Your cells are talking about you.
Right now, both your inner and outer worlds are abuzz with chatter among living cells of every possible kind-from those in your body and brain to those in the environment around you. From electrical alerts to chemical codes, the greatest secret of modern biology, hiding in plain sight, is that all of life's activity boils down to one thing- conversation.
While cells are commonly considered the building block of living things, it is actually the communication between cells that brings us to life, controlling our bodies and brains, determining whether we are healthy or sick, and directly influencing how we think, feel, and behave.
In The Secret Language of Cells, doctor and neuroscientist Jon Lieff lets us listen in on these conversations, and reveals their significance for everything from mental health to cancer. He explains the surprising science of how very different cells-bacteria and brain cells, blood cells and viruses-all speak the same language. This overarching principle has been long overlooked because scientific journals use impenetrable jargon that makes it hard to be understood across disciplines, much less by the general public.
Lieff presents a fascinating and accessible look into cellular communication science-a groundbreaking and comprehensive exploration of this biological phenomenon. In these pages, discover the intriguing lives of cells as they ask questions, get answers, give feedback, gather information, call for each other, and make complex decisions. During infections, immune T-cells tell brain cells that we should "feel sick" and lie down. Cancer cells warn their community about immune and microbe attacks. Gut cells talk with microbes to determine which are friends and which are enemies, and microbes talk with each other and with much more complicated human cells in ways that determine which medicines work and which will fail.
With applications for immunity, chronic pain, weight loss, depression, cancer treatment, and virtually every aspect of health and biology, cellular communication is revolutionizing our understanding not just of disease, but of life itself. The Secret Language of Cells is required reading for anyone interested in following the conversation.
Your cells are talking about you.
Right now, both your inner and outer worlds are abuzz with chatter among living cells of every possible kind-from those in your body and brain to those in the environment around you. From electrical alerts to chemical codes, the greatest secret of modern biology, hiding in plain sight, is that all of life's activity boils down to one thing- conversation.
While cells are commonly considered the building block of living things, it is actually the communication between cells that brings us to life, controlling our bodies and brains, determining whether we are healthy or sick, and directly influencing how we think, feel, and behave.
In The Secret Language of Cells, doctor and neuroscientist Jon Lieff lets us listen in on these conversations, and reveals their significance for everything from mental health to cancer. He explains the surprising science of how very different cells-bacteria and brain cells, blood cells and viruses-all speak the same language. This overarching principle has been long overlooked because scientific journals use impenetrable jargon that makes it hard to be understood across disciplines, much less by the general public.
Lieff presents a fascinating and accessible look into cellular communication science-a groundbreaking and comprehensive exploration of this biological phenomenon. In these pages, discover the intriguing lives of cells as they ask questions, get answers, give feedback, gather information, call for each other, and make complex decisions. During infections, immune T-cells tell brain cells that we should "feel sick" and lie down. Cancer cells warn their community about immune and microbe attacks. Gut cells talk with microbes to determine which are friends and which are enemies, and microbes talk with each other and with much more complicated human cells in ways that determine which medicines work and which will fail.
With applications for immunity, chronic pain, weight loss, depression, cancer treatment, and virtually every aspect of health and biology, cellular communication is revolutionizing our understanding not just of disease, but of life itself. The Secret Language of Cells is required reading for anyone interested in following the conversation.
Jon Lieff, MD, brings to bear 40 years as a nationally recognized
neuro-psychiatrist, during which he was president of a national
medical subspecialty organization, founded a major scientific
journal, and was the medical director for 25 years of a large
network of psychiatric care for the elderly. He was a pioneer in
several medical fields-geriatric psychiatry, brain injury, computer
applications in psychiatry, and the integration of medicine,
psychiatry, and neurology.
Starting with an interest in brain cell communication, Dr. Lieff
found similar signaling among all cells in nature. Five years ago,
he established his acclaimed and popular scientific website,
Searching for the Mind, about the topic of cellular communication.
With weekly posts, he reviewed and synthesized the latest
scientific literature in neuroscience and cell biology.
"
""Using the common theme of 'cellular conversations,' this book
covers an astonishing breadth of biological topics. By removing
most of the 'impenetrable jargon' from his descriptions, geriatric
psychiatry specialist Lieff succeeds in making the complex
interactions between cells accessible for most readers.""
—Choice Reviews
""The Secret Language of Cells takes us on an exciting journey into
a world where we can visualize elaborate conversations among immune
cells, brain cells, gut cells, bacteria, and even viruses. Dr.
Lieff gives a wealth of examples for his thesis that this cellular
signaling is the basis of life. It is a must-read for anyone
seeking to understand modern biology and advanced medical
science.""
—Ray Kurzweil, inventor, author, and futurist
""The Secret Language of Cells explains the complex ways that cells
in the body communicate and presents a new paradigm for
understanding health and disease. It also suggests new
possibilities for treatment and for promoting healing. I'm pleased
that my former Harvard colleague, Jon Lieff, has written this
important book.""
—Andrew Weill, MD, director of the Andrew Weil Center for
Integrative Medicine, professor at University of Arizona College of
Medicine, and author
""Through a brilliant synthesis of cellular biology, microbiology,
immunology, and neuroscience, TheSecret Language of Cells offers a
lucid explanation of the marvelous intricacies of cellular life.
The result is a masterful exploration of the profound implications
of cellular intelligence for understanding pathophysiology, human
health, and even our origins.""
—William B. Miller, Jr., MD, physician, biologist, author of The
Microcosm Within: Evolution and Extinction in the Hologenome, and
internationally recognized expert on Cognition-Based Evolution
""Jon Lieff's description of cellular communication is insightful,
provocative, illuminating, and engaging and provides deep and novel
observations into the remarkable symphony of how life happens.
Mimicking the cellular world he describes, Dr. Lieff is the great
communicator and muse of living things. An inspiring and
informative read.""
—Ted Kaptchuk, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School
""This journey into the dynamic realm of cellular conversations is
a tour-de-force—fascinating, vital, and especially timely for
understanding emerging viruses. As we learn about intelligence in
smaller and smaller animals, it's not surprising that the tiniest
creatures—microbes and even viruses—exhibit elaborate communication
and complex decision making. Read The Secret Language of
Cells!""
—Marc Bekoff, PhD, professor emeritus of ecology and evolutionary
biology at the University of Colorado, Boulder and author of Canine
Confidential: Why Dogs Do What They Do
""The Secret Language of Cells reveals how the micro world reflects
the macro, alive with heroes and villains, shapeshifters and
tricksters, vigilant guards and gullible bystanders, helpers that
commit suicide for the common good and warriors that seize the day
or collapse from exhaustion. Lieff's fascinating exploration
inspires awe for the astonishing dialogues and clarion calls at the
heart of the intelligence within.""
—Antonia Felix, EdD, MFA, New York Times bestselling author
""Calling all physicians, microbiologists, medical students, and
fellow science enthusiasts—you're going to love The Secret Language
of Cells!This book reveals fascinating ongoing conversations
between cells, bacteria, and viral particles that provide the basis
for understanding growth, development, healthy biology, and
pathology. Perhaps more importantly, they provide the blueprint for
novel interventions, treatments, and cures for ailments ranging
from chronic inflammatory diseases, to cancers and even viral
infections. The COVID-19 pandemic has focused the world's lens on
the world of microbes like never before. Read this book and join
the conversation.""
—Jill Grimes, MD, family physician, speaker, author, and
educator
""The Secret Language of Cells is ideal for the education of
medical and science students, as well as for practicing physicians.
Dr. Lieff's remarkable synthesis of the scientific literature
provides a current view of the intricate communication systems
determining our physiology. He clearly explains how conversations
among cells are the bridge between immunology, neuroscience,
microbiology, and cancer research.""
—Sharon Redd, MD, senior associate in anesthesia at Boston
Children's Hospital and
assistant professor in anesthesia at Harvard Medical School
""In TheSecret Language of Cells, Dr. Lieff, brilliantly and
effectively, communicates the complexities of modern biology to
clinicians, and even laypeople, in understandable terms. In the
process, he elucidates how communications between diverse varieties
of cells determine our physical, mental, and emotional health, as
well as the potential social implications.""
—Sanford Finkel MD, founder of AAGP, cofounder of IPA and APA
Council on Aging, and clinical professor of Psychiatry at
University of Chicago Medical School
""Dr. Jon Lieff's The Secret Language of Cells is a tour-de-force .
. . I highly recommend this fascinating book to science readers and
anyone wanting to better understand the role and importance of
cellular functions and communications in health and disease.""
—George T. Grossberg, MD, director of Geriatric Psychiatry for the
Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neuroscience at Saint Louis
University School of Medicine
""Dr. Lieff has synthesized an extensive literature on the
biological communications that underlie life into a highly
accessible book. His integrative summary will appeal to a broad
audience, from high school biology students to professionals with
specific areas of expertise.""
—Barnett Meyers, MD, professor emeritus at Weill Cornell Medical
College of Cornell University
""The Secret Language of Cells makes it possible for a healthy
dialogue between biology and philosophy, a step closer to making a
bridge between life-science and various monistic and non-dual
philosophies.""
—Dr. Sthaneshwar Timalsina, professor for the Department of
Religious Studies at San Diego State University
"
|
Ask a Question About this Product More... |
|
