This new edition has been updated to include the latest methods in molecular biology and genetic engineering. It contains a comprehensive selection of the most frequently used assays for reliably detecting the pharmacological effects of potential drugs. Effects covered include cardiovascular, analgesic, endocrine, psychotropic respiratory, renal and immunomodulatory activities. Each of the more than 1,000 assays comprises a detailed protocol outlining the purpose and rationale of the method, a critical assessment of the results and their pharmacological and clinical relevance. An accompanying, fully searchable CD-ROM allows easy identification of specific tests. An appendix with up-to-date guidelines and legal regulations for animal experiments in various countries will help the reader to plan experiments more effectively.