Essential Cell Biology

The gold-standard cell biology textbook, optimized for digital learning and engagement.

Essential Cell Biology features lively, clear writing paired with exceptional illustrations and Dynamic Figures in the Norton Illumine Ebook, making it the ideal textbook for a first course in cell biology. The Sixth Edition incorporates new research throughout, highlighting emerging research areas like COVID-19. Check Your Understanding questions with rich answer-specific feedback throughout each chapter in the Illumine Ebook allow students to assess their reading comprehension, while Smartwork problems provide the opportunity for concept application and practice.

About the Authors

Bruce Alberts received his PhD from Harvard University and is the Chancellor’s Leadership Chair in Biochemistry and Biophysics for Science and Education, University of California, San Francisco. He was the editor in chief of Science magazine from 2008 until 2013, and for 12 years he served as president of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences (1993–2005).

Rebecca Heald is an American professor of cell and developmental biology. She is currently a professor in the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of California, Berkeley. In May 2019, she was elected to the National Academy of Sciences.

Karen Hopkin received her PhD in biochemistry from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and is a science writer in Somerville, Massachusetts. She is a regular columnist for The Scientist and a contributor to Scientific American's daily podcast, "60-Second Science."

Alexander Johnson received his PhD from Harvard University and is a professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of California, San Francisco. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences.

David Morgan received his PhD from the University of California, San Francisco, and is a professor in the Department of Physiology as well as the vice dean for research for the School of Medicine. Dave is a fellow of the Royal Society of London.

Keith Roberts received his PhD from the University of Cambridge and was deputy director of the John Innes Centre, Norwich. He is emeritus professor at the University of East Anglia. Keith was recipient of the Order of British Empire for his service to sciences.

Peter Walter received his PhD from the Rockefeller University in New York, is a professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics at the University of California, San Francisco, and is an investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences.