Herophilus: The Art of Medicine in Early Alexandria: Edition, Translation and Essays Review

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(More customer reviews)In the history of medicine, popularity is mainly focused on the famous scientists such as Hipoccrates and Galen. However on the basis of positive science, maybe the most important scientist is Herophilus. The knowledge on Herophilus is rare and scattered in different testimonies and writings of authors such as Galen and Celsus. This valuable work of von Staden collects all these scattered information in one book. I think this book should be the main starting point to study ancient Alexandrian medicine, Herophilus and Herophilians. This book will not only illuminate today's knowledge but will also guide the future knowledge

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Herophilus, a contemporary of Euclid, practiced medicine in Alexandria in the third century B.C., and seems to have been the first Western scientist to dissect the human body. He made especially impressive contributions to many branches of anatomy and also developed influential views on many other aspects of medicine. Von Staden assembles the fragmentary evidence concerning one of the more important scientists of ancient Greece. Part 1 of the book presents the Greek and Latin texts accompanied by English translation and interpretative commentary. Significant background information is given in the introductory essay preceding each chapter. Part 2 briefly sketches the major developments within the Herophilean school after Herophilus, and discusses the individual members within it. Anyone interested in the history of science, the history of medicine, or intellectual history will find this book a rich source of information about an unusual and important aspect of Greek culture.

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Metabolic Engineering: Principles and Methodologies Review

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(More customer reviews)This book was a very pleasant surprise. It is rigurous yet accessible enough to provide a very clear picture of the metabolic pathway engineering field. Complicated topics like metabolic control and flux analisys (MCA) are very well treated. The examples are usually relevant and well explained, however, some need pen and paper to work up some jumps in the reasoning train. The first chapter is just an introduction whereas the second chapter is a review of cellular metabolism that may result too dense for most people (including myself). Most biologists can probably do away skipping it (althought some examples involving transport where quite interesting). I am glad I didn't put the book away because on chapter 3 things get really exciting. If you are interested in understanding how metabolic pathways are organized and what analytical tools are there available to model them (and eventually "reconfigure") this book for you.
Note: the book is meatn to be undestood and it is nice to see MCA depleted of the hoopla many authors insist on surrounding it with.

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Metabolic engineering is a new field with applications in the production of chemicals, fuels, materials, pharmaceuticals, and medicine at the genetic level. The field's novelty is in the synthesis of molecular biology techniques and the tools of mathematical analysis, which allow rational selection of targets for genetic modification through measurements and control of metabolic fluxes. The objective is to identify specific genetics or environmental manipulations that result in improvements in yield and productivities of biotechnological processes.Key features of the book are pathway integration and the focus on metabolic flux as a fundamental determinant of cell physiology. The book keeps mathematical complexity to a minimum, and provides a glossary of biological terms to facilitate use of the book by a broader spectrum of readers. A web page exists to communicate updates of the codes and homework problems. Key Features* Demonstrates metabolic engineering in action with numerous examples of pathway modification * Includes methods for identifying key enzymes in metabolic networks * Contains a comprehensive review of metabolic biochemistry* Discusses metabolic regulation at the gene, enzyme, operon, and cell levels* Explains concepts of stoichiometry, kinetics, and thermodynamics of metabolic pathways* Minimizes mathematical complexity * Links to a Web page to communicate updates of the software code and homework problems

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How the Laser Happened: Adventures of a Scientist Review

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(More customer reviews)This relatively short book is filled with interesting stories, people and events--not all of which are about physics or science. In fact, this is an enjoyable book for even the most determined liberal arts type who normally might avoid reading about physics. In fact, Dr. Townes seems to approach science and life with a "liberal arts" attitude: curious about everything and more than a little adventurous. He challenges readers to look under all the rocks for the excitement and learning to be found there. Read it for enjoyment and edification (a rare combination these days).

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In How the Laser Happened, Nobel laureate Charles Townes provides a highly personal look at some of the leading events in twentieth-century physics. Townes was inventor of the maser, of which the laser is one example; an originator of spectroscopy using microwaves; and a pioneer in the study of gas clouds in galaxies and around stars. Throughout his career he has also been deeply engaged with issues outside of academic research. He worked on applied research projects for Bell Labs; served on the board of directors for General Motors; and devoted extensive effort to advising the government on science, policy, and defense. This memoir traces his multifaceted career from its beginnings on the family farm in South Carolina. Spanning decades of ground-breaking research, the book provides a hands-on description of how working scientists and inventors get their ideas. It also gives a behind-the-scenes look at the scientific community, showing how scientists respond to new ideas and how they approach a variety of issues, from priority and patents to the social and political implications of their work. In addition, Townes touches on the sociology of science, uncovering some of the traditions and values that are invisible to an outsider. A towering and energetic figure, Townes has explored or pioneered most of the roles available to the modern scientist. In addition to fundamental research, he was actively involved in the practical uses of the laser and in the court cases to defend the patent rights. He was a founding member of the Jasons, an influential group of scientists that independently advises the government on defense policy, and he played an active part in scientific decisions and policies from the Truman through the Reagan administration. This lively memoir, packed with first-hand accounts and historical anecdotes, is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in the history of science and an inspiring example for students considering scientific careers.

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Biodesign: The Process of Innovating Medical Technologies Review

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(More customer reviews)I am a recent graduate of the Stanford Graduate Student of Business and have worked in the life sciences industry for many years. While at the GSB, I took the 2-quarter BioDesign class which used a beta version of this book as its text. The course - and text - has a rather ambitious aim, namely to explore the medtech entrepreneurial and innovation process and to do so in a cross-functional, comprehensive, and hands-on fashion. As one of the more popular courses at Stanford and one that has resulted in numerous new VC-funded start-ups, I think they have succeeded in this goal.
More so than entrepreneurialism in other industries, starting a new business in medical devices requires bringing together many disciplines and functions, including engineering, medicine, and business. This book takes this comprehensive view of the process. You'll learn about:
* Medical - learn about the clinical trials process for medical devices (e.g. 510k / PMA) ... learn how to put together a clinical development plan & clinical trials plan
* Engineering - learn about prototyping, produce concept definitions, R&D strategy
* Business - learn about doing a market assessment ... how to put together a reimbursement strategy ... how to do a marketing & business plan ... how build your financial models
But more than just looking at the individual disciplines, this text looks at the innovation *process*. That is, it walks through idea/concept creation and screening, researching new clinical need areas, and important early due diligence (i.e. IP searches, researching unmet medical needs, doing a stakeholder analysis). Then, once you have your concept it takes you through developing your early prototype and putting together a development and business plan. Next, it discusses how you will want to go about pitching this to VCs and obtaining funding to implement your product. And finally, it touches on operation issues and exits once your product is launched.
The book is highly readable and is accessible to a wide range of backgrounds and knowledge levels. This is because it was designed to be a text for a course that was taken by b-school students, engineering graduate students, and med school students. Additionally it is very hands-on, and discusses the tangible *things* that need to be done as you go through the start-up innovation process, and includes numerous case studies. Some chapters are rather dense but these can be skimmed until you actual need to reference the material.
On caveat is that, while I think this text can be relevant for people that are interested in innovation and start-ups in biotech or other areas of life sciences, it is clearly targeted to medical devices & medtech.
Being a successful entrepreneur in medical devices requires a thorough understanding of each of these steps in the innovation process and all of the cross-functional disciplines that are involved in bringing a new innovation to market and to patients. This textbook understands this and tackles this topic with that principle in mind.

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Recognize market opportunities, master the design process, and develop business acumen with this 'how-to' guide to medical technology innovation. A three-step, proven approach to the biodesign innovation process - identify, invent, implement - provides a practical formula for innovation. The experiences of hundreds of innovators and companies, in the form of case studies, quotes and practical advice, offer a realistic, action-orientated roadmap for successful biodesign innovation. Real-world examples, end-of-chapter projects, and Getting Started sections guide the reader through each of the key stages of the process and provide a template to create their own new medical devices. Addressing common medical, engineering, and business challenges to develop well-rounded expertise, this book is the complete package for any biodesign entrepreneur. The text is supported by valuable resources, including up-to-date industry changes: found at ebiodesign.org.

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