Book Description

Molecular Biology of the Cell is the classic in-depth text reference in cell biology. By extracting the fundamental concepts from this enormous and ever-growing field, the authors tell the story of cell biology, and create a coherent framework through which non-expert readers may approach the subject. Written in clear and concise language, and beautifully illustrated, the book is enjoyable to read, and it provides a clear sense of the excitement of modern biology. Molecular Biology of the Cell sets forth the current understanding of cell biology (completely updated as of Autumn 2001), and it explores the intriguing implications and possibilities of the great deal that remains unknown.
The hallmark features of previous editions continue in the Fourth Edition. The book is designed with a clean and open, single-column layout. The art program maintains a completely consistent format and style, and includes over 1,600 photographs, electron micrographs, and original drawings by the authors. Clear and concise concept headings introduce each section. Every chapter contains extensive references. Most important, every chapter has been subjected to a rigorous, collaborative revision process where, in addition to incorporating comments from expert reviewers, each co-author reads and reviews the other authors' prose. The result is a truly integrated work with a single authorial voice. ... Read more

Reviews (26)

The best Cell Biology text, but...
This book is the main undergraduate cell biology text required, and rightly so. However, although it browses all of the sub-fields within the gigantic field of cell biology, it overemphasizes some fields and neglects others. The shortcomings of this text are a classic example of how experts in one field assume that related material will be covered in a related text, and when that invariably doesn't happen, everyone points fingers at each other and nothing changes.

The main shortcoming I am talking about is the field of Signal Transduction. This text very briefly gives a few pathways, and assumes that other texts dealing with Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Immunology, and Physiology/Pharmacology will take up the slack. Nothing could be further from the truth! Most undergraduate Biochemistry texts do give several dozen pathways, but these almost never continue on to gene transcription, a critical part of signal transduction. Molecular Biology texts like Genes VI only give examples of a membrane-to-DNA pathway, and the Immunology texts only give immune-related pathways. Signal transduction is by far the most important aspect of modern cell biology, and yet it is the most neglected sub-field in the texts! This needs to be corrected.

Molecular Biology of the Cell
Molecular Biology of the Cell is one of the best surveys available on the status of current information about cellular biology. The authors skillfully accomplish the difficult task of combining detail with readability while conveying the excitement of this dynamic field. Clear, concise, and colorful illustrations assist in this task and the book is a fine collection of splendidly dramatic photos of "molecular biology of the cell" in action. They covered an enormous amount of material with a style that is simple enough for a college-level biology student to follow with enough detail and references to be of use to an experienced research scientist. Bravo for a job well-done!

Wow!
Taking an online course in Molecular Cell Biology. This is the text.

This is an incredible book. Well organized, very up to date. It is not a trivial book by any means. I recomend that during the first pass on reading an assignment - that you do NOT have a pen at your side, just read it. It is an incredible read. The hard part is the shear amount of information in 1300 pages.

It will take me a while to plow through this text and the course, but I think it will be worth it in the end. The book is full of surprizes, at appropriate times information on evolution or medicines are thrown in. This is not a book for the timid.

Good for beginners
A very good textbook for learning the basics of mol bio. Most of the explantions are well written and easy to understand. From here you can jump into review articles if you want to go into greater detail.

"Fat Albert" still tops
"Fat Albert," as we used to affectionately call this book in undergrad, was yet another of those books teachers told us would be "a good shelf reference book." It was the main textbook for three of my classes so I reluctantly bought it. Now, five years later, and in my second year of dental school I still find myself relying on this book to clarify topics covered in classes ranging from Pharmacology to Physiology, and from Biochemistry to Immunology. In addition, Fat Albert is my go-to book for my research in a microbiology lab.
It was, and still is the most engaging and useful of any textbook I have ever bought. ... Read more

Book Description

Essential Cell Biology, Second Edition contains basic, core knowledge about how cells work. It has a proven track record in providing students with a conceptual and accessible grounding in cell biology. The text and figures have been prepared to be easy-to-follow, accurate, clear and engaging for the introductory student. Each section follows logically from the previous one, telling a story, rather than being a collection of facts. Questions integrated throughout each chapter encourage the reader to pause, think about what they have read, and attempt to apply the new knowledge in ways that test their understanding. Based on user feedback, the Second Edition now offers increased coverage of genetics and more experimental background. It is completely up-to-date. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

A MUST HAVE FOR ANY EDUCATED PERSON
A gem of a book. It puts at the hands of lay people the wonders of molecular biology. The best way of spending $65 I can think of.

The text is a most refined product distilled by an all-star team of leading scientists. Oriented towards the lay person or the would be specialist, it is simple, unpretentious, sometimes even funny, but always powerfully explanatory. The diagrams are exceptionally clear (a must for explaining such complex subjects) and the photographs are astounding. Love for their subject and passion for teaching are present all along. And mysticism is always around the corner...

If you have ever wondered things like "What are exactly chromosomes?", "How do exactly enzymes work in the cell?", or "How the hell does all this machinery work at a purely chemical level ?" and you are not quite satisfied with popular science books, this one is for you. It will answer these questions and much, much more.

An enjoyable, deeply satisfying tour the force through the molecular level of all living organisms.

Don't miss it!

A lively and clear introduction to cell biology
I read this book during the summer prior to me senior year in high school, and literally could not put it down. I read the whole work cover-to-cover in a week.

Going in, my background in biology was an introductory cell biology course and my background in chemistry was an introductory chemistry class. That I had little formal training in the sciences was irrelevant when reading this; it explains all the concepts so clearly that I think even a person with no background in science at all could understand it. The diagrams and photos are well-done and highly pertinent.

This is not to say that this book is only for non-scientists. Indeed, I even used knowledge gleaned from this fantastic book to teach my teachers a thing or two. Perhaps the section on muscle contraction is the best written of all - no other book I have ever seen comes close to this in clarity, and this section was one that I recommended to my Anatomy and Physiology teacher for clarification about a few concepts.

I am soon to be a sophomore in college, and this book continues to inspire me on my path to be a professor (I study chemistry with an emphasis on chemical biology). This book was invaluable even in a rigorous microbiology course, not to mention other introductory courses.

In summary, I rarely leave home for extended periods without this text (literally). If there is ONE BOOK that you should buy for studying cellular and molecular biology, let it be this one (or, if you are so inclined, its larger brother, Molecular Biology of the Cell).

A great help for a 1st year Med Student
"Essential Cell Biology" by Bruce Alberts literally saved my 1st semester. The course went hard and the lectures were long and boring. And then - I opened the Essential, started reading, and suddenly things got clear for me. I got an A on the test, and now I know my Cell Biology well - all thanks to this book. Strongly recommended!!!

A textbook that inspires you to think
This book contains essential stuff enough for medical students, although not enough for biochemistry or biology students. But this book is still useful because whenever you read the book, you will be inspired to that particular field. It is written not as tedious and complex as those "big" textbooks. Easy to read. Interesting. I highly recommend this textbook.

But if you are looking for every detail in molecular biology, this book is not satisfactory.

A fairly useful introduction to cell biology
This is a beautifully presented book. My students like it enormously, because of the conversational style, the illustrations, and the overall readibility -and this is perhaps the highest aim a textbook can aspire to achieve.

However, I find that the authors have gone too far in their attempt to abridge and simplify their previous opus -Molecular Biology of the Cell (MBOC): some topics are insufficiently or superficially discussed. Also, the style is slightly verbose at times. Finally, I think that the book could benefit from some reorganization.

The following examples illustrate my point.

*Osmosis is given a very brief mention.(p 382).
*The repulsion for anything mathematic continues the tradition started by MBOC. The Nernst equation, is given just a little box in page 393. The Donnan effect doesn't even have a walk-on part.
*The discussion of action potential contains the usual story of the voltage gated K+ channels, when these channels are not found in myelinated mammalian neurons.
*Myelin itself is not even mentioned.
*The discussion on G protein-linked receptors -a key topic- is very superficial.
*Membrane potential is introduced in a rather convoluted fashion. Furthermore, the concept is used several times before it is finally explained.
*Certain sections may leave the reader confused. For example p53 is described as a gene regulatory protein which arrests the cycle when DNA damage occurs (p 580). But when tumor suppressor genes are discussed, only retinoblastoma is given as an example, which would tend to convey the mistaken idea that p53 is not a tumor suppressor gene. ... Read more

Book Description

The World of the Cell combines the most readable book and effective learning package available for beginning readers in cell biology. With its hallmark emphasis on cell biology, the book guides readers through the basics of cell structure, function, and mechanisms.The World of the Cell continues the tradition of previous editions widely praised for covering some of the most difficult topics, including bioenergetics, metabolism, enzyme kinetics, thermodynamics, membrane transport, cell signaling, regulatory mechanisms, transcription and translation, signal transduction, and DNA replication and recombintion.For instructors and students, or anyone interested in cell or molecular biology. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Excruciatingly detailed and esoteric at times
This book is a decent text; however, I found it to be excruciatingly detailed at times and also quite a bit esoteric. The book goes in to so much detail, that it is usually hard to find a suitable and understandable explanation for basic concepts. It is better, probably, for higher level biology classes.

very useful,excellent
This book is very good for students who major biology.I don't read all yet, but I love this book.

Amazingly good book on cell biology and chemistry.
I am in awe of the usability of this book. The subject matter is not trivial, but is presented in a very logical, step-by-step sequence. Illustrations are in color and strongly reinforce the text. I was able to learn the material without the benefit of attending a class on the subject. Bravo to the Authors and the Publisher, Benjamin Cummings. ... Read more

Book Description

Gives students the most thorough understanding of cell and tissue biology, structure, and function is now revised and updated in a FULL-COLOR Tenth Edition!

Reflecting the latest research in the field, the tenth edition provides students with a solid knowledge of how cell and tissue structures are linked with their functions. This book examines the structure and function of cells, the four basic body tissues, and each organ and organ system of the human body. Throughout, cell biology is emphasized as the most fundamental approach to understanding structure and function.

Features a full-color design, 300 full-color photomicrographs highlighting important structural details of cells and tissues, a companion CD-ROM Atlas with all 600 photos and illustrations in the book. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Basic & excellent histology - reviewed by Marcelo Antunes
This book presents all basic tissues followed by descriptions of all human body systems. Microscopic anatomy and physiology are well balanced throughtout the textbook.The brazilian authors, Junqueira & Carneiro, used a simple, readable language along with very good illustrations and photos (including a colored atlas) to produce this book: the result is a text in which the student will find not only precise informations but a textbook of Histology simple enough to read, to study, to learn, and to review. Perhaps, more clinical comments and/or Pathology relating topics should be included in the next edition.

The Cd-Room is great but...
The CD- room is user friendly and thats good when you have to study a lot and need something easy .. But The figures in the book never had the zoom or the Microscopy resolution with every slide in the book. And well Is important to know that kid of information specialy if you are interested in microscopy

Just Great
This book is one of the best books i've ever read in basic histology. it's really good for medical students, Simple and straight to the point.
Every histologic feature had it's clinical correlation which is so helpful for students throughout their Predoc studies.

GREAT
it's the best basic histology book i've read ..... it's excellant for Predoc students

I am from Brazil and that¿s the book that we used at our sch
I am from Brazil and that's the book that we used at our school for histology.
We kind of liked it a lot since it was very easy to read and straightforward with its explanations so you would understand it easily, plus it covered everything that you needed to know for a histology class, for 1st year medical students.
Yours truly,
Thereza M.P.S.Melo. ... Read more

Book Description

Now fully updated and revised, the new Fourth Edition of Cell and Molecular Biology not only offers you and your students all of the latest research, it also gives students the tools they need to understand the science behind cell biology and ultimately succeed in your course. This text is ideal for sophomore/junior-level courses in cell biology offered out of biology or molecular and cell biology departments.
Cell and Molecular Biology provides an alternative for faculty looking for a text that concentrates on core concepts without sacrificing coverage of experimental evidence. Karp explores core concepts in considerable depth, and presents experimental detail when it helps to explain and reinforce the concept being explained. This edition also continues to offer an exceedingly clear presentation and excellent art program, both of which have received high praise in prior editions. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Concise story of cell biology
Another introductory book in the biology of the cell. I would say that the book is divided into mainly two sections, Cell structure and DANA, DANA replications etc. Second part takes almost two thirds of the book. I would prefer to read other Gene books when it comes to that point but for the cell structure, it is not bad. Some colored pictures, computer animations makes it easy to visualize things. Sections called "experimental pathways" scattered throughout the text takes you into current issues related to the subject. They are also quite sophisticated issues rather than practical problems. I think this book requires considerable guidance when read alone. I could not call this book as self sufficient or easy to read one compared to books by Alberts or Baltimore.

He's got it all here in a nutshell
All biology, biochemistry, and premed students will find this text an indispensible source of information for anything there is to know about cells. This is one text that can't possibly be read and fully understood overnight; just take a little bit at a time at any convenient moment and it will all come together in your mind before you know it!

THIS BOOK IS GREAT BUT NEEDS SOME IMPROVEMENT
I think that this book is simply great ,but it needs some improvement such as mentioning more about the diseases in the((HUMAN PERSPECTIVE))part.In addition,it should have more of the realastic figures about diseases.

Basil Numan((MEDICINE STUDENT 1ST YEAR)).

Biología molecular y celular de Geral Karp
I want to know about this book in spanish, it is posible, price and cost of send me.

Thanks you very much ... Read more

Book Description

The fourth edition of Culture of Animal Cells: A Manual of Basic Technique offers the most complete training manual of its kind on the fundamental principles and techniques of animal cell culture. Within this volume, indispensable updates reflecting the latest progress in media, specialized techniques, biotechnology, DNA transfer, and tumor culture have been made. This edition has five new chapters expanding on serum-free media, scale-up and biofermentors, molecular techniques, immortalization, and troubleshooting.
The advantages of tissue culture go beyond control of the physiochemical environment and physiological conditions as shown in the comprehensive coverage of tissue culture topics, both organ culture and cell culture, provided in this manual. A wide range of essential information from basic to specialized procedures is presented, highlighting advantages and limitations, and illustrating the properties of different types of culture.
This crucial reference for cell culture techniques includes:
* New Atlas of Cells section in full-color presentation
* Extended coverage of molecular techniques, scale-up, and serum-free medium
* New chapter on problem solving
* Photographs of cell lines, contaminations, and equipment
* Clear and concise tables and charts
* Educated recommendations on safety issues, ethical consent, and ownership
Biomedical researchers in cell biology, cytology, molecular biology, immunology, neuroscience, toxicology, and cancer biology will find Culture of Animal Cells: A Manual of Basic Technique, Fourth Edition to be an invaluable reference. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Still excellent at 3 years old...
Even though this book was published in 2001, it is still an irreplaceable source of info in my lab. The pictures and tables are wonderful. The only drawback is that is lacks info on a few cell lines (THP1, for example).

A SUPERB Manual of Basic Cell CultureTechnique
I purchased this book a year ago to use in a clinical virology laboratory. Although many of the recipes used in my field are essentially set, this book allowed for broad learning in the skill of cell culture. I learned many principles of cell culture that were poorly explained or not mentioned in clinical literature and books.

This book is well laid out, the chapters well written, and the information is comprehensive. Subjects include (besides the usual stuff of cell culture) chapters covering equipment materials, safety, contamination, scale up, a reagent appendix, and supplier's listing.

This book is an excellent choice for the serious beginner. The expert will certainly find this book of value because even experts are only expert at what they do routinely and there is so much to know. This would be a great training source for research or clinical laboratories who perform cell culture.

A must have book for the people doing the cell related work
This book gives us comprehesive review on new techniques in cell cultures. It is a good guidance to the people who is doing the cell-based techniques.

Wonderful reference book
This book is a superb reference book. It is useful for a beginning or an experienced tissue culture practitioner. ... Read more

Reviews (36)

Fairly up to date and great teaching tool
As you can imagine, no text book is a must read, but it certainly is a must own for any student of cell biology or biological scientists, from undergraduate, graduate, medical student, to the graduated faculty member. A useful text with great figures and an excellent accompanying CD.

Needs Improvement
I agree with an earlier reviewer that the book is a good reference and the overwhelming details contained in it make it difficult to get the basic fundamentals. The authors need to trim it down and focus more on fundamental principles. I feel at times the book is somewhat convoluted and hard to follow. This is sometimes the case with books that have multiple authors.

Another reviewer pointed out the over abundance of yeast molecular biology contained in he book. I again agree with this person. I realize yeast is where we learned a lot about eukaryotic molecular biology. But I wish the book focused less on yeast and more mammalian cell biology. People using this book are likely to be looking at careers in biomedical research or medicine. I think more mammalian biology would be more beneficial.

Why do all these textbooks have to have a CD to run the price of the book up ?

Too many authors undermine coherence
This text is excellent in the coverage of its subject matter, but, like typical texts and journal articles written by a myriad of authors, it lacks coherence. Thus, separating the wheat from the chaff is tedious. The book, if well written, could be much shorter and more readable than it currently is.

Scicchitano undermines Lodish's brilliance
I have read snippets of this book as Scicchitano was my professor of molecular cell biology at NYU, therefore I'm naturally curious. He was quite well-spoken about the basics behind the subject - even, at times, verbose - yet he elevated that lucid core knowledge of the subject to such a great pomp that I cannot dissociate my experience of his fluff from this publication. Forgive me Harvey Lodish, but you would have done better not to collaberate with him, and you did do better by indeed discluding him from your molecular cell biology textbooks. (In class, David's jealousy at Dr. Lodish's superior intellect was obvious, as he took time out of every class to slam Lodish's molec cell 4th edition)

Excellent
This book gave me a real appreciation for cell biology! I love the figures and micrographs. I've had to read a lot of other books and this is hands-down my favorite bio book yet. ... Read more

Book Description

Biological physics, the application of physics to provide an understanding of biological phenomenas, is a burgeoning, new inter-disciplinary subject. This text explores the physics behind the architecture of a cell's envelope and internal scaffolding, as well as the properties of its soft components. The analysis is performed within a consistent mathematical framework, although readers can navigate from the introductory material to biological applications without working through the intervening mathematics. The book includes applications and extensions handled through problems at the end of each chapter. This text is aimed at senior undergraduates and graduate students in science and biomedical engineering. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Essential Book
"...there is no question that this is THE reference book on flow cytometry...You need this book if you use flow cytometry. Get it!" (Doody's Electronic Journal, October 25, 2003)

Highly Recommended
"[Practical Flow Cytometry, Fourth Edition] is one of the best textbooks for graduate students interested in biomedical sciences ... if you can only have one book on flow cytometry, this has to be the one." -- J. Paul Robinson, Ph.D., Professor of Immunopharmacology and Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana

The definitive reference work on flow
This book is quite possibly the most comprehensive reference book on flow cytometry available. Every aspect of a modern cytometer is covered in depth, including the underlying physics and all their practical consequences to the functioning of the machine. While the incredible wealth of information may make this book unsuitable as an introductory manual to the novice, it is indispensable in any lab that uses this technique on a regular basis. ... Read more

Reviews (50)

Molecular Biology - medical students need backup
Molecular Biology of the Cell is written in a straightforward easy-to-read manner. The book is especially well up-to-date on many ascpects and, to my delight, connective tissue components are given enough space. This is your book if you're interested in molecular biology. A drawback from the point of view of a medical student is the lack of integration of metabolism to the organ level, let alone human body. Molecular Biology of the Cell sticks to its header by consistently leaving out topics such as - insulin regulation of blood glucose - ketone bodies - fasting (and ketone bodies) - CYP enzyme family (cytochrome P450) - pentose phosphate pathway/hexose monophosphate shunt/glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase - purine catabolism/xanthine oxidase/uric acid/gout

Clearly, if backed up with a texbook of biochemistry or physiology covering metabolism on a higher level, Molecular Biology of the Cell is an excellent choice, even for medical students.

Best intro molecular/cell text out there.
Well, considering that this book got me through a full year of molecular and cell biology as an undergraduate, I'm pretty fond of the book. Especially considering that the second half of the year was taught by two people who had never taught a class in their lives before. Reason for the five stars is that this is an INTRODUCTORY level textbook written about 7 years ago. Even considering that, it's thorough enough and comprehensive enough for an entire year. I wasn't expecting work done last year to be included and I wasn't expecting that it would delve into the intricate details of photosynthetic reaction centers or the latest in optical methods in single molecule dynamics. If you want that kind of detail, go to the journals or specialized texts. However, for those undergraduates undertaking a full year of MCB, I can't recommend this text highly enough. And if you're looking for prokaryotic information, I'd go pick up a copy of Prescott, Harley, and Klein's "Microbiology."

A perfect introduction to the subject
I will say that I had no trouble in reading and understanding this book. All subjects are nicely elaborated and picturized with detailed schematics or with electron microscopy pictures. Scanning electron pictures are the best but very minimal.All basic concepts are covered structure of cell, protein synthesis, DANA , cell structures,nerve cells, atp, etc. You may want to skip better books when it comes to biochemistry or developmental biology but this book gives smooth introduction all subjects and than you make your direction. Compared to book written by Karp, I prefer this one for wider coverage but Karp has some sections called "experimental pathways" that open your vision to latest developments.

May be catagorised: "Antique"
Ounce apon a time in the beginning of the 90's there was a great book: "Molecular Biology of the Cell". However, this very book missed the oppportunity to keep up with exponentiall growth of knowledge accumulated in this field. Indeed it lacks the fundamental information needed by every cell biology student and may only satisfy the needs of a AP biology class at High School.

an outstanding book but somewhat outdated
This book is the most comprehensive book of cell biology I have ever read. I think it is still better than Lodish's Molecular Cell Biology, even the 4th edition of the latter is updated. It helped me greatly in my preparation for GRE Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology Test (I received a score of 750, 98%). However, 7 years have passed since this edition and many progresses in cell biology have been made in these years and a new edition is needed. It is said on Medscape Bookstore that the 4th edition of Molecular Biology of the Cell is due to be published in 2002-04 and now I am waiting for it. ... Read more

Book Description

This single reference provides basic information on the multiple disciplines of science as they pertain to the science of stem cells. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Addressing both medical and ethical issues
Collaboratively written by Ann A. Kiessling and Scott Anderson for readers who are already basically familiar with the fundamentals of cell biology, Human Embryonic Stem Cells is a informed and informative presentation of what modern research and science has learned about stem cells and the therapies that involve them. Addressing both medical and ethical issues, and enhanced with black-and-white photographs and drawings, Human Embryonic Stem Cells is a strongly recommended scholarly and scientific work and an invaluable contribution to having an informed public and academic understanding with respect to an active and controversial medica/social/political issue.

Not Easy but Well Worth the Efforts
I was extremely impressed with this exceptional book as it teaches lay people what is happening in this very important, cutting edge field. It is well layed out. Kiessling and Anderson cover the concepts, history, and backgrounds necessary so that all readers get a good understanding of the basics of stem cell research. They do it without sidesteping or ignoring many of the misconceptions, or beliefs that challenge many basic religious and ethical dogma. For example, when a woman's body produces nearly one million eggs ("20,000 eggs die each year including the dozen or so which are ovulated"), and the moment of conception can now be debated between when a sperm first connects with an egg and the time when DNA replication occurs is hours (at least 6 to 8 hours) later. Once again, science is challenging our basic beliefs. The world is no longer flat. Unlike so many of our basic text books of the past, Human Embryonic Stem Cells frequently points out the edge of what is known in this science with "more study is needed in this area" being a common theme throughout the book. This book is the cutting edge. The chapters on Neurogenerative Diseases and Tissue Systems Failures point out that there is a real possibility for over 125 million people being helped and/or cured of everything from Parkinson's and Alzheimer's Diseases to Diabetes and Hemophilia. The research on Spinal Cord Injuries is changing what is known and believed about how we can treat those injured, too.
This book isn't easy reading. It doesn't shy away from including the science, yet the rewards are abundant. Every member of congress should study this book before voting to limit one of the most promising fields open to mankind. ... Read more

Book Description

Because molecular and cellular biology is such an exciting and rapidly moving area of science, teaching it at the undergraduate level is a rewarding, yet challenging, task. The Cell: A Molecular Approach meets this challenge by providing students with not only the most current information, but also with an introduction to the experimental nature of contemporary research. Designed for use in introductory cell biology courses, The Cell presents current comprehensive science in a readable and cohesive text that students can master in the course of one semester.

The new Third Edition of The Cell retains the organization, themes, and special features of earlier editions, but is updated to reflect scientific advances since publication of the Second Edition in 2000, including:

* progress that has been made in genome sequencing
* advances in understanding transcriptional regulation and mRNA processing
* the use of DNA microarrays in global studies of gene expression and cancer diagnostics
* advances in nuclear transport and protein trafficking
* progress in understanding the regulation of programmed cell death
* potential medical applications of embryonic stem cells
* the development of oncogene-targeted cancer treatments

SPECIAL FEATURES OF THE CELL

With a clear focus on cell biology as an integrative theme, topics such as developmental biology, plant biology, the immune system, the nervous system, and muscle physiology are covered in their broader biological context.

"Key Experiment" boxes in each chapter describe seminal experiments in modern cell biology, showing the details and background to give students a sense of doing science.

"Molecular Medicine" boxes relate basic science to clinical practice or potential and show the excitement of molecular discovery and solutions to disease.

Chapter summaries are organized in outline form corresponding to the major sections and subsections of each chapter. This section-by-section format is coupled with a list of the key terms introduced in each section, providing a succinct but comprehensive review of the material.

The full-color art program is both pedagogically and scientifically outstanding.

In addition, each chapter includes: a brief chapter outline, bold-faced key terms (also defined in the glossary), and chapter-end questions (15 per chapter) with answers in the back of the book. The deliberate and cumulative result of this pedagogy is a book that students can master. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

cell biology book
fast shipping, recieved book just as described, good as new!
i'd do business with seller again thanks.

The cooper cell
This book contained very usefull text information especially for whom undertaking cell biology. It as also recommended by Lecturers in Victoria University of Technology, in Australia. It provides excellent details of cell functions and related items in both the general view and the molecular view. The older version is also a very good source, but I think it is a bit out dated. I would recommend this text to whom is studying cell biology.

New! Second Edition of Cooper text is available!
The field of cell biology is so vast and changing so rapidly that teaching it can be a daunting prospect. The First Edition of The Cell: A Molecular Approach, published in 1997, offered the perfect solution for teachers and their students--current, comprehensive science combined with the readability and cohesiveness of a single-authored text. Designed for one-semester introductory cell biology courses, this book enabled students to master the material in the entire book, not simply to sample a small fraction from a much larger text. The new Second Edition of The Cell retains the organization, themes, and special features of the original, but it has been completely updated in major areas of scientific progress, including: genome analysis; chromatin and transcription; nuclear transport; protein sorting and trafficking; signal transduction; the cell cycle; and programmed cell death.

The new Second Edition was published June 16, 2000.

Excellent basic book
I teach cellular biolgy in senior hihg school, and I found in this book an excellent tool, were my students can find the basic information that they need. The CD is also a great idea, because the students can see some proceses in motion.

Excellent introductory book
I am an engineer by training and I am interested in appling biological principles to solving engineering problems (I am also the author of a book entitled Intelligent Systems for Engineering: A Knowledge-based Approach). Prof. Cooper's book is an amazingly well written book. Anyone can easily understand the concepts presented. My only advice to the author is to make the CD-ROM more interactive and if possible add narration. Congratuations on writing such an excellent book. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Outdated, but good introduction
It helped me as a lay person to get some insight into genetics and genetic technology. I knew nothing about it before that book and was quite surprised how far they already are. It shows genetic principles and many methods to operate on genes to learn more or to make them do what we want. But remember: It's totally outdated. Missing are a presentation how far genetic engeneering did already change the world. It's not just a few plants in a test lab, but tens of thousands of changed plants and microbes. DNA research is no more isolated from it's application. Whatever they discover is soon built into nature.

A good book for students
This book shows the basic concepts in the DNA study. It's good to have as a reference book.

Now hopelessly outdated
Still a decent, but hardly exceptional, introduction to Recombinant DNA. The writing is often hazy, especially if you are not familiar with DNA-speak. I find it a frustrating and unsatisfying read and scientific experience.

Update in 2003: they want $100 for this?!?

GMZ, PhD

Lacking the sauce....
For those who are just entering the world of genetics, this would be a good overview to basic principles and an easy read. For those who are in search of a guidebook to identify details about genetic recombination procedures, you are wasting your money. The text goes into no in-depth analysis of PCR techniques to Human Genetic experiments. Very disappointed, yet what would you expect from a non-traditional scientists such as James Watson.

Mediocre attempt for a difficult subject.
This book leaves readers with tons of questions. In some instances, information vital to understanding of the material is left out. The diagrams, however, are very helpful. Authors use confusing lingo which make a visual picture very unclear. Overall, the book lacks the technicality required for a good textbook. In-depth knowledge of the topics presented in this text requires the use of other resources. ... Read more

Book Description

"PCR: the basics" is the ideal practical introduction to PCR practices in the laboratory. By providing basic theory, background material and suggestions for suitable protocols, it enables a novice to become a proficient user of many PCR techniques. Coverage includes: * Experimental aspects * Analyzing and manipulating PCR products * Genome analysis * Gene cloning and manipulation * Gene expression and medical diagnosis "PCR: the basics" is invaluable for undergraduates, graduates, or experienced researchers who are about to undertake PCR for the first time. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

PCR for beginners: A must-have !
This book explains really good all the basics of the PCR.
For the beginning PhD student, or even before, all you need to know and even more is inside. Some applications are more complicated, but the book is never too difficult to understand.
A must-have!!

Great Book on PCR
This book is a great practical introduction to PCR. It truly does cover the full spectrum of PCR topics from background to benchtop (real-world) applications. It is very clearly written and easy to understand. I own about 10 books on basic and advanced PCR methods, and this one is by far the best. If you want a clear, concise, comprehensive introduction to PCR, this book is it.

PCR is Good
PCR by McPherson and Moeller, is a great great little book that addresses the practical and theoretical aspects of the polymerase chain reaction. The fundamental aspects of PCR, ranging from reagents and instrumentation, to PCR optimization, to the analysis of genomes, are outlined in each of 10 chapters with companion protocols for each application. Each technique is explained with clarity and numerous illustrations greatly aid in the understanding. I tried personally the "SOEing" method to generate a deletion mutants and it worked to perfection. Another great feature of this book is that it explains many of the potential pitfalls associated with PCR technology in a very comprehensive manner, and gives simple solutions to remedy these problems. PCR has been around for some 15 years, and the many applications of this revolutionary technique have often been overlooked due to the sheer number; PCR takes many of these new applications and makes them simple for the reader, and in that it constitutes one of the more comprehensive educational books on the subject. PCR will surely simplify the task of students and veteran molecular biologists alike, and for these reasons I highly recommend it.

Attention All Molecular Biologists
This book is ideal for both students and experienced researchers. In addition to covering the basic and theoretical aspects of PCR, the book also describes cutting-edge PCR methods and applications. It's nice to have such a comprehensive, up-to-date book on PCR. The clarity of the text made for enjoyable reading. This is a must for students and any molecular biology laboratory. Happy Reading! ... Read more

Book Description

Flow cytometry continually amazes scientists with its ever-expanding utility. Advances in flow cytometry have opened new directions in theoretical science, clinical diagnosis, and medical practice. The new edition of Flow Cytometry: First Principles provides a thorough update of this now classic text, reflecting innovations in the field while outlining the fundamental elements of instrumentation, sample preparation, and data analysis.
Flow Cytometry: First Principles, Second Edition explains the basic principles of flow cytometry, surveying its primary scientific and clinical applications and highlighting state-of-the-art techniques at the frontiers of research. This edition contains extensive revisions of all chapters, including new discussions on fluorochrome and laser options for multicolor analysis, an additionalsection on apoptosis in the chapter on DNA, and new chapters onintracellular protein staining and cell sorting, including high-speed sorting and alternative sorting methods, as well as traditional technology. This essential resource:
* Assumes no prior knowledge of flow cytometry
* Progresses with an informal, engaging lecture style from simpleto more complex concepts
* Offers a clear introduction to new vocabulary, principles of instrumentation, and strategies for data analysis
* Emphasizes the theory relevant to all flow cytometry, with examples from a variety of clinical and scientific fields
Flow Cytometry: First Principles, Second Edition provides scientists, clinicians, technologists, and students with the knowledge necessary for beginning the practice of flow cytometry and for understanding related literature. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

An Expert's Opinion
"I consider it to be the best presentation of principles of flow cytometry. The text is clearly written, the figures are well chosen." -- Zbigniew Darzynkiewicz, Brander Cancer Research Institute, New York Medical College

a necessary primer in flow-cytometry
A core book designed mainly for the nonspecialist, "Flow Cytometry: First Principles" is addressing in ten chapters the essential issues in flow-cytometry, from flow machines to reagents, techniques and their applications in fundamental research and clinical settings. The first chapters conveys us as back as the beginning of the century, when the concept of flow-cytometry germinated. Light microscopy, cell counters and ink jet technology are standing at the grounds of flow-cytometry and their merging paved the way toward the modern, "black box", flow cytometers. However, "beyond the black box", the instrumentation and the technical aspects are comprehensively described in several chapters. a discussion on data acquisition and analysis is provided, along with the most used cell staining procedures, fluorochromes, lenses, mirrors and lasers. A widespread application in flow-cytometry is cell labelling, particularly leukocyte subpopulations identification with monoclonal antibodies binding cell surface specific markers. Although lymphocytes are the prototype, methods presented here -dot-plot, histogram, quadrant analysis and gating are applicable to many other cell types , including bacteria or algae. With the advent of some "state of the art" machines, DNA and chromosome analyses become feasible by flow-cytometry. It is foreseeable that molecular biology on flow-cytometer will not stop to cell cycle, ploidy and apoptosis investigation, but even chromosomal translocations or point mutations would be detectable with enough precision for diagnosis. Beside fundamental research applications, flow-cytometry is now an indispensable technique in the clinical laboratory, too. Oncology, immunology, hematology and pathology are fields where flow diagnosis has sometimes the last word to say. Cross-match analysis and HLA phenotyping can now rapidly be performed by flow-cytometry, with usefulness in organ and bone-marrow transplantation. The final chapter is intended to present the flow-cytometry of the future, as seen in 1992, with an emphasis on the functional assays which are gaining now an increasing interest. However, a precedent, "out of the stream" chapter is preparing us on what this future could look alike. It approaches some of the border-line pplications, in fields where flow-cytometry is becoming a current tool of research. These are microbiology -prokaryotic DNA and drug resistance determination-, ecology -aquatic environment, plankton, algae-, developmental biology or the functional studies -Ca2+influx. The book is highly recommended for flow-cytometry and sorting beginners, but it is an equally pleasant lecture for people working in many life sciences fields, eager to find out how flow-cytometry is shaping current biological research. ... Read more

Book Description

Oxford University Press is proud to present GENES VII--the latest edition of Benjamin Lewin's best-selling textbook. This authoritative work provides an integrated account of the structure and function of genes and incorporates all the latest research in the field.

THE MOST SIGNIFICANT REORGANIZATION TO DATE

The power of direct analysis of the genome has made a significant difference in the approach of GENES VII. In a departure from previous editions, which started with a traditional analysis of formal genetics, the new edition begins with the molecular properties of the gene itself. The text is now reorganized to begin with the concept of genes as a segment of DNA coding for protein, and then proceeds directly to the characterization of the genome in terms of its content of genes.

INTEGRATED APPROACH

GENES VII first explains the structure and function of the gene as a means to revealing the operation of the genome as a whole, and offers an integrated approach to prokaryotes and eukaryotes. The gene is considered from all aspects, including:

* Basic forms

* The numbers and relationships among genes in a genome

* Their packaging into chromosomes

* The process of gene expression from transcription through translation

* The reproduction and safeguarding of the gene structure

* Aspects of the overall circuitry through which genotype determines phenotype

STREAMLINED, FULL-COLOR DESIGN

GENES VII has been considerably restructured and reorganized to highlight the latest research and technology. It contains more that 800 full color illustrations that are extremely useful in teaching the key concepts presented in the book.

GENES VII CONTAINS NEW, GROUNDBREAKING INFORMATION ON:

* New technologies that count and compare expressed genes

* Accessory proteins (chaperones)

* The role of the proteasome

* Licensing

* Reverse translocation

* Connections between repair and recombination systems and human diseases

* Connections between the structure of chromosomal material and control of gene expression in eukaryotes

* The process of X chromosome inactivation

* Imprinting

* Control of gene expression by epigenetic changes

* The enzymatic activities that control chromatin structure and affect the regulatory process

* Archeael enzymes

* The mechanism of RNA editing in lower eukaryotes

* The role of RAG genes

* Interactions within and between pathways

* The use of protein degradation to control passage through the cell cycle

* Programmed cell death

* Telomerase and its role in carcinogenesis. And much more! ... Read more

Reviews (21)

It's earned a spot on my bookshelf
Although many of my college textbooks have been packed away into neat little boxes and shoved into an attic, this one sits on my shelf and will be called into duty in the future. In an ideal world, the author would have written just for me: reordered the chapters, gone into greater detail for some topics and less for others, and inserted images that pertained to the level of detail I needed. However, the world isn't ideal. The book comes as close as any text can to meeting the needs of readers who need the book as a fundamental learning aid and as a reference guide. However, although it's jam-packed with information, it's a little tedious reading through the elementary text to get to what you need. Perhaps he needs to split the book into two texts: an Introductory Genes (Green Genes?) and an advanced text. Overall, worth the money.

Thumbs down from a frustrated professor
Lewin's Genes series has dominated the market in Molecular Biology textbooks ... Unfortunately, its monopoly status seems to have insulated Lewin, his illustrators, and his editors from the corrective influences of a competitive market...so far.

I am in my second year of teaching from this book and I find it very frustrating. Lewin's writing style is unclear, difficult and distracting. Tangential ideas and subjects appear out of nowhere in the middle of chapters for no logical reason. As I write this, I should be preparing my lecture for Chapter 26 (Signal transduction). Why does this chapter start with a discussion of transporters? Later parts contain sentences that are almost unreadable and way too much detail about the alphabet soup of different kinases.

Although it is much better than some earlier editions, Genes VII still contains a variety of major and minor errors, including serious problems in explaining how lagging strand DNA synthesis is coordinated in the replication fork - several experts tell me that the model in figure 13.16 is simply wrong. The holoenyme does not lose one of its catalytic subunits with each cycle of Okazaki fragment synthesis. The clamp simply lets go and the clamp loader grabs the next fragment with a new clamp. I realized this semester that I had been ignoring the book and teaching what I knew from seminars.

Even when the content they describe is basically correct, figures in Genes VII can be astonishingly bad. Homologous recombination is illustrated with DNA strands that are only color coded and where the 5' and 3' ends are not labeled (Chapter 14). Unlabeled spliceosomal proteins change their color codes in the middle of the pathway - transesterification to form the lariat also seems to change U2 into U1 (Figure 22.10).

I am hoping that one of the newer competitors for Genes VII will prove to be a suitable replacement. I am examining Robert Weaver's Molecular Biology - I like what I've read so far - and should get a review copy of T.A. Brown's Genomes soon. ...Disclaimer - I have no financial interest in the success of any of these. All of them are available on Amazon.

By the way, I do have a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology. I'm not an expert in all of the material covered by Genes VII, but I was trained in labs whose work is cited in Genes VII.

the best book
In my opinion it is the best book i have partly read by far and every time when i have a free time i intrestingly like to read this book. In fact, i have found it very usefull to undrestand basic meaning of celular and molecular phenomenons and genes.

Great book
This book is well written and provides an excellent introduction to the subject matter. It's a comprehensive text for anyone who wishes to gain a thorough exposure to the genes, genomes and gene regulation. However, this book does have it's drawbacks. Recent advances in genomics maybe covered on a later textbook. Perfect for an undergraduate or a beginning grad student. I suggest this book as a companion for a more comprehesive text such MBOC by alberts et al. If you are faced with a choice of either alberts or Genes VII, I suggest alberts. For the seasoned molecular biologist I urge you to look elsewhere.

Good
This book is useful but if your new to genetics and want a nice reference book that is easy to read I recommend "Concepts of Genetics" by Klug and Cummings. I have the 6th version and even though it is not as popular as Lewin's texts it reads well and has great pictures. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Excellent book for histology class and USLME
I used this book and the following which is also on Amazon.com:
Histology Study Guide: Key Review Questions and Answers.
The first book was written well and was quite helpful in preparing me for my histology exams in med school. Histology Study Guide: Key Review Questions and Answers (ISBN: 0971999686) was so on target with the kind of questions asked on my histology exams in med school. It also proved to be helpful for the histology portion of the USLME Step 1. It goes to show since I got excellent grades in my histology class and on my USLME. I gave my friends both of these books to study from for class exams and for the boards, and they all passed the first time. My advice is to get both books.

Must buy for USLME
I found the information in this book pretty on target for the topics that are needed for the histology portion USLME 1. This book is a very good reference because it helped me summarize the info better in a much shorter fashion than just going back to a long textbook. If you really want to know the type of questions asked on the USLME step 1, I highly recommend the following that is also on amazon. Histology Study Guide: Key Review Questions and Answers (ISBN: 0971999686) This two study guides are must buys. There are both worth the money.

Great reference for USLME step 1
This was a good review for the histology portion of the USLME Step 1. It has similar topics that were asked on in the test. ...

Super for the boards
I found this book to be really helpful. I know people who used some other books to prepare for histology and regretted it. The book is laid out in outline manner which makes finding information easy. The questions were just like the kinds I encountered on my Step I exam. I highly recommend this book.

A good board review book for histo/cell bio
I felt that this was a good book to use for board review purposes. The outline format, like all the BRS books, is easy to follow and makes it easy to look up info. The end of chapter questions are the best part by allowing you to see if you really understood what you just read. It does not have the number and quality of pictures that a good atlas would have but it is a good book to use to supplement a histo atlas. ... Read more

Book Description

This beautifully illustrated and sophisticated molecular cell biology text is appropriate for undergraduates, graduate students and medical students. Using a concise style, the book presents a comprehensive, up to date account of how macromolecular interactions explain cellular structure and function. Clinical examples depict how basic cell biology explains human disease. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A great Cell Biology book
I used this book in an undergraduate Cell and Molecular Biology course in the University of Puerto Rico. It is an excellent book because it presents a lot of information as well as a lot of different examples that support that information. It is full of diagrams, pictures and tables that helped me understood all the key concepts.

Wonderful
It's agreat book. I reccomend this book for all udergraduated students. It's awesome. ... Read more

Book Description

Caenorhabditis Elegans has been a popular model organism for biological research for over thirty years and has been used to investigate many aspects of animal development, for example apoptosis, the Hox genes, signal transduction pathways, and the development of the nervous system. It has recently taken on new importance with the publication of the entire genome sequence in 1998.The first chapter gives all the basic information on C. elegans required to use it: it's natural history, anatomy, life cycle, development, and evolution. Information on how to obtain, grow, and maintain C. elegans for use as a model system is given in Chapter 4.Chapters 2 and 3 describe the genome project and show how to use genome sequence information by searching the database for homologues using different search methods and then how to analyse the search data. The next chapter gives the essential practical details of transformation and common uses for the technique. Chapter 6 covers reverse genetics and describes strategies for gene inactivation that are known to work in C elegans: epigenetic inactivation and mutational germ line inactivation. Chapter 7 is designed to help the user analyse phenotype by microscopy and includes Normaski, fluorescence, 4-dimensional, and electron microscopy. Techniques for studying the neurobiology of C. elegans are given in chapter 8. Chapter 9 describes the three commonly used approaches for studying gene expression and