Cells, Gels and the Engines of Life

This book is heretical and courageous, and - if it can escape burning - may become a seminal landmark in our understanding of living systems. Based to a large extent on the pioneering (and often unfairly derided) work of Gilbert Ling, the book focuses on the importance of the gel-like nature of living cytoplasm - the interior of living cells - at the expense of the vaunted cell membrane. It turns out that cells can do fairly well without intact cell membranes because many functions attributed to the membrane are actually accomplished by gel properties of sub-membrane cytoskeleton of actin, microtubules and other protein structures. Pollack provides evidence that patch clamp techniques, which claim to study isolated membranes (and have provided much of the "evidence" for membrane ion channel and ion pumping mechanisms) include sub-membrane actin cytoskeleton which, according to Pollack, is actually regulating ionic fluxes and concentrations.The book describes how cytoplasmic gels manifest collective phase transitions such as polymerization of actin proteins with accompanying ordering of cell water and exclusion of large cations. According to Pollack, these collective phase transitions can explain not only ionic fluxes, but also voltage gradients, propagating action potentials, mitosis, muscle contraction and cell movement. Ion channels and pumps are not mythical, but overstated. Pollack traces the roots of (in his view) the "membrane-centric" misconceptions and his proposed revolution is believable. Our cells are not bags of liquid governed by membrane activities, but protein matrix-based gels covered by a thin semi-permeable membrane "skin". The cytoplasm is intrinsically reactive and able to maintain cell homeostasis and functions. The cytoplasmic gel best captures the essence of the living state.Molecular biologists, biochemists, membrane physiologists and others will no doubt gnash their teeth over this book, and many will dismiss it out of hand, citing ever-expanding knowledge in their respective fields. However ultrareductionist "bind and grind" techniques quite often fail to see the forest for the trees. Pollack encourages readers to compare his ideas to conventional approaches as espoused in mainstream textbooks. Any objective biologist should do so. The book is easy to read, clear and understandable, and well illustrated with simple diagrams. Those willing to curb their dogma will find it stimulating and delightful.

Have you ever wondered if there is anything further to understand in modern biology? Don't we know all? Don't we only need to do a computer search among the dazzlingly long catalog of gene sequences, membrane pumps, pores, channels, receptors to receive an answer to just about any relevant question? Or, do you feel uneasy about the enormous complexity of the cell put forth in biology textbooks and wonder whether some common, simple mechanisms may operate in the background? If you are of the latter type, the book is for you. Pollack puts us in the driver's seat and takes us on a heartpoundingly exciting, courageous and fascinating journey. Rather than lecturing, the author challenges us to question mainstream ideas of cell biology in a highly enjoyable, easy-to-understand and thought-provoking manner. An unorthodox conceptual view is put forth that attempts to globally explain how the living cell functions. We are rewarded by the unparalleled joy of feeling part of a discovery itself. This intellectual journey is well worth every minute. And, who knows, Pollack might be right, too!

In this captivating book really worth to read the author developed a highly interesting almost radical concept in cell biology that may clarify a lot of current inconsistencies. It is very impressive and convincing to see how he has succeeded to formulate a new concept of elementary functions of life considering phase-transitions as a common denominator of all fundamental biological functions. Highly recommended reading for scientists!

This great book fundamentally changed the way I think about cells. It is not one of your typical cell biology textbooks that only show you the a priori views about cells, leaving out the findings not fitting their overall picture. This book takes you from the very basic laws of physics and chemistry and explains the common cell functions step by step. On the way, it challenges many dogmatic views about cells and introduces very logical and simple new mechanisms. It has a great narrative, which makes you think and speculate, almost like a good mystery novel. I strongly recommend this book to any open-minded science-lover with an interest in cell biology.