Gene Control, second edition, is a concise book that focuses on gene expression and regulation in eukaryotes. Synonymous with the first edition, the chapters ...
BOOK REVIEWS
YALE JOURNAL OF BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 88 (2015), pp.199-202.
Gene Control. Second Edition. By David S. Latchman. New York: Garland Science; 2015. US $111.50 (Paperback). 500 p. ISBN: 978-0815345039.
Gene Control, second edition, is a concise book that focuses on gene expression and regulation in eukaryotes. Synonymous with the first edition, the chapters build on themselves, culminating in a discussion correlating gene control in regard to human health and disease. The author uses illustrations where appropriate, focusing on simplistic figures that correlate DNA, RNA, and regulatory proteins. This helps the reader avoid the distraction of the minutiae of gene control and provides important concepts to maintain the big picture perspective. Since the first edition in 2010, one change in this edition is the expansion of chapters covering chromatin structure and its role with additional sections relating the epigenome with cell types, cancer, and disease. Throughout the book, each chapter is concluded with summaries of key concepts and suggestions for further reading. Overall, this book is well organized and provides the reader with a complete and concise gene control reference. This book is intended for an upper-level undergraduate or beginning graduate student well-grounded in molecular biology. Additionally, a new or seasoned principal investigator interested in beginning or conducting research in this field would find this text very useful. The majority of illustrations are not meant to inspire the reader to further exploration in this field; however, the powerful, yet simplistic figures provide an important tool for gaining a deeper understanding for the avid student or scholar. The author effectively provides important references to concepts discussed in previous chapters and specific examples in subsequent chapters. This allows the advanced student or reader to begin with the later chapters and reference back when necessary to understand the mechanism(s) in thorough detail if desired. Therefore, the instructor or reader may find it advantageous throughout a course or independent study to dive first into chapters 10, 11, and 12, which discuss gene control in regard to cell type, cancer, and human disease, respectively. Eric M. Johnson Chavarria, PhD Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry Department Yale University
Genome Stability: DNA Repair and Recombination. By James E. Haber. Abingdon, UK: Garland Science; 2014. US $140 (Paperback). 396 p. ISBN: 9780815344858.
In the first edition of Genome Stability: DNA Repair and Recombination, the author provides a detailed summary of the mechanisms behind DNA repair, facilitating genome maintenance, and cancer suppression. Although Copyright © 2015
a novel and relevant text, the author circuitously navigates the reader through the world of DNA repair and recombination, occasionally making it difficult to follow the progression from one chapter to the next. That being said, this text is a very useful tool for understanding the complexity and importance of the process of recombination. Beginning with the stalled replication fork, the author addresses sources of DNA damage and the repair of double-strand breaks. Although the majority of this text discusses the importance and function of homologous recombination, non-homologous end-joining is briefly presented in Chapter 15. In addition to repair, there is also significant analysis of the role of recombination as it pertains to meiosis. Finally, the author makes interesting connections to therapeutic uses for homologous recombination, devoting an entire chapter to the understanding of gene targeting. Genome Stability: DNA Repair and Recombination is targeted for a more advanced audience as it assumes a basic understanding of DNA replication and meiosis. Senior undergraduate students or graduate students would benefit from this text to improve their molecular understanding of recombination. It would also be a useful reference tool for research scientists and clinicians working in this field. This text is well written and provides useful schematics to help the reader get a better understanding of the molecular processes being described. Due to the advanced nature of this book, the text is a bit dense at times; however, this is often clarified by corresponding figures. Each chapter begins with a short introductory paragraph and concludes with a summary. At the end of each chapter, a list of suggested additional reading is provided for the reader to further his or her understanding of the subject being described. Overall, this text is a comprehensive exploration of the mechanisms involved in maintaining genome stability and is a useful resource for students and researchers alike. Jennifer Czochor Department of Genetics Yale University Graduate School of Arts & Sciences
The Biology of Cancer. 2nd edition. By Robert A. Weinberg. New York: Garland Science; 2014. US $112 (Paperback). 876 p. ISBN: 978-0815342205.
The field of cancer biology is a dynamic and rapidly expanding one, with new and exciting discoveries being made each day. Therefore, there is a strong need for a comprehensive guide that discusses not only the basics of cancer biology but also brings to the forefront new developments in the field. What sets the second edition of this popular textbook apart from its predecessor is the current information it provides about all areas of the field
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of cancer biology, including molecular biology, tumor immunology and cancer cell biology, and cell signaling. While it aims to provide broad, basic information on a variety of topics in cancer biology, this textbook emphasizes the molecular aspects of cancer. The chapters are arranged in a good chronological sequence, which makes the book very easy to read and understand. The author, Robert A. Weinberg, a stalwart in the field of cancer biology, uses a clear, lucid writing style as well as excellent illustrations. The latter engage the reader and make it easy to understand concepts. In each chapter, once a concept is introduced, thought-provoking questions are posed to enable the reader to thoroughly understand the ideas put forth. More importantly, several examples are provided to illustrate the clinical application of each concept. Each chapter uses sidebars to describe important ideas and methodologies. The easy accessibility of this information is advantageous, as the reader does not have to sift through additional material. Furthermore, the illustrations and videos on the DVD are a great asset to visual learners. This textbook would appeal to a diverse group of readers, including undergraduates, medical and graduate students, and researchers. In addition to being fairly detailed on basic concepts, the book is not overloaded with jargon. This makes it possible for even a layperson with little or no scientific background to grasp and understand the concepts. Overall, this book is an outstanding compilation of all of the important topics of cancer biology and a valuable asset to both the researcher and student. Miriam-Rose Menezes, PhD Department of Therapeutic Radiology Yale University
Oral Cancer Surgery: A Visual Guide. By Marco Kesting. New York: Thieme Publishing Group; 2014. US $113.27 (Hardcover). 120 p. ISBN: 978-3131994011.
This textbook provides a frame a reference for techniques in the surgical management of oral cancer for aspiring surgeons and residents. The book is divided into four main sections: Airway Management, Lymph Node Management, Ablative Tumor Surgery, and Reconstructive Surgery. The bulk of this resource is devoted to large colored photographs (three to four covering two-page spreads) that clearly depict the steps in key operations related to oral cancer. Each section contains schematics and authentic photographs of procedures such as tracheotomy, neck dissections (Levels I-V), lip-split mandibulotomy, and deltopectoral flap. In lieu of long narratives describing surgical methods, accompanying text is provided in succinct figure legends. In these legends, the author highlights key structures for consideration, such as the spinal accessory nerve and the sternocleidomastoid muscle. In case the reader needs more information, the author provides references at the close of each unit to guide interested readers to resources with more extended text.
An interesting component of this text that may not be found in other surgical resources is that the author has included notes on the history of each method. Each unit opens with a timeline outlining the evolution of each procedure, some dating back to several thousand years B.C.E. These sections are more anecdotal than formal, yet contain trivia about pioneering surgeons than may add interest for surgical students learning about these procedures. In all, this resource is recommended for new surgeons or residents in need of a step-by-step guide for surgery techniques indicated for patients with oral cancer. In order to benefit from this resource, students should have a solid knowledge of anatomical terms and the physiology of the head and neck, as this understanding is presupposed throughout the text. An e-book option is available as well, which may serve as a good refresher before heading into the operating room. Allison Mesa Department of Communication Disorders Southern Connecticut State University
Molecular Biology of the Cell, Sixth Edition. By Bruce Alberts, Alexander Johnson, Julian Lewis, David Morgan, Martin Raff, Keith Roberts, and Peter Walter. New York: Garland Science; 2014. US $160.54 (Hardcover). 1342 p. ISBN: 978-0815344322.
Molecular Biology of the Cell, Sixth Edition — The Problems Book. By John Wilson and Tim Hunt. New York: Garland Science; 2014. US $46.55 (Paperback). 966 p. ISBN: 978-0815344537.
The daunting challenge that Molecular Biology of the Cell, Sixth Edition, aims to conquer is to distill the enormous breadth of cell biology into a form that is digestible by students. The result is a 24-chapter tome whose subject matter begins with the universal features of cells and ends with topics that include development, cell differentiation, and collective cell behaviors in the immune response. Each chapter follows a familiar structure with topics grouped by systems. Numerous color figures accompany each sub-section. Each chapter concludes with a brief summary section, problems, and an extensive list of references that include primary research papers. One feature of the sixth edition is a concluding section entitled “What We Don’t Know,” which consists of a series of open-ended questions designed to present “big picture” challenges in future research. Materials from chapters previously contained in a CD-ROM have been incorporated into the text. There is also a Problems Book to supplement the first 20 chapters. The Problems Book contains more than 1,800 problems and their solutions (along with solutions to problems in the sixth edition text), color illustrations, and MCAT-style questions targeting students interested in medicine. The textbook and problem sets cover many basic topics in cell biology that are related to one or more aspects
