The Squid Giant Synapse: A Model for Chemical Transmission - Tapa dura

"Given that the brain consists of some 100 billion nerve cells, understanding how synapses allow these cells to communicate with each other has been a core question in neuroscience. The past 50 years have seen remarkable advances in this area, largely due to a small number of experimental systems--such as neuromuscular synapses and the squid giant synapse--whose great advantages for physiological analyses have illuminated the beauty of synaptic function. Thus a book, such as The Squid Giant Synapse, that concisely highlights the contributions of one such model system is a very good idea. An even better idea is to have the book written by Rodolfo Llinas, a distinguished synaptic physiologist . . . Llinas has done a good job of capturing the excitement that has kept the field of synaptic physiology energized. By its example, he Squid Giant Synapse offers a strong argument for the continued value of physiological analyses of brain function, even in these genomic times."--Science"When it comes to contributing to our knowledge of neuronal function, no creature can surpass the squid. Its axon has enabled us to discover the ionic basis of electrical signalling, and its synapse has revealed the chemical signalling between neurons. Rodolfo Llinas' book summarizes what this invertebrate has told us about chemical synaptic transmission. . . . It should . . . attract a wide audience, particularly those interested in listening to nature directly rather than passively accepting current paradigms. Finally, the book comes with a CD-Rom containing an excellent program of a synaptic model. . . . This program will surely attract young students, as well as researchers, who are interested in computer simulations of neuronal function. This model also reminds us of the dynamic aspects of synaptic function and that individual neurons are not merely passive elements in neuronal networks, but actively influence brain function through synaptic modulation."--Nature" "Given that the brain consists of some 100 billion nerve cells, understanding how synapses allow these cells to communicate with each other has been a core question in neuroscience. The past 50 years have seen remarkable advances in this area, largely due to a small number of experimental systems--such as neuromuscular synapses and the squid giant synapse--whose great advantages for physiological analyses have illuminated the beauty of synaptic function. Thus a book, such as The Squid Giant Synapse, that concisely highlights the contributions of one such model system is a very good idea. An even better idea is to have the book written by Rodolfo Llinas, a distinguished synaptic physiologist . . . Llinas has done a good job of capturing the excitement that has kept the field of synaptic physiology energized. By its example, he Squid Giant Synapse offers a strong argument for the continued value of physiological analyses of brain function, even in these genomic times."--Science "When it comes to contributing to our knowledge of neuronal function, no creature can surpass the squid. Its axon has enabled us to discover the ionic basis of electrical signalling, and its synapse has revealed the chemical signalling between neurons. Rodolfo Llinas' book summarizes what this invertebrate has told us about chemical synaptic transmission. . . . It should . . . attract a wide audience, particularly those interested in listening to nature directly rather than passively accepting current paradigms. Finally, the book comes with a CD-Rom containing an excellent program of a synaptic model. . . . This program will surely attract young students, as well as researchers, who are interested incomputer simulations of neuronal function. This model also reminds us of the dynamic aspects of synaptic function and that individual neurons are not merely passive elements in neuronal networks, but actively influence brain function through synaptic modulation."--Nature "Given that the brain consists of some 100 billion nerve cells, understanding how synapses allow these cells to communicate with each other has been a core question in neuroscience. The past 50 years have seen remarkable advances in this area, largely due to a small number of experimental systems--such as neuromuscular synapses and the squid giant synapse--whose great advantages for physiological analyses have illuminated the beauty of synaptic function. Thus a book, such as The Squid Giant Synapse, that concisely highlights the contributions of one such model system is a very good idea. An even better idea is to have the book written by Rodolfo Llinas, a distinguished synaptic physiologist . . . Llinas has done a good job of capturing the excitement that has kept the field of synaptic physiology energized. By its example, he Squid Giant Synapse offers a strong argument for the continued value of physiological analyses of brain function, even in these genomic times."--Science "When it comes to contributing to our knowledge of neuronal function, no creature can surpass the squid. Its axon has enabled us to discover the ionic basis of electrical signalling, and its synapse has revealed the chemical signalling between neurons. Rodolfo Llinas' book summarizes what this invertebrate has told us about chemical synaptic transmission. . . . It should . . . attract a wide audience, particularly those interested in listening to nature directly rather than passively accepting current paradigms. Finally, the book comes with a CD-Rom containing an excellent program of a synaptic model. . . . This program will surely attract youngstudents, as well as researchers, who are interested in computer simulations of neuronal function. This model also reminds us of the dynamic aspects of synaptic function and that individual neurons are not merely passive elements in neuronal networks, but actively influence brain function through synaptic modulation."--Nature "Given that the brain consists of some 100 billion nerve cells, understanding how synapses allow these cells to communicate with each other has been a core question in neuroscience. The past 50 years have seen remarkable advances in this area, largely due to a small number of experimentalsystems--such as neuromuscular synapses and the squid giant synapse--whose great advantages for physiological analyses have illuminated the beauty of synaptic function. Thus a book, such as The Squid Giant Synapse, that concisely highlights the contributions of one such model system is a very goodidea. An even better idea is to have the book written by Rodolfo Llinas, a distinguished synaptic physiologist . . . Llinas has done a good job of capturing the excitement that has kept the field of synaptic physiology energized. By its example, he Squid Giant Synapse offers a strong argument forthe continued value of physiological analyses of brain function, even in these genomic times."--Science"When it comes to contributing to our knowledge of neuronal function, no creature can surpass the squid. Its axon has enabled us to discover the ionic basis of electrical signalling, and its synapse has revealed the chemical signalling between neurons. Rodolfo Llinas' book summarizes what thisinvertebrate has told us about chemical synaptic transmission. . . . It should . . . attract a wide audience, particularly those interested in listening to nature directly rather than passively accepting current paradigms. Finally, the book comes with a CD-Rom containing an excellent program of asynaptic model. . . . This program will surely attract young students, as well as researchers, who areinterested in computer simulations of neuronal function. This model also reminds us of the dynamic aspects of synaptic function and that individual neurons are not merely passive elements inneuronal networks, but actively influence brain function through synaptic modulation."--Nature

The squid giant synapse has historically been the best model for investigating synaptic transmission. This book, by one of the leading workers on synaptic transmission, gives a concise overview of all that has been learned about synaptic transmission in its most standard model system. The book also contains a computer model, entitled "Synapse", usable in PC and Macintosh, that allows the reader to simulate and manipulate any aspect of synaptic transmission. The disc contains two programs: the research modelling tool for working neuroscientists; and a drylab to teach students the principles of synaptic transmission by allowing them to alter the parameters, essentially without limits, and see the effects on the ation potential over time in milliseconds. The book is intended for lecturers to use in graduate and undergraduate courses on synaptic transmission and the physiology of neurons and excitable cells.