Cells, Gels and the Engines of Life

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Summary: Cells, Gels and the Engines of Life
Review: Cells, Gels and the Engines of Life written by Gerald H Pollack is a well-written book the challenges the accepted dogma of cellular biology.

You have to read this book with an open mind as some of the information given the reader is contraversial, as the emphasis of the author's narrative is the gel-like nature of the cell. The author makes his point and builds upon this feature as we read and explore the underlying mechanisms within the cell itself. Contraction, division, transport are just a few of the mechanisms brought to light in this book... could these mechanisms be much simpler than envisioned.

I found the book to be very readable with illustrations to explain the text and complicated principles. The author makes an impressive and convincing argument with his gel theory mechanism... this book shakes the foundation from which cell biology has been built upon. This book has a detective flavor to it keeping the reader engaged as the story unfolds.

This book requires the reader to have some knowledge of chemistry and biology to understand the underlying principles, but it is not out of the realm of a layperson who has scientific knowledge. To some up this book in a single word... provocative.

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Summary: The lasting effects of a poor tenure decision
Review: Dr. Pollack is an embarrassment to his field and his University. This book is a collection of old results (from as far back as 50 years ago) that puzzled the world's scientists at the time they were first published. There has been much progress in the intervening decades that Dr. Pollack would do well to read and understand. All of the ancient science upon which Pollack's argument depends has since been explained or refuted. People are entitled to write, or say, whatever they choose. However, that doesn't necessarily make it true. Before purchasing this book, people should browse Dr. Pollack's publication record. They should note that in those instances when his science has escaped the peer-review process, references to his ridiculous opinions about cell biology have been omitted. Prospective buyers should also note that this book was published using the private funds of Pollack's family, and not solicited or endorsed by any scientific organization. I fully support anyone who wishes to read this comedy of ignorance, provided they then turn the pages of a good cell biology textbook. This book may change the way you look at the world around you, but so will psychoactive drugs and head trauma. Pollack is a laughing-stock. He will tell you that he is a persecuted genius. It is important to remember, though, that sometimes people are laughed at because they are genuine fools.

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Summary: Changed My View of Science
Review: During my senior year of bioengineering at ASU, one of my instructors recommended that I read this book. I went on Amazon and purchased a copy. Tragically, I let it sit on my shelf for almost six months without reading it. About a year ago, I picked it up and read it, expecting it to be a labor-intensive read. It was not. Instead, in very simple terms and using simple yet convincing examples, Pollack managed to challenge everything I ever learned in school in two days (It only took two days because I found myself reading this book every chance I got; I coult not put it down).

Challenging even many of the basic tenets of cellular biology-- from even the existance of selective ion channels in the fluid mosaic model of the cell wall to blowing the lid off of what every student is taught in school about the way muscle cells contract--Pollack writes a book that has been and will continue to be challenging, because it challenges the premises of the life-long work of many scientists.

While I'm sure that some of his critiques of the beliefs of the faith of cellular biology today will prove to be wrong, Pollack is not afraid of the challenge or the community backlash against him. I applaud the work. I recommend it as required reading for just about everybody: the writing style makes it accessible for even high school students, but it is not too plebian to challenge even a professor or researcher in the area.
-Jacob

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Summary: interesting
Review: Have you ever wondered if there is anything further to understand in modern biology? Don't we know all? Don't we only need to do a computer search among the dazzlingly long catalog of gene sequences, membrane pumps, pores, channels, receptors to receive an answer to just about any relevant question? Or, do you feel uneasy about the enormous complexity of the cell put forth in biology textbooks and wonder whether some common, simple mechanisms may operate in the background? If you are of the latter type, the book is for you. Pollack puts us in the driver's seat and takes us on a heartpoundingly exciting, courageous and fascinating journey. Rather than lecturing, the author challenges us to question mainstream ideas of cell biology in a highly enjoyable, easy-to-understand and thought-provoking manner. An unorthodox conceptual view is put forth that attempts to globally explain how the living cell functions. We are rewarded by the unparalleled joy of feeling part of a discovery itself. This intellectual journey is well worth every minute. And, who knows, Pollack might be right, too!

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Summary: a good book
Review: I like this book very much. I wish I had this book as supplement reading when I took my cell biology. This book provides an alternative view and provokes many questions in modern cell biology. I highly recommend this book to senior undergraduate students and graduate students

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Summary: Cells, Gels and the Engines of Life
Review: In this captivating book really worth to read the author developed a highly interesting almost radical concept in cell biology that may clarify a lot of current inconsistencies. It is very impressive and convincing to see how he has succeeded to formulate a new concept of elementary functions of life considering phase-transitions as a common denominator of all fundamental biological functions. Highly recommended reading for scientists!

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Summary: A Must Read
Review: Pollack's book is extremely insightful, although sometimes controversial. It looks at cell biology from a unique viewpoint. After reading this book, I have re-evaluated many established concepts in cell biology with new understanding and perspective. This is a must read for any serious student or researcher in the field of cell biology. I highly recommend this book.

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Summary: A Must Read
Review: Pollack's book is extremely insightful, although sometimes controversial. It looks at cell biology from a unique viewpoint. After reading this book, I have re-evaluated many established concepts in cell biology with new understanding and perspective. This is a must read for any serious student or researcher in the field of cell biology. I highly recommend this book.

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Summary: Revolutionary and courageous
Review: This book is heretical and courageous, and - if it can escape burning - may become a seminal landmark in our understanding of living systems. Based to a large extent on the pioneering (and often unfairly derided) work of Gilbert Ling, the book focuses on the importance of the gel-like nature of living cytoplasm - the interior of living cells - at the expense of the vaunted cell membrane. It turns out that cells can do fairly well without intact cell membranes because many functions attributed to the membrane are actually accomplished by gel properties of sub-membrane cytoskeleton of actin, microtubules and other protein structures. Pollack provides evidence that patch clamp techniques, which claim to study isolated membranes (and have provided much of the "evidence" for membrane ion channel and ion pumping mechanisms) include sub-membrane actin cytoskeleton which, according to Pollack, is actually regulating ionic fluxes and concentrations.

The book describes how cytoplasmic gels manifest collective phase transitions such as polymerization of actin proteins with accompanying ordering of cell water and exclusion of large cations. According to Pollack, these collective phase transitions can explain not only ionic fluxes, but also voltage gradients, propagating action potentials, mitosis, muscle contraction and cell movement. Ion channels and pumps are not mythical, but overstated. Pollack traces the roots of (in his view) the "membrane-centric" misconceptions and his proposed revolution is believable. Our cells are not bags of liquid governed by membrane activities, but protein matrix-based gels covered by a thin semi-permeable membrane "skin". The cytoplasm is intrinsically reactive and able to maintain cell homeostasis and functions. The cytoplasmic gel best captures the essence of the living state.

Molecular biologists, biochemists, membrane physiologists and others will no doubt gnash their teeth over this book, and many will dismiss it out of hand, citing ever-expanding knowledge in their respective fields. However ultrareductionist "bind and grind" techniques quite often fail to see the forest for the trees. Pollack encourages readers to compare his ideas to conventional approaches as espoused in mainstream textbooks. Any objective biologist should do so.

The book is easy to read, clear and understandable, and well illustrated with simple diagrams. Those willing to curb their dogma will find it stimulating and delightful.

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Summary: Complete nonsense!
Review: This is an absurd rehash of Gilbert Ling's interesting (at the time, the 1960's) theories that have been fundamentally and completely tested and found wanting. Do not waste your money or time on this vanity publication. If you want to understand contemporary cell physiology, go elsewhere.