Review by
Roger HallDepartment of Biology, University of York, PO Box 373, York, UK. Heredity (1997) 79: 648
Clarity and simplicity are the main qualities of this primer in molecular biology. It is virtually a self-contained book for the complete novice. The target audience is stated to be US high school and community college instructors and presumably their students are meant to read it too. It could certainly be fruitfully used by first year under graduates at UK universities.
The book is coherently and logically structured. The first chapter on scientific method is an easy read but is rather trivial and probably unnecessary. The next 11 chapters develop the topic of molecular biology in a step-by-step fashion. Thus, the reader is led, gently, from the structure and function of DNA through the 'nuts and bolts' of gene isolation by traditional cloning methodology and on to PCR methods. All the basic principles and methods are described in such simple language, yet so accurately, that hardly a word is wasted. The culmination is a chapter on the applications of this technology which is notable for its wide range of examples and its succinctness of exposition.
The final chapter describes a useful series of nine simple practical protocols which demonstrate many of the principles and practices employed in recombinant DNA-based experiments. These range from simple gel analysis through to DNA fingerprinting and include transformation techniques and analysis of recombinant molecules. These experiments support the text and are a valuable addition to the theoretical treatment. There is also a procedure for building an electrophoresis tank which is probably well meant but I would advise that at today's prices commercially available apparatus is afford able and preferable.
There are two main problems with this book. First, the illustrations are of appalling quality. By this I mean that they are poorly reproduced as though the publishers do not have access to state-of-the-art equipment. Much of the graphic work looks as though it was produced on a primary school computer and dot matrix printer. This is a real shame as the diagrams are in general well-designed and informative. Secondly, the price is outrageously high. At £34.99 one expects quality. I am afraid at this price the book is simply not worth buying despite its educational value.
Review by
John Coote University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK. SGM Quarterly (May 1998) 25: (2) 84
This book is a short introduction to the principles and methods of recombinant DNA techniques that is suited to undergraduates or postgraduates who need a summary of the important experimental procedures involved in recombinant DNA work. Key concepts are summarized at the end of each chapter. The text is written in a succinct and easy-to-understand style aided by many informative diagrams. The theory part of the book is followed by a series of class laboratory exercises, complete with detailed instructions and ordering information. These will be familiar to teachers who run molecular biology classes and, although they are written for the class instructor, the expected results are noted and interpreted and will therefore serve as a useful reference for a student undertaking the exercises. The price is high for an individual student, but the book would be a useful addition to a reference library.
