The Thread of Life:The Story of Genes and Genetic Engineering

Contents
Preface
Acknowledgements
Illustration credits
PART Ⅰ What is DNA?
1 DNA is life's blueprint
Discovering DNA
Picking up the threads of inheritance
Dissecting DNA
DNA or protein?
Time for a paradigm shift
Deeper into DNA
The double helix
2 DNA in action
The genetic code
Messenger RNA links DNA and protein
From mRNA to protein
Proteins are special
New information channels—retroviruses and prions
Switching gene expression on and off
3 A close up of the genome
The C-value paradox
Packing and parcelling—fitting DNA into cells
Charting the landscape of the genome
The fluidity of the genome
4 Where did DNA come from?
Origins
Evolution—the molecular story
Our place in nature
Molecular archaeology
Another time,another place?
PART Ⅱ Engineering genes
5 Genetic engineering
6 Creating new life forms
How transgenic animals are made
Fishy tales and the potential of'pharming'
Transplantation and xenografts
Mouse models
Animal rights and wrongs
Patent protection
Food for thought
7 Genes—the human angle
Human genetics—a basic guide
The burden of genetic disease
Mutation and gene hunting
DNA and identity
8 New genes for old
Life,death and the cell
Genes and the unfolding body plan
Genes and cancer
Gene therapy and drugs from DNA
PART Ⅲ Biotechnology
9 The wide world of biotechnology
Enzymes are the master molecules of biotechnology
The sterile world of the fermenter
Biotechnology in medicine
A taste of enzymes
Enzymes in the wash
One cell,one plant
10 Plant power
New genes,new plants
Engineering the world's food supply
Blue roses and brick red petunias
Gene plunder and patents
More food for thought
11 Environmental solutions
Trapping energy from the Sun
Microbial mining
Alternative oil fields
The biotechnology clean-up squad
From agrochemicals to biotechnology
Biotechnology—is it really'green'?
PART Ⅳ The final frontier
12 Beyond DNA
Neo-Darwinism and the selfish gene
Genes and the environment
New frontiers—chaos and morphic resonance
Further reading
Index