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Molecular genetics of bacteria (2nd edn)
BOOK
Antimicrobial Peptides appears at a time when the field is blossoming with new information and lessons can be learned from the comparative analysis of related compounds. This book, based on a Ciba Foundation Symposium chaired by Hans Boman early in 1994, is a thorough account of the state of research. Its 17 chapters include the various examples of animal, plant and bacterial peptides and the different experimental approaches being used to understand the biology of these compounds. The chemistry of these peptides and the genetic regulation of the genes that encode them are covered; we also learn about current attempts to develop clinical applications for these peptides. The only area that is not treated in
Genetics forthe easily daunted! Molecular Genetics of Bacteria (2nd edn) by Jeremy W. Dale John Wiley & Sons, 1994. f16.95 pbk (xi + 287 pages) ISBN 0 471951110 e second edition of the Molecular Genetics of Bacteria is T aimed at those students for whom genetics is one of a number of courses that has to be undergone and who are not intending to make a career of the subject. A paperback of under 300pages, it adequately covers the main theoretical aspects of bacterial genetics and offers some insights into the application of this theory. The ten chapters consist of small, easily digestible sections, with information presented in a lucid and readable style supported by clear diagrams. The index is well constructed and allows easy access to the facts, while appendices detail standard abbreviations used, and give lists and descriptions of the genes and enzymes mentioned within the text. The glossary of molecular genetics terms is extensive and handy for quick reference. Chapters 1 and 2 provide a sound introduction to the structure and
TRENDS
REVIEWS
a separate chapter is the mechanisms used by successful pathogens to resist killing by these peptides (although bits and pieces can be found in the discussion sections of a few chapters). The chapters are short and concise, allowing the novice to get acquainted with the area being discussed and then to access further details by consulting the references that follow the main text. Every chapter is followed by a discussion section that provides the opportunity to learn about unpublished results and all those experiments that never make it to a paper, but that people are willing to discuss in an informal setting. Antimicrobial Peptides should provide a useful reference for courses dealing with host-defense
mechanisms, and will certainly be useful for those trying to learn more about these peptides once they reach the clinic. Those investigators already working in the field will find new information in the discussions at the end of each chapter, and will benefit from the thorough literature citations.
function of nucleic acids and to many important techniques used in their study. Subsequent chapters detail the biology of genetic variation, gene transfer, moveable genes, gene expression, plasmids, bacteriophages and the applications of bacterial genetics. Concepts of bacterial genetics are described from a functional perspective, sparing the reader the mechanistic account, interrupted to detail where and how the molecular biologist has modified and manipulated, that is found in some books. The result is a text that is readable and attractive to people who may be daunted by more-detailed works. Most topics are covered succinctly, but thoroughly, with particular attention being paid to the fundamental subjects, such as h phage, plasmid replication, DNA recombination and gene expression in the lac and trp operons. The description of attenuation control of trp expression is a good example of a subject that is explained clearly and supported by excellent figures. The author encourages those interested in further reading and indicates a well-chosen selection of suitable sources. The final two chapters, on the applications of bacterial genetics, suffer from space limitations and will disappoint those with an interest in biotechnology and gene cloning. In dealing with this admittedly
rapidly expanding field, the author appears content to quote a few, now classical, examples, with other important and emerging topics either receiving a brief mention or being overlooked. This is a shame, as I feel that with another 30pages or so the author could have dealt with the applications of molecular genetics in biotechnology and medical science to the same standard as other topics in the book, particularly as the background information required is given in earlier chapters. The treatment of the polymerase chain reaction is perhaps the most extreme example: two pages are used in Chapter 2 to explain the process, but only two paragraphs in Chapter 10 mention its use (to make gene probes and to detect low numbers of specific pathogens), and these portray the technique as unreliable! I hope that the author will review this in future editions. In summary, I recommend the book as a background reference for bacterial genetics. However, at i16.95, it may not suit the pocket of the readership for which it is written.
IN MICROBIOLOGY
287 VOL.3
No.7
Eduardo A. Groisman Washington University School of Medicine, Dept of Molecular Microbiology, 660 S. Euclid Avenue, Campus Box 8230, St Louis, MO 63110, USA Reference
1 Zasloff,M. (1987) Proc. Nut/ Acud. Sci. USA84,5449-5453
Simon Swift Dept of Applied Biochemistry and Food Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire, UK LE12 SRD
JULY
199.5
Antimicrobial Peptides appears at a time when the field is blossoming with new information and lessons can be learned from the comparative analysis of related compounds. This book, based on a Ciba Foundation Symposium chaired by Hans Boman early in 1994, is a thorough account of the state of research. Its 17 chapters include the various examples of animal, plant and bacterial peptides and the different experimental approaches being used to understand the biology of these compounds. The chemistry of these peptides and the genetic regulation of the genes that encode them are covered; we also learn about current attempts to develop clinical applications for these peptides. The only area that is not treated in
Genetics forthe easily daunted! Molecular Genetics of Bacteria (2nd edn) by Jeremy W. Dale John Wiley & Sons, 1994. f16.95 pbk (xi + 287 pages) ISBN 0 471951110 e second edition of the Molecular Genetics of Bacteria is T aimed at those students for whom genetics is one of a number of courses that has to be undergone and who are not intending to make a career of the subject. A paperback of under 300pages, it adequately covers the main theoretical aspects of bacterial genetics and offers some insights into the application of this theory. The ten chapters consist of small, easily digestible sections, with information presented in a lucid and readable style supported by clear diagrams. The index is well constructed and allows easy access to the facts, while appendices detail standard abbreviations used, and give lists and descriptions of the genes and enzymes mentioned within the text. The glossary of molecular genetics terms is extensive and handy for quick reference. Chapters 1 and 2 provide a sound introduction to the structure and
TRENDS
REVIEWS
a separate chapter is the mechanisms used by successful pathogens to resist killing by these peptides (although bits and pieces can be found in the discussion sections of a few chapters). The chapters are short and concise, allowing the novice to get acquainted with the area being discussed and then to access further details by consulting the references that follow the main text. Every chapter is followed by a discussion section that provides the opportunity to learn about unpublished results and all those experiments that never make it to a paper, but that people are willing to discuss in an informal setting. Antimicrobial Peptides should provide a useful reference for courses dealing with host-defense
mechanisms, and will certainly be useful for those trying to learn more about these peptides once they reach the clinic. Those investigators already working in the field will find new information in the discussions at the end of each chapter, and will benefit from the thorough literature citations.
function of nucleic acids and to many important techniques used in their study. Subsequent chapters detail the biology of genetic variation, gene transfer, moveable genes, gene expression, plasmids, bacteriophages and the applications of bacterial genetics. Concepts of bacterial genetics are described from a functional perspective, sparing the reader the mechanistic account, interrupted to detail where and how the molecular biologist has modified and manipulated, that is found in some books. The result is a text that is readable and attractive to people who may be daunted by more-detailed works. Most topics are covered succinctly, but thoroughly, with particular attention being paid to the fundamental subjects, such as h phage, plasmid replication, DNA recombination and gene expression in the lac and trp operons. The description of attenuation control of trp expression is a good example of a subject that is explained clearly and supported by excellent figures. The author encourages those interested in further reading and indicates a well-chosen selection of suitable sources. The final two chapters, on the applications of bacterial genetics, suffer from space limitations and will disappoint those with an interest in biotechnology and gene cloning. In dealing with this admittedly
rapidly expanding field, the author appears content to quote a few, now classical, examples, with other important and emerging topics either receiving a brief mention or being overlooked. This is a shame, as I feel that with another 30pages or so the author could have dealt with the applications of molecular genetics in biotechnology and medical science to the same standard as other topics in the book, particularly as the background information required is given in earlier chapters. The treatment of the polymerase chain reaction is perhaps the most extreme example: two pages are used in Chapter 2 to explain the process, but only two paragraphs in Chapter 10 mention its use (to make gene probes and to detect low numbers of specific pathogens), and these portray the technique as unreliable! I hope that the author will review this in future editions. In summary, I recommend the book as a background reference for bacterial genetics. However, at i16.95, it may not suit the pocket of the readership for which it is written.
IN MICROBIOLOGY
287 VOL.3
No.7
Eduardo A. Groisman Washington University School of Medicine, Dept of Molecular Microbiology, 660 S. Euclid Avenue, Campus Box 8230, St Louis, MO 63110, USA Reference
1 Zasloff,M. (1987) Proc. Nut/ Acud. Sci. USA84,5449-5453
Simon Swift Dept of Applied Biochemistry and Food Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire, UK LE12 SRD
JULY
199.5