Maurice B. Hallett – författare

A synthesis and collation of the recent material regarding the role of the neutrophil in basic pathological processes is presented in this volume. The mechanisms of chemotaxis, secretion, phagocytosis, intracellular killing, oxygen radical production and arachidonate production are comprehensively reviewed. Stimulus response coupling in the neutrophil, with chapters on intracellular Ca2+, C-Kinase, phospholipid metabolism, microfilaments and membrane electrophysiology are extensively discussed. Each chapter provides a critical review by experts with over 1,000 cited references. Invaluable to graduate students and medical and scientific researchers, this book provides a unique, up-to-date account of cellular biochemistry and physiology of the neutrophil.

Phagocytosis is the engulfment of particulate matter by cells. It is a fundamental (and probably “primitive”) cell biological process which is important in single celled organisms such as amoeba; multicellular animals including coelenterates; and in higher animals. In humans and other mammals, specialised immune cells (phagocytes) utilise phagocytosis in their crucial role of engulfing and destroying infecting microbes. Yet, surprisingly, the biophysics and biochemistry underlying the process has only become clear recently with the advent of genetic manipulation and advances in single cell imaging. In this volume, the aim is to bring together recent fundamental advances that give a clear picture of the underlying mechanism involved in phagocytosis. Not only is this an important topic in its own right, but a full understanding of the process will have a potential impact on human medicine, since as antibiotics become less effective in fight infection, researchers are looking at alternative approaches, including enhancing the “natural” immunity brought about by immune  phagocytes.The aim is to provide a comprehensive volume on the topic, with separate chapters on identified recent advances, each written by the major contributors in each area. In addition, the volume will attempt to give a wider overview than is often the case in single author reviews, with an emphasis here on the cell biological understanding of phagocytosis using biophysical approaches alongside the biochemical and imaging approaches.