Unraveling DNA

By Maxim D. Frank-Kamenetskii

Book Overview

... brilliant ... Yet anybody can understand it: it reads like a detective story.' John Maddox, Editor of Nature ' ... he skillfully imbues us with his joy and fascination with the living world, and the role of DNA in it.' Bruce M. Alberts, President of the National Academy of Sciences Unraveling DNA provides both laymen and scientist readers with a concise highly readable understanding of the structure, properties, and functions of the DNA molecule. The reader will find answers to all major questions about the biological, biotechnological, medical, physical, chemical, and mathematical aspects of DNA. In addition, the book includes an historical retrospective of past DNA research and forecasts future trends in the field. Written by an internationally acclaimed professor of biophysics as well as one of the world's leading authorities in DNA research, Unraveling DNA is designed to help professionals not specializing in molecular biology to understand the recent advances in this rapidly expanding field. The book is also especially useful to advanced high school students, junior college students, and university students interested in modern biology, medicine, physics, chemistry, and mathematics.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1560816171
• ISBN13: 9781560816171
• Release Date: January 1993
• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
• Length: 205 Pages
• Weight: 2.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.2" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

A clear review of DNA

The Most Important Molecule of Life, Maxim D. Frank-Kamenetskii gives a clear understanding of genetics without political overtones. For a good understanding of the mechanics of genes this is an excellent book. But he is not without some philosophical thoughts on the subject. "It is very hard to admit that there is only one single reason for each of us to come into this world: to transmit our DNA to the next generation. There is absolutely no other purpose for us to be born. It is very uncomfortable to realize that our body is actually nothing more than a shell to carry DNA. There is no difference, with respect to this goal of existence, between a human and a bacterium, or a simple virus, or even a plasmid. From the biological viewpoint, people have been wandering in darkness trying to find the goal of their existence in cults, religions, music, poetry, and fine arts. Although they all have the same goal, various species differ drastically with respect to the means they have at their disposal to reach this goal. Keeping in mind the simplicity of the goal, the diversity and the degree of sophistication that nature demonstrates seems truly amazing. However, if you think about it, you will realize that under conditions of fierce competition for limited resources, more primitive organisms should eventually lose to more sophisticated organisms, let alone different species. It still remains to he seen whether humans are sophisticated enough to avoid eventually following the fate of dinosaurs. One can state that the above argument is correct only for rather sophisticated organisms, like animals, and that primitive organisms like bacteria, viruses, and plasmids compensate for their lack of sophistication by their ability to multiply with fantastic speed." The above is unabashed science, bringing you stark reality without cowardice and aversion. Richard Dawkins coined the term the selfish gene, and in his latest book Unweaving the Rainbow he takes on the assumption that genes are destiny. Humans alone can use their immense creative power not only to build upon science and technology, we can create and purposefully direct our own evolution. This is the most creative endeavor ever undertaken, and our best hope for peace and happiness without disease or want while turning from the material to the intellectual. Marxists would deny people this intellectual world for one filled with material needs only. For leftist intellectuals to deny others access to this world is cowardly, elitist and hateful.

DNA De-Mystified

Get this book to learn more about DNA. It is easy to read but contains all the details. DNA is a very important issue for everyone today and this is the book you need to become knowledgable on this issue.