Comparative High Pressure Biology

High pressure biology is an old, fascinating and stimulating field of research. One of the major reasons for the interest in studying high pressure is that this environmental factor also plays an important role in thermodynamics and consequently in biology. Pressure, from a biological perspective, has a bearing on all living creatures. The book presents a panoramic view of this subject from molecules to the overall organism, via the cells and unicellular species, invertebrates and vertebrates, ectotherms and endotherms. This book provides not only the more recent results in each of its chapters but also suggests new directions for research.

The intended readership is postgraduate students and research scientists in various fields.

Philippe Sébert, Ph.D., is Associate Professor of Physiology in the Faculty of Medicine at the Université de Bretagne Occidentale (UBO, Université de Brest, France) where he teaches bioenergetics and physiology. He is the head of the team ORPHY-EA4324 (www.physioloqy-orphy.fr). He has collaborated with a large number of both national and international senior scientists. P. Sébert has presented over 20 invited lectures at international meetings, has published more than 100 research papers and has contributed to several books. His major interest is the effect of high hydrostatic pressure on fish energy metabolism, mainly the migrating eel.