Biological studies at the level of single molecules are just fascinating. Measurements on individual molecules overcome the constraints of measuring 'average' behaviour, as well as promising ever cheaper analyses. This volume presents a huge array (pun intended) of approaches to the manipulation, purification, concentration, immobilization and analysis of information-containing molecules. The scope is too wide to list here, and the organization of the book possibly reflects the fact that this is a rapidly developing area, yet establishes which approaches are most suited to different questions.

However, some themes do emerge, particularly the ability to manipulate and analyse biological molecules in aqueous solutions. Given the rate of progress in the area, it should be noted that the most recent references are from 2007. The balance between providing a good level of detail and being concise is very good. The outlines are not as easy to follow as, for example, those in Sambrook, but were still accessible, even in new areas (and despite the necessary inclusion of at least some of the underlying physics). The current obvious applications of this type of technology are for studies in cell biology and sensors (especially medical), but it is clear that other applications will follow.