Divided into two volumes, the book begins with a pedagogical presentation of some of the basic theory, with chapters on biochemical reactions, diffusion, excitability, wave propagation and cellular homeostasis. The second, more extensive part discusses particular physiological systems, with chapters on calcium dynamics, bursting oscillations and secretion, cardiac cells, muscles, intercellular communication, the circulatory system, the immune system, wound healing, the respiratory system, the visual system, hormone physiology, renal physiology, digestion, the visual system and hearing.
New chapters on Calcium Dynamics, Neuroendocrine Cells and Regulation of Cell Function have been included.
There has been a long history of interaction between mathematics and physiology. This book looks in detail at a wide selection of mathematical models in physiology, showing how physiological problems can be formulated and studied mathematically, and how such models give rise to interesting and challenging mathematical questions. With its coverage of many recent models it gives an overview of the field, while many older models are also discussed, to put the modern work in context.
In this second edition the coverage of basic principles has been expanded to include such topics as stochastic differential equations, Markov models and Gibbs free energy, and the selection of models has also been expanded to include some of the basic models of fluid transport, respiration/perfusion, blood diseases, molecular motors, smooth muscle, neuroendrocine cells, the baroreceptor loop, turboglomerular oscillations, blood clotting and the retina.
Owing to this extensive coverage, the second edition is published in two volumes. This second volume deals with the physiology of systems and the first volume with the fundamental principles of cell physiology.
The book includes detailed illustrations and numerous excercises with selected solutions. The emphasis throughout is on the applications; because of this interdisciplinary approach, this book will be of interest to students and researchers, not only in mathematics, but also in bioengineering, physics, chemistry, biology, statistics and medicine.
James Keener is a Distinguished Professor of Mathematics at the University of Utah. He and his wife live in Salt Lake City, but don't be surprised if he moves to the mountains.
James Sneyd is the Professor of Applied Mathematics at the University of Auckland in New Zealand, where he has worked for the past six years. He lives with his wife and three children beside a beach, and would rather be swimming.
Reviews of the first edition:
...probably the best book ever written on the interdisciplinary field of mathematical physiology. Mathematical Reviews, 2000
In addition to being good reading, excellent pedagogy, and appealing science, the exposition is lucid and clear, and there are many good problem sets to choose from... Highly recommended. Mathematical Biosciences, 1999
Both authors are seasoned experts in the field of mathematical physiology and particularly in the field of excitability, calcium dynamics and spiral waves. It directs students to become not merely skilled technicians in biological research but masters of the science. SIAM, 2004
The first edition was the winner of the 1998 Association of American Publishers "Best New Title in Mathematics."
