Main description:

Bioprocesses such as brain signaling to sound perception, muscle contraction, and blood pressure regulation all depend on our cells' ability to detect electrical & mechanical cues from the environment and neighboring cells. This book presents a coherent introduction to the physiological significance, the mechanisms, and the pathological implications of electrical and mechanical sensing. This authoritative book covers the fundamental principles and recent discoveries of new molecular sensors, as well as experimental and computational techniques used in the field. It also provides an overview on the pharmacological tools that can restore defective detection of electrical & mechanical stimuli.

Contents:

Introduction. Electrical and Mechanical Stimuli in Cell Membranes: An Overview. Stimulus Propagation: Membranes, Cytoskeleton, Extracellular Matrix. Common Principles in the Detection of Electrical and Mechanical Signals. Electrical Sensing. Physiology & Biophysics of Electrical Sensing. Electrical Sensing: The Molecules. Electrical Sensing & Disease. Mechanical Sensing. Physiology & Biophysics of Mechanical Sensing. Mechanical Sensing: The Molecules. Mechanical Sensing & Disease.