Reviews (4)

VERY GOOD BOOK IN THE SUBJECT
This volme I have purchased yesterday from the local Book Seller. I had gone through first three chapters. Since I am teaching Biochemical Engineering to my Undergraduate and Post Graduate students for last three years, I understand this volume is very much helpful in addition to some volumes I have in this subject like, Biochemical Engineering by Humphrey, Aiba and Millis (Academic Press), Fundamentals of Biochemical Engineering by Baily & Ollis (Mc Graw Hill). However, in teaching the tutorials in this subject, an instruction manual consisting of solution of unsolved problems given at the end of each chapter of the book would be very much helpful. I have collected a such instruction manual (solutions to unsolved problems given in the Fundamentals of Biochemical Engineering)(Gift copy) from McGraw Hill Publishing Company . I hope any such volume might be available for Bioprocess Engineering by Shuler and Kargi. If so, I would appreciate for detail information and way to procure it. It will not only help the teacher but the students as well.

Good, but has glaring flaws
This was the book for my introductory bioprocess engineering course. I felt it covered the quantitative areas, such as enzyme kinetics, bioreactor design, stoichiometry, etc.., quite well. However, the qualitative sections, such as DNA replication, metabolic pathways, and cell function, etc.., are explained way too quickly and lightly for someone with little or no training in Biology. Upon reading a few pages into one of these qualitative sections, you quickly find the author throwing terms at you that he never defined (to be fair, it would take an extra 100 pages to define all of these terms). Also, the text has some really unfortunate typos, typos so severe they may actually hinder your learning (subscripts change for no reason, two different constants given the same symbol, etc.) Biology folks will be happy, but ChEs with no knowledge of Biology may want to stick to the section on bioprocess engineering in Fogler.

bioprocess engineering:basic concepts ISBN 0134782151
im going to use this book the next semester in the univesity of puerto rico, mayaguez campus, and i need a copy of it to be sure, if this one is what I want. If you can help i'll be glad of you

An excellent guide for the student or professional.
Bioprocess Engineering is an excellent reference for anyone interested in biotechnology. It begins by introducing the cell, enzymes and major metabolic pathways and then moves into an analysis of growth kinetics and stoichiometry for both wild type and genetically engineered cells. Then the theme turns to the design of bioreactors and the basics of product recovery and purification.

Overall, the book provides an excellent overview of bioprocess engineering. The text is simple to read and is based upon the basic systems that would be encountered in the real world. The examples demonstrate how to solve problems via multiple approaches and the graphs provide an excellent reference. More advanced sections lay out problem solving techniques for more challenging systems. ... Read more

Book Description

Intelligent processing of multi-dimensional images has become crucial in conventional or computer-aided interpretation for radiological and diagnostic applications. This focused text provides the in-depth knowledge of the modalities used to acquire images for medical image reconstruction and processing and enables medical professionals to effectively select and develop the most appropriate image reconstruction and processing methods for accurate analysis and interpretation.

This thorough introduction to the acquisition of images and the intelligent interpretation and analysis of biomedical images discusses such essentials as:

• The interaction of the basic unit of imaging (such as protongs in MRI, or, x-ray photons in X-ray CT) in a biological environment
• Formation of a quantifiable signal representing the biological information
• etection and acquisition of the signal
• Appropriate image reconstruction

Book Description

In the decade since the publication of the bestselling first edition, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technology has been at the forefront of dramatic developments in biochemistry. Many exciting advances have been made in this specialized field of DNA analysis and a large number of commercial kits and additives are now available. There has never been a better time for a comprehensive resource covering the current range of PCR strategies and uses.PCR Technology: Current Innovations, Second Edition is a fundamental reference for scientists new to PCR technology and a source of up-to-date applications for those familiar with the method. It provides theoretical considerations, discussions, and a selection of state-of-the-art techniques for mutation studies, clinical diagnosis, and the detection of food-borne pathogens. The book begins with discussions of the preparation of PCR experiments, followed by examples of analytical PCR divided into qualitative and quantitative applications. The final section explores preparative methods addressing DNA generation for further analysis and in vitro evolution.Featuring detailed presentations of PCR protocols, this volume contains critical information for practitioners in a wide variety of fields, including forensics, molecular biology research, clinical DNA diagnostics, botany, and paleontology. It provides the essential tools for developing innovative approaches in this leading technology of the genomics revolution. ... Read more

Book Description

This authoritative text begins with an introduction to basic microarray technology. The author then provides clear explanations of the conceptual and theoretical basis of this technology, followed by thorough and multi-disciplinary coverage of modern and emerging applications. The coverageincludes chapters on microarray informatics, gene expression profiling, genetic diagnostics, and novel microarray technologies. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Highly Recommended
"...the book is highly recommended as an excellent one stop resource on microarray technology" (Proteomics)

Recommended Book
"...a very personal, encyclopedic, diffuse compendium of everything known about microarrays...fun to read...full of information that a working biologist...might be quite interested to learn." (ASM News, Vol. 69, No. 7, 2003)

A grand introduction to a daunting field
As an emerging discipline, Microarray analysis is somewhat overwhelming and this book provides an excellent overview and introduction. While it does not give the reader the ability to perform high level data analysis, it certainly provides the criteria which would be necessary to design one. I personally rather enjoyed the casual and light hearted editaorial handling of what could have been a very dry text. I am an engineer, interested in the techniques of Microarray analysis more than the actual execution, but even I found the book extremely valuable. An excellent introductory and intermediate text. Readable by and valuable to almost anyone with a basic background in and understanfding of the life sciences. Extraordinary and a great addition to any library!

Excellent Foundational Text on Microarray Technology
The Microarray Analysis book by Dr. Mark Schena does an excellent job of taking the reader thru the multiple technologies and science disciplines required to understand and use the power of the microarray. It's interdisciplinary and broad approach allows complete understanding of the field without wasting time on aspects of the field which are sill evolving. It's elegantly written. Chapter 13, which talks about the use of microarrays in genetic screening, testing and diagnostics, is one of Schena's greatest accomplishments, in a historic and socio-economic sense. This contribution alone, makes the book a must read to prepare for the microarray revolution in medicine, agriculture, ecology and bio-threat detection. Strongly recommended reading for anyone seriously interested in Microarrays, be they students, professors expanding their horizons or CEO's hoping to mine microarrays. Hats off to Dr. Mark Schena!

An Excellent Text
"...an excellent text...a valuable reference...If you need to know what microarrays are, how they can be used, how they work, and how you can analyze the data...then this book will provide the insight." (Clinical Chemistry, Vol. 49, No. 6, 2003) ... Read more

Book Description

Des Nicholl presents a new, fully revised, and expanded edition of his popular undergraduate-level textbook. The book retains many of the features of the original edition and still offers a concise technical introduction to the subject of genetic engineering. It is divided into three main sections: basic molecular biology, methods of gene manipulation, and modern applications of genetic engineering. Applications covered in the book include genomics, protein engineering, gene therapy, cloning, transgenic animals and plants and bioethics. An Introduction to Genetic Engineering is essential reading for undergraduate students of biotechnology, genetics, molecular biology, and biochemistry. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A brief overview of gene technology
First off, I would have given this book 5 stars if value was the main consideration. You can't beat the price for what you are getting with this work. It provides a very concise overview of modern gene technology, though that conciseness is the underlying drawback of this text. Another thing I didn't like about this text is that that everything is in black and white. With today's printing capabilities, B/W is sub-standard. Although, I must express that even with the limited resources put into the printing, the diagrams are well thought out and the graphical explanations are very well delivered considering there is no color to work with. As mentioned above, for a compact text that weighs next to nothing compared to a full text-book you can't argue against its value.

This book is divided into three parts. Part I covers the basic gene technology principles. Part II deals with the methods of rDNA technologies. And Part III discusses some applications of rDNA with some minor references to non-rDNA biotechnologies for comparison purposes. Part I and Part II seem somewhat dry, especially with the terseness involved with cramming the whole subject into such a small book. It takes a lot of interest in the subject to keep the attention span. It also is a bit difficult to follow at times and re-reading parts and perhaps referencing external texts may be necessary to obtain a good comprehension of the material at hand. One fantastic feature is that the author provides a "summary chart" at the end of each chapter. The educational impact of this technique is remarkable and I wish this was used more in many other texts. Part III is where the juicy material is covered. After all the foundation is laid, Part III makes for easy reading and brings to light the knowledge you gain from the former parts. It gives a brief overview of some of the different applications of gene technology as well as discusses societal impact and influence (perhaps the major determinant of the fate of biotechnology).

Readers of this book should have some background knowledge of genetics or molecular biology. That would help overcome the terseness of the presentation material. Overall, this book provides a decent academic overview of the subject without the sidetracking toward the many examples and specific details contained in full texts.

Excellent Overview
Nicholl covers every pertinent aspect of this fascinating field of science and engineering in this book in a clear and comprehensible way. His use of concept maps to summarize the key concepts in each chapter is a tremendously effective tool.

Nicholl approaches this subject in a schematic way. That is to say, he makes considerable use of idealized diagrams to explain the many components and characteristics of genetic materials and processes. The terminology will be a challenge for non-geneticists, but Nicholl has included a fairly comprehensive glossary of terms at the end of the book.

I highly recommend this text to anyone interested in understanding the basics of GE and its implications for our world.

Excellent for the non-biology expert
I came across this book searching for good introductory texts to be used as companions in a bioinformatics course intended for an audience of graduate students in computer science at the University of Chicago. This is definitely an outstanding text for this purpose. It's genetic engineering in a nutshell. Each chapter is summarized at its end by a "concept-diagram" that connects all the essential information in that chapter (I wish other authors could do the same with their books). The book is divided in eight chapters, spanning over 165 pages approximately. It covers basic molecular biology (gene organization, expression), manipulation of nucleic acids (labelling, hybridisation, electrophoresis, and sequencing), restriction, modifying, and joining enzymes, vector techniques, cloning, recombinants, and applied issues (making proteins, transgenics, etc). ... Read more

Book Description

This explosive exposé reveals what the biotech industry doesn’t want you to know—how industry manipulation and political collusion, not sound science, allow dangerous genetically engineered food into your daily diet. Company research is rigged, alarming evidence of health dangers is covered up, and intense political pressure applied. Chapters read like adventure stories and are hard to put down:

- Scientists were offered bribes or threatened. Evidence was stolen. Data was omitted or distorted.
- Government employees who complained were harassed, stripped of responsibilities, or fired.
- Laboratory rats fed a GM crop developed stomach lesions and seven of the forty died within two weeks. The crop was approved without further tests.
- The only independent in-depth feeding study ever conducted showed evidence of alarming health dangers. When the scientist tried to alert the public, he lost his job and was silenced with threats of a lawsuit.

Read the actual internal memos by FDA scientists, warning of toxins, allergies, and new diseases—all ignored by their superiors, including a former attorney for Monsanto. Learn why the FDA withheld information from Congress after a genetically modified supplement killed nearly a hundred people and disabled thousands.

Jeffrey Smith has worked in the field of GM foods for nearly a decade—with nonprofit and political groups and at a GMO detection laboratory. His masterful writing style captivates and charms, while his meticulously documented facts leave no doubt about a massive injustice. Eating such experimental food is gambling with your health. Find out how you can protect yourself and your family. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

A frightening and important read
Jeffrey Smith, the author of this book, is a plain-spoken but hardly elegant writer. He doesn't need to be; the facts he reports about GM (genetically modified) foods and the relentless efforts of Monsanto Corp. to get them into American and world markets need no dressing up in fancy prose. It's hard to decide which is scariest: the grave doubts about the safety of specific products such as the FlavrSavr tomato and StarLink corn; the myriad possibilities for unpredictable results to the environment and the general food supply, given the current scanty knowledge of genes, genetics and the possible consequences of unchecked modification of basic biological codes; or the systematic, epidemic failure of governmental agencies charged with protecting the health of the general public in the U.S. and Canada to act.

It would be easy to dismiss "Seeds of Deception" as a partisan rant against Republican governments and big business, but Smith is evenhanded in his indictments. According to him, Monsanto Corp. has engaged in a systematic campaign to pressure both Democratic and Republican administrations in the United States to allow GM foods to be marketed without proper safeguards and testing. What seems to have saved the world so far is the vigorous resistance of European and overseas markets to the entry of genetically modified food products that have not been properly tested, consquently making several highly promoted products uneconomical to produce. Nevertheless, modified genes have already "escaped" into the general food supply to an alarming degree.

In the final portion of the book Smith gives suggestions on how the reader can protect him/herself against unknowingly consuming GM foodstuffs, and also asks for contributions so that copies of his book can be sent to those in positions of power. I'm sending him a check.

A compelling & powerful indictment of industry & government
This is a book that every American should read. In a highly accessible story format, Seeds of Deception provides a compelling and powerful indictment of industry and government agencies that have conspired to hide the dangers of genetically engineered foods. After reading the truth about these foods, consumers will avoid eating them; food company executives will want them out of their products; and the government, hopefully, will put an end to this outrageous experiment.
- Larry Bohlen

Nice to see some truth
I have been a farm journalist for thirty years and have a master's degree in agriculture. During the late 70s and early 80s, when genetic engineering was coming on the scene, I was a strong supporter.
Over the years I talked to various biotech scientists who were becoming worried about whether the genetically-modified foods entering the food chain were safe. As the science developed, it was discovered the process of genetic engineering is anything but as straightforward as scientists originally thought. Chunks of genetic material jump all over the place once they are inserted into plants, and there is no predicting where they will go, or what effect they will have. There has been almost no research on the safety of genetically-modified foods, and what little has been done has shown these foods can cause a number of health problems ranging from allergies to food intolerances to cancer.

Both Canadian and US government agencies have taken the position (urged on by the biotech companies) that these new food crops are 'substantially similar' to existing crops, so do not need any study for food safety. And both governments are strong supporters of the industry, as I used to be.

The scientists I talked to became less and less willing to voice their concerns for fear of reprisals.

A few years ago, because of the knowledge I had gained, I began to make a point of avoiding GMOs, which is increasingly difficult, as they are spreading everywhere.

We are being screwed over and lied to by the biotech industry and our governments, and this book tells the story well and thoroughly.

You owe it to yourself!!
This book and the information it contains, is a wake-up call to everyone everywhere. Be sure to read it, then send your friends, associates, and any influential people and authority figures in your area to this page to purchase a copy for themselves. You owe it to yourself, your children, and your unborn descendents to read this book very thoroughly and take action!!

Mounting evidence that genetically modified foods are unsafe
There is mounting evidence that genetically modified foods are unsafe. This book, which is the best written on the subject, is essential reading for food activists and concerned consumers.
- Ronnie Cummins
National Director, Organic Consumer's Association,
Coauthor, Genetically Engineered Food: A Self-Defense Guide for Consumers ... Read more

Book Description

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is now the standard method for amplifying nucleic acids and continues to find many new applications in basic, applied, and clinical research.Comprehensively updated and revised, this second edition of the best-selling "PCR" is designed as an introduction to the technique with authoritative coverage of a wide range of current applications. It includes current PCR applications such as genome mapping, pathogen detection, and quantitative PCR. The appendices include a comprehensive glossary of terms and listings of suppliers of instruments, reagents and consumables.From reviews of the first edition: "a very useful text and reference for new and experienced PCR users, I would rate it well above other recent texts that I have examined on the subject."

-- Trends in Cell Biology"This is a highly readable volume that could profitably be read by anyone about to employ PCR techniques, or who simply requires a basic understanding of the many manifestations of in vitro amplification." -- SGM Quarterly"the authors have succeeded in providing a viable introduction to PCR for researchers who are new to the technique, and also additional useful information for the veteran user. The balance between simple basic information and more specialized techniques is achieved making this a very useful book." -- TIBTECH ... Read more

Book Description

The petroleum, natural gas, and the chemical & petrochemical process industries, variously require the separation of mixtures -- whether of raw feedstream materials, reactants, intermediates, or products -- as comprising gases, liquids, or solutions. Membrane separations add another weapon to the arsenal of separation methods, including the upgrading of subquality natural gas reserves. This book furnishes the necessary derivations and calculations for numerically predicting the separations that can be obtained, based on the known respective membrane permeabilities of the pure components. A verstile text, Membrane Separations Technology is suitable both as a reference and a textbook for the practicing process engineer, the researcher, and chemical & petrochemical engineering faculty and students.

Has cutting-edge scientific methods for liquifying and transporting natural gas.

Written for the engineer in the field, for easy access to important information.

Also contains problems and solutions for the student and professor in chemical engineering departments. ... Read more

Book Description

GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOODS.It’s a phrase ripped from the headlines, guaranteed to spark heated debate and generate contentious discussions.Concerned Europeans march in opposition to GM foods. African ports have been barricaded to prevent the unloading of genetically modified corn, despite the urgent needs of starving people.Canadians have mailed slices of bread to their prime minister to protest the use of genetically modified wheat. And in Australia, Greenpeace activists attached themselves to a cargo ship with magnets and painted "Stop GE imports" on its hull in their campaign against genetically modified food.

The truth is we’ve been changing the genetic makeup of our food for millennia, coaxing nature to do our bidding.Long before scientists understood what genes were and how they worked, early civilizations created wheat and corn. These crops, so very different from their wild grassy ancestors, represent man’s early ventures in altering evolution. In time, plant breeders learned to stir up plant genes faster, using novel breeding methods, chemicals, and even radiation to produce such marvels as white blackberries and red grapefruit.

But it was the curiosity of a 19th-century Augustinian monk, Gregor Mendel, that ushered in the modern era of genetics.Mendel spent countless hours in his garden crossing pea plants to find out just how traits were inherited, finally arriving at the idea of the gene, the unit of inheritance that is at the heart of today’s plant breeding strategies.

Mendel’s genetics turned molecular when Watson and Crick unveiled the structure of DNA in 1953.Within a few short decades, genes were understood to be DNA sequences that code for proteins using a universal genetic code.Genes could be moved easily between different organisms without losing their identity or changing their function.But the new terms that entered agriculture -- genetic engineering, biotechnology, genetic modification -- were disquieting.People began to ask questions about foods that they’d never asked plant breeders before:Is it safe to eat?Are these foods natural?Isn’t it dangerous to fool with genes?

Nina Fedoroff, a leading expert in plant molecular biology and genetics, looks at the many issues raised by contemporary techniques for modifying food plants. She answers the most commonly asked questions -- and some we didn’t think to ask. Fedoroff and her co-author, science writer Nancy Marie Brown, weave a narrative rich in history, technology, and science to dispel myths and misunderstandings. In the end, Fedoroff argues, the new molecular approaches hold the promise of being the most environmentally conservative way to increase our food supply, helping us to become better stewards of the earth while enabling us to feed ourselves and generations to come. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Highly recommend it
Hands down the bible of enzyme kinetics!

Anyone looking to learn more about enzyme kinetics, thermodynamics, structure, and function will find this book clear, thoughtfully written, and at the forefront in the field.

essential
If you are studying protein structure, you probably should read this book for reference.

This is solely my opinion, but I have learned new things and reinforced some old knowledge, as well. The book is well-written, and understandable, without being simplistic.

Some texts are difficult to understand, or dry, or facile. This is not one of those texts.

Biochemists Can't Miss
The book focuses on enzyme catalysis, stereochemistry of enzyme reactions, determination of rate constant, enzyme kinetics, and protein structure and folding. It would be an ideal reference for the study of protein chemistry. It can serve as the primary text for an advanced course in protein chemistry or a supplement for undergraduate biochemistry text.

Protein folding has remained one of the most intricate yet less understood process in modern biochemistry. Feersht's treatise of the subject in this book is splendid. The author overviews protein structure and diversity in the opening chapter. What I find really precious about this book is the discussion on protein engineering, forces on folding, and recombinant DNA technology in the context of protein folding.

Aside from protein chemistry, the chapter on chemical catalysis is excellent in learning more about transition state theory, general acid/base catalysis, covalent catalysis, structure-reactivity relationships, and kinetic isotope effects.

The Mother of All Enzyme Books
Man, this book rocked! I took one look at the ribbon structure of ATPase on the cover and said to myself, "Whoa dude! This is, like, phat!" Then I turned the pages and BAM! I was knee deep in protein structure! Like, any first-year biochemist knows its all about the acids, as in amino, and Fersht, he knows his peptides! Oh man, I was on cloud nine! And I've been off my meds for two months now! But you wanna know the real dope? You can't say diddly about function unless you know structure, and that Alan, as in Fersht, dude! Like, he starts you off simple, like, you know, with the "building blocks," like we're a bunch of two-year-olds, and you string 'em together and get all that higher-order structure and stuff, and slowly, ever so slowly, like a mental itch that invades your consciousness and becomes screaming voices telling you to AHHHHHHHHH! So many domains! Too many functional units! No, no, nooooooo! Schiff base? Shift Bass! Ah HA HA HA HA! What do all those K's mean!?! Take me home! Please...

A classic - one of the "top ten" books for biochemists !
This book belongs in every protein biochemists collection. It is a clear, up-to-date review of protein structure and function, with a concentration on enzymes. It covers a host of vital topics, including: the theories of chemical catalysis, enzyme kinetics (buy Segal for an in-depth study of this topic), the methods for determining rate constants, the stereochemistry of enzyme reactions, various regulation mechanisms, binding energies and the forces between molecules, and an overview of protein engineering techniques. If all this were not enough, Fersht concludes with a wonderful chapter covering case studies of enzyme structure and mechanism, and another couple on the kinetics and mechanisms of protein folding. Extensive references are given to the current literature for further study.

Putting all these topics into one book is an accomplishment that few authors could pull off - but Fersht does it extremely well!

Oh - the other nine ?

Cornish-Bowden, "Principles of Enzyme Kinetics"; Segal, "Enzyme Kinetics"; Voet & Voet, "Biochemistry"; Branden & Tooze, "Introduction to Protein Science"; Dixon & Web, "Enzymes"; Pauling, "The Nature of the Chemical Bond"; Scopes, "Protein Purification"; Freifelder, "Physical Biochemistry"; Walsh, "Enzymatic Reaction Mechanisms" ... Read more

Book Description

Stem cells are the focus of intense interest from a growing, multidisciplinary community of investigators with new tools for isolating and characterizing these elusive cell types. This volume, which features contributions from many of the world's leading laboratories, provides a uniquely broad and authoritative basis for understanding the biology of stem cells and the current excitement about their potential for clinical exploitation. It is an essential work of reference for investigators in embryology, hematology, and neurobiology, and their collaborators in the emerging field of regenerative medicine. ... Read more

Book Description

Yeasts are the world's premier industrial micro-organisms. In addition to their wide exploitation in the production of foods, beverages and pharmaceuticals, yeasts also play significant roles as model eukaryotic cells in furthering our knowledge in the biological and biomedical sciences. In order for modern biotechnology to fully exploit the activities of yeasts, it is essential to appreciate aspects of yeast cell physiology. In recent years, however, our knowledge of yeast physiological phenomena has lagged behind that of yeast genetics and molecular biology. Yeast Physiology and Biotechnology redresses the balance by linking key aspects of yeast physiology with yeast biotechnology. Individual chapters provide broad and timely coverage of yeast cytology, nutrition, growth and metabolism - important aspects of yeast cell physiology which are pertinent to the practical uses of yeasts in industry. The final chapter reviews traditional, modern and emerging biotechnologies in which roles of yeasts in the production of industrial commodities and their value in biomedical research are fully discussed. Relevant aspects of classical and modern yeast genetics and molecular biology are fully integrated into the appropriate chapters. This up-to-date and fully referenced book is aimed at advanced undergraduate and postgraduate bioscience students,but will also prove to be a valuable source of information for yeast researchers and technologists. ... Read more

Book Description

This is a book for statistical practitioners, particularly those who design and analyze studies for survival and event history data. Its goal is to extend the toolkit beyond the basic triad provided by most statistical packages: the Kaplan-Meier estimator, log-rank test, and Cox regression model. Building on recent developments motivated by counting process and martingale theory, it shows the reader how to extend the Cox model to analyze multiple/correlated event data using marginal and random effects (frailty) models. It covers the use of residuals and diagnostic plots to identify influential or outlying observations, assess proportional hazards and examine other aspects of goodness of fit. Other topics include time-dependent covariates and strata, discontinuous intervals of risk, multiple time scales, smoothing and regression splines, and the computation of expected survival curves. A knowledge of counting processes and martingales is not assumed as the early chapters provide an introduction to this area. The focus of the book is on actual data examples, the analysis and interpretation of the results, and computation. The methods are now readily available in SAS and S-Plus and this book gives a hands-on introduction, showing how to implement them in both packages, with worked examples for many data sets. The authors call on their extensive experience and give practical advice, including pitfalls to be avoided. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

One of the best statistics texts available today!
As a biostatistics PhD student I've had to endure many very poorly written textbooks (though there are many good one's too). Not only is this book a great text on applied survival analysis, it's a great piece of statistical writing and should be used as an example for all applied texts. The general approach of introducing the theory followed by examples with SAS/SPlus code makes learning the material easy and fun. I wish all statistics texts were even half this good!

Anderson et al for the common man
This text is one of the few to make the work of Andersen et al. (Statistical Models Based on Counting Processes, Springer, 1993) accessible to the average statistician. It has three limitations:
1) fails to mention the use of permutation tests for hypotheses regarding the Nelson-Aalen estimator,
2) fails to cite Good PI, Globally almost most powerful tests for censored data,Nonpar Statist 1992, 1:253-262.
3) fails to deal with multiple dependent events (the most common case).
The text also fails to be prescriptive; one is often left feeling that all tests are equal which simply isn't the case.

Great coverage of extensions to important models
Terry Therneau is a research statistician at the Mayo Clinic and Patricia Grambsch is a Professor of Biostatistics at the University of Minnesota. The Cox proportional hazards model has been one of the key methods for analyzing survival data with covariates for the last 25 years. Proportionality is a key assumption that limits its use. There has long been a need to find methods which diagnose when the hazard rates are not proportional and provide alternative methods in such situations. Using the theory of counting processes the authors are able to extend the Cox model to more general situations including multiple/correlated event data using either marginal models or random effects (frailty) models. Time dependent covariates are also covered. Some of the theory of martigales and counting processes is included to make the book self-contained. Generalized residuals are used to identify outlying and influential observations (analogous to ordinary regression) and also to assess the proportional hazards assumption.

Although the topics are advanced and the mathematical level is high the book is designed for practitioners, emphasizing applications and providing numerous examples, many from the authors' experience. Statistical analyses are done in SAS and SPlus. The authors tend to use SAS for data management and analysis and SPlus for diagnostics and other plots. Therneau is an expert programmer who has written much of the necessary software in both systems.

Therneau gave an excellent short course that I attended a couple of years ago at the Joint Statistical Meetings based on a draft of the text. The finished product is as good as I expected.

The appendices include SAS and S-Plus tutorials on survival analysis and provide SAS Macros and S functions to apply the new methodology. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

A competent and readable overview
I bought this book because I wanted a refresher on Molecular Biology. The first half of the text delivers this, explaining key concepts of DNA/RNA, the role of genes and the function of gene expression in the creation of proteins. Upon these understandings the author builds an explanation of genetic engineering. He explains techniques of recombinant DNA, the relevance of stem cells and modern gene therapy. The second half of the book was of less relevance to me, but if you need a journalist's eye view of the whole of biotech, sweeping across everything from cell biology to bioethics, Eric Grace does a reasonable job of providing it. Pro: Competently written and clearly illustrated. Con: Breadth but limited depth.

Great intro for the layperson
After seeing so much in the news about biotechnology, I was in search of an introductory book that would explain the basics of genetic manipulation. This book starts from the very basics--how are genes related to DNA and chromosomes, what are enzymes and proteins, then more sophisticated concepts such as gene splicing and monoclonal antibodies.

While this book won't make anyone an expert scientist, the text and diagrams are clear and concise. I read articles about biotech in the newspapers and business magazines, and this book is a useful primer for those in search of further detail.

After the overall introduction, the author describes biotech applications in several fields, which become a bit of a laundary list after awhile. I would have found fewer, in-depth case studies more interesting. Nevertheless, if you're looking for an informative introduction to biotech, I highly recommend this book.

compelling
BIOTECHNOLOGY UNZIPPED is the most compelling evaluation of biotechnology I have read since Harsanyi & Hutton's GENETIC PROPHECY of almost 20 years ago. What makes this book so insightful is the "tradeoffs" perspective that Grace brings to the subject. In every instance where a particular technique is either in development or on the market, the possibilities for selective breeding, or genetic engineering, or composite materials, all hold both a promise and a peril.

Grace, who has a Ph.D. in Zoology and considerable experience as a science writer, attempts to provide enough critical information in each case so that the reader will get a sense of what considerations are involved in any particular "biotechnology solution". What we learn about biotechnology from him is that every biotechnology decision has the following characteristics:

* Costs and revenues (developments cost $millions, so the goal is profits) * Winners and losers (the rich could get lucky, the poor and vulnerable may not) * Benefits and detriments (solutions generate unintended & unwanted consequences) * Enthusiasts and detractors (arguments arise on all sides of biotechnology issues)

The reason that the public is so ambivalent about biotechnology is that its supporters have been so inept at making their case. Biotechnology advocates seem to think that their's is just a problem of an "uninformed public" whom they can re- assure because they have "the facts". They obviously don't appreciate the most important principle of new-age public relations, namely, "They don't care how much you know until they know how much you care".

What Grace shows is that the public does have cause to be concerned. There are no simple problems, no silver bullets, and no final solutions, even if biotechnology boosters pretend there are. If biotechnology advocates become willing to address these concerns, AND learn to manage the expectations of their stakeholders, then they can begin to earn the respect that will otherwise continue to elude them. Grace's book helps clarify all of this. Well done!

Not That Great Of A Book
I bought and read this book for my biotechnology class and I really did not like it very much. There are certain parts that are understandable. But much of the book was just blah, blah, blah. If you have to take a class on biotechnology, or just want to read a biotechnology book, this fits you. If you really don't want to read these kind of books, I would not recommend it.

an excellent primer for non-scientists and students
"Grace has.....the rare ability to take a complex subject and make it understandable to the average reader, without being patronizing." Globe and Mail

"Grace has managed the difficult feat of producing a lively, informative and readable guide for non-scientists." Maclean's

"Grace makes his complex subject easy to digest by dividing each chapter into palatable sections with clever subheads and often humorous sidebars..." The New York Times

"....a must read for anyone concerned about the impact of biotechnology on society." Bob McDonald, CBC Radio's "Quirks and Quarks"

"...a comprehensive and coherent introduction to the complex world of genetic engineering." Quill and Quire

"...presents a history of the field, discusses the pros and cons of cross-species gene transfer, and covers the implications for medicine, the environment and agriculture." Publisher's Weekly

"Grace first gets readers up to speed on the history of genetics and genetic manipulation, then briefly visits a number of applications of biotechnology and the relevant ethical dilemmas." Science News

"He presents information clearly, simply and makes it interesting." Futurific

"With its excellent illustrations and accessible style, Biotechnology Unzipped is highly recommended for teachers, health professionals or anyone interested in the impact of biotechnology on our lives." Rapport, magazine of the National Institute of Nutrition

"Scientist and writer Eric Grace helps sort facts from corporate rhetoric in his new book Biotechnology Unzipped." The Western Producer ... Read more

Book Description

The miniaturization of bulky devices and machines is a process that confronts us on a daily basis. However, nanoscale machines with varied and novel characteristics may also result from the enlargement of extremely small building blocks, namely individual molecules. This bottom-up approach to nanotechnology is already being pursued in information technology, with many other branches about to follow.

- Written by a team of experienced authors headed by Vincenzo Balzani, one of the pioneers in the development of molecular machines
- Covers such diverse aspects as sensors, memory components, solar energy conversion, biomolecules as molecular machines, and much more
- Presented in a lucid style and didactically structured, with both the expert and the newcomer in mind
- Includes a glossary of terms and numerous references to the recent literature

Be among the first to explore the fascinating possibilities of this future-oriented technology! A must-have for every chemist and materials scientist with an interest in nanotechnology.
... Read more

Reviews (1)

Chemists' approach to Nanotechnology
Different paths toward nanotechnology have so far been proposed. The most common and widely publicized one is the so-called atom-by-atom approach envisaged by physichists. Chemists, on the other hand, have adopted a molecule-by-molecule approach whereby the molecule represents the key building block for constructing nano-objects. Among the various reasons for doing so, we remember that (1) a lot of information about the structural, electronic, and spectroscopic properties of polyatomic molecules has been so far accumulated by research chemists and (2) synthetic chemistry allows the precise, although very elaborated, positioning of groups within a certain molecular framework thereby allowing the constuction of complex molecules characterized by machine-like capabilities. A number of fashinating molecular-scale machines and devices (rotors, gears, turnstiles, brakes, gyroscanes, etc.) has already been realized, as discussed in detail by Balzani-Venturi-Credi (BVC) in Chapter 11 of their book. These molecules give rise to spontaneous machanical-like motion. However, a factor of paramount importance for nanotechnology is that of achieving controllable mechanical-like motion. BVC discuss how this can be achieved by, for example, electrochemical or photochemical means. Chapter 9 is of particular interest for those working in the field of molecular electronics since it discusses about "Logic Gates", i.e. molecules that might (will) be employed as molecular switches in future chemical (or molecular) computers. The amazing thing of this book is that all the material contained in it is real stuff, not pure speculation! You can verify this by checking the original references given at the end of each chapter. Hence, chemists are following an original approach to nanotechnology and the key for success will probably depend on whether they will find a clever way for wiring-up (networking) their molecules and make them (i.e., the resulting nano-object) work in concert. All in all this book (made of 16 chapters, about 500 pp., dozens of clear drawings and figures) is masterly written and logically organized. I cannot but rate it with 5 stars and a plus. If you want to know how chemists are approaching the field of nanotechnology, it should be in your bookshelf. ... Read more

Book Description

Bioimpedance and Bioelectricity Basics is unique in providing all the information needed to follow the interdisciplinary subjects of bioimpedance and bioelectricity without having to be a graduate student in the relevant fields. For the first time, one book offers the broadest possible introduction to all use and effects of electrical fields in tissue, dealing with the most basic chemical and physical functions of life. Very few books have covered the dielectric and electrochemical side of the subject, despite its importance; Bioimpedance and Bioelectricity Basics does. It also includes the electrical engineering concepts of network theory and the complex math needed. Up to now, there has been work done by physicists and engineers on one side, doctors and biologists on the other, this book fills the gap, providing the knowledge for both groups.

Key Features
* is one complete source and reference guide to a complex and disparate field
* gives the reader the latest research and applications
* is highly illustrated, with an indepth explanation of all mathematics ... Read more

Amazon.com

From test tubes to the Wall Street IPO and beyond, this is the riveting true story of a start-up pharmaceutical company working to create an anti-AIDS drug. Scientifically accurate, yet written with an attention to plot, timing, dialogue, and development of character more characteristic of the best thrillers. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Fast-paced and Insightful
I first read this book nearly two years ago as research for a novel I was writing. Recently, I turned to it once more to pick up a few terms and found myself reading chapter after chapter!

This non-fiction tale has enough twists and turns and drama to match any thriller on the market. An informative and engaging tale of a pharmaceutical start-up and the people involved. Joshua is interesting enough that the book could have been solely about him, but he isn't the only one. All of the players in this ego-driven mega-drama are interesting on many levels.

Who would I reccomend this book to? Anyone who likes a well-told story. A background in medicine is not needed, and neither is a knowledge of business practices. All you need to enjoy this book is a brain . . . and a night light because you'll be reading this book deep into the night.

Extraordinary look into the world of Big Pharma
Barry's Werth spent several years with the scientists and bio-venturers who formed Vertex Pharmaceuticals. The work paid off in an insightful and entertaining book. The Billion Dollar molecule is the holy grail of the researchers in today's pharmaceutical world, and this book shows how they go about attaining it. A remarkably easy book to read even if you don't know a protein from a Springsteen. The reader can find something valuable from all angles. Read it as a science book, a thriller, a business narrative, or a straight novel, you'll find delight here.

The Billion Dollar Molecule - One Company's Quest...
A thouroughly enjoyable read, Werth sheds light on the personaliteis and complexities of an amazing and multifaceted business. Throughout, the author uncovers the unseen deal-making, hand-wringing, and fist clenching that dominate the start of Vertex, a strucure-based paharmaceutical firm.

I particularly enjoyed the background on the Boger-Schreiber collaboration and rivalry, and the ensuing rivalry in Vertex's own labs. Further, following the last few years of Vertex's ups and downs via the Internet has been thoroughly enjoyable.

Werth's style is easliy read, and his obvious unhindered access to Vertex and its people make the story enjoyable, suspenseful, and dramatic.

A Fictionalized Tale of Venality and Banality
This book garnered fifteen five star reviews at Amazon.com. Frankly I don't see how. After sloughing through 250 pages of exasperatingly detailed, fictionalized melodrama, I returned this book to the library.

"BILLION DOLLAR MOLECULE: THE QUEST FOR THE PERFECT DRUG" by Barry Werth is a diatribe against the defenseless scientists it purports to portray and reflects a jaded perspective that tells us more about Werth's dim view of human nature than about how Vertex became a success.

The characters are sketched almost uniformly as embodying the worst traits in human nature: narcissistic, self-aggrandizing, petty, conniving, ruthless schemers, and academic back stabbers. The character of one Dr. Schreiber, a distinguished researcher and scientist, is pummeled into submission, portrayed as utterly base, calculating and disingenuous. Schreiber is Mr. Werth's straight man, a punching bag for the author's preoccupation with uncovering the ugliness that mysteriously lurks within the rarefied air of scientific enterprise. This book offers up a Machiavellian smorgasbord of character flaws, a feast of delights for those who enjoy a good food fight along with their meal.

Werth portrays his characters, mostly scientists, as inveterate workaholics, utterly clueless as to the meaning of work-life balance, driven to the point of destroying their health even as they seek to create drugs that save and extend the lives of others.

The overwhelming focus on the cult of personality severely detracts from the book's message. It is simply implausible to believe that such top caliber scientists with stellar records of scientific achievement climbed to the top by dropping sludge from the back of a truck and treating their colleagues like adolescent brothers a couple of years apart. Perhaps this is the way Barry Werth sees the world, but it is a jaundiced view in my opinion. I simply refuse to believe that the prototypical biotech entrepreneur is a clone of Samuel Waksal.

This book fails to clearly explain the biological context of its more challenging scientific concepts. Mr. Werth assumes too much knowledge on the part of the reader as if this book was written for the life science cognoscenti to gossip about at the water cooler.

Werth often has little or no regard for the terms he so loosely bandies about. Why wasn't there a glossary to explain the more esoteric terms in the text? Would it have been so difficult to include a few skeletal illustrations for those without a strong background in molecular biology or proteomics? Even Michael Crichton includes some reference material in his books and they are fiction.

This book, a 464 page soap opera, is more helium than substance and that is being charitable. It is really a book about Mr. Werth's phantasmagoric view of how new drug discovery proceeds. I would venture that the sordid descriptions pinned to these characters would leave them aghast (if they had time to come up for air), their distinguished careers warped in a series of fun house mirrors. Or perhaps, given the utter implausibility of the portrayals, these folks had a good laugh about it, chalking it up as historical satire, reality TV with a scientific aura.

This book could have aptly been named "Who Moved My Cheese from the Lab While I Was on Steroids". I read this book to gain an inside view of biotechnology discovery, but the view I ended up with was one of fantasy, a parallel universe where the noble pursuit of scientific discovery is trumped by a Darth Vader triple helix of avarice, greed and cynicism - a universe I won't be visiting any time soon.

reads like a thriller
awesome book about a start up in the pharmaceutical industry. a must for everybody who works in this field or who thinks about founding a company in the chemical/pharmaceutical/biochemical field. a must read! ... Read more

Book Description

Winner of the Association of American Publishers Best New Professional/Scholarly Publication - Engineering Called the "Bible of biomedical engineering," the bestselling first edition of The Biomedical Engineering Handbook virtually defined the field. The second edition continues to do so. It incorporates many of the recent technological changes and was extensively revised to reflect the growth and innovations in this dynamic discipline. Edited by a pioneer and leader in biomedical engineering research, education, and bioethics, The Biomedical Engineering Handbook covers every aspect of the field with contributions from top biomedical professionals from around the world. ... 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 usedEngineering terminology abound. This updated version is a vast improvementover 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 containingabout 6 different topics. At the beginning of each section there is a shortexplanation of the main issues that will be covered.

Although theHandbook will not be useful for an expert in one of the topics, it willcertainly be useful to explore different areas in Biomedical Engineeringfor professionals, or students who need a brief but concise and depthanalysis for a particular topic. ... Read more