Motion Analysis of Living Cells

This book introduces techniques for studying cellular motions and critically analyzes the types of information these techniques can yield. It joins a practical discussion of the most important technologies for motion analysis with critical analyses of the applications in which these technologies have been used.

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Most active cellular functions involve motion. From such subtle subcellular actions as the sorting and targeting of vesicles and organelles leading to the release of hormones to the complex rearrangements of a sphere of embryonic cells forming the body plan of a complete organism, motility of cells is exhibited along a wide range of observable behaviors. Despite this phenomenon, however, the views of modern biology historically have been based on static images and models constructed from biochemical evidence.

Motion Analysis of Living Cells is the first volume to compile the latest research by prominent specialists in molecular and cell biology, presenting newly developed techniques for studying cellular motions and critical analyses of the information these techniques can yield. Focusing on actin-based motility systems and drawing on the latest advances in the techniques of biochemistry, biophysics, microscopy, computer-assisted motion analysis, and molecular genetics, the works in this collection will prove invaluable to future research in embryogenesis, cancer, and diseases related to the cellular immune system.

Among the topics covered:
* Bacterial motility and chemotaxis
* New technologies for characterizing motility-related parameters
* Methods for analyzing the cortical tension of normal cells compared to abnormal cells
* Model for how a cell extends a pseudopod
* Computer-assisted analyses of cytoskeletal mutants of Dictyostelium discoideum
* Emerging methods for studying how cells respond to topographical cues at the substratum
* Polymerization of host actin to facilitate propulsion
* Genetic approaches to the regulatory mechanisms involved in early zebra fish morphogenesis and specification of cell fates
* Specific examples of single cell motility in embryogenesis
* Research oriented toward understanding cancer cell arrest, extravasation, and migration

A groundbreaking treatment of motion analysis of animal cells, Motion Analysis of Living Cells is a thorough review for professionals as well as a comprehensive introduction for students and researchers in the field. It is must reading for cell and developmental biologists, microbiologists, immunologists, neuroscientists, cancer researchers, zoologists, and basic researchers in reproductive medicine.