Cold Spring Harbor Lab.

Adult neurogenesis.

It has only recently become understood that, in the adult mammalian brain, new neurons are born from stem cells residing in discrete locations and these new neurons migrate, differentiate, and mature into newly integrated, functioning cells. Gage (Salk Institute for Biological Studies, US), Kempermann (Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Germany), and Song (Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, US) present 30 chapters providing an overview of recent research into this process of adult neurogenesis. Papers address in vivo and in vitro methods; basic processes; molecular and physiological mechanisms; regulation; functional significance; relationships to neurological diseases and therapies; and comparative neurogenesis in teleost fish, songbirds, and humans. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Max Perutz and the secret of life.

Science writer Ferry illustrates the life and career of Vienna-born and Cambridge-educated scientist Max Perutz (1914-2002), the events of which include the founding of the research group in which Watson and Crick discovered the structure of DNA, a Nobel Prize for his exploration of the protein hemoglobin, deportation from England and subsequent return to work on a top-secret war project, and advancements in the study of glaciers and genetics, among others. Black and white photographs are included. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

The molecular biology of aging.

Guarente (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge) and colleagues from U. College London and the U. of California, Irvine, introduce 20 chapters capturing the explosion of research in recent years on the aging process and its modulation by genes and diet. Several contributors present findings and the strengths and weaknesses of using mice, yeast, C. elegans, fruit flies, and other model organisms to dissect genetics and molecular aging. Another theme is the influence of diet (e.g., calorie restriction) on potentially extending the life span. Other chapters focus on cell division, metabolism, stress, and DNA repair in aging and age- related diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer's. Aging is also treated from an evolutionary perspective. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Single-molecule techniques; a laboratory manual.

The authors provide an in-depth introduction to working on the molecular level in the lab, aimed at the research scientist who has little or no experience in the field. Ha and Selvin build up competencies incrementally throughout the chapters, with the aim of providing the reader with the ability to independently create meaningful experiments. The subject matter is divided into fluorescence-based imaging methods and force-based methods. The authors have produced a practical, densely-packed manual for scientists who will be using the techniques described on a daily basis. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

The TGF-[beta] family.

Derynck (cell and tissue biology, U. of California, San Francisco) and Kohei Miyazono (molecular pathology, U. of Tokyo) have compiled a thorough reference work on the transforming growth factor-Beta regulatory polypeptides and their many roles in the body. There are 33 chapters, divided into sections on cell biology; signaling; differentiation, development and physiology; and cancer and disease. The history of TGF-Beta's discovery and discussion of TGF-Beta and its family are described in two initial chapters. Among the other topics are activins and inhibins, agonists and antagonists of the TGF-BEta family ligands, regulation of the Smad pathway by signaling cross-talk, and BMP-based therapeutics and the BMP signaling pathways. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)