Studies of the cells and genes of the nematode C. elegans have become a cornerstone of current biology. A classic 1988 Cold Spring Harbor monograph, The Nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, described the
In a new preface to this special edition of his critically acclaimed memoir, Francois Jacob recalls the events that brought him to Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in the early 1960's and taught him muc
Electronic devices can now be used to analyse and modulate the electrical activity within the nervous system. This book explores how development of these devices is leading to new diagnostics and trea
Correct folding of proteins is critical for cell function, and accumulation of misfolded proteins is a feature of a number of neurodegenerative conditions. This book examines the mechanisms that ensur
Complex molecular machinery within the cells of the inner ear allow it to sense sounds of different frequencies and relay information to the brain. This volume examines the nature of this machinery, t
Next-generation sequencing technology allows rapid sequencing of a patient's DNA. This book introduces the technology and describes how it may be used in personalized medicine to diagnose diseases su
RNA (ribonucleic acid) molecules drive much of cellular action. Messenger RNA (mRNA) relays genetic information from DNA to ribosomes to direct the formation of proteins. At the same time, noncoding R
Lab Dynamics is a unique guide to the interpersonal side of scientific research and management. The book provides practical solutions to some of the toughest problems that working scientists and scien
Viruses that are transmitted via the fecal-oral route and may cause liver damage are known as enteric hepatitis viruses. These viruses, which include the hepatitis A and E viruses (HAV and HEV, respec
Translation converts the genetic code in messenger RNA molecules copied from DNA into a specific sequence of amino acids in a protein. It occurs on ribosomes in the cell cytoplasm and is one of the mo
In this provocative work, the historian Elof Carlson explores how new fields of the life sciences emerge. Some scientists describe new theories, experiments, discoveries, or the use of new technology
Bone plays far more than just a structural role in our bodies. It actively communicates with our brains, kidneys, and other organs, releasing and responding to signaling molecules that regulate biolog
Ras proteins are critical molecular switches in signaling mechanisms that control cell behavior and are frequently mutated in cancer. This volume examines the functions of Ras, how its activation lead
This book features drawings by Lewis Miller of those who have played a role in the mapping of the human genome paired with short biographies written by prominent scientists.--
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the myelin sheaths that surround nerve cells, producing a variety of neurological symptoms such as limb weakness and
Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer and affects millions of individuals worldwide. This volume reviews our understanding of the disease, its progression, and new therapeutic appro
Our daily routines and physiological functions-and those of virtually all living organisms-are synchronized with the Earth's rotation about its axis. These include sleep patterns, hormone secretion, b
One million cells in our bodies die every second--they commit suicide by a mechanism known as apoptosis. Apoptosis is essential for survival of the body as a whole and has critical roles in various de
Neighboring cells are linked to each other by multimolecular complexes such as adherens junctions, desmosomes, and gap junctions. These complexes help maintain tissue integrity, act as barriers to per
The ability to grow new tissue and organs is an important goal of regenerative medicine. This book discusses new research in which cells are grown on artificial scaffolds to build replacement tissue t
The adaptive immune system ensures that our bodies remember pathogens so that we can rapidly mount an immune response if they are encountered again, without succumbing to infection. This volume examin
Exercise training provokes widespread transformations in the human body, requiring coordinated changes in muscle composition, blood flow, neuronal and hormonal signaling, and metabolism. These changes
Prions are best known as the agents of mad cow and related diseases, and a growing number of proteins with prion-like properties have been implicated in diseases such as Parkinson's. But some recently
The way we treat cancer is about to change forever. This revolutionand it is precisely thatwas sparked not by the invention of a new drug, but by the evolution of an entirely new way of thinking about
Cytokines are small proteins released by cells that regulate the behavior of other cells. They include interferons, interleukins, and tumor necrosis factor and are important regulators of the immune
Diseases such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and kuru develop when PrP proteins form prions by misfolding, clumping together, and spreading from cell to cell. Over the past decade, a number of proteins
Defined in the broadest sense, Glycobiology is the study of the structure, biosynthesis, biology, and evolution of saccharides (sugar chains or glycans) that are widely distributed in nature in all li
