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Oxford University Press is a department of the University of Oxford. It furthers the University's objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide.

Print Price: $13.50

Format:
Paperback
168 pp.
28 b/w images, 111 mm x 174 mm

ISBN-13:
9780198723882

Publication date:
August 2016

Imprint: OUP UK


Molecular Biology

A Very Short Introduction

Aysha Divan and Janice Royds

Series : Very Short Introductions

Molecular Biology is the story of the molecules of life, their relationships, and how these interactions are controlled. It is an expanding field in life sciences, and its applications are wide and growing. We can now harness the power of molecular biology to treat diseases, solve crimes, map human history, and produce genetically modified organisms and crops, and these applications have sparked a multitude of fascinating legal and ethical debates.

In this Very Short Introduction, Aysha Divan and Janice Royds examine the history, present, and future of Molecular Biology. Starting with the building blocks established by Darwin, Wallace and Mendel, and the discovery of the structure of DNA in 1953, they consider the wide range of applications for Molecular Biology today, including the development of new drugs, and forensic science. They also look forward to two key areas of evolving research such as personalised medicine and synthetic biology.

ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Readership : For students of Biology, the life sciences and Medicine, and the interested general reader.

Preface
1. Early milestones
2. DNA
3. RNA
4. Proteins
5. Molecular interactions
6. Genetic engineering
7. Molecular biology in the clinic
8. Molecular forensics
9. Future challenges
Further Reading
Index

There are no Instructor/Student Resources available at this time.

Dr Janice Royds has worked in the field of biochemistry and molecular biology for over 35 years. She is currently a lecturer in the Department of Pathology at the University of Otago, New Zealand. Her broad ranging biomedical research interests relate to cancer biology, while her extensive teaching experience at both undergraduate and postgraduate level include pathology, pharmacology, and the molecular biology of cancer. She has previously co-edited the textbook Tools and Techniques in Biomolecular Science (OUP, 2013) with Dr Aysha Divan.


Dr Aysha Divan has a background in biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology, and is currently an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, UK. She has presented at national and international conferences and has authored a number of publications in cancer biology and pedagogical research. She has worked on two textbooks for Oxford University Press: Communication Skills for the Biosciences - a graduate guide (2009) and a Tools and Techniques in Biomolecular Sciences (2013), co-edited with Dr Janice Royds.

Special Features

  • Covers the main concepts of the field of molecular biology, including regulatory effects, epigenetics, and gene-environment interactions.
  • Describes the variety of applications of molecular biology, from biotechnology to molecular forensics.
  • Considers the future possibilities of the field, including personalized medicine and synthetic biology.
  • Part of the Very Short Introductions series - over seven million copies sold worldwide.