This book presents an overview of the field of bioelectricity by demonstrating the biological significance of electromagnetic fields, electrical properties of tissue, biological effects of electromagnetic energy, and therapeutic applications and health hazards of electromagnetic energy.

Integrating both theoretical and applied aspects of electrochemistry, this acclaimed monograph series presents a review of the latest advances in the field. The current volume includes chapters on the mechanism of nerve excitation from an electrochemical standpoint, the electronic factor in the kinetics of charge-transfer reaction, and five other subjects.

Bioelectrochemistry: Principles and Practice provides a comprehensive compilation of all the physicochemical aspects of the different biochemical and physiological processes. The role of electric and magnetic fields in biological systems forms the focus of this second volume in the Bioelectrochemistry series. The most prominent use of electric fields is found in some fish. These species generate fields of different strengths and patterns serving either as weapons, or for the purpose of location and communication. Electrical phenomena involved in signal transduction are discussed by means of two examples, namely excitation-contraction coupling in muscles and light transduction in photoreceptors. Also examined is the role of electrical potential differences in energy metabolism and its control. Temporal and spatial changes of the potential difference across the membranes of nerve cells are carefully evaluated, since they are the basis of the spreading and processing of information in the nervous system. The dielectric properties of cells and their responses to electric fields, such as electrophoresis and electrorotation, are dealt with in detail. Finally, the effects of magnetic fields on living systems and of low-frequency electromagnetic fields on cell metabolism are also considered. Further volumes will be added to the series, which is intended as a set of source books for graduate and postgraduate students as well as research workers at all levels in bioelectrochemistry.

The first symposium on Charge and Field Effects in Biosystems held in 1983 was created primarily to loosen the bonds of previous conferences by expanding the topics to include not only the electrochemistry of biochemical but also metabolically viable biological systems. In addition, topics were introduced to include the effects of various types of radiation on living entities, electrophysiology, ion and electron transport phenomena, the 'solid state' behavior of biological and artificial membranes, and lastly, the application of bioelectronic techniques to medical, physiological, biochemical and pharmacological studies. The following second and third conferences in 1989 and 1991, expanded further on the topics mentioned above. The 1994 symposium continues the topic expansion to include the effects of electroporation as an approach to cellular modification and genetic mutation.

Recent advances in technology have led to the unprecedented accuracy in measurements of endogenous electric fields around sites of tissue disruption. State-of-the-art molecular approaches demonstrate the role of bioelectricity in the directionality and speed of cell migration, proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, and orientation. New informat

The International Symposium on Biological Effects of Magnetic and Electrom- netic Fields was held from September 3-4, 1993 at Kyushu University in Fukuoka . Japan . Originally, it was only intended to be an informal gathering of many scientists who had accepted my invitation to visit Kyushu University after the XXIVth General Assembly of the International Union of Radio Science (URSI), held in Kyoto prior to our symposium . However, since so many distinguished scientists were able to come, it was decided that a more formal symposium would be possible . It was a very productive symposium and, as a result, many of the guests consented that it would be a good idea to gather all the information put forth at the meeting and have it published. In addition, although they were unfortunately unable to attend the symposium . many other distinguished scientists had also expressed their wish to contribute to this effort and, in so doing. help to increase understanding in this, as yet, relatively immature field of science . The question of both positive and negative effects of magnetic and electromagnetic fields on biological systems has become more and more important in our world today as they .