The Gene Machine : the Race to Decipher the Secrets of the Ribosome

Everyone knows the term DNA. It is the essence of our being. It determines who we are and what we pass on to our children. Mention the ribosome, on the other hand, and you will usually be met with blank faces, even from scientists. And yet without the ribosome, nothing lives. For if DNA is data then it can't go anywhere, or do anything, without a machine to process it. Unlocking the secrets of this gene-reading molecule was once among the most fundamental problems in molecular biology... Nobel Prize winner Venki Ramakrishnan tells the story of the race to determine the structure of the ribosome and so resolve an ancient mystery at the heart of life itself. Illuminating, persuasive and compelling, Gene Machine not only reveals a great discovery but offers a fascinating insight into what it is like to work at the cutting edge of modern science amid the attending competition, politics and larger-than-life personalities. Everyone Knows The Term Dna. It Is The Essence Of Our Being. It Determines Who We Are And What We Pass On To Our Children. Mention The Ribosome, On The Other Hand, And You Will Usually Be Met With Blank Faces, Even From Scientists. And Yet Without The Ribosome, Nothing Lives. For If Dna Is Data Then It Can 't Go Anywhere, Or Do Anything, Without A Machine To Process It. Unlocking The Secrets Of This Gene-reading Molecule Was Once Among The Most Fundamental Problems In Molecular Biology - Nobel Prize Winner Venki Ramakrishnan Tells The Story Of The Race To Determine The Structure Of The Ribosome And So Resolve An Ancient Mystery At The Heart Of Life Itself. Illuminating, Persuasive And Compelling, Gene Machine Not Only Reveals A Great Discovery But Offers A Fascinating Insight Into What It Is Like To Work At The Cutting Edge Of Modern Science Amid The Attending Competition, Politics And Larger-than-life Personalities. "Everyone knows about DNA. It is the essence of our being, influencing who we are and what we pass on to our children. But the information in DNA can't be used without a machine to decode it. The ribosome is that machine. Older than DNA itself, it is the mother of all molecules. Virtually every molecule made in every cell was either made by the ribosome or by proteins that were themselves made by the ribosome. Venki Ramakrishnan tells the story of the race to uncover the ribosome's enormously complex structure, a fundamental breakthrough that resolves an ancient mystery of life itself and could lead to the development of better antibiotics. A fascinating insider account, Gene Machine charts Ramakrishnan's unlikely journey from his first fumbling experiments in a biology lab to being at the centre of a fierce competition at the cutting edge of modern science"--Publisher's description From Nobel Prize winner Venki Ramakrishnan 'Beyond superb' Bill Bryson 'A wonderful book' Ian McEwan Everyone knows about DNA, the essence of our being, the molecule where our genes reside. But DNA by itself is useless without a machine to decode the genetic information it contains. The ribosome is that machine . Venki Ramakrishnan tells the story of the race to uncover its enormously complex structure, a fundamental breakthrough that resolves an ancient mystery of life itself. The thrilling story of how scientists unlocked a new window onto how life works