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This volume includes chapters by experts around the world on many aspects of microtubule imaging in living and fixed cells; assays to study microtubule function in a wide array of model organisms and cultured cells; high resolution approaches to study of the cytoskeleton. The authors share their years of experience, outlining potential pitfalls and critical factors to consider in experimental design, experimental implementation and data interpretation.

Customer Reviews (48)

Still powerful.
The Lives of a Cell ages well.I reread it now and then; in all these years, the power hasn't faded.Lewis Thomas provokes the reader into an active thinking mode, but he pushes thinking into a form of inspiration, and profound joy.

Great book
Give this book to your favorite creationist. The eloquent writing explores the connection between the spiritual and the scientific in a powerful way.

We all started as a cell...
This is another book which at some point will enter our cultural canon, much like Orwell's essays or Gary Zukav's _The Dancing Wu-Li Masters_.
True, as a few critics have pointed out, for some reason an essay or two drags; it's a style thing, or perhaps a scientific term here or there. But overall, ah, the wonder...
These essays are compilations and meditations which speak to us in this day and age. In the future a lot of scientific findings will be dated, but the philosophical thoughts such scientific findings generate today will remain with us for the ages.
The insights Thomas extrapolates from biological science and specifically from cell studies are fascinating, almost religious, but not of the holy-roller variety. They tend toward the spiritual and ethical.
I am impressed with his insight that man is a mere carrier in time for cells; yet--much, much more--as man, the cell collective, has achieved--Oh, wondrous miracle! Consciousness. Cells are born, split, feed, die, and yet go on and adapt and evolve, in countless forms, species and beings. And we/they have "achieved" a biological type that composes music, writes essays, learns, remembers, creates, invents, generates human cultures/societies, and looks at the stars.
Man has such humble origins, and yet man achieves...
In a perfect world a couple of essays in this book would be required reading in high school biology or science classes.

Great Book
This is a fantastic book. It requires at least a rough understanding of basic biology and an interest in cellular/microbiology. It is a bit older, but the author's grasp on the subject was quite firm. This would make a great gift to any scientist in the family.

Forever Young
Lewis Thomas is that odd trifecta: a learned scientist; a speculative philosopher; and a master of prose both gracious and graceful.

The Lives of a Cell is a book of 29 essays originally written for the New England Journal of Medicine. They are short; they are light and airy; they are pretty; they are fun. Teenagers could enjoy them. But these essays are fundamentally serious and scientific. Lewis is always on the hunt for the cosmic insight or deeper truth.

His mind works metaphorically. He seeks interconnections. A recurring motif is to wonder whether social animals such as ants are like cells or more like human societies or perchance like the planet earth. Here is a celebrated quote:

"I have been trying to think of the earth as a kind of organism, but it is no go. I cannot think of it this way. It is too big, too complex, with too many working parts lacking visible connections. The other night, driving through a hilly, wooded part of southern New England, I wondered about this. If not like an organism, what is it like, what is it most like? Then, satisfactorily for that moment, it came to me: it is most like a single cell."

This book was a bestseller around 1975 and won the National Book Award. Everyone seemed to be reading it. I read it. I recently ordered it again because I thought it might contain a tidbit for a video I was making called How To Teach Science. No such luck, but this is a book anyone could enjoy reading twice. Most of it remains in the present. It is finally the most readable of science books. Here are two more samples:

"My cells are no longer the pure line entities I was raised with; they are ecosystems more complex than Jamaica Bay. I like to think that they work in my interest, that each breath they draw for me, but perhaps it is they who walk through the local park in the early morning, sensing my senses, listening to my music, thinking my thoughts."

"Viewed from a suitable height, the aggregating clusters of medical scientists in the bright sunlight of the boardwalk at Atlantic city, swarmed there from everywhere for the annual meetings, have the look of assemblages of social insects. There is the same vibrating, ionic movement, interrupted by the darting back and forth of jerky individuals to touch antennae and exchange small bits of information..."

For anyone thinking of writing non-fiction, this is an ultimate text book. Apparently Thomas learned his style from Montaigne. Good luck on that.

For anyone thinking of a career in science, Thomas shows the advantages of being partly a generalist, of being in your field and outside your field--the better to see some strange shadow or artifact that nobody else has noticed.

Epilogue: I ordered a used copy from an Amazon dealer in the northwest USA.Stuck in the book was an old ticket to a music concert (George Winston, solo piano; Wikipedia says he has been called The Father of New Age Music). Date of ticket: 1985. City: Norfolk, Va., where I am now. That's the sort of goofy loop that Thomas could build an essay on. What's more New Age than Amazon? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The Cell Review
The book was in advertised condition, and the seller was able to get it to me in a timely fashion. ... Read more

Product Description
This is the most complete resource on the techniques, equipment, principles, and practices of animal cell culture.

Since publication of the previous edition of this benchmark text, numerous types of equipment and materials have changed and new specialized techniques have been developed, particularly in the area of stem cell research and tissue engineering. These and other developments have been incorporated into this rigorously revised and expanded sixth edition of Culture of Animal Cells, the leading text in the basic methodology of cell culture.

This authoritative volume offers a complete background related to growth of animal cells in culture. It contains many specialized protocols and advice on how to apply some of the basic protocols to teaching cell culture. Beginning with laboratory design, safety, validation, and bioethics, then continuing with preparation of media, primary culture, and cell lines through to characterization and authentication, contamination, specialized techniques, and troubleshooting, the unparalleled coverage includes:

• An all-new section addressing the additional caution required once a primary culture is converted to a cell line

• Differentiation in stem cells and reprogramming of adult cells to form stem cells

• A new section and protocol on cryopreservation by vitrification

• Separate sections dealing with epithelial cells, mesenchymal cells, neurectodermal cells, and hematopoietic cells, a new chapter on germs cells/stemcells/amniocytes

• A new section on organotypic culture

• Increased emphasis on contamination and misidentification (including cross-contamination) with revised protocols for detection and elimination

• A problem-solving chapter, glossary of terms, advice on sourcing materials, and list of suppliers

This landmark text presents the most accessible and comprehensive introduction available to the culture and experimental manipulation of animal cells and is indispensable for those in the field, including clinical and biopharmaceutical researchers and scientists, graduate students, laboratory managers in cell and molecular biology labs and genetics labs, trainees, and technicians. ... Read more

Product Description
Karp continues to help biologists make important connections between key concepts and experimentation. The sixth edition explores core concepts in considerable depth and presents experimental detail when it helps to explain and reinforce the concepts. The majority of discussions have been modified to reflect the latest changes in the field. The book also builds on its strong illustration program by opening each chapter with 'VIP' art that serves as a visual summary for the chapter. Over 60 new micrographs and computer-derived images have been added to enhance the material. Biologists benefit from these changes as they build their skills in making the connection. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

textbook - cell bio
they forgot to mention that it is an international edition, that would of been cool to know beforehand.other than that- good condition, good timing ... Read more

Product Description
This book takes you through the fundamental principles of cell biology and genetics in a comprehensive yet concise integrated format. Fully updated with improved layout, the first part of this volume provides the essential concepts of cell biology and molecular genetics in a memorable, easy-to-understand format. Complex information is provided succinctly and is accompanied by a full artwork programme thereby giving ready access to an often challenging subject. A full discussion of tools in molecular medicine, genetic disease and principles of medical genetics in the second part of the volume adds relevance to the underlying concepts for the clinical environment.Additional new features include Learning Objectives at the start of each chapter, improved Hints and Tips boxes, Clinical Application boxes, and the book also features an extensive self-assessment section of multiple-choice, extended-matching and short-answer essay questions for the reader to determine gaps in knowledge and prepare for exams. ... Read more

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

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“... This book provides the essentials in a simple and easy to understand way, suitable for use as a primer for researchers new to this highly studied microbe, especially if coming to yeast from another organism... very well referenced, providing both classic seminal studies as well as more recent publications, making it a useful text for those starting out in the field...” – Phenotype, 2010

Yeast is one of the oldest domesticated organisms and has both industrial and domestic applications. In addition, it is very widely used as a eukaryotic model organism in biological research and has offered valuable knowledge of genetics and basic cellular processes. In fact, studies in yeast have offered insight in mechanisms underlying ageing and diseases such as Alzheimers, Parkinsons and cancer. Yeast is also widely used in the lab as a tool for many technologies such as two-hybrid analysis, high throughput protein purification and localization and gene expression profiling. The broad range of uses and applications of this organism undoubtedly shows that it is invalubale in research, technology and industry.

This book is an up-to date resource providing a comprehensive account of yeast biology and its use as a tool and model organism for understanding cellular and molecular processes of eukaryotes. Topics covered range from the fundamentals of yeast biology such as cell structure, biochemistry, genetics and signaling, to current approaches and applications such as metabolomics, disease models and uses in biotechnology.  Written by a top expert in the field, this book offers an invaluable companion to beginners and experts in yeast research. ... Read more

Product Description
Biological and medical research relies upon an integrated understanding of the molecules within cells and of the interactions between cells.This has imposed great demands on investigators.Being an expert in a relatively narrow area is no longer sufficient as many studies now require the use of a wide range of techniques to provide the necessary integration.A lack of familiarity with the experimental possibilities can make such diversification difficult to achieve.This two volume set of Essential Cell Biology is designed to help researchers overcome these problems. It has not been possible to include all of the techniques available in cell biology so the challenge was to identify those that might be most relevant to researchers who are new to this topic. We have tried to cover both traditional and more recent approaches. The theory and basic principles of each technique are described, together with detailed protocols and advice for trouble shooting.Directions to more specialised techniques are also included.We hope the result inspires readers to experience the challenges and rewards of cell biology research for themselves and to contribute to the ongoing task of understanding the life of the cell. Essential Cell Biology volume 2 concentrates on understanding how the cell functions whilst Volume 1 focuses on techniques for studying cell structure. Volume 2 details the essential background information and protocols for investigating cell cell function, including, for example, investigations of cellular transport, receptors and gene expression. This is the essential guide to cell biology for researchers new to the field. ... Read more

Product Description
The Cell Cycle is an account of the mechanisms that control cell division, beginning with a description of the phases and main events of the cell cycle and the main model organisms in cell-cycle analysis, including Xenopus, Drosophila, and yeasts. Later chapters focus on the molecules and mechanisms of the cell-cycle control system, including the cyclin-dependent kinase family of protein kinases, the cyclins that activate them, and the signaling molecules that regulate them, and discuss cell-cycle control in development and the failure of controls in cancer. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Very 'detailed' book about cell cycle
This is the best book about cell cycle you can read.The author wrote in the preface citing the architect Le Corbusier: "There are no details.Everything is an essential part of a whole.In nature microcosm and macrocosm are one"
This is the philosophy behind this book...you will find every detail as part of the big picture.Very good and helpful illustrations and diagrams help the reader to understand concepts and pathways.

Great resource for all!
Excellent book!

Great for an undergrad or grad student, but most importantly, it is the perfect resource for every cell biologist at all levels.A great starting point for the various cell cycle model organisms without sifting through piles of outdated or wrong reviews.

This is one of the more handy books that sits on my shelf. ... Read more

Product Description
This text tells the story of cells as the unit of life in a colorful and student-friendly manner, taking an "essentials only" approach. By using the successful model of previously published Short Courses, this text succeeds in conveying the key points without overburdening readers with secondary information. The authors (all active researchers and educators) skillfully present concepts by illustrating them with clear diagrams and examples from current research. Special boxed sections focus on the importance of cell biology in medicine and industry today. This text is a completely revised, reorganized, and enhanced revision of From Genes to Cells. ... Read more

Product Description
The Cell presents current comprehensive science in a readable and cohesive text that students can master in the course of one semester. This new edition retains the overall organization, themes, and special features of the Fourth Edition, including Key Experiment and Molecular Medicine essays, chapter sidebars that highlight areas of interest and clinical applications, and end-of-chapter questions with answers at the back of the book.The Fifth Edition has been updated throughout to reflect major advances since publication of the Fourth Edition in 2006, including: * Advances in understanding gene regulation by microRNAs * Histones and epigenetic inheritance * Identification of human disease susceptibility genes by genome-wide association scans * Protein import into mitochondria * Induced pluripotent stem cells * Role of autophagy in programmed cell death * Genomic analysis of mutations in human cancers * New Key Experiments: RNA Interference (Chapter 4) and G Protein-Coupled Receptors and Odor Detection (Chapter 15) ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Decent book
The class I am usig this book for is rediculously hard. The book explains it a little better than the professor. Good investment

textbook
The textbook had some writing in the margins but was otherwise in very good condition.

Perfect Shape
The book came well protected in the packaging with no evidence of any use. Very prompt delivery as well. ... Read more

Product Description
This four-volume laboratory manual contains comprehensive state-of-the-art protocols essential for research in the life sciences. Techniques are presented in a friendly step-by-step fashion, providing useful tips and potential pitfalls. The important steps and results are beautifully illustrated for further ease of use. This collection enables researchers at all stages of their careers to embark on basic biological problems using a variety of technologies and model systems.

This thoroughly updated third edition contains 165 new articles in classical as well as rapidly emerging technologies.

Topics covered include:
* Cell and Tissue Culture: Associated Techniques, Viruses, Antibodies, Immunocytochemistry (Volume 1)
* Organelle and Cellular Structures, Assays (Volume 2)
* Imaging Techniques, Electron Microscopy, Scanning Probe and Scanning Electron Microscopy, Microdissection, Tissue Arrays, Cytogenetics and In Situ Hybridization, Genomics and Transgenic Knockouts and Knock-down Methods (Volume 3)
* Transfer of Macromolecules, Expression Systems, Gene Expression Profiling (Volume 4)

* Indispensable bench companion for every life science laboratory
* Provides the latest information on the plethora of technologies needed to tackle complex biological problems
* Includes numerous illustrations, some in full color, supporting steps and results
... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Greatest value of this work is its comprehensiveness
Cell biology techniques have been continuously upgraded since the middle of this century, and future developments seem assured. In the 1990s, alone, new developments have led to improved separations capability, detection instrumentation, and new formulations of serum-free media. Any research institution with faculty and students engaged in cell biology will want to have the most current laboratory guidelines available, and this four-volume, peer-reviewed collection of protocols answers that need. The second edition has benefited from suggestions from practicing scientists, filling in gaps from the first edition.

Perhaps the greatest value of this work is its comprehensiveness. Laboratories and libraries can have detailed guidelines for cell culture, separation, staining, growth, apoptosis, preparation of component parts, assays, antibody production, genetic engineering, microscopy, electrophoresis, and more, all in one source. Need to know how to produce transgenic mice? It's here. How to grow viruses? Prepare nuclei? Stain mitochondria? Use fluorecence microscopy? All here.

Although there are 486 contributors to the 250 articles, uniform structure of articles builds continuity and thus ease of use. Most entries adhere to the five-part template (Introduction, Materials and Instrumentation, Procedures, Comments, and Pitfalls). This last section, "Pitfalls," seems especially valuable, as there is no substitute for experience. The main difference between articles tends to be the use of supportive graphs, photos, and tables, though in general (if such a diverse collection can be spoken of "in general") visuals are at a minimum. ... Read more

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This thoroughly revised edition of the successful and popular Fundamentals of Enzymology emphasizes the new advances in enzymology research while consolidating the strengths of the previous two editions. It is excellent for advanced undergraduates in biochemistry and molecular biology. ... Read more

Product Description
The science of complex biological networks is transforming research in areas ranging from evolutionary biology to medicine. This is the first book on the subject, providing a comprehensive introduction to complex network science and its biological applications. With contributions from key leaders in both network theory and modern cell biology, this book discusses the network science that is increasingly foundational for systems biology and the quantitative understanding of living systems. It surveys studies in the quantitative structure and dynamics of genetic regulatory networks, molecular networks underlying cellular metabolism, and other fundamental biological processes. The book balances empirical studies and theory to give a unified overview of this interdisciplinary science. It is a key introductory text for graduate students and researchers in physics, biology and biochemistry, and presents ideas and techniques from fields outside the reader's own area of specialization. ... Read more

Product Description
Since the word microscopy was coined in 1656, the evolution of the instrument has had a long and convoluted history. Plagued with problems of chromatic aberration, spherical aberration, and challenges with illumination and resolution, the microscope’s technical progression happened in a series of fits and starts until the late 19th century. After Ernst Abbe perfected the “how” of lens design, achieving the theoretical limit imposed by wavelength, there came a revolution in subject matter or “what” could be studied by microscope.
Covering the entire field of microscopy, Optical Imaging Techniques in Cell Biology provides an overview of the technical evolution of the microscope and explains how the basics of optical microscopy led to the most advanced techniques employed today. The author addresses a vast array of topics including optical contrasting techniques, fluorescence, confocal versus widefield microscopes, lasers as a light source, and digital imaging, as well as the correction of aberrations that might arise. Building on this foundation, he then examines more advanced techniques such as quantitative fluorescence, fluorescence resonant energy, three-dimensional imaging, high-speed confocal microscopy, non-linear microscopy, and stimulated emission depletion.
Delivering a truly comprehensive work encompassing the scope and breadth of the field, the author brings a new level of understanding to the student, technician, researcher, or investigator working in the fascinating realm of optical microscopy. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great Biological Imaging Overview
This is a very nicely written overview of biological imaging techniques.Explanations on a few of the topics are a bit overly technical but all in all, the writing is straightforward and clear.A good option for biologists in college and beyond. ... Read more

Product Description
Soft condensed matter physics, which emerged as a distinct branch of physics in the 1990s, studies complex fluids: liquids in which structures with length scale between the molecular and the macroscopic exist. Polymers, liquid crystals, surfactant solutions, and colloids fall into this category. Physicists deal with properties of soft matter systems that are generic and largely independent of chemical details. They are especially fascinated by the way soft matter systems can harness Brownian motion to self-assemble into higher-order structures.

Exploring the generic properties of soft matter offers insights into many fundamental questions that cut across a number of disciplines. Although many of these apply to materials and industrial applications, the focus of this volume is on their applications in molecular and cell biology based on the realization that biology is soft matter come alive.

The chapters in Soft Condensed Matter Physics in Molecular and Cell Biology originated as lectures in the NATO Advanced Science Institute (ASI) and Scottish Universities Summer Schools in Physics with the same name; they represent the thinking of seventeen experts operating at the cutting edge of their respective fields. The book provides a thorough grounding in the fundamental physics of soft matter and then explores its application with regard to the three important classes of biomacromolecules: proteins, DNA, and lipids, as well as to aspects of the biology of cells. The final section of the book considers experimental techniques, covering single molecule force spectroscopy of proteins, the use of optical tweezers, along with X-ray, neutron, and light scattering from solutions.

While this work presents fundamentals that make it a suitable text for graduate students in physics, it also offers valuable insights for established soft condensed matter physicists seeking to contribute to biology, and for biologists wanting to understand what the latest thinking in soft matter physics may be able to contribute to their discipline. ... Read more

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The aim of Apoptosis and Cancer is to describe the performance of contemporary techniques for studying the biology of apoptosis and its role in cancer. The protocols described will aid both the academic laboratory interested in further characterizing the mechanisms of apoptosis, as well as the industry laboratory, aimed at identifying new target molecules or screening for new compounds with potential clinical use.