Product Description

For nearly a quarter century Molecular Biology of the Cell has been the leading cell biology textbook. This tradition continues with the new Fifth Edition, which has been completely revised and updated to describe our current, rapidly advancing understanding of cell biology. To list but a few examples, a large amount of new material is presented on epigenetics; stem cells; RNAi; comparative genomics; the latest cancer therapies; apoptosis (now its own separate chapter); and cell cycle control and the mechanics of M phase (now integrated into one chapter).

Customer Reviews (107)

good book
good book, many content, better and less heavy than the hard copy one and also much cheaper, I like this

Not exact description
Seller said the book was like new but when I recieved it, it was in only acceptable condition

As described
Product arrived as described.looks like new. it did take a bit of a while to get here but otherwise, i'm very happy with my purchase.

Fast service, product in good condition
Thank you for the quick shipping. I have had no problems with the product and i appreciate doing business with you!

disappointed
I ordered my book on the 8/30/2010 and emailed the seller before I placed my order since they offered the problem book for free with the textbook. I didn't hear anything from the seller so I bought the book since it was available. Then two weeks passed and I didn't receive the books I ordered. I contact the seller again. That was when it contacted me telling me that the book was sold out and that they forgot to remove it from the list!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The reason why they didn't answer my first email, well because it went to junk mail!!!!!!!!!!
I am two weeks into my class, my exam is in two weeks and now I am limited to fewer more expensive options. I am upset and disappointed! ... Read more

Product Description

Your hands-on study guide to the inner world of the cell

Need to get a handle on molecular and cell biology? This easy-to-understand guide explains the structure and function of the cell and how recombinant DNA technology is changing the face of science and medicine. You discover how fundamental principles and concepts relate to everyday life. Plus, you get plenty of study tips to improve your grades and score higher on exams!

• Explore the world of the cell — take a tour inside the structure and function of cells and see how viruses attack and destroy them

• Understand the stuff of life (molecules) — get up to speed on the structure of atoms, types of bonds, carbohydrates, proteins, DNA, RNA, and lipids

• Watch as cells function and reproduce — see how cells communicate, obtain matter and energy, and copy themselves for growth, repair, and reproduction

• Make sense of genetics — learn how parental cells organize their DNA during sexual reproduction and how scientists can predict inheritance patterns

• Decode a cell's underlying programming — examine how DNA is read by cells, how it determines the traits of organisms, and how it's regulated by the cell

• Harness the power of DNA — discover how scientists use molecular biology to explore genomes and solve current world problems

Open the book and find:

• Easy-to-follow explanations of key topics

• The life of a cell — what it needs to survive and reproduce

• Why molecules are so vital to cells

• Rules that govern cell behavior

• Laws of thermodynamics and cellular work

• The principles of Mendelian genetics

• Useful Web sites

• Important events in the development of DNA technology

• Ten great ways to improve your biology grade

Customer Reviews (6)

a nice addition to your studies
this book helped me a ton if you need help in micro at all this book will really help.

Great book
I have read similar books on this topic, and this one is by far the best. It explains everything very well, and makes biology seem much easier. I believe that anyone can excel in science, if they want to and try hard enough. I would highly recommend this book for students who want to improve their grades in biology.

excellent introduction
This book is written by an excellent teacher, with clear explanations. An excellent supplement to a course on this difficult topic. Most texts in this area are highly technical, and this book can help orient the reader and resolve a lot of difficulties. I would love to take the course fromthe author, who shows enthusiasm and and a great capacity to communicate.

helped me ace my final!
This book put complicated concepts into understandable ideas and helped me ace my oral final!

Very clear explanation of a very complex subject
This book did just what I had hoped it would do.It took a very complex subject and explained it in as simple terms as possible.I've never had a formal course in biology, but I had watched all the lectures in an MIT Open Courseware course on the subject that had left me confused about a number of things.Of course, this book is not as comprehensive as a full course, but it did clarify a number of things for me. Many of the illustrations are much better than in the textbook that the MIT course was based on.Near the end of the book the author began giving specific study tips -- what things a student needs to be familiar with and what things they need to have down cold. In fact, the last chapter is entitled "Ten Ways to Improve Your Grade."I thought this a little strange, because the introduction does not mention this aspect of the book.It is done unobtrusively, so it shouldn't lessen a non-student's enjoyment of the book.I mention it because it might be a big plus to some prospective readers. ... Read more

Product Description

Essential Cell Biology provides an accessible introduction to the fundamental concepts of cell biology. Its lively writing and exceptional illustrations make it the ideal textbook for a first course in cell and molecular biology. The text and figures are easy-to-follow, accurate, clear, and engaging for the introductory student. Molecular detail has been kept to a minimum in order to provide the reader with a cohesive, conceptual framework of the basic science that underlies our current understanding of biology.

The Third Edition is thoroughly updated scientifically, yet maintains the academic level and size of the previous edition. The book is accompanied by a Media DVD-ROM with over 130 animations and videos, all the figures from the book, and a new self-test quizzing feature for students.

Customer Reviews (21)

good book
the book came in very quickly and was exactly what I had expected. It also came with the DVD.

Cell Bio, good in depth book.
Very good text book, goes into great detail of all cellular processes. Definitely better than any intro Bio book, or intro Cell bio book. DVD that comes with it is very helpful. Shipped fast and in great condition.

Fantastic Purchase!!!
My book arrived earlier than I thought it would. It was in great condition just like new. The seller was prompt with responding to my emails. I am enjoying my purchase!

Good, brief book with one minor issue.
I bought this book for my Cell Structure & Function course at Florida State. Overall, it's a good book, very easy to read, and explains pretty well. It does not cover the minute details, however. My only complaint about this book is its vague outline. What I mean is that the chapters are not really organized; the author sometimes abruptly goes from point to point, and you eventually get lost in the middle. That's why I gave it 4/5.

Great price
I got this book a few days earlier than expected. The book is in new condition and it is a great buy overall. ... Read more

Product Description
For sophomore/junior-level courses in cell biology offered out of molecular and/or cell biology departments.
Cell and Molecular Biology gives students the tools they need to understand the science behind cell biology. Karp explores core concepts in considerable depth, and presents experimental detail when it helps to explain and reinforce the concept being explained. This fifth edition continues to offer an exceedingly clear presentation and excellent art program, both of which have received high praise in prior editions. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (18)

fantastic
The book was in exactly the shape they said it would be, new with shelf ware. I was very happy.

Could it get any better?
I believe it would be literally impossible for the product to ship any faster, even though I did not pay for expedite shipping.The product arrived in the most excellent possible condition without any writing in it or marks of any kind.Cannot say enough good things!

NICE!!
Shipped quickly, the book is in really new condition although it is used!! I'll keep the book since it is fully illustrated and did a great job at explaining biology pathways.

Great Product!
Great product, good value, exactly as described! Fast shipping and good seller. I would recommend this seller.

Cell and Molecular Biology Textbook
I received the product in a prompt manner and it was in excellent condition. I was very happy that I saved $100 by buying the book online instead of from my university bookstore. Thank you very much and I will definitely use Amazon and this seller again. ... Read more

Product Description

Boiled-down essentials of the top-selling Schaum's Outline series, for the student with limited time

What could be better than the bestselling Schaum's Outline series? For students looking for a quick nuts-and-bolts overview, it would have to be Schaum's Easy Outline series. Every book in this series is a pared-down, simplified, and tightly focused version of its bigger predecessor. With an emphasis on clarity and brevity, each new title features a streamlined and updated format and the absolute essence of the subject, presented in a concise and readily understandable form. Graphic elements such as sidebars, reader-alert icons, and boxed highlights feature selected points from the text, illuminate keys to learning, and give students quick pointers to the essentials.

Customer Reviews (3)

Concise, but brevity causes loss of glossary
I needed a primer for biochemistry and upon Amazon search with "primer biochemistry" I came across this.Honestly, it hasn't proven more helpful that the chapter 1 introduction in my textbook yet.I've given 3 stars because I've yet to see how uniquely this book has supplemented my understanding, especially since there is no glossary for all the vocabulary in bold print.If I don't get something from context, I have to go elsewhere.On the other hand, it is brief, to the point, and inexpensive so I don't rate it less.

Great for review, but not very much cell bio
I love this book! It's so easy to read and it provides a good review for students taking molecular biology. However, I wouldn't recommend it as a resource for someone who is just starting to learn. The writing style assumes that you know the basic concepts already and sometimes skims through material quickly. However, I would have to say that this book is very readable and contains some excellent illustrations.

However, my one complaint is the lack of coverage of cell biology. This book seems, frankly, to be almost all molecular biology. It lacks any sort of discussion about actin, microtubules, and so on. I find that disappointing, but I understand that it's a "quick outline."

Great book for reference and quick brush-up
I bought this book so I would not have to shuffle through the pages of my cell/molucular bio textbook. Although this book was great with having the main concepts, there wasn't much detail. But that is the purpose of the book- to have the main molecular biology topics in a clear and organized manner. For more detail and test questions get the full outline book from the same series. If you just want the info you need to know this book is outstanding! ... Read more

Product Description

The Problems Book helps students appreciate the ways in which experiments and simple calculations can lead to an understanding of how cells work by introducing the experimental foundation of cell and molecular biology. Each chapter will review key terms, test for understanding basic concepts, and pose research-based problems. The Problems Book has been designed to correspond with the first twenty chapters of Molecular Biology of the Cell, Fifth Edition.

• Includes the solutions to the end-of-chapter problems in the textbook Molecular Biology of the Cell, Fifth Edition.

• Contains over 2,000 problems and their solutions.

• All of the solutions to the problems in The Problems Book are on the CD-ROM that is packaged with every copy of the book.

• The problems are organized into the following categories: Terms to Learn, Definitions, True/False, Thought Problems, Calculations, and Data Handling.

The Problems Book will be useful for homework assignments and as a basis for class discussion. It could even provide inspiration for exam questions.

Customer Reviews (8)

It's okay...
I had to purchase it for a college course.I wish I did not have to buy it, but found it a little helpful but not much.It is just very time consuming.If you don't have time to work on it, and you are not required to buy it, I would say save yourself the extra cash:)

el mejor libro de biologia celular
Abarca los temas mas relevantes de la biologia celular, con variadas herraminetas para su enseñanza. Recomiendo su uso en docencia universitaria y como consulta de temas en biblioteca.

Good text book
I bought this for my son who is taking a course this semester and needed this book.I ordered the book from Amazon.com because its much cheaper thanmy son's college bookstore.

Great study tool!!
I purchased this book because my cell bio professor said he was going to be using it for in class work.I am a grad student majoring in cell biology and I have enjoyed both the problems book and the text that accompanies it.The layout is organized in a way that it is easy to find what your looking for, and the videos, problems and answer explanations on the CD that comes with both books (the problems book and the text book) are extremely helpful.

I would definately recommend these books to someone interested in cell biology.It is as up to date as it can be with regards to new developments in the field (things are discovered and changed almost everyday in cell biology), but the book provides extensive background information as well as detailed accounts of developments, both new and old, contributions to the field and additional resources.

Cell Bio book
I received this book very quickly and the book like the seller said it would be is in excellent condition. I would trust this seller again in the future. ... Read more

Product 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

Customer Reviews (77)

This is THE book
This is the book you need to get started in studying Cell science - - and the book you need as a Reference text. It is extraordinary, of immense value and clarity - truly comprehensive.

As good as new..
I am very happy with the book, it arrived in the best condition possible, and with a lot of packing material in the box to keep the book from any possible transportation damages. The book is fresh and totally unused. I have no complains about anything.

Molecular Biology Book
Shipped quickly. In good shape for a used book and campe with cd. Overall I am very impressed with the service.

Good substitute for 5th Ed.
The diagrams are great in this book.

I'm using this instead of 5th Edition, and so far everything is the same. The CD uses outdated software, so it may be upgraded for 5th.

Still the gold standard
What distinguishes Alberts et al.'s book from other similar texts is the level of depth based on their own accomplished research background that the authors bring to their writing. This level is reflected in short, highly information rich paragraphs that illustrate the most important concepts of molecular biology and biochemistry.

The second unique feature of this volume is its sheer comprehensiveness. Alberts et al.'s book covers an astonishing amount of territory; from basic relevant physical chemistry and thermodynamics to the most biological of topics including gene arrays and knockout mice. The chapter on cancer is marvelous and comprehensively illustrates all fundamental aspects of the disease; metastasis, breakdown in genetic machinery and signal transduction pathways, tumor growth and characteristics, diagnostic procedures, and therapies.

The third unique feature of the book should be obvious; the hundreds of lavish color illustrations dotting every page, from basic schematics to stunning electron micrographs. The illustrations have been perspicaciously chosen to demonstrate the most important features of the living cell and its contents.

In a nutshell then, this is a one stop shop for students and researchers who want to learn and relearn all the fundamentals of the molecular biology and biochemistry of the cell. ... Read more

Product Description
This text offers a balanced and integrated treatment of molecular biology, cell biology, and biochemistry and covers all topics as Wolfe's large book only in less detail. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Textbook
Used it for Cellular Genetics class and it served its purpose. Well written and detailed. I can't say this class/book was my favorite but I did learn a lot from it. The newer versions may have website links and such but they still base most of the material from this version. ... Read more

Product Description
Signalling within and between cells is an essential part of many biological processes, from the development of the body to the activity of our immune system.

Cell Signalling, Third Edition, presents a carefully structured introduction to this intricate subject, introducing those conserved features that underlie many different extra- and intracellular signalling systems. Starting with an overview of cell signalling and highlighting its importance in many biological systems, the book goes on to explore the key components of extracellular and intracellular signalling mechanisms before examining how these components come together to create signalling pathways, which are so crucial to the survival of many living organisms. The text is enhanced by two-color artwork and 3-D protein models. A Companion Website provides resources for students and instructors.

New to this edition:

* Expanded coverage of the role of cell signalling during development, experimental techniques, and the control of gene expression
* New "Literature Links" encourage students to engage with primary literature and to develop critical thinking and reading skills
* New four-part structure organizes the subject according to its conceptual basis, the mechanisms of signalling, and their role in natural phenomena ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Simple and direct.
The book is to the point without being too light.I read this cover to cover fo a course.I found the diagrams simple and easy to follow.The text includes simple descriptions of pathways and mechanisms of cellsignaling.It also included some small pieces of information that wererelated and made the subject matter more memorable.It is a quick readwith good points. ... Read more

Product Description
For sophomore/junior-level courses in cell biology offered out of molecular and/or cell biology departments.Cell and Molecular Biology gives students the tools they need to understand the science behind cell biology. Karp explores core concepts in considerable depth, and presents experimental detail when it helps to explain and reinforce the concept being explained. This fifth edition continues to offer an exceedingly clear presentation and excellent art program, both of which have received high praise in prior editions. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A Must HAVE! Seriously!
I loved this study guide; it was very helpful since my teacher was a power-point teacher, and a terrible one at that. It definitely helps to read this instead of the book; this book will be big help when you are trying to review for a comprehensive final.

Can be helpful
The Reviewing Outline is the most helpful part of the study guide since each chapter of the textbook is 75 pages long and takes about 6 hours to get through.

What A book
Great book, especially those looking for help on the GRE Subject Test and even the MCAT...From Fibronectins to SDS and reduction of electron carriers, this book is a must have! ... Read more

Product Description

Ideal for libraries, laboratories, and researchers, this Reference Edition of Molecular Biology of the Cell, Fifth Edition offers an alternative to the student version by providing the complete text of Chapters 1-25 in printed format.*

For nearly a quarter century Molecular Biology of the Cell has been the leading in-depth text reference in cell biology. This tradition continues with the new Fifth Edition, which has been completely revised and updated to describe our current, rapidly advancing understanding of cell biology. To list but a few examples, a large amount of new material is presented on epigenetics; stem cells; RNAi; comparative genomics; the latest cancer therapies; apoptosis (now its own separate chapter); and cell cycle control and the mechanics of M phase (now integrated into one chapter).

The hallmark features of Molecular Biology of the Cell have been retained, such as its consistent and comprehensive art program, clear concept headings, and succinct section summaries. Additionally, in response to extensive feedback from readers, the Fifth Edition now includes several new features. Most importantly for scientists and researchers, the free Media DVD, which is packaged with every copy of the book, now contains PowerPoint® presentations with all of the figures, tables and micrographs from the book (available as JPEGs too). Also included is the Media Player with over 125 movies—animations, videos, and molecular models—all with voiceover narration. These PowerPoint slides and movies are ideal for presentations and research talks. And for the first time, Molecular Biology of the Cell now contains end-of-chapter questions. These problems, written by John Wilson and Tim Hunt, emphasize a quantitative approach and the art of reasoning from experiments.

Molecular Biology of the Cell: Reference Edition is conceptual, accurate and authoritative. An extensive, detailed index provides instant access to the most crucial information and concepts, while a glossary with more than 1,300 entries has been designed for rapid access to technical vocabulary. By skillfully extracting the fundamental concepts from this enormous and ever-growing field, the authors provide the coherent framework needed to effectively access the primary literature.

* There is also a student textbook version of Molecular Biology of the Cell, Fifth Edition (ISBN 0-8153-4105-9) that contains Chapters 1-20 in printed format, and Chapters 21-25 only in pdf format on the accompanying DVD-ROM.

Customer Reviews (6)

Great book but HEAVY!
I will be getting my BS in Biology this month and have had many science books.
This is a great book but it is just too big to take to class or school on a regular basis.

Book was not bound correctly and the some of the videos in DVD don't work
I bought this reference edition (5th) on Barnes and Noble's website a year ago.
Because I was only using it occasionally for quick reference, I had not perused the entire content.

Unfortunately, when I tried to read Chapter 19 recently, I noticed that it was cut abruptly.
In addition, I noticed that Chapter 17 and part of 18 are inexplicably printed twice while beginning of Chapter 20 is missing.
Of course, Barnes and Noble did not honor my request for an exchange and the publisher seems to be unreachable, as they seem to be based on UK and the only method of contacting them is filling out a question on their website.

I bought this reference edition because I thought it would be worthwhile book to keep for years.
In this imperfect condition, however, it was a worthless investment, and yes, it was an investment at this price near 200 dollars.

Finally, the last draw was the fact that some videos on the DVD did not work.
They simply wouldn't play, whether it was through their Flash program or just through Quicktime, or whatever program I used.
This cannot be my computer's problem because I have tried it on my Mac as well as a new PC, and neither worked.

It's a disgrace that anyone should deal with this kind of an issue on a book that is priced like a mini encyclopedia.

As for content, I find it to be sufficiently satisfactory. It is a bit superficial, but then it is a survey book of an incredible number of topics so that is to be expected.
If I need more details, I can always just go to the journals.

Overall, great content, but terrible binding. Others may not have the same binding problem.

Excellent Book
This book arrived 3 days before i had a protein lab report due and it was a godsend. Trying to cover the subject depth required in the precipitant lectures is next to impossible and increasingly students are needing to do independent study to gain a definitive understanding. This text covers so many topics and in such great detail as well. Other texts cover similar areas but i have not found any that deliver the level of detail that this one does. It covers complex themes and delivers them in an easy to understand format. I also like the fact that it is red as it helps it stand out from the hundred other texts in my bookcase. I would thoroughly encourage anyone studying any biological science to add this text to their collection.

Work of Passion
The fifth edition of MBoC (Molecular Biology of the Cell) is great. I have been taking Cell Biology classes and this book complements what the teacher doesn't have time to say in classroom and explains very nicely the parts I don't understand well in class. The texts are well structured and well written. The videos which come together in the DVD really give you on-the-moving kinda way of samples of what you read non-moving on the pages. =)

The book is a work of passion (I have been wanting to write this last phrase for some time now... LOL); but really, you can see how the people who wrote it love what they do. Cells are amazing little things and you have no idea of how they work so hard, intricately and non-stop. You can have a glimpse at the extraordinary machinery cells are.
If you like this area of science, Cell Biology, do buy this book and study it hard. I recommend to all that want to change this world, be he student or teacher.

The single complain I have got is that there are NO answers for the end-of-chapter problems they wrote! You need to buy that Problems Book Molecular Biology of the Cell, Fifth Edition: The Problems Book. Oh well.

Books available online
Dr Dotson's comments on the price of textbooks are well taken, but he maybe should have mentioned that the previous (4th) edition of MBOTC was available online for free for at least the last two years, at
[...]
along with many other fine health science and molecular biology books, many of them the most recent edition, some down loadable as PDFs.

It remains to be seen if Bruce Alberts can prevail on Garland to make the current edition available on line as well.

It may also be worth mentioning that selling used textbooks online through Amazon is very easy, and if you sell them before a new edition comes out, you often can recoup 1/3 to 1/2 of original purchase price.So as soon as you know that one of those expensive tomes on your shelf is a dog, list it online immediately while it still has value.And if on the other hand you know you will have to get the new edition of a book when it is available, dump the previous edition just before a new one is due, and use the money toward the new edition. ... Read more

Product Description
A masterful introduction to the cell biology that you need to know! This critically acclaimed textbook offers you a modern and unique approach to the study of cell biology. It emphasizes that cellular structure, function, and dysfunction ultimately result from specific macromolecular interactions. You'll progress from an explanation of the "hardware" of molecules and cells to an understanding of how these structures function in the organism in both healthy and diseased states. The exquisite art program helps you to better visualize molecular structures.

• Covers essential concepts in a more efficient, reader-friendly manner than most other texts on this subject.
  
• Makes cell biology easier to understand by demonstrating how cellular structure, function, and dysfunction result from specific macromole¬cular interactions.
  
• Progresses logically from an explanation of the "hardware" of molecules and cells to an understanding of how these structures function in the organism in both healthy and diseased states.
  
• Helps you to visualize molecular structures and functions with over 1500 remarkable full-color illustrations that present physical structures to scale.
  
• Explains how molecular and cellular structures evolved in different organisms.
  
• Shows how molecular changes lead to the development of diseases through numerous Clinical Examples throughout.
  
• Includes STUDENT CONSULT access at no additional charge, enabling you to consult the textbook online, anywhere you go · perform quick searches · add your own notes and bookmarks · follow Integration Links to related bonus content from other STUDENT CONSULT titles-to help you see the connections between diverse disciplines · test your knowledge with multiple-choice review questions · and more!

Customer Reviews (9)

Appropriate to Medicine Students
For 2 decades I teached Cell Biology. I used Cell Biology's Alberts and Coleagues Book as most important reference book to my Medicine Students. Pollard&Earnshaw's Cell Biology is much complete as Alberts'one; however, it is more complete,and it guide more easy to Medical formation questions. I am very glad to know Pollard&Earnshaw's book and share the content to my students, and to provide better discussions.

Great book
Book has a good balance between giving enough detailed information to understand the concepts without giving so much information that it is overwhelming.

Prompt timing and great condition
Prompt timing and excellent condition.
The book is divided into chapters and each chapter has overview and references. Good quality of figures.

upset
the cornor of the book was banded really bad. but I didn't return it since I need it for class soon.

Horribly written
This book is awful. I am currently taking a Cell Biology class at Johns Hopkins and we are required to use this book. It is dry, uninteresting, and presents information in a very unorganized fashion. The book repeats itself many times. Also, the text often refers to figures that are on different pages in the book, requiring you to shuffle around through the pages looking for examples. The way the book presents important information is not effective, because most of the important stuff gets diluted with unimportant facts.

This book might have its uses as a reference, but will not help you learn the concepts very well. I do not recommend this book. ... Read more

Product Description
This new edition o Introduction and Molecular Biology of Cancer provides a concise yet comprehensive overview of cancer biology, covering the current status of both research and treatment.For the student or new researcher the breadth of cancer research can appear daunting, yet a broad understanding is essential for translation of laboratory findings into the clinic.Within the broad scope of the book, each topic is reviewed authoritatively by experts in the field, and the accompanying bibliographies allow rapid access to the relevant current literature.The book covers topics extending from the molecular alterations found in cancer cells and their causes to the current range of approaches to treatment.Since the publication of the previous edition in 1997 there has been unprecedented progress in cancer research: this is reflected by an extensive revision of all the material, and the addition of eight new chapters, covering DNA repair, epigenetic events, the cell cycle, cell immortalization, apoptosis, angiogenesis, animal models, the genome, transcriptome and proteome, radiotherapy and molecular radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and gene therapy. The fourth edition of the popular book will serve as a text for both undergraduate and postgraduate use and also as an introduction for clinicians and scientists new to the field. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A great primer for researchers
I'm a mathematics Ph.D. student who's working in computational oncology, meaning that I study cancer from a mathematical/engineering point of view (conservation of mass, oxygen and glucose transport, etc.) and create computer models for study. This biophysical viewpoint has been fruitful, but I've found that to make further progress, an understanding of the cellular biology is required. Furthermore, a lack of vocabulary makes it difficult to communicate with the clinical/medical community.

That's where this book comes in: it gives a great, expansive overview of cancer that is difficult to come by in the mathematical world. In places, it is perhaps too detail-oriented (which specific proteins do what and how, e.g., in DNA repair), but that's the nature of the beast, and I feel that it's very important for mathematical biologists to be exposed to this. The text gives a good sampling ranging from epidemiology, genetics and epigenetics (gene expression), oncogenes, tumor suppresor genes, DNA repair, cell cycle, and most approaches to therapy.

Because this edition was published in late 2005, it's quite up-to-date, and in that regard, the papers cited are very useful to the student and researcher for further exploration and paper writing. Probably one of the greater weaknesses is in the figures in the earlier genetics sections: the diagrams are not particularly helpful in actually illustrating the complex processes. Overall, though, this has been very helpful for me in bridging the gap between mathematical biology and oncology. I'd highly recommend this text for anybody who desires to learn more about the biology of the cancer, regardless of where they're coming from. ... Read more

Book Description
Physical Biology of the Cell is a biophysics textbook that explores how the basic tools and insights of physics and mathematics can illuminate the study of molecular and cell biology. Drawing on key examples and seminal experiments from cell biology, the book demonstrates how quantitative models can help refine our understanding of existing biological data and also be used to make useful predictions. The book blends traditional models in cell biology with the quantitative approach typical in physics, in order to introduce the reader to both the possibilities and boundaries of the emerging field of physical biology. While teaching physical model building in cell biology through a practical, case-study approach, the text explores how quantitative modeling can be used to build a more profound, intuitive understanding of cell biology. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Ground-breaking book
Phillips and colleagues have written a beautiful book that lays out a quantitative approach to biology well grounded in data and enjoyable to read.It manages to bridge the intellectual divide (at least for a biochemist like me) that has existed between physical modeling as taught in physics and the complexity of the cell as biologists know it.It lays out a new synthesis and an appealing way forward for "systems biology".I highly recommend it. ... Read more