The Epigenetics Revolution: How Modern Biology is Rewriting our Understanding of Genetics, Disease and Inheritance
Sep 2011 · Icon Books Ltd
4.2star
16 reviewsreport
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320
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About this ebook
'A book that would have had Darwin swooning - anyone seriously interested in who we are and how we function should read this.' Guardian
At the beginning of this century enormous progress had been made in genetics. The Human Genome Project finished sequencing human DNA. It seemed it was only a matter of time until we had all the answers to the secrets of life on this planet.
The cutting-edge of biology, however, is telling us that we still don't even know all of the questions.
How is it that, despite each cell in your body carrying exactly the same DNA, you don't have teeth growing out of your eyeballs or toenails on your liver? How is it that identical twins share exactly the same DNA and yet can exhibit dramatic differences in the way that they live and grow?
It turns out that cells read the genetic code in DNA more like a script to be interpreted than a mould that replicates the same result each time. This is epigenetics and it's the fastest-moving field in biology today.
The Epigenetics Revolution traces the thrilling path this discipline has taken over the last twenty years. Biologist Nessa Carey deftly explains such diverse phenomena as how queen bees and ants control their colonies, why tortoiseshell cats are always female, why some plants need a period of cold before they can flower, why we age, develop disease and become addicted to drugs, and much more. Most excitingly, Carey reveals the amazing possibilities for humankind that epigenetics offers for us all - and in the surprisingly near future.
At the beginning of this century enormous progress had been made in genetics. The Human Genome Project finished sequencing human DNA. It seemed it was only a matter of time until we had all the answers to the secrets of life on this planet.
The cutting-edge of biology, however, is telling us that we still don't even know all of the questions.
How is it that, despite each cell in your body carrying exactly the same DNA, you don't have teeth growing out of your eyeballs or toenails on your liver? How is it that identical twins share exactly the same DNA and yet can exhibit dramatic differences in the way that they live and grow?
It turns out that cells read the genetic code in DNA more like a script to be interpreted than a mould that replicates the same result each time. This is epigenetics and it's the fastest-moving field in biology today.
The Epigenetics Revolution traces the thrilling path this discipline has taken over the last twenty years. Biologist Nessa Carey deftly explains such diverse phenomena as how queen bees and ants control their colonies, why tortoiseshell cats are always female, why some plants need a period of cold before they can flower, why we age, develop disease and become addicted to drugs, and much more. Most excitingly, Carey reveals the amazing possibilities for humankind that epigenetics offers for us all - and in the surprisingly near future.
Ratings and reviews
4.2
16 reviews
Ku Ro
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January 11, 2019
It's amazing how she explained such concepts in a much simpler way using analogy from our daily lives. I made sure to read it slowly so I can retain more information from this book and it's a lot to take in if you read it hastily.
3 people found this review helpful
Asdi Wihandono
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March 2, 2018
Filled with tons of scientific terms and theories, a bit confusing...and boring to read..but overall it's OK
1 person found this review helpful
A Google user
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September 23, 2012
Wasn't expecting to learn as much as I did with this book. Finally understood cell differentiation without which the whole of the animal / plant kingdom makes no sense.
About the author
Nessa Carey has a PhD in virology from the University of Edinburgh and has worked in the biotech industry for nearly ten years.
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