precise yet easy style, the 21 chapters of Biophysics of Computation begin at the beginning, introducing the reader to elementary electrical properties of membrane patches, linear cable theory and the properties of passive dendritic trees. These introductory chapters are followed by two on the properties of synapses and the various ways that synapses can interact to perform logic on passive dendritic trees. Then the Hodgkin-Huxley formulation for impulse propagation on a single fibre is discussed in detail, and various simplifying models are presented. As a basis for the Hodgkin-Huxley description the present
understanding of ionic channels is reviewed, emphasizing the importance of calcium currents. Further chapters discuss linearization of the H-H equations for small amplitude behavior; present a careful examination of ionic diffusion processes; and describe electrochemical properties of dendritic spines, synaptic plasticity, simple neural models, stochastic neural models and the properties of bursting cells. Just about every facet of currently available neural knowledge is touched upon, with appropriate references to a carefully selected bibliography that will help the diligent novice delve deeply into whatever aspect of neural information processing he or she chooses.

All of the above comprises an extended introduction to Chapters 17 to 19, which: 'synthesize the previously learned lessons into a complete account of the events occurring in realistic dendritic trees with all of their attendant nonlinearities'. 'We will see', the author writes, 'that dendrites can indeed be very powerful, nontraditional computational devices, implementing a number of continuous operations.' Thus Biophysics of Computation offers a definitive statement for the direction in which the neural research of the new century should go. Chapter 20, the penultimate, discusses several speculations for non-neural computation in the brain, ranging from molecular computing below the level of a single neuron to the effects of chemical diffusants (nitric oxide, calcium ions, carbon monoxide, etc.) on large numbers of neurons. Although this entire area has been neglected by most of the neuroscience community, Koch points out that there are no good reasons for doing so. As we enter the new century, neuroscientists should keep their minds open. Finally, in the summary of Chapter 21, seven problems for future research projects are listed, emphasizing that the investigation of information processing in single neurons is very much a work in progress. It is of interest to examine these 'strategic questions' as they reveal the author's intuitions about possible directions of future developments. (Note that these are not direct quotes, as I have taken the liberty of summarizing Koch's questions.)

(1) How can the operation of multiplication be implemented at the level of a single neuron?
(2) What are the sources of noise in a neural system and how does this noise influence the logical operation of a single neuron?
(3) How is the style of neural computation influenced by metabolic considerations?
(4) What is the function of the apical dendrite, which is a typical cortical structure?
(5) How and where does learning actually take place in a neural system?
(6) What are the functions of the dendritic trees, the forms of which vary so widely from neuron to neuron?
(7) How can we construct neural models that are sufficiently realistic to capture the essential functions of real neurons yet simple enough to allow large-scale computations of brain dynamics?

As these questions indicate, Koch is not merely concerned with understanding
what unusual behaviours the neuron does or might exhibit. His broad aim is to comprehend the relation between this behavioural ability and the computational tasks that the neuron is called upon to perform. In his words:

``Thinking about brain style computation requires a certain frame of mind, related to but distinctly different from that of the biophysicist. For instance, how should we think of a chemical synapse? In terms of complicated pre- and post-synaptic elements? Ionic channels? Calcium binding proteins? Or as a non-reciprocal and stochastic switching device that transmits a binary signal rapidly between two neurons and remembers its history of usage? The answer is that we must be concerned with both aspects, with biophysics as well as computation.''

This excellent book is evidently a labour of love, stemming from the author's 1982 doctoral thesis on information processing in dendritic trees. As far as I can tell all relevant aspects of neural processing are considered, with what seem to me to be just the proper amounts of emphasis. The writing style is precise and rigorous without being stuffy, and the many references to a fifty-page bibliography will be of enormous value to young researchers starting out in this field.

In addition to its obvious value for those engaged in experimental, theoretical or numerical studies of neuronal behaviour Biophysics of Computation would also work well as the text for an introductory course in neural dynamics, perhaps as part of a neuroscience program.

Alwyn Scott
http://personal.riverusers.com/~rover/

brief & comprehensive
This book attempts to integrate bits from papers & other textbooks. Incorporated in the book are all but the most oft-discussed topics in neurophysics.

We don't know much about biological neurons. We don't really understand how they perform computation. Yet we have some models, approximations of the models, and theories of how the model neurons get organized to do computation. These are summarized in this book in a breif & comprehensive manner.

Some notes: 1) Portions of the book may be found in greater detail elsewhere. 2) The book is more about biophysics than compuation.

Excellent, a good place to start
This is a fine comprehensive book. However, it might be helpful to bear in mind, as you study it, that although it was published in late 1998, a few fundamental principles presented in the early chapters were originally developed a long time ago. In particular, the Hodgkin Huxley Katz picture of the neuron was developed in the heroic period of the 1950s after the introduction of the voltage clamp. It is a good model but it may not be the whole story, and could change in important ways as we learn more about the molecular structure of ion channels.

The possibility exists that the neuron is a multichannel device, a cable rather than a wire. The model is attractive because a multichannel nerve would enable us to think as fast as we do. Because nerve impulses are so very slow moving, each successive impulse might, (contrary to everything we thought we knew) be rich in information. A multichannel neuron has the power to convey, with each single all-or-nothing impulse, graded information. For example, to 20 discrete channels, one can assign 20 distinct tiers of meaning, and each channel can thus "mean" a level of intensity between 1 and 20. The phenomenon can easily escape detection because such a neuron appears, to conventional instruments, to convey only the classically blank, binary impulse that is so confidently presented to us on the first page of every neurobiology text, and in summary in this book as well.

To create a continuous longitudinal information channel running the full length of an axon membrane, one would simply link each ion portal to its next door neighbor. A conformation change in one portal induces a conformation change in the next in line. A domino effect more intuitively satisfying, perhaps, than the familiar waveguide or cable models of membrane depolarization reiterated here.

One can visualize many parallel tracks, a corduroy membrane. Possibly linear, possibly helical. Linked receptors are commonplace. The molecular structure of the potassium channel has been published recently, and so we are now finally working at the level where a multichannel membrane can be detected. It is a theoretical construct but if each single impulse carries information, then the computational burden on the nervous system is vastly reduced, and the physiological meaning of intensively studied structures like the synapse suddenly changes. The meaning of several of the models presented in this book also changes, often in quite intriguing ways.

it works
although a bit long, the author gets his point across in an if not literary, at least interesting style of writing. I especially found chapter 2 interesting because the introduction is easy to read and gives you just enough background for non-neurology dudes to get the hang of the rest of the book. the topic is one that has interested me for many years, and has gotten me seriously thinking about changing my college major. very interesting book. a must read. ... Read more