Sensory Transduction

Book Description

Since the time of the ancient Greeks, we have wondered how our sense organs tell us about the world around us. During the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the anatomy of sensory tissues was described in considerable detail, and important discoveries were made about the proteins and electrical responses of sensory receptors. The most interesting question, however, continued to elude us: how are sights and sounds and smells converted into electrical signals in a form that can be interpreted by the nervous system?

This process, called sensory transduction, began to be understood only recently, as a result of the development of the techniques of patch-clamp recording and gene cloning. So much progress has now been made that it is possible to say at least in outline (but in most cases in remarkable detail) how transduction occurs for all of the major sense organs of the body. In nearly every case, the external stimulus is caught by a protein embedded in the lipid membrane of the sensory receptor. This protein then changes conformation, either directly producing an electrical signal (as for touch receptors in the skin or for hair cells in the ear and vestibular system) or triggering an enzymatic cascade and a change in the concentration of an intracellular second messenger that generates the electrical response (as in the eye and nose).

Book Description

Nerve cells - neurons - are arguably the most complex of all cells. From the action of these cells comes movement, thought and consciousness. It is a challenging task to understand what molecules direct the various diverse aspects of their function. This has produced an ever-increasing amount of molecular information about neurons, and only in Molecular Biology of the Neuron can a large part of this information be found in one source. In this book, a non-specialist can learn about the molecules that control information flow in the brain or the progress of brain disease in an approachable format, while the expert has access to a wealth of detailed information from a wide range of topics impacting on his or her field of endeavour. The text is designed to achieve a balance of accessibility and broad coverage with up-to-date molecular detail. In the six years since the first edition of Molecular Biology of the Neuron there has been an explosion in the molecular information about neurons that has been discovered, and this information is incorporated into this second edition. Entirely new chapters have been introduced where recent advances have made a new aspect of neuronal function more comprehensible at the molecular level. Written by leading researchers in the field, the book provides an essential overview of the molecular structure and function of neurons, and will be an invaluable tool to students and researchers alike.

Culturing Nerve Cells, Second Edition (Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience)

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Must-have for all cellular neuro types.

Culturing Nerve Cells, Second Edition (Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience)
GARY, ED. BANKER
Manufacturer: M.I.T. PRESS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0262024381

Book Description

Because neurons and glia in culture are remarkably similar to those in situ, culture systems make it possible to identify significant cell interactions and to elucidate their mechanisms. This book is in many ways a do-it-yourself manual for culturing nerve cells, complete with recipes and protocols. But it also provides an understanding of the principles behind the protocols. In effect the contributors invite you into their labs and provide much of the information you would obtain from such a visit.

The authors of the introductory chapters present the nuts-and-bolts principles of growing nerve cells. The authors of the following chapters discuss the culturing of specific cell types. They explain how their experimental goals have shaped their particular cell culture approach and the advantages and disadvantages of the cell culture systems they have developed. They provide detailed protocols and describe their cultures in practical terms, from when the cells are first plated through the various phases of their development.

Contributors:
Janet Alder, Hannelore Asmussen, Gerard Bain, Gary Banker, Robert W. Baughman, Richard P. Bunge, Ann Marie Craig, Matthew E. Cunningham, Dominique Debanne, Stephen E. Farinelli, Michael F. A. Finley, Gerald D. Fishbach, Beat H. Gähwiler, W.-Q. Gao, Daniel J. Goldberg, Kimberly Goslin, David I. Gottlieb, Lloyd A. Greene, Mary Beth Hatten, Dennis Higgins, James E. Huettner, Kenneth A. Jones, Naomi Kleitman, Raul Krauss, Ronald M. Lindsay, Nagesh K. Mahanthappa, Carol A. Mason, Margot Mayer-Pröschel, R. Anne McKinney, Mary E. Morrison, Mark Noble, David S. Park, Paul H. Patterson, Mu-ming Poo, Richard T. Robertson, Samuel Schacher, Michael M. Segal, Carolyn L. Smith, Nacira Tabti, Scott M. Thompson, Roseann Ventimiglia, Ginger S. Withers, Patrick M. Wood, Min Yao.

Customer Reviews:

Must-have for all cellular neuro types........1999-05-18

This is the Bible for nerve cell culture, with all the secrets, tips and methods you need to culture neurons successfully. Also lots of info to help you decide which system/animal/cell type to study. All the chapters include helpful 'trouble-shooting' sections. The authors are tops in their fields, and the 2nd edition includes many crucial improvements in cell culture techniques, such as viral-mediated transfection.

Protocols In Molecular Neurobiology (Methods in Molecular Biology (Cloth))

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Protocols In Molecular Neurobiology (Methods in Molecular Biology (Cloth))
Alan Longstaff , and Patricia Revest
Manufacturer: Humana Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Plastic Comb

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Book Description

Each chapter identifies a problem in neurobiology, showing how the solution of that problem will advance knowledge in the field. The approaches taken to solve the problem are clearly explained, providing sufficient detail for users to readily reproduce the technique and its results. In keeping with the goal of the series, each technique is designed to work, even the first time it is used.

From Molecules to Networks: An Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

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A most welcome addition to neuroscience reference shelves

From Molecules to Networks: An Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
John H. Byrne
Manufacturer: Academic Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0121486605

Book Description

As the basic building block of the nervous system, a thorough understanding of the neuron is crucial for any level of analysis. This text provides the solid foundation of the morphological, biochemical, and biophysical properties of nerve cells that is needed by advanced undergraduates and graduate students, as well as researchers in need of a thorough reference.

* Highly referenced for readers to pursue topics of interest in greater detail
* Unique coverage of the application of mathematical modeling and simulation approaches not found in other textbooks
* Richly illustrated, four color presentation throughout
* Includes CD-ROM of all of the illustrations

Customer Reviews:

A most welcome addition to neuroscience reference shelves.......2004-05-03

Collaboratively compiled and edited by biologists and academicians John H. Byrne and James L. Roberts, From Molecules To Networks: An Introduction To Cellular And Molecular Neuroscience is a superbly organized and presented college-level instructional text presupposing a heavy mathematic and scientific background as it meticulously instructs the reader concerning cellular components of nervous tissue, brain energy metabolism, molecular properties of ion channels, and more. Each instructional chapter is written and presented by a different specialist or specialists in the specific field. Some diagrams intersperse the largely nuts-and-bolts information of this straightforward and through textbook, recommended especially for cellular and molecular neuroscience students and professionals whose careers directly correspond to this vibrant field. From Molecules To Networks is a most welcome addition to neuroscience reference shelves, which comes nicely enhanced with an accompanying CD-ROM that includes all the various illustrations and diagrams.

Immune and Inflammatory Responses in the Nervous System (MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR NEUROBIOLOGY)

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Immune and Inflammatory Responses in the Nervous System (MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR NEUROBIOLOGY)
Nancy ed. Rothwell
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0198509804

Book Description

This new edition covers recent advances in understanding immunological and inflammatory responses in the nervous system, research driven by the potential to use knowledge of the molecules and mechanisms involved to intervene in, and arrest, neurodegenerative disease processes. Immune and Inflammatory Responses in the Nervous System covers developmental aspects of immune/inflammatory responses in the CNS, basic aspects of glial function, as well as inflammatory mediators, their mechanisms of action, clinical importance and sites of infection. There is also coverage of the major diseases of the CNS, including stroke, brain injury, multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease. Throughout, the focus is on the underlying basic neuroscience, clinical relevance and the potential for therapeutic interventions. This will be an invaluable aid to understanding and improving the diagnosis of neuroimmune diseases and determining therapeutic measures. The contributors are all leading experts in the field and the content will be of interest to neuroscientists, neurologists, neuropathologists, neurosurgeons and immunologists.

Average customer rating:

A beautiful text
Neuron details
Great book on all levels
Very readable

The Neuron: Cell and Molecular Biology
Irwin B. Levitan , and Leonard K. Kaczmarek
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0195100212

Book Description

Intended for use by advanced undergraduate, graduate, and medical students, The Neuron: Cell and Molecular Biology is an intriguing study of the unique biochemical and physiological properties of neurons, which emphasizes the molecular mechanisms that generate and regulate their activity. Keeping abreast of the enormous advances in neuroscience in the five years since the first edition was published, the authors have revised all their chapters in the second edition. What was formerly the first chapter has been expanded substantially and divided into two separate chapters to emphasize the cell biology of neurons and glia, and their commonalities with other kinds of cells. The section on intracellular communication has also been expanded and reorganized. Levitan and Kaczmarek introduce the concept of ion channels as specialized membrane proteins at an early stage, making the idea of selective membrane permeability more accessible in terms of the properties of specific ion channel proteins. In addition, they emphasize the astonishing diversity of voltage-dependent ion channels that has become evident in recent years, and discuss the implications of this diversity for neuronal physiology. In the section on intercellular communication, the chapter on neurotransmitter secretion has also been rewritten to reflect the new level of understanding of secretion that has resulted from the identification of many of the molecular players in vesicle fusion and exocytosis. The other chapters in this section have also been fully revised to incorporate new information resulting from the cloning and characterization of the multitude of glutamate receptors as well as to describe novel elements of intracellular signaling pathways in neurons and other cells. Finally, the last section has been substantially updated to reflect the recent successes of molecular studies of development and plasticity. As more and more of the molecular entities that are essential for neuronal development and adult plasticity are identified and characterized, phenomena that previously could be studied only at the descriptive level can now be explained in greater depth.

Customer Reviews:

A beautiful text.......2002-01-16

This is one of the few molecular neurobiology textbooks available to the serious student. Overall, it is a very well written text, up to date, and quite detailed.

There is one weird quality about the book, however: the authors have not directly referenced statements in the book, as you would expect to find in any good advanced textbook in a scholarly field. They have instead written a bibliography at the very end, consisting of "Recommended Reading" and "References" for each chapter. I am unsure what criteria they used to differentiate the two.

Other than this minor point however, it's a first rate buy. The authors deserve several pats on their backs.

Neuron details.......2000-11-27

The molecular biology of the neuron is considered, from its electrical properties, synapses, differentiation, axon pathfinding, to chapters concluding with behavior and memory. Well written and includes easy to follow schematic diagrams, this reference is suitable for the motivated general reader.

Great book on all levels.......2000-11-16

"The Neuron" was a fantastic book to read. It served as a perfect mesh between a textbook and a novel. The book was written in plain english so anyone could enjoy it. The concepts discussed ranged from elementary to advanced which provided a nice progression to more complicated things. This book is a must read for anyone interested in neuroscience.

Very readable.......1999-06-10

I have compared several neurobiology textbooks and this one is my favorite. It's almost like a novel, very enjoyable. It emphasizes understanding of important concepts rather than throwing an overwhelming amount of facts at the students. And the organization of the material is great. There is an updated edition now, and I look forward to reading it.

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Molecular And Cellular Neurobiology
M. K., Ed. Thakur
Manufacturer: Alpha Science International, Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 817319582X
Release Date: 2005-07-15

Product Description

This book offers the most up-to-date information on important topics of neurobiology covering from brain development to diseases. The text is designed to provide the subject material in five sections containing 24 chapters. Section A introduces the structure and development of the brain, showing how they are specialized for the functions they serve. Section B is concerned with hormones and neurotransmitters. The next section addresses the various changes related to aging. The last two sections deal with different types of brain diseases including neurodegenerative diseases. All chapters are written by experts in the field. This book is an account of the remarkable progress made so far in different areas of neurobiology. It will be a valuable source of recent information and reference for students, teachers, clinicians and scientists engaged in teaching and research in Neurobiology.

Average customer rating:

Buy this book if you're a history major, otherwise it's a waste of time.
at last a non dogmatic book
Concise but hard to understand

Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology
Constance Hammond
Manufacturer: Academic Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0123116244

Book Description

This Second Edition, is the new, thoroughly revised edition of the established and well-respected authoritative text in the field. Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology is hypothesis driven and firmly based on numerous experiments performed by experts in the field. Seven new chapters (five new and two totally rewritten) complement and expand on the first edition and are written in a way that encourages students to ask questions. Additionally, new, groundbreaking research data on dendritic processing is presented in a very easy-to-understand format.

* A presentation that is hypothesis driven and firmly based on experiment
* A concise but in depth explanation of molecular properties and functions of excitable cells
* Over 400 two-colour illustrations
* Appendices describing neurobiological techniques

Customer Reviews:

Buy this book if you're a history major, otherwise it's a waste of time........2006-05-05

I'm currently writing this review as a means of procrastination for an upcoming final in a course that holds this text as assigned reading. The only reason I'm online at all is I was searching everywhere for a hint of what exists in the supposed appendix 11.1, mentioned on pg.341 of this edition, but nowhere to be found apparently (not on the academic press website, and definitely not in the book itself!) The appendix is referenced with those inquisitive readers (as I see mentioned in another review on this page) in mind... the readers who want research to support ridiculous hypotheses so that they too can form their own conclusions. This is only one example of missing items referred to in the text. Overall, it is very poorly written (great if you consider the fact that a foreigner wrote it, but terrible for native english speakers). At one point, the english word chosen was so far removed from that intended that I had to consult French speakers to confirm my suspicion of the simple translational mistake. The figures are probably the worst feature of this text (in comparison to how applauded they are in every review i come across). They are filled with mistakes, often lacking vital conceptual info, and sometimes simply idiotic. Any highly descriptive textbook (especially newly released ones of course) would put the student light-years ahead of their classmates who made the poor decision of buying this terrible book. I never write reviews, and I am very good at biology, so take my advice. I write this in pure disgust that the author was permitted to publish this text, much less teach in the field.

at last a non dogmatic book.......2003-03-31

In contrast to other textbooks, the book of Hammond is based on the assumption that the most appropriate way to teach is to follow the path that enabled to develop a concept and prove it. The book thus includes over 400 figures of now classical experiments with a concise explanation of the hypothesis, the experimental design used to test the hypothesis and the conclusions derived. The student gets rapidly familiar with channels, basic networks and functions thanks to brief addenda in which complicated experiments with patch clamp techniques become quite straightforward. The molecular and cellular elements required to understand how ionic channels operate during maturation and in relation to sensory perception or learning are presented in an excellent English and includes several chapters by leading experts in their respective fields. The quality of the figures facilitates direct use for teaching neurobiology.

Concise but hard to understand.......1999-06-08

This book is very different from the myriads of verbose biology textbooks out there. The language is very concise, and so this relatively thin textbook may cover as much material as one that's twice as thick. However, the English is often hard to understand, perhaps because it's orginally written in French and then translated into English.

Molecular And Cellular Approaches To Neural Development

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A scientific review by leading researchers in the field
Not a good text for learning neural development

Molecular And Cellular Approaches To Neural Development
W. MAXWELL COWAN
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Development of the Nervous System

ASIN: 0195111664

Book Description

Comprehensive, up-to-date and authoritative, this volume covers all the recent advances in understanding the early events of neural development at the molecular and cellular levels. The authors detail the applications of molecular genetic methods to the study of neural induction, neuronal phenotypes and processes, and the formation of specific patterns of connections. They analyze the new information generated through modern techniques for identifying, cloning, deleting and introducing specific genes, for labeling neuronal or glial precursors, and for imaging individual neurons or parts of neurons. Other chapters focus on the increasing use of a variety of model organisms: fruit flies, nematode worms, zebra fish, xenopus frogs, chicks, and mice. The improved conservation of DNA and protein sequences, and the availability of gene and protein databases have made it possible to rapidly identify gene homologues in organisms sometimes separated by hundreds of millions of years of evolution. This volume features several chapters co-authored by investigators one of whom works on vertebrates and the other on invertebrates. They demonstrate clearly that although the nervous systems of a fruit fly and a mouse, for example, are quite different in appearance and organization, many of the same molecular players and cellular processes are involved in their assembly. Molecular and Cellular Approaches to Neural Development will be of great practical interest to researchers, graduate students and post-doctoral fellows in developmental, cell and molecular biology, genetics, and neuroscience.

Customer Reviews:

A scientific review by leading researchers in the field.......2001-07-30

This is not a textbook for students but an excellent series of reviews by top level scientists in the neural development domain. Very detailed information on the subject with a good parallel between drosophila and vertebrate studies. An absolute requirement in the lab.

Not a good text for learning neural development.......2000-04-20

I was unfortunate enough to take a class on neural development where this text was our primary text. The book is written in the format of what appears to be journal articles, or reviews by various authors on the different subjects. It is not written in textbook style. Furthermore, in this manner of writing, the book does not provide enough background information on the subjects that it covers. It automatically assumes that the reader fully understands the subjects that it is intending to teach. I do not recommend this as a primary text for a class. It would serve a wonderful job as a supplement for a class or to provide someone knowledgable in developmental neuroscience a "refresher" or update on what is currently known in this subject. However, I do not feel that it should be used to TEACH developmental neuroscience.

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