Calcium Signaling Protocols

In the first edition of Calcium Signaling Protocols I began by writing “The regula- 2+ tion of intracellular Ca is a common theme presented in many papers over the last 20 2+ or so years and the description of the Ca -sensitive indicator dye fura-2 in 1985 resulted in a massive increase in these types of studies. ” This statement is as true in 2005 as it was in 1999, but 20 or so years is now 30 years! There has been some reorganization of the volume such that there are now 22 ch- ters including five new ones, all written by experts in their field. These new chapters 2+ include use of the FlexStation and electrophysiological measurement of Ca channel activity. The book is broken into six parts. Part I is a general coverage of basic theory and the simplest use of fluorescent indicators. Part II covers specialist measurement 2+ systems and Part III covers measurement of Ca channel activity. Assessment of 2+ release of stored Ca is covered in some detail in Part IV, with Parts V and VI cover- 2+ ing specialist measurement techniques and Ca -sensitive targets. Putting a book like this together, even as a second edition, takes time and I am, again, indebted to the individual authors for their help and patience. I am also very grateful to Professor John M. Walker, the series editor, for his continued help and advice over the course of this project.

Now extensively updated and expanded, Calcium Signaling Protocols, Second Edition continues the excellence of the highly regarded first edition. New to this edition are chapters on the electrophysiological measurement of Ca2+ channel activity, enhanced coverage of confocal microscopy, and practical tutorials on two of the most common industrial high-throughput machines, the Fluorometric Imaging Plate Reader (FLIPR), and the FlexStation. All experimental chapters provide readily reproducible techniques for measuring the many facets of Ca2+ signaling. The protocols follow the successful Methods in Molecular Biology™ series format, each offering step-by-step laboratory instructions, an introduction outlining the principles behind the technique, lists of the necessary equipment and reagents, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.
Authoritative and up-to-date, Calcium Signaling Protocols, Second Edition provides for novice and expert researchers alike both theoretical and practical information for the optimal design and performance of studies of intracellular Ca2+ regulation.