Human Molecular Biology (An Introduction to the Molecular Basis of Health and Disease)

Human Molecular Biology is an introduction to the molecular basis of health and disease for the new generation of life scientists and medical students. By integrating cutting-edge molecular genetics and biochemistry with the latest clinical information, the book weaves a pattern which unifies biology with syndromes, genetic pathways with developmental phenotypes, and protein function with drug action. From the origins of life to the present day, a narrative is traced through the workings of genomes, cells and organ systems, culminating in linking of laboratory technologies to future research horizons. Lavishly illustrated throughout with two-colour diagrams and full colour clinical pictures, this text brings the complexities and breadth of human molecular biology clearly to life. This seamless account breaks through the boundaries between molecular biology and medicine, and leads the reader on to a new dimension where the biological basis of health and disease is inescapably molecular. Human Molecular Biology scooped both the Richard Asher prize for best new textbook and the overall 'Medical Book of the Year' in the Society of Authors and Royal Society of Medicine Medical Book Awards 2003.

An introduction to the molecular basis of health and disease for the new generation of students.

Doody Review Services

Reviewer:Eugene A Davidson, PhD(Georgetown University School of Medicine)
Description:This book provides an integrated overview of the molecular aspects of human metabolism. Frequent references to clinical material are included.
Purpose:The goal of the author is to provide students of medicine (and biomedical science) with a composite picture of key aspects of metabolism, growth, development, and disease with a strong molecular emphasis. This is a worthwhile undertaking and the book is largely successful.
Audience:The intended audience are students of medicine with a secondary audience of teaching faculty in medical school basic science departments. The author has the appropriate credentials.
Features:Many biomedical books have titles that have little relationship to content. In this book, the author provides a broad introduction to molecular aspects of normal metabolism and aberrations encountered in disease. Rather than provide the usual compilation of biochemical pathways (the bane of many medical students), the requisite material is offered in a more conceptual framework and liberally adorned with clinical examples -- an ambitious undertaking but a largely successful one. There is material of value for both students and instructors (especially for the latter seeking a new approach for well worn topics). The book is divided into five general sections: the initial one reviews aspects of protein structure and function, nucleic acids and their cellular organization; the following chapters cover aspects of receptors, nutrition, cell-cell interactions and the cytoskeleton. In keeping with a progression from molecules to cells to the organism, subsequent chapters include material on signal transduction (presented in a way that the casual reader is able to follow), cell cycle control and development. There are many clinical vignettes, reasonably illustrated. Although there are a few technical errors (amino acid formula, for example), these do not detract from a book that can be highly recommended. Both student and teacher will derive valuable information from this book.
Assessment:This is a welcome approach to the teaching of human metabolism at the molecular level -- integrated and thoughtful. The author is to be commended for this undertaking since it provides a long overdue departure from traditional teaching texts.

Frontmatter......Page 1 Contents......Page 5 Preface......Page 21 Acknowledgements......Page 24 Read me first ╦......Page 25 Glossary......Page 27 Dedication......Page 33 Introduction: A disease for every gene?......Page 35 I - From molecular biology to human genetics......Page 39 1 - Biomolecular evolution......Page 41 2 - Chromatin and chromosomes......Page 81 3 - Gene expression......Page 109 4 - RNA processing and translation......Page 128 5 - Protein structure and function......Page 146 II - From molecular genetics to human biochemistry......Page 177 6 - Nutrition and energy......Page 179 7 - Membranes and channels......Page 205 8 - Cell-surface receptors and antigen recognition......Page 225 9 - Adhesion molecules and the extracellular matrix......Page 241 10 - Cytoskeletal proteins and molecular motors......Page 267 III - From molecular biochemistry to human cell biology......Page 283 11 - Signal transduction......Page 285 12 - Bioactive lipids and inflammatory cyotkines......Page 320 13 - Hormones and growth factors......Page 344 14 - Hemopoietins, angiogenins, and vasoactive mediators......Page 369 15 - Cell cycle control, apoptosis, and ageing......Page 388 IV - From molecular cell biology to human physiology......Page 421 16 - Development......Page 423 17 - Metabolism......Page 447 18 - Blood......Page 481 19 - Immunity......Page 505 20 - Neurobiology......Page 523 V - From molecular physiology to human molecular biology......Page 563 21 - Genetic experimental systems......Page 565 22 - Gene and protein analysis......Page 578 23 - Genetic engineering, gene mapping, and gene testing......Page 594 24 - Gene knockouts, transgenics, and cloning......Page 609 25 - Gene therapy and recombinant DNA technology......Page 619 Index......Page 635 Human Molecular Biology is an introduction to the molecular basis of health and disease for the new generation of life scientists and medical students. By integrating cutting-edge molecular genetics and biochemistry with the latest clinical information, the book weaves a pattern that unifies biology with syndromes, genetic pathways with developmental phenotypes, and protein function with drug action. Lavishly illustrated throughout with two-color diagrams and full color clinical pictures, this text brings the complexities and breadth of human molecular biology clearly to life.