Exploring the mechanical features of biological cells, including their architecture and stability, this textbook is a pedagogical introduction to the interdisciplinary fields of cell mechanics and soft matter physics from both experimental and theoretical perspectives. This second edition has been greatly updated and expanded, with new chapters on complex filaments, the cell division cycle, the mechanisms of control and organization in the cell, and fluctuation phenomena. The textbook is now in full color which enhances the diagrams and allows the inclusion of new microscopy images. With around 280 end-of-chapter exercises exploring further applications, this textbook is ideal for advanced undergraduate and graduate students in physics and biomedical engineering. A website hosted by the author contains extra support material, diagrams and lecture notes, and is available at www.cambridge.org/Boal.
Exploring the mechanical features of biological cells, including their architecture and stability, this textbook is a pedagogical introduction to the interdisciplinary fields of cell mechanics and soft matter physics from both experimental and theoretical perspectives. This second edition has been greatly updated and expanded, with new chapters on complex filaments, the cell division cycle, the mechanisms of control and organization in the cell, and fluctuation phenomena. The textbook is now in full color which enhances the diagrams and allows the inclusion of new microscopy images. With around 280 end-of-chapter exercises exploring further applications, this textbook is ideal for advanced undergraduate and graduate students in physics and biomedical engineering. A website hosted by the author contains extra support material, diagrams and lecture notes, and is available at www.cambridge.org/Boal.
Preface; List of symbols; 1. Introduction to the cell; 2. Soft materials and fluids; Part I. Rods and Ropes: 3. Polymers; 4. Complex filaments; 5. Two-dimensional networks; 6. Three-dimensional networks; Part II. Membranes: 7. Biomembranes; 8. Membrane undulations; 9. Intermembrane and electrostatic forces; Part III. The Whole Cell: 10. Structure of the simplest cells; 11. Dynamic filaments; 12. Growth and division; 13. Signals and switches; Appendixes; Glossary; References; Index.
New edition exploring the mechanical features of biological cells for advanced undergraduate and graduate students in physics and biomedical engineering.
David Boal is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Physics at Simon Fraser University, Canada. He has been working in the field of biophysics for the past twenty years and he now studies the mechanical issues in the origin of life.
Reviews of the first edition: 'In Mechanics of the Cell David Boal
explains the mechanical properties of the biopolymers found within
cells … for graduate students in the general field and for
biotechnologists required to consider added dimensions to their
work it represents a comprehensive text that ought to make it a
standard reference for many years.' Ian Jones, Chemistry in
Britain
'If we were really honest with ourselves, most of us would have to
admit that we often take the humble biological cell for granted …
David Boal describes the architecture of the biological cell's
internal and external structure in extensive detail … This book is
highly detailed; by virtue of the incredibly complex mechanics
underlying the specialised properties of biological cells, it needs
to be!' Kevin Coward, Biologist
'This book is by a physicist attempting to get across the
underlying physical principles behind biological structures … a
very useful text, which fills a hole in the literature, and will
serve as a useful reference for a number of years to come.' John
Seddon, Chemistry Industry
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