Book Description
Covering theoretical methods and computational techniques in biomolecular research, this book focuses on approaches for the treatment of macromolecules, including proteins, nucleic acids, and bilayer membranes. It uses concepts in free energy calculations, conformational analysis, reaction rates, and transition pathways to calculate and interpret biomolecular properties gleaned from computer-generated membrane simulations. It also demonstrates comparative protein structure modeling, outlines computer-aided drug design, discusses Bayesian statistics in molecular and structural biology, and examines the RISM-SCF/MCSCF approach to chemical processes in solution. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

latest computational methods
This reference is a nice example of Moore's Law impinging on many fields. The falling cost of computation makes the book's techniques feasible as routine research tools.

Many types of methods are described. Such as solving systems of coupled nonlinear differential rate equations. Or applying free energy minimisation ideas from physics, to ever-larger molecular systems, to find their optimal shapes. This is illustrated with nice screen captures of the molecules.

The book indicates how computational chemistry has emerged as an intellectually viable branch of chemistry. ... Read more

Book Description
Cellular Biophysics is a quantitatively oriented basic physiology text for senior undergraduate and graduate students in bioengineering, biophysics, physiology, and neuroscience programs. It will also serve as a major reference work for biophysicists.

Developed from the author's notes for a course that he has taught at MIT for many years, these books provide a clear and logical explanation of the foundations of cell biophysics, teaching transport and the electrical properties of cells from a combined biological, physical, and engineering viewpoint.

Each volume contains introductory chapters that motivate the material and present it in a broad historical context. Important experimental results and methods are described. Theories are derived almost always from first principles so that students develop an understanding of not only the predictions of the theory but also its limitations. Theoretical results are compared carefully with experimental findings and new results appear throughout. There are many time-tested exercises and problems as well as extensive lists of references.

The volume on the electrical properties of cells covers both electrically inexcitable cells as well as electrically excitable cells such as neurons and muscle cells. Included are chapters on lumped-parameter and distributed-parameter models of cells, linear electric properties of cells, the Hodgkin-Huxley model of the giant axon of the squid, saltatory conduction in myelinated nerve fibers, and voltage-gated ion channels. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

The most detailed and rigorous derivations available
For derivations of the cable equation and single-channel models, this book is unmatched.On the down-side, the coverage of related experimental neurobiology is quite dated.

Hodgkin Huxley Equations and Cable Equations
This is a mathematical cell neurophysiology tour de force which gives the most up to date information on the cable equations.Anyone doing research on that small area will find an enormous wealth of information here.It is good as a reference text on cable equation derivations.The book is based on lectures given by Thomas Weiss at MIT in Biophysics.It was a tough course I am sure.This book is for serious mathematical neuroscientists.

Self-contained!
Many books claim to be self-contained. A typical self-contained book usually has an appendix and breifly discusses some mathematical preliminaries, etc. that seldom helps a genuine beginner. A typical ``self-contained book'' is also somewhat thin to incorporate all the necessary background.

This is a THICK volume.

And, wow, this book shows you step-by-step how to get a solution of the cable equation. To be quite honest the approach was not entirely satisfactory nor is there any attempt to go beyond the passive membrane. However, I found many precious pieces that you cannot find in any other books. The only drawback is, I believe, this book is too thorough fora beginner. Nonetheless it makes a good reference book. ... Read more

Book Description
This keenly awaited first overview of the field represents a complete guide to the structure and function of the most important mammalian cell membrane organelles. Filling a huge gap in the primary literature, this book is the first to cover the subject in detail.

Following an introduction by Kai Simons, the discoverer of lipid rafts and the most prominent scientist in the field, chapters include:

• Historical background
• Distinct structures and functions
• Structural basis
• Signaling
• Viral entry and virion budding
• Cholesterol transport
• Caveolins
• Lipid shells
• Cell polarity and intracellular trafficking
• Cancer cells

Of prime importance to molecular and cell biologists, biochemists, membrane scientists, cancer researchers, and virologists. ... Read more

Book Description
Basic Biophysics for Biology presents the fundamental physical and chemical principles required to understand much of modern biology. The author has made extensive use of illustrations rather than a mathematical approach to establish connections between macroscopic-world models and submicroscopic phenomena. Topics covered include the nucleus, atomic and molecular structure, the principles of thermodynamics, free energy, catalysis, diffusion, and heat flow. Students and professionals in general biology, physiology, genetics, and radiation biology will appreciate this carefully prepared, non-mathematical volume. ... Read more

Book Description
Molecular biophysics is a rapidly growing field of research that plays an important role in elucidating the mysteries of life's molecules and their assemblies, as well as the relationship between their structure and function. Introduction to Molecular Biophysics fills an existing gap in the literature on this subject by providing the reader with the modern theoretical tools needed to understand life processes from a physical viewpoint. The authors review numerous topics of relevance to biophysics, including peptide chains, DNA structure and function, cytoplasm, membranes, and motor proteins. Each chapter is richly illustrated and contains numerous examples, references, and problems that make this book useful as both an inclusive reference work and textbook. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Interesting topics, insufficient depth
I am a cell biologist that was looking for a comprehensive biophysics resource.The description of the book and the table of contents gave me reason to hope that this was the book I was seeking.Unfortunately, despite the book's stated aim to foster dialogue between physicists and biologists, this book assumes far too much of its readers.There is no glossary.Several terms are introduced without being defined or illustrated.Some sections are extremely short, while others spend a considerable amount of time describing examples of questionable relevance to the stated topic.That said, I did find several passages of the book stimulating and thought provoking.I very much liked the description of dead cells being "at equilibrium."This book is appropriate for graduate students and higher.I don't think this book would be very useful as a course text. ... Read more

Book Description

Biophysics, being an interdisciplinary topic, is of great importance in modern biology. This book addresses the needs of biologists, biochemists, and medical biophysicists for an introduction to the subject. The text is based on a one-semester course offered to graduate students of life sciences, and covers a wide range of topics from quantum mechanics to pre-biotic evolution. To understand the topics, only basic school level mathematics is required.

Book Description

This volume is based on the lectures and selected posters on different aspects of biological effects of EMF, presented at the NATO Advanced Research Workshop "The mechanisms of biological effect of Extremely High Power Pulses (EHPP)" and the UNESCO/WHO/IUPAB Seminar "Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Biological Effects of EMF" that took place in March 2005 in Yerevan, Armenia. The authors list represents the research centres from 21 countries from Europe, North and South America, Asia. The experimental data and theoretical models of EMF effect on various levels, starting from cell aqua bathing medium to the whole organism, including the human, applying multidisciplinary approaches. Both the beneficial use of EMF for diagnostics and therapy and the potential hazard of EMF in selected occupational and living conditions were discussed. The WHO project of harmonization of standards reflects in several papers.

Book Description
Hardbound. This book summarizes the current status of research on bilayer lipid membranes (planar lipid bilayers and spherical liposomes). In addition to describing the properties of lipid bilayers and examining biomembrane phenomena, the book has two other objectives. The first is to present practical methods for the formation and study of lipid bilayers with either aqueous or metal-lipid bilayer interfaces. The second aim is to treat planar lipid bilayers as a new type of interfacial adsorption phenomena.The first nine chapters cover properties of biomembranes, basic principles of membrane biophysics, transport, electrochemistry, physiology, bioenergetics, and photobiology. Chapter 10 presents the following topics: lipid bilayers in medicine, supported lipid bilayers as sensors, a short discussion of liposomes, and solar energy transduction via semiconductor septum photovoltaic cells based on natural photosynthesis. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

error prone
This book is the first version of what could be a long and borring series. the problem is the consistancy in some aspects this book assumes a 5th grade reading level but in other segments a working research level ofknowledge. The topics that are covered while signifigant in the field seemarbitary in selection and do not flow well togeather. ... Read more

Download Description
Before delving into the advanced concepts of mass spectrometry, this book presents a discussion of general biophysical concepts related to structure and dynamics of biological macromolecules. It also explores the new MS-based methods for studying higher order structures and biopolymers. The combination of theoretical background and technical aspects of recent developments will give the reader a clear sense of current capabilities and the possible future of experimental MS techniques. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A biophysical reflexion about life
If you are looking for a bed-night story, that gives you an insight to allgeneral aspects of life from a biochemist point of view: its possibleorigins, structure of the macromolecules which forms organisms, reactionsand interactions to form larger complexes with biological functions, etc.You just found it! Although you need some experience, the book is quitelight. Not a lot of concentration is required, just interest to understandliving systems. It helps, the fact that it's resembles a literature bookbecause of it's size and number of pages. Also, it has lots of diagrams,pictures and schemas that facilitate the comprehension of such a difficultsubject. Until now is the only science book I have read which is perfectfor bed-night reading. Even thought I was hoping for something differentwhen I bought it, I enjoyed it. That's why it must be noticed:"Introductory Biophysics" it's not a complete textbook of biochemistry norBiophysics. I consider that the objective of the authors is not providing abook to obtain technical references, but invite you to integrate all theknowledge you may have about biological sciences in order to reflect aboutthe existence and function of life.

The sumary of life, a bed-night story
If you are looking for a bed-night story, that gives you an insight to allgeneral aspects of life from a biochemist point of view: its possibleorigins, structure of the macromolecules which forms organisms, reactionsand interactions to form larger complexes with biological functions, etc.YOU JUST FOUND IT! Although you need some experience, the book is quitelight. Not a lot of concentration is required, just interest to understandliving systems. It helps, the fact that it's resembles a literature bookbecause of it's size and number of pages. Also, it has lots of diagrams,pictures and schemas that facilitate the comprehension of such a difficultsubject. Until now is the only science book I have read which is perfectfor bed-night reading. Even thought I was hoping for something differentwhen I bought it, I enjoyed it. That's why it must be noticed:"Introductory Biophysics" it's not a complete textbook of biochemistry norBiophysics. I consider that the objective of the authors is not providing abook to obtain technical references, but invite you to integrate all theknowledge you may have about biological sciences in order to reflect aboutthe existence and function of life. ... Read more

Book Description
This is an introductory book on Biophysics meant for undergraduate students of our universities and technical institutions. The first part of the book deals with organ systems and describes the principles of physics in the processes of locomotion, blood and fluid flow, respiration, audition and vision. The second part deals with cellular and molecular biophysics and covers, in depth, molecular forces and structure of bio molecules, dynamics of biomembranes, near-equilibrium thermodynamics, photosynthesis and cellular respiration, nerve excitation, etc. The book covers entire UGC syllabus of B.Sc. III optional paper on Biophysics. Moreover it is designed in such a way that it can be used by both Mathematics and Biology groups. ... Read more

Book Description

Technical advancements are basic elements in our life. In biophysical studies, new applications and improvements in well-established techniques are being implemented every day. This book deals with advancements produced not only from a technical point of view, but also from new approaches that are being taken in the study of biophysical samples, such as nanotechniques or single-cell measurements. This book constitutes a privileged observatory for reviewing novel applications of biophysical techniques that can help the reader enter an area where the technology is progressing quickly and where a comprehensive explanation is not always to be found.

Book Description
Hardbound. ... Read more