Cell Biology: A Laboratory Handbook, Four-Volume Set

Publisher: Academic Press

Number Of Pages: 2328

Publication Date: 2005-11-16

Sales Rank: 932950

ISBN / ASIN: 0121647307

EAN: 9780121647308

Binding: Hardcover

Manufacturer: Academic Press

Studio: Academic Press

Average Rating: 5

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

Review:

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.