Abstract
This is an extensive, well written, overview of the history, design, applications, and reference to the use of confocal microscopy (CFM) in all its forms in biology research and education. The volume is extensively illustrated with figures, plates, and diagrams to explain the functioning, design, and usage of CFM. It is logically organized with introductions and theories for the entry user at the beginning, detailed chapters on application and usage next, and, finally, reference chapters typical of the type and methods of CFM in biology. It is factual and sequential in format with explanations and references for the basis of the presentation. It is extensively referenced, and the authors who wrote the chapters are well-peer-reviewed experts in their field.
The audience for this book is primarily seniors and graduate students, core service operators, collaborating scientists, such as molecular biologists, physiologists, and clinicians who wish to complement and supplement their experience with sophisticated and quantitative microscopy. This is the one book all core service microscopy laboratories should have available to demonstrate and explain the principles and applications of CFM.
The book should prove quite valuable to veterinary pathologists who wish or must complement their standard light microscopy hematoxylin and eosin preparations of tissues with fluorescent, quantitative, co-localization quantification of gene product expression with histology. Objective measurable expression of proteins and gene products in tissue, pathologic lesions, and developing structures are essential for morphologists to collaborate with experimental biologists in the molecular era and, vice versa, molecular biologists and geneticists now appreciate the essential value of precise quantification of expression in situ in cells and tissues and sense the need for experienced and certified pathologists. The synergy of morphology with genomics and proteomics has made the discovery and quantification of morphology not only possible but achievable today. This book and the methods it describes and explains are of particular interest to those working to develop biomarkers for diseases like cancer and neurodegeneration.
Dr. Pawley is a world class morphologist, and he has built the editions of his books on CFM with the view of increasing the number of users in the field and helping them use the instruments in an appropriate and timely manner. He has established an excellent collaborating group of authors who cover all the known aspects of CFM as well as predict and give insight into how we might carry the use of CFM forward. This is the most extensive single volume book on CFM and will be considered the bible of CFM for most users.
The new edition includes multi-photon, databases, bibliographies, trouble shooting, and introductions to new and evolving fields. It includes animal and plant instruction as well as techniques both standard and essential to understanding pathophysiologic processes and methods (FRET, FRAP, etc.).
The book is readable and instructive. The jargon of CFM is explained and the diagrams are clearly explained. There are hundreds of diagrams, tables, and formulas, as well as hundreds of color images of the cells, tissues, organelles, and systems one can study with CFM. Many of the color images and plates are not only well formed, focused, and informative, but also they are beautiful and lovely to view. The references are up to date, complete, and easy to find. The index is extensive and easy to use.
Series of books like the Methods in Cell Biology and Methods in Molecular Biology exist, but they have an extensive numbers of volumes and are designed for the specialized niches. Handbook of Biological Confocal Microscopy is the one book that has everything and not just simple summary, elementary descriptions but clear concise instructions on how to operate a service, collaborate, and do well-controlled biological microscopy.
The strength is also its weakness. The book is nearly a 1,000 pages and is somewhat cumbersome to use on the lab bench because of its size and thickness. However, it is easier than having a library of smaller detailed books where one must open and close and search between and among many volumes for an answer or insight. It is well suited to its audience, and readers will not be disappointed in the purchase for their laboratory.