Cellular Signal Processing: An Introduction to the Molecular Mechanisms of Signal Transduction [Englisch] [Taschenbuch]

Cellular Signal Processing presents a well-structured and comprehensive discussion of all of the elements in cell signalling. The book provides a superb source of information as well as structure to understand the nuances of many of the cellular signalling mechanisms. It is an excellent desk reference which one can come back to time and again to be used in systems modeling as well as other applications.

It begins with a simple overview of the elements of cell signalling and discusses the reaction dynamics leading to the temporal characteristics of signalling, specifically the simple biochemical switch. Unlike Klipp et al Systems Biology: A Textbook , this book presents a high level description of the signalling rather than developing and demonstrating the specifics of the mathematical model and its actual dynamics. Again using Klipp as a backup would be perfect.

Chapter 2 discusses some of the cell energy considerations and the discussion on protein phosphorylation is exceptionally good. The introduction of protein kinases and their importance in transduction is well placed and sets the stage for later development. Chapter 3 discusses the evolutionary development of cell signalling and this is a good vehicle to demonstrate the development of various specific signalling elements.

Chapter 4 discusses the protein kinases in more detail and the inclusion of many medical applications is exceptionally good. For example the discussion on p 163 regarding the use of aspirin is a nice blend of the practical and the scientific. This type of discussion is diffused throughout the text and makes for enlightening elements.

Chapter 6 is a good presentation of signal transduction and it provides a full description of how the signal paths are activated.

Chapter 9 is a very well done presentation on signals controlling mRNA translation, key to many cancer pathways. For example the discussion on the mTOR pathway, p 337, is quite enlightening as the clinical discussion of diabetes on p 343. Chapter 11 discusses mitogen activation which is essential for understanding the dynamics of cancer pathways. The discussion of NFkB is well done on p 409. This is extended to the application to cancer on p 415. This again is an excellent blending of the science and the application to specific medical uses.

Chapter 12 is on cancer and cell signalling. It focuses on cell cycles and signalling and is an superb complement to Morgan's The Cell Cycle: Principles of Control (Primers in Biology) (Primers in Biology) book. Chapter 13 discusses apoptosis. This is a good complement to the cancer discussion and the cell cycle. Chapter 17 is a short discussion of systems biology. It could have been expanded yet it may have gone beyond the scope of the book.

Overall the book covers all of the signalling pathways and demonstrates with adequate detail the pathways dependencies and allows for an understanding of their dynamics. The book is comprehensive and provides more than adequate reference materials. I have used this book to gain specific details and refresh an understanding or to see an different approach. It is an invaluable addition to any bookshelf.

This was recommended to me by a Prof. in Biochemistry and he suggested that it is the only source that includes all principles of cell signaling as it does not appear in any other book available.