Promotions - Choice's Outstanding Academic Titles 2020 -

The phrase big data has become shorthand for vast quantities of data produced at a rate outpacing the human ability to actually analyze it. Acquisition methods and storage capabilities have improved because of technological advancements and decreased costs. Resulting aggregations of collected data can be used not only to answer hypothesis-driven biomedical questions but also for data-driven investigations seeking patterns through cross-comparison of large datasets themselves. Science historian Strasser (Univ. of Geneva and Yale Univ.) wrote Collecting Experiments to explore the modern intersection of experimentation and collection within the life sciences. His central argument is that the "way of knowing" based on classifying, collecting, and comparing in the life sciences has not been eclipsed by the experimental way as represented by big data. Rather, today's databases, often created through application of experimental methods, play a role that is equivalent to the historical role of museums and libraries. Strasser presents a hybrid schema, reflecting the early collection approach to gathering scientific information, as favored by naturalists and paleontologists, in conjunction with the later experimental approach favored by molecular biologists. This is a fascinating read, with ample notes and references and occasional figures supporting the assertions.Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty and professionals.

Dyneins are one of three classes of motor proteins within cells that convert chemical energy in the form of ATP into mechanical work. In particular, dyneins drive the beating of cilia and flagella, vesicular transport, and the process of mitosis. A comprehensive overview of how both cytoplasmic and axonemal dyneins accomplish these cellular tasks based on their unique structures, including how this understanding has been built through experimentation, is provided here. Each of this work's fourteen chapters, contributed by different authors or groups of authors, can be read independently of the others without any loss of understanding. Every chapter is clearly written, well edited, and abundantly referenced to the most up-to-date primary literature. Chapter 1 ("Dyneins: Ancient Protein Complexes Gradually Reveal Their Secrets") notably provides an overview of the growth of the dynein literature over time, including a helpful "dynein discovery timeline" graphic, which covers the period 1965-2015. This text would not only provide an excellent starting point for someone newly interested in the study of dyneins, but also is a great read for those who are simply fascinated by the complexity and wonder of life on the molecular level.Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty and professionals.

Giant vesicles are artificial membrane systems used in basic biological research, applied research on smart materials, and medical and pharmaceutical applications. This massive volume provides a collection of 30 review articles, each an independent chapter, on this important topic. Editors Dimova (Max Planck Institute) and Marques (French National Centre for Scientific Research) are experts in the field, and the contributors represent an international group, with the majority of authors hailing from European countries. The chapters cover a diverse array of topics, including biophysics, cell and molecular biology, and physical chemistry. Because biophysics is a consideration, many chapters feature detailed mathematical treatments. The early part of the book provides a good summary of the field and its fundamental concepts. The articles are well referenced, drawing from the primary literature, and most include citations up to 2018. The book is beautifully illustrated with nice figures and callout boxes that highlight important protocols--some parts of the book resemble an advanced textbook. Chapter 4 (on the cytoskeleton) and chapter 10 (on light microscopy) were particularly informative to this reviewer. Chapters 15 and 19 provide web links to videos illustrating important concepts in vesicle dynamics. Several appendixes on topics such as membrane dyes and detergents are included.Summing Up: Highly recommended. Graduate students, faculty, and professionals.