Cells, Gels and the Engines of Life

by Gerald H. Pollack

This book describes how cells work. It challenges the current wisdom of cell function, and presents a new, simpler approach to fundamental processes such as movement, transport, division, and communication, based on sound physical principles. The book is profusely illustrated with many color figures. It is written for the non-expert in an accessible, often humorous style.

Genres: Science, Health, Biology, Nonfiction, Health Care

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Professor Gerald Pollack is Founding Editor-in-Chief of the scientific journal, WATER and is recognized as an international leader in science and engineering.

The University of Washington Faculty chose Pollack, in 2008, to receive their highest annual distinction: the Faculty Lecturer Award. He was the 2012 recipient of the coveted Prigogine Medal for thermodynamics of dissipative systems. He has received an honorary doctorate from Ural State University in Ekaterinburg, Russia, and was more recently named an Honorary Professor of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and Foreign Member of the Srpska Academy. Pollack is a Founding Fellow of the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering and a Fellow of both the American Heart Association and the Biomedical Engineering Society. He recently received an NIH Director’s Transformative R01 Award for his work on water, and maintains an active laboratory in Seattle.

Pollack’s interests have ranged broadly, from biological motion and cell biology to the interaction of biological surfaces with aqueous solutions. His 1990 book, Muscles and Molecules Uncovering the Principles of Biological Motion, won an “Excellence Award” from the Society for Technical Communication; two subsequent books: Cells Gels and the Engines of Life,and The Fourth Phase of Water both won that Society’s “Distinguished Award.”

Pollack is recognized worldwide as a dynamic speaker and a scientist willing to challenge any long-held dogma that does not fit the facts.

Reviews

[Mike Lisanke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Think Pollack's Fourth Phase of Water meets Alberts' Molecular Biology of the Cell! This was an excellent introduction to how structure water plays a part in the everyday molecular biology of cells. And it holds many surprises for the reader. E.g. I wasn't aware that a cell can keep working when its membrane is torn. Or that there's little mainstream theory of ion transport in and out of the cells membrane that can work to maintain the balance of all sizes and shapes of molecules Except the membrane can And so we likely need new theory of that process (like structured water). So many new ideas you'll need to read for yourself. I recommend understanding Pollack's ideas on EZ phase of water and then heading into this expansive book of theory (in layman's teams and with diagrams). His other book on Water and cells is much more like research papers.

[Jody · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had some interesting ideas. But some of it seemed unsubstantiated.

[Chad Touchberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fundamentally changed my understanding of cell biology.

[Steven Veeneman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Selected after hearing an interview of the author. Has led to many insights since.

[Mitja · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is good if you are a biophysicist but amazing if you are a phase transition devotee.

[Edward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting information of the reality of cell membranes, furthering the work of Gilbert Ling.

[Julien Comardelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A learned and compelling re-assessment of cell structure theory and the implications therefrom.

If Pollack's understanding of bioenergetics and cell structure are correct, then this textbook needs to be the first and foremost intro to cell biology book. Pollack's discussion of phase transition into cellular movement and activity, alongside his rigorous breakdown(literally) of the cell membrane theory struck me with his quality of argument and assemblage of relevant data and studies. While a single book cannot negate over a century of experimentation and imaging work - Pollack's work joins Ling and Hillman as important contestant works. These are researchers, alongside a few others, who maintained a vision of the cell that is only recently returning in earnest among the mainstream.

The physics of cells is advancing rapidly and while biological relativity will hold some efforts away for a while, the growing appreciation for cells as truly LIVING energetic beings will benefit researchers, doctors, and even parents.

Additionally, the book is easy to read, organized well, and includes a hearty amount of diagrams.

A great place to start in criticizing mainstream cell theory, followed by Gilbert Ling and Harold Hillman.

I would actually hesitate to say that it's a critical work - this is a textbook that should be read alongside a standard intro biology textbook as a complement and the areas of contrast and discussion taken as an opportunity for independent exploration in a meaningful area. Further, a learner prepared by this text book will be readily adaptable to the waves cresting over much of cellular biology, implicated by the expanding biophysics.

[Shajahan T K · Rating 5 out of 5]

It presents very provocative ideas- such as, there are no ion channels really, its all effect of phase transition and the way water is structured in cells. Author is a reputed scientist, and he cites papers to substantiate the claims. The book is written in a very sketchy manner. I am no expert, so cannot verify the veracity of these claims. I am yet to see a serious rebuttal or counter argument. Certainly worth reading and pondering over.

[Shane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book that gives an entirely different view of biology as we know it. This complex subject is discussed in a very accessible way.