Book Description

From small beginnings in the early 1970s, the study of complement regulatory proteins has grown in the last decade to the point where it dominates the complement field. This growth has been fueled by the discovery of new regulators, the cloning of old and new regulators, the discovery that many of the regulators are structurally and evolutionarily related to each other and the development of recombinant forms for use in therapy. There are now more proteins known to be involved in controlling the complement system than there are components of the system and the list continues to grow. The time is ripe for a comprehensive review of our current knowledge of these intriguing proteins. This book does just that. The first few chapters discuss the "nuts-and-bolts" of the complement regulators, describing their structures, functional roles and modes of action. The roles of the complement regulators in vivo are then described, focusing on the consequences of deficiency, roles in the reproductive system, interactions with pathogens and exploitation for therapy. The interesting developments in defining the complement regulators expressed in other species are also discussed. The book is written as a monograph, albeit by two people. The text is as readable as possible without compromising on scientific accuracy and completeness. The conversational style very evident in some sections is deliberate! Placing all references in a single bibliography at the end of the text further improves readability. The reader will go to the book to discover a specific fact but be persuaded to read more and derive pleasure from the process. The authors' enthusiasm for the subject comes over strongly in the text, and this enthusiasm proves infectious.

Key Features
* Complement regulators--structure, functional roles and mode of action
* Comprehensive reviews of each of the individual regulators
* Roles of Complement regulators in vivo,in health and disease:
* Consequences of deficiency
* Roles in the reproductive system
* Interactions with pathogens
* Exploitation for therapy
* Complement regulators in other species ... Read more

Book Description

A discussion of all the key issues in the use of human pluripotent stem cells for treating degenerative diseases or for replacing tissues lost from trauma. On the practical side, the topics range from the problems of deriving human embryonic stem cells and driving their differentiation along specific lineages, regulating their development into mature cells, and bringing stem cell therapy to clinical trials. Regulatory issues are addressed in discussions of the ethical debate surrounding the derivation of human embryonic stem cells and the current policies governing their use in the United States and abroad, including the rules and conditions regulating federal funding and questions of intellectual property. ... Read more

Amazon.com

In the foreword to this expanded edition of his 1979 masterpiece, Horace Freeland Judson says, "I feared I might seem the official historian of the movement"--molecular biology, that is. If by official he means "authoritative; definitive; the standard against which all others are measured" then his fears are warranted.Detailed without being overly technical, humane without being fulsome, The Eighth Day of Creation tells of molecular biology's search for the secret of life. "The drama has everything--exploration of the unknown; low comedy and urgent seriousness; savage competition, vaulting intelligence, abrupt changes of fortune, sudden understandings; eccentric and brilliant people, men of honor and of less than honor; a heroine, perhaps wronged; and a treasure to be achieved that was unique and transcendent." And in Judson this drama found its Shakespeare. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Biomedical research, as it is actually practiced
Judson's book, like Tracy Kidder's "The Soul of a New
Machine", stands out for getting it: the passion, the
politics, and the personalities behind scientific
and technological progress, as well as its pitfalls and
cul de sacs. Judson's book, like no other I've read,
captures molecular biology as it is practiced.

I received this book as a gift in 1980 when I was a
college freshman hoping to major in biochemistry.
Today, much as I like to see the biomedical research I
do as a rational, deductive, "hypothesis-driven"
affair, there is unescapably the human element. Think
ego, and all of the other human qualities, respectable
or scorned. Have you seen genome sequencer J. Craig
Venter on the cover of Time (or was it Newsweek?). What
do you think put him there?

Science as a human endeavor was put forth theoretically
in 1962 by historian Thomas Kuhn in his "The Structure
of Scientific Revolutions". Complementing Kuhn, Judson
illustrates it in deliciously readable human terms. For
this reason this book is unmatched and is worth six,
not five, stars.

Max Perutz appears significantly in Judson's story. In
1990, as a beginning graduate student, I had the
priviledge of meeting and conversing with Perutz. He
was just as Judson portrayed him: modest, plodding,
dedicated, pursuing what he might learn from the
structure and properties of hemoglobin. Reading Judson
a decade earlier prepared me for this most important
meeting for me.

Though dated (the story stops about 1975), I heartily
recommend this book to anyone considering a career in
biomedical research. Judson successfully conveys the
human reality of that honorable profession. Some times
it hurts -- crystallographer Rosalind Franklin never
got her due -- but that's the state of the profession.

Great piece of historical writing
I loved this book. Before reading it, I had the rather naive view that Crick and Watson discovered the structure of DNA and suddenly "all was light". I hadn't realised the huge effort required over the next twenty years to attain an understanding of the linkages between that structure and the biological processes it codes for. Judson's book tells that story, in detail, and is written at a level that I could follow (as a layperson with a keen interest in science).

Judson talked to the researchers responsible for all the major developments in molecular biology, and quotes extensively from his interviews, so the reader gets a feel for the human side of the great adventure, the sense of community and the rivalries, the frustrations and dead ends as well as the victories.

Be warned that it is not a light or short read. It demands the reader's close attention. Fortunately, though, it is a pageturner that (with only minor exceptions) keeps the reader gripped.

It should also be noted that the first edition of the book was written in the early seventies and, while no doubt Freedland has updated it, the main narrative ends in about 1972. There is a final chapter on developments since then, but it is of necessity quite brief and touches on a limited number of highlights.

A magnificent Eighth Day
Wonderful, it is simply the best book on the subject. An account that carefully balances scientific contents and personal issues of the scientists from the early times of molecular biology and conveys the the thrill of professional research.

An awesomely brilliant work of intellectual history.
I used to think "The Soul of a New Machine" by Tracy Kidder was unsurpassable in this genre. But the truth is, "The Eight Day of Creation" is far more ambitious, far more informative, far more amazing, and far more important. And it's also very beautifully written. What a great way for people to find out what the deepest truths are in biology, and how they were discovered!

outstanding presentation of origins of life chemistry
presents discovery of DNA structure, RNA structure, and protein synthesis in a New Yorker style book. Very long, but very interesting. I've read the first half of the book twice, but haven't finished. I intend to finish it next time. Lots of fascinating anecdotal information. ... Read more

Book Description

The second edition of Horizontal Gene Transfer has been organized to provide a concise and up-to-date coverage of the most important discoveries in this fascinating field. Written by the most prominent gene transfer and genome analytical scientists, this book details experimental evidence for the phenomenon of horizontal gene transfer and discusses further evidence provided by the recent completion of genomic sequences from Archea, Bacteria, and Eucarya members. The relevance of horizontal gene transfer to plant and metazoan taxonomy, GM foods, antibiotic resistance, paleontology, and phylogenetic reconstruction is also explored. Horizontal Gene Transfer is essential for microbiologists, geneticists, biochemists, evolutionary biologists, infectious disease specialists, paleontologists, ecologists, and researchers working in plant/animal systematics and agriculture with an interest in gene transfer. This includes scientific researchers from government and industry concerned with the release of genetically modified organisms.

Up-to-the-minute reviews, maps, conclusions, urls to relevant websites and colour figures.
Unique chapters, for example one written by paleontologists presents data for horizontal gene transfer from fingerprints form the fossil record. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Traditional Darwinists will be astounded by this book.
One of Darwinism's favorite demonstrations of contemporary evolution is the development of resistance to antibiotics by bacteria. In this book we learn that the most frequent mechanism for this development is the uptakeof resistance plasmids, not mutations in genes the bacteria already posess.Even more startling, resistance plasmids often come from dead cells, wherethey can remain viable. This finding strengthens the likelihood that lifefrom space could play a role in evolution.

With dozens of otherwell-documented examples, the book confirms the importance of horizontalgene transfer in evolution. The range and the capability of knownmechanisms are expanding rapidly. If you're interested in whereevolutionary science is headed, check it out! ... Read more

Book Description

The Advanced Text series is designed for students taking advanced-level courses, including upper-level undergraduates and graduate students. Titles in this series will also be invaluable to researchers new to a field, and to established researchers as a basic reference text.

Molecular Biology of Cancer, Second Edition is now in a larger format that has been extensively revised and covers heredity cancer, microarray technology and increased study of childhood cancers. It continues to provide a detailed overview of the process which lead to the development and proliferation of cancer cells, including the techniques available for their study. It also describes the means by which tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes may be used in the diagnosis and in determining the prognosis of a wide variety of cancers, including breast, genitourinary, lung and gastrointestinal cancer. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The classic 3
Looking for a comprehensive textbook that contains both a qualitative and quantitative accounting of the structure and function of biological macromolecules, the 3 volumes of Cantor & Schimmel's Biophysical Chemistry are second to none. Just the enormous amount of information included in all three sets, makes this a must in any biological chemists or physical chemists bookshelf.

A classic.
This book (3rd in the series) provides an in depth coverage of biophysical chemistry. Highly recommended as a textbook for students. It will also serve as a reference for experienced researchers. Very good treatment of conformational transitions in biopolymers. ... Read more

Book Description

In situ hybridization is a powerful technique used to characterize and locate nucleic acid sequences within the cell. These methods of molecular cytogenetics have become increasingly important over the last 10 years, and have had an important impact on many different areas of the life sciences.

Practical in situ Hybridization is aimed at researchers who wish to use efficient and reliable protocols in their work and those who need to check the validity and interpretation of published data. This book presents a reliable, tried-and-tested approach to the methodologies in current use in many laboratories. The book has a user-friendly and open format for easy access to information, comprehensive coverage of many in situ hybridization techniques, full color sections illustrating results clearly, and an extensive guides to troubleshooting

The book is an invaluable guide for all researchers who need to understand the principles and practice of in situ hybridization. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Excellent book
A real treat for Insitu field. Describes the procedure from step one to the end. Good for both beginers and experienced workers. Only complete book available in the field. ... Read more

Book Description

Robots, androids, and bionic people pervade popular culture, from classics like Frankenstein and R.U.R. to modern tales such as The Six Million Dollar Man, The Terminator, and A.I. Our fascination is obvious – and the technology is quickly moving from books and films to real life.

In a lab at MIT, scientists and technicians have created an artificial being named COG. To watch COG interact with the environment – to recognize that this machine has actual body language – is to experience a hair-raising, gut-level reaction. Because just as we connect to artificial people in fiction, the merest hint of human-like action or appearance invariably engages us.

Digital People examines the ways in which technology is inexorably driving us to a new and different level of humanity. As scientists draw on nanotechnology, molecular biology, artificial intelligence, and materials science, they are learning how to create beings that move, think, and look like people. Others are routinely using sophisticated surgical techniques to implant computer chips and drug-dispensing devices into our bodies, designing fully functional man-made body parts, and linking human brains with computers to make people healthier, smarter, and stronger.

In short, we are going beyond what was once only science fiction to create bionic people with fully integrated artificial components – and it will not be long before we reach the ultimate goal of constructing a completely synthetic human-like being.

It seems quintessentially human to look beyond our natural limitations. Science has long been the lens through which we squint to discern our future. Although we are rightfully fearful about manipulating the boundaries between animate and inanimate, the benefits are too great to ignore. This thoughtful and provocative book shows us just where technology is taking us, in directions both wonderful and terrible, to ponder what it means to be human. ... Read more

Book Description

Important practical implications are established by case reports and specific examples. The present book is the ideal complement to the practitioner’s manual Techniques in Molecular Systematics and Evolution, recently published by the same editors in the Birkhäuser MTBM book series. The first part of this book deals with important applications of evolutionary and systematic analysis at different taxonomic levels. The second part discusses DNA multiple sequence alignment, species designations using molecular data, evo-devo and other topics that are problematic or controversial. In the last part, novel topics in molecular evolution and systematics, like genomics, comparative methods in molecular evolution and the use of large data bases are described. The final chapter deals with problems in bacterial evolution, considering the increasing access to large numbers of complete genome sequences. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

LifeSaver...
Molecular Biology of the Cell : The Problems Book is a great book for biology students as well as those interested in really learning the concepts behind the theory. This book is extremely detailed in its questions as it vigorously tests the knowledge learned from it's companion textbook, Molecular Biology of the Cell. This book has tremendously helped in my understanding of the major chapters of the main textbook (chapters 6-end). It provides a thorough breakdown on the types of questions that it asks. For example, the questions in the book are structured by True/False, matching, as well as essay formats. This provides for a varied way of learning the essential material. I highly recommend this book for those students preparing for standardized exams as well as those taking a course in molecular or cell biology. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Wasted My Money - Addition To My Circular File
I bought this book in late 1998 and sifted through a chapter here and a chapter there. It is a book of short reviews on different neurological diseases. For the price and the contributing authors, I was hoping for something special, but it was pretty poor fare, certainly of no greater quality or insight than a typical journal review article. What a waste of my money - I would not even recommend it as part of a library collection.

Alternatively, I would strongly recommend buying individual books on neurological areas of interest - for example, "McAlpine's Multiple Sclerosis" is stunning in its excellence (some flaws in what was left out). The same type of recommendation would hold for genetics and molecular biology - buy a premium textbook and scan it for what is needed. ... Read more

Book Description

A raucous tour of the fast-fading borderland between fringe and mainstream science.

In California, a woman desperately hoping to usher in a new spiritual age conspires with her scientist boyfriend to clone herself. In Massachusetts, the founder of a famous biotech company strives to deliver on the apocalyptic vision of human immortality. In Arizona, an iconoclastic billionaire establishes a handful of fledgling companies promising an enhanced human future and super-long life. Meanwhile, some of the world's most renowned scientists begin speaking openly about genetically engineering people and rebuilding human bodies. The two sides are merging, and Brian Alexander takes readers to the on ramp.

Alexander traces the story of William Haseltine, one of the most famous, and richest, of a new breed of biotechnology entrepreneurs. A former Harvard professor and now CEO of Human Genome Sciences, Haseltine is considered the father of "regenerative medicine." With his reputation as a biotech bad-boy and lover of controversy, he has become a high priest of the new biotech religion, looked upon by life extensionists as "a hero." Alexander examines his career and shows how little separates the science elite from the dreamers who believe a new human age is about to begin. Funny, bizarre, yet always fascinating, Rapture takes readers into the surprising stories behind cloning, stem cells, miracle drugs, and genetic engineering to explore how we got here and why we'll go where nobody thought we could. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Excellent Book - Noteworthy History of Transhumanism
This book has got the buzz and the facts clear. It is a book about the "pioneers" of transhumanism and what they did early on that has set the pace for the futurists today.

Who else is going to tell the story but a writer that admires the ideas of transhumanists and also can laugh with us? If you cannot laugh at yourself, what is the point of living a long and enjoyable life? There isn't, and this is to Brian Alexander's credit.

We owe a lot to the Los Angeles Transhumanists - FM Esfandiary, Natasha Vita-More, Eric Drexler, Max More, Ralph Merkle, Greg Fahy - the entire gang.

If you want to read a book that literally gets you to go to the frig and get a beer, kick back on the sofa, and dream of a long life - this is the book!

Left of Center - but thinking toward the future.

Jason Jefferson

A brilliant history of scientific & spiritual thought
I know many of the people outlined in this book and am deeply involved in cloning. Alexander's portrayal of me and my activities was accurate & pithy but was unduly one-dimensional.
However, this is a brilliant work which ties together ideas that have combined within the past decade or so to become a movement called Transhumanism.
By connecting the thoughts of early scientific dreamers with the realities of modern day biotechnology, Brian Alexander deserves the glowing cover blurb by Glen McGee:
"Brian Alexander has turned the most important scientific revolution since Galileo into an adventure story that touches your mind and soul. No writer has ever dug this deep or looked forward this imaginatively. With Rapture, Alexander has become the voice of biotechnology for the 21st Century."
As a cloning activist, I usually end up debating McGee on the air. However, he is right on target here. Alexander is quite right that science and biotechnology have become a new religion for disparate groups that believe in cryonics, cloning, life extension, etc. Many don't like the label "religion" because religionists are usually the ones persecuting them. The historic philosophical roots of this religion versus science debate provide a useful perspective to the new debates we are having in this new age.
If I could give it ten stars, I would. It is really the most informative "connecting" book I have ever read.

It's not "religious" if you can do it
Brian Alexander writes about many people I happen to know. In fact, his description of the Extropian movement in the early 1990's made me rather nostalgic.

But he doesn't seem to understand why people would want to conquer aging and death, and he performs a disservice by characterizing the movement as a "religion," by which he means a belief system that's impractical or lacking factual support. Scientists have radically extended the lives of certain species of laboratory animals in apparent good health. Because of the conservative nature of the genome across species, similar biochemical pathways probably exist in humans that we might be able to use to retard aging and greatly extend our healthy lives well past 120 years.

Religions, by contrast, don't have anything like an animal model to demonstrate that their beliefs can send animals' "souls" to otherworldly heavens, much less human "souls." So comparing physical immortalism with a religion is patently absurd.

Still, I gave the book three stars because Alexander provides some valuable information and historical insight into a social movement that promises to revolutionize the human condition, unless the Kassian "Yuck" faction succeeds in suppressing it. ... Read more

Book Description

This new and expanded edition of the bestselling textbook has now been fully revised to include techniques from across the biosciences.It focuses particularly on those techniques that have led to recent advances in molecular biology and is designed to help students understand the theory and practical principles behind those methods. The book will be essential reading for all bioscience undergraduate students and pre-clinical medical students and will complement traditional undergraduate texts in biochemistry and molecular biology. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

good with an adjunct
this is a very nice book with abundant information.there are few topics which are dealt extraordinarily especially centrifugation,HPLC,electrophoresis etcetera.i have been studying this book from my graduation.initially i used to feel some difficulty with this book,so i studied biopysicaland biophysical techniques by Upadhyaya and Upadhyaya.once i got the clear idea regarding the techniques,i shifted to this book.now i feel this book is very helpful.it is highly recommendedto allbiology students.

Excellent reference
This book is an invaluable source of information not only for those studying about various practical techniques but even those engaged in experiments in a lab environment. Written more as an overview, it works to familiarize the reader with the principles of both experimental protocols and the equipment that might be used, for example centrifuges. It's very useful to go back to it from time to time to get a refresher on techniques that I might use on a regular basis but might not remember all the details of. Highly recommended. It's also written quite simply, which unfortunately is not the case for all biology texts.

A useful, informative guide to practical biology
This book would be especially useful to science students engaging in a predominantly practical-based biological course. ... Read more

Book Description

In recent years there has been increasing interest and, subsequently, active research in neuropeptides. These neuroactive molecules coordinate, integrate, and regulate physiological processes in all organisms, throughout all phases of development. Acting as neurohormones, neurotransmitters, and/or neuromodulators, they maintain physiological homeostasis and influence important behavioral patterns. This textbook is the first to bring together and synthesize the neuropeptide research of the past decade in such a comprehensive, scholarly manner.

The book is divided into two parts. In Part I the author defines the basic principles of neuropeptide action, including their biosynthesis, processing, transport, distribution, and interactions with receptors and second messenger systems. Strand also discusses the intimate interaction between the neuropeptides, stress, and the immune system. In Part II she discusses the regulatory functions of the families of neuropeptide in sufficient detail to provide both the advanced student and senior investigator with a thorough understanding of the most important neuropeptides. The text also contains a complete and up-to-date reference/reading list. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Neuropeptides: Reviewed by Abba Kastin
The Book "Neuropeptides: Regulators of Physiological Processes" is terrific. Not only does it provide the most comprehensive review of the field available anywhere , but it does so in an elegant style that remains amazingly easy to read. Moreover, the material is put together in such a way as to provide sophisticated new insights into the field.

Neuropeptides: Reviewed by Frank Antonawich
This book will clearly be considered the bible of the neuroendocrine field.

Neuropeptides: Reviewed by David de Wied
This book is a magnificent review of this fascinating subject. Strand presents a wealth of data in a very comprehensive manner. She has summarized the information in a scholarly yet highly lucid manner

Neuropeptide Regulators : Reviewed by Don Long
This book is a superb compilation of the complexities of the fields of neuropeptides. Portions of it are general enough to be of real value to any neuroscientist who wishes to understand more about this complex field. In its entirety the book offers an excellent summary which can be of use to anyone no matter how specialized or advanced in the neuropeptide field. The book begins with an excellent summary of the origins of neuropeptide theory, the discovery of the first of these transmitters, and a general summary of where we are today with the identification of this enormous group of peptides. For those beginning a career in research concerning neuropeptides, there is some excellent generalization of the techniques which are involved in discovering, quantifying and manipulating these neurotransmitters. The section on biosynthesis and action of neuropeptides is extremely well done and simple enough for anyone interested to understand, as is the description and localization of neuropeptides. The neuroendocrine system is presented in a very simple but complete form, and the section on the blood brain barrier brings anyone up to date in the function of the barrier transport system. Recpetors are described generally and then individual classes of receptors are described in great detail. This allows any specific group of receptors and any specific system to be investigated thoroughly. The book is well referenced. The illustrations and especially the schematic figures are exceptionally well done. All the pituitary peptides are thoroughly discussed and the literature surrounding them summarized. The section on the opiate neuropeptides is also well done, and then a number of peptideswhich are much less well known, particularly those that involve gut and other visceral functions are thoroughly discussed. The book is an invaluable resource. Anyone casually interested in the field can learn much by superficial perusal, but the real value will be in the thorough review of each topic which makes each individual chapter a valuable source for anyone wishing detailed information. This is really "must reading" for the graduate student interested in this field.

Editorial Review - Trends in Neurosciences
Given the complexity and rapid growth of research in neuropeptides it is perhaps not surprising that few texts have attempted to give an overview of this field. We should, therefore, be grateful to Fleur Strand for her well-written and comprehensive monograph. The author is an experienced neuroscientist who has been actively involved in research and teaching on the subject of neuropeptides, and the book is a coherent and readable volume that provides a great deal of valuable information to advanced students and others who are interested in neuropeptides. The book is well prepared with clear illustrations, and a comprehensive bibliography and index. The author provides an easily understood review of the many different experimental approaches needed to study the genes, receptors distribution, biosynthesis, release and actions of the neuropeptides. These include molecular neurobiology techniques, immunohistochemical-mapping procedures, the use of genetically engineered animals and studies of peptide actions at the cellular and systemic levels, using neurochemical, neurophysiological and behavioral analyses. A section on the relationship between neuropeptides, stress and the immune system is particularly well prepared, as is the explanation of the physiological roles of neuropeptides in the broader context of biology and evolution. Each chapter concludes with a detailed summary of the conclusions drawn, highlighting the main concepts, which makes for easy review. A concluding section on invertebrate neuropeptides again mixes peptides of neural and non-neural origin but provides a valuable overview of the evolution and biological importance of peptides as chemical signalling molecules. ... Read more

Book Description

Current Protocols in Molecular Biology (CPMB), the first in the Current Protocols family of laboratory manuals, is the international standard by which all other laboratory manuals are judged.Originally published in 1987, CPMB now boasts of three looseleaf volumes (soon to expand to four volumes).Basic methods for DNA preparation and isolation, library screening, and sequencing have been joined by more advanced procedures detailing DNA-protein interactions, yeast manipulation, and phosphorylation analyses.From basics to the cutting edge, CPMB is the resource you need for successful experiments.Carefully edited, step-by-step protocols replete with material lists, expert commentaries, and safety and troubleshooting tips ensure that you can duplicate the experimental results in your own laboratory.Quarterly updates, which are filed into the looseleaf, keep the set current with the latest developments in molecular biology methods.The initial purchase includes one year of updates and then subscribers may renew their annual subscriptions.Current Protocols publishes a family of laboratory manuals for bioscientists, including Immunology, Human Genetics, Protein Science, Cytometry, Cell Biology, Neuroscience, Pharmacology, and Toxicology. ... Read more

Book Description

This edition of the popular text incorporates recent advances in neurobiology enabled by modern molecular biology techniques. Understanding how the brain works from a molecular level allows research to better understand behaviours, cognition, and neuropathologies. Since the appearance six years ago of the 2e, much more has been learned about the molecular biology of development and its relations with early evolution. This "evodevo" (as it has come to be known) framework also has a great deal of bearing on our understanding of neuropathologies as dysfunction of early onset genes can cause neurodegeneration in later life. Advances in our understanding of the genomes and proteomes of a number of organisms also greatly influence our understanding of neurobiology.

• Well known and widely used as a text throughout the UK, good reviews from students and lecturers.
• Good complement to Fundementals of Psychopharmacology by Brian Leonard

Maurice Elphick, Queen Mary, University of London
"I do like this book and it is the recommended textbook for my course in Molecular Neuroscience. The major strength of the book is the overall simplicity of the format both in terms of layout and diagrams."

... Read more

Book Description

Recent investigations in the rapidly expanding field ofnanobiomechanics have produced a wealth of exciting new data providingnovel insights into the mechanisms of elasticity of "stretchy"biomolecules. A representative cross-section of elastic biomoleculesis covered in this volume, which combines seventeen contributions fromleading research groups. State-of-the-art molecular mechanicsexperiments are described dealing with the elasticity of DNA andnucleoprotein complexes, titin and titin-like proteins in muscle, aswell as proteins of the cytoskeleton and the extracellular matrix.The book speaks particularly to cell biologists, biophysicists, orbioengineers, and to senior researchers and graduate students alike,who are interested in recent advances in single-molecule technology(optical tweezers technique, atomic force microscopy), EM imaging, andcomputer simulation approaches to study nanobiomechanics. The findingsdiscussed here have redefined our view of the role mechanical signalsplay in cellular functions and have greatly helped improve ourunderstanding of biological elasticity in general. ... Read more