This textbook presents a broad overview of topics concerning cellular electrophysiology covering topics ranging from bioelectric phenomena recognized as far back as ancient Egypt to popular topics on the dangers of electrosmog. Without sacrificing scientific precision, this clear and concise work presents on the one hand the different methods and applications, on the other hand the biophysical fundamentals of ion-channel and carrier proteins. Numerous and carefully selected illustrations and diagrams supplement the text, while questions at the end of each chapter allow readers to test their understanding. Each section also includes references to relevant original literature for further reading. The book offers a valuable resource for students of biology, chemistry and physics with a special interest in biophysics.

Dr. phil.nat. Jürgen RETTINGER Product Manager Multi Channel Systems MCS GmbH Aspenhaustrasse 21 72770 Reutlingen, Germany

Jürgen Rettinger received his doctor degree in physics at Goethe-University in Frankfurt. in 1995. His focus as group leader at Max-Planck-Institute of Biophysics in Frankfurt was research of structure-function relationships of ligand-gated ion channels and teaching electrophysiology at Goethe-University Frankfurt, Shanghai Institutes of Biological Sciences and Fudan-University Shanghai. Since 2008 Jürgen Rettinger is working with Multi Channel Systems responsible as product manager for electrophysiology.

Silvia SCHWARZ Research Scientist Shanghai Key Laboratory for Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function Fudan University Guoshoujing Rd. 199 Shanghai 201203, China

Silvia Schwarz finished her university education in biology and chemistry at Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg in 1974. Thereafter, she was educated and worked as teacher in biology and chemistry until 2008. Since then she works as research associate at Shanghai Research Center for Acupuncture and Meridians (Shanghai Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, Fudan Univ.). Silvia Schwarzs main research focus is on antiviral effects of Chinese herbal drugs applying electrophysiological methods. Prof. Dr. rer.nat. Wolfgang SCHWARZ  Professor for Physics Institut für Biophysik, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt Max-von-Laue-Str. 1,  60438 Frankfurt a.M., Germany Shanghai Key Laboratory for Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function Fudan University Guoshoujing Rd. 199 Shanghai 201203, China

Wolfgang Schwarz received his doctor degree in physics at University of Saarland in 1975. Thereafter, he spent two years as postdoc at University of Washington Seattle working on characteristics of ion channels. In 1981 he habilitated in physiology at University of Saarland and received a position as head of a Cell Physiology Laboratory at Max-Planck-Institute of Biophysics Frankfurt. Wolfgang Schwarzs main focus turned to structure-function and regulation of carrier transporters and teaching electrophysiology as professor for physics at Goethe-University Frankfurt, Shanghai Institutes of Biological Sciences and Fudan-University Shanghai.  Since 2004 Wolfgang Schwarz is head of the Cell Electrophysiology Laboratory of Shanghai Research Center for Acupuncture and Meridian (Shanghai Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, Fudan Univ.) and concurrent professor at Fudan University.

Chapter 11   Introduction1.1  INTRODUCTORY OVERVIEW1.2  HISTORY OF ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY Chapter 22   Basics: Theory2.1  ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF BIOLOGICAL MEMBRANES2.2  ION DISTRIBUTION AT BIOLOGICAL MEMBRANES2.3  DONNAN DISTRIBUTION AND NERNST EQUATION2.4  GOLDMAN-HODGKIN-KATZ EQUATION Chapter 33.  Basics: Methods3.1  RECORDING ELECTRICAL SIGNALS FROM BODY SURFACE3.2  THE EXAMPLE (ECG)3.3  RECORDING ELECTRICAL SIGNALS FROM TISSUE3.4  RECORDING ELECTRICAL SIGNALS FROM SINGLE CELLS3.5  APPLICATION OF THE VOLTAGE-CLAMP TECHNIQUE3.6  THE PATCH-CLAMP TECHNIQUE Chapter 44   Automated Electrophysiology4.1  AUTOMATED TWO-ELECTRODE VOLTAGE CLAMP4.2  AUTOMATED PATCH CLAMP Chapter 55   Ion-selective Channels5.1  GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF ION CHANNELS5.2  SPECIFIC ION CHANNELS Chapter 66   Theory of Excitability6.1  THE HODGKIN-HUXLEY DESCRIPTION OF EXCITATION6.2  CONTINUOUS AND SALTATORY CONDUCTION OF ACTION POTENTIALS6.3  GENERATION AND TRANSMISSION OF ACTION POTENTIALS6.4  SUMMARY OF THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF POTENTIALS6.5  ACTION POTENTIAL IN NON-NERVE CELLS Chapter 77   Carrier-mediated Transport7.1  GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF CARRIERS7.2  CARRIERS ARE LIKE CHANNELS WITH ALTERNATING GATES Chapter 88   Examples of Application of Electrophysiology8.1  STRUCTURE-FUNCTION RELATIONSHIPS OF CARRIER PROTEINS8.2  STRUCTURE-FUNCTION RELATIONSHIPS OF ION CHANNELS8.3  VIRAL ION CHANNELS AppendixA1.  THE GRAPH THEORYA2.  INFLUENCE OF EXTERNAL ELECTRICAL AND MAGNETIC FIELDSA2.1. MAGNETOSTATIC FIELDSA3.  A LABORATORY COURSE: Important Physical UnitsList of Symbols and AbbreviationsIndex