Methods in Molecular Biology Series: Cell Imaging Techniques: Methods and Protocols. Edited by Douglas J. Taatjes and Brooke T. Mossman. Human Press, Inc., Totowa, NJ; 2005, 512 pages. (Hardcover and e-book, U.S. $125.00) ISBN 978-1-58829-157-8

Cell Imaging Techniques: Methods and Protocols, edited by Douglas J. Taatjes and Brooke T. Mossman, is Volume 319 in the long-standing Humana Press Methods in Molecular BiologyTM series. Unlike many of the books in the series that focus on a specific technology, growth factor, or cell type, this volume covers a wide range of technology and applications. As the editors state in the Preface, their goal is to “present an eclectic collection of what we consider some of the essential state-of-the-art methods for imaging cells and molecules.” While the editors have done a good job of collecting chapters that represent a range of cell imaging techniques, I believe this represents both the strength and the weakness of the work. In a situation such as a core facility where a wide variety of instrumentation and applications are being used, this will provide a reference text for a number of technologies. However, if an investigator is searching for a work focused on the study of a specific technology, cell type, or molecule, other volumes may be more applicable.