Book excerpt: The improved understanding of ion channel structure, achieved through the use of molecular biology techniques, has opened the way for the development of new drugs targeted at specific types of ion channels. This book provides a comprehensive, single-volume overview of the effects of different drugs and toxins on ionic channels. The first part of the book deals with the development of ion channels, while subsequent chapters detail the electrophysiological properties and pharmacology of eight different types of ion channels, including intracellular, cyclic nucleotide-gated, and receptor operated channels. Drug effects in various cell types, along with the potential use of channels in therapeutics, are discussed for each channel type. Comprehensive and up-to-date, Ion Channel Pharmacology is an essential reference for every investigator in this fast-growing area of research.