Cell Signalling

Description

Cell Signalling presents a carefully structured and accessible introduction to this intricate and rapidly growing field. A focus on common components and concepts, rather than mechanistic detail, allows the reader to gain a thorough understanding of the principles that underpin cell signalling.

• A focus on common components and concepts, rather than mechanistic detail, allows the student to gain a thorough understanding of the principles that underpin cell signalling
• The ubiquity of key signalling mechanisms is highlighted, enabling students to see how similar mechanisms are conserved and harnessed in many biological systems
• Full colour diagrams and 3D protein models enliven the text, and enable students to visualize more easily the processes and concepts described
• A range of pedagogical features – including Case Studies, Literature Links, and a series of online Journal Clubs – help students to understand the experimental nature of the subject, engage with the primary literature, and develop their critical thinking skills

New to this edition

• New full colour diagrams help students to visualize the key concepts explained in the text more effectively
• Case Studies explore pieces of research that have been particularly valuable in elucidating different aspects of cell signalling and the impact of the experimental approaches used
• What next? sections highlight exciting new areas of research in cell signalling, fostering thought and discussion
• A series of online Journal Clubs encourage students to read and evaluate the primary research literature

About the Author(s)

John T. Hancock, Professor of Cell Signalling, University of the West of England

John Hancock is Professor of Cell Signalling at the University of the West of England. He has had a long standing interest in cell signalling and redox biology, and tries to bring these together as much as possible in his research. In addition to Cell Signalling he has published several reviews on nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species, and most recently on hydrogen sulfide.

Table of Contents

Part 1: An overview of signalling
1:Aspects of cellular signalling
2:Pathways are the key to signalling
3:A look at some of the history and techniques of cell signalling
Part 2: Components that comprise signalling pathways
4:Extracellular signals: hormones, cytokines and growth factors
5:Detection of extracellular signals: the role of receptors
6:Protein phosphorylation, kinases and phosphatases
7:Cyclic nucleotides, cyclases and G proteins
8:Inositol phosphate metabolism and roles of membrane lipids
9:Intracellular calcium ions: control of their concentrations and roles in signalling
10:Reactive oxygen species, reactive nitrogen species and redox signalling
Part 3: Selected examples of signalling pathways and events
11:Insulin and the signal transduction cascades it invokes
12:Perception of the environment
13:Signalling in development and for the regulation of gene expression
14:Life, death and apoptosis
Part 4: Final thoughts
15:Cell signalling: importance, complexity and the future

Reviews

A good overview of the key underlying concepts and principles, allowing students to gain a solid grounding in the subject. I like the Case Study sections which link to research findings; these provide relevant context and help students to understand the key message in complex scientific articles. - Dr Andrew Chantry, University of East Anglia

It is really the best specialist text for undergraduates on this topic I have seen. - Dr Fergus Doherty, University of Nottingham

Review from previous edition: John Hancock's Cell Signalling is a straightforward introduction to a rapidly expanding field of biology. Its unintimidating writing style, simple and uncluttered figures, and competitive price make it a wonderful introductory text for undergraduates. - Dr Laura K. Palmer, Penn State University

Review from previous edition: Complexity and specificity are the hallmarks of cell signalling, yet Hancock in this third edition has gone a long way to simplify these complicated processes. His signalling examples are clever and well-conceived, his writing descriptive and his passion for his subject infectious ... this is marvellous value for money and is a worthy companion to an undergraduate/postgraduate reference library. - John P. Phelan, Waterford Institute of Technology, Ireland in The Biochemist

Additional Resources

The Online Resource Centre to accompany Cell Signalling features:

For students:
- Links to useful websites

For registered adopters of the text:
- Journal Clubs: suggested research papers and discussion questions linked to topics featured in the book
- Figures from the book in electronic format for use in lectures