Glowing Genes

Glowing Genes PDF

Author: Marc Zimmer

Publisher: Prometheus Books

Published: 2010-04-06

Total Pages: 221

ISBN-13: 1615922490

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Marc Zimmer has written the first popular science book on an amazing new area of biotechnology that will help fight cancer, create new products, improve agriculture, and combat terrorism. For more than one hundred and sixty million years, green fluorescent protein has existed in one species of jellyfish. In 1994 it was cloned, giving rise to a host of useful and potentially revolutionary applications in biotechnology. Today researchers are using this ancient glowing protein to pursue exciting new discoveries, from tracking the process of bacterial infection to detecting chemical and biological agents planted by terrorists.A recognized expert in this field, Zimmer begins with an overview of the many uses of these glowing genes to kill and image cancer cells, monitor bacterial infections, and light up in the presence of pollution. He then discusses the biological reasons that glowing proteins first evolved in jellyfish and fireflies, and looks at the history of bioluminescence and the dedicated scientists who devoted their careers to explaining this phenomenon. The story of how "glowing genes" were located, cloned, and then mass-produced is in itself a fascinating tale.Zimmer next turns to the serious, and not-so-serious, uses of fluorescent proteins. In agriculture it may soon be possible to produce crops that signal dryness by glowing. In industry a red fluorescent protein originally found in corals may find a use in sheep as a substitute for environmentally harmful wool dyes.Furthermore, the glowing gene revolution has led to significantly more humane treatment of laboratory animals. No longer must animal lives be sacrificed to understand disease processes; now researchers can observe the spread of cancer and infections by treating animals with green fluorescent genes and similar proteins.In the fight against terrorism a glowing gene has been created that lights up in the presence of anthrax spores, chemical warfare agents, and landmines. And in a completely different arena, we have already seen the emergence of "transgenic art" in Alba, the fluorescent bunny rabbit.Glowing Genes is a highly informative, fascinating, and entertaining read about a burgeoning area of biotechnology that promises soon to revolutionize our world.

Glowing Bunnies!?

Glowing Bunnies!? PDF

Author: Jeff Campbell

Publisher: Zest Books TM

Published: 2022-05-03

Total Pages: 200

ISBN-13: 172845607X

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Our brave new world is here. With modern genetic technologies, science fiction's "what if?" has become the scientist's "why not?" Bioengineering has the potential to remake animals in almost any way we can imagine, and it's being used to solve a range of urgent global problems, including climate change, species extinctions, the destruction of natural habitats, and human health issues. But just because we can do all these things, does that mean we should? In the pages of Glowing Bunnies!? you will encounter some of the strange and wonderful genetically modified animals of tomorrow. Learn why scientists are going to such lengths to mess with genes and what the ethical and health-related consequences might be. By understanding both the science and the stakes, you too can judge the potential of this budding science to save—or ruin—the world. Presented as a compendium of existing and proposed creatures, this book describes the animals being created, the scientific techniques involved, and each animal's purpose. Additionally, it addresses bioethics, unintended consequences, and animal welfare.

Aglow in the Dark

Aglow in the Dark PDF

Author: Vincent Pieribone

Publisher: Harvard University Press

Published: 2005

Total Pages: 306

ISBN-13: 9780674019218

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The discovery of green fluorescent protein revolutionized molecular biology, transforming our study of everything from the AIDS virus to the workings of the brain.

Glowing Genes

Glowing Genes PDF

Author: Marc Zimmer

Publisher:

Published: 2005

Total Pages: 238

ISBN-13:

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Marc Zimmer has written the first popular science book on an amazing new area of biotechnology that will help fight cancer, create new products, improve agriculture, and combat terrorism. For more than one hundred and sixty million years, green fluorescent protein has existed in one species of jellyfish. In 1994 it was cloned, giving rise to a host of useful and potentially revolutionary applications in biotechnology. Today researchers are using this ancient glowing protein to pursue exciting new discoveries, from tracking the process of bacterial infection to detecting chemical and biological agents planted by terrorists.A recognized expert in this field, Zimmer begins with an overview of the many uses of these glowing genes to kill and image cancer cells, monitor bacterial infections, and light up in the presence of pollution. He then discusses the biological reasons that glowing proteins first evolved in jellyfish and fireflies, and looks at the history of bioluminescence and the dedicated scientists who devoted their careers to explaining this phenomenon. The story of how "glowing genes" were located, cloned, and then mass-produced is in itself a fascinating tale.Zimmer next turns to the serious, and not-so-serious, uses of fluorescent proteins. In agriculture it may soon be possible to produce crops that signal dryness by glowing. In industry a red fluorescent protein originally found in corals may find a use in sheep as a substitute for environmentally harmful wool dyes.Furthermore, the glowing gene revolution has led to significantly more humane treatment of laboratory animals. No longer must animal lives be sacrificed to understand disease processes; now researchers can observe the spread of cancer and infections by treating animals with green fluorescent genes and similar proteins.In the fight against terrorism a glowing gene has been created that lights up in the presence of anthrax spores, chemical warfare agents, and landmines. And in a completely different arena, we have already seen the emergence of "transgenic art" in Alba, the fluorescent bunny rabbit.Glowing Genes is a highly informative, fascinating, and entertaining read about a burgeoning area of biotechnology that promises soon to revolutionize our world.

Bioluminescent

Bioluminescent PDF

Author: Emily Rodriguez

Publisher: via tolino media

Published: 2023-10-13

Total Pages: 136

ISBN-13: 3757969464

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Delve into the mesmerizing world of bioluminescence with 'Bioluminescent.' This comprehensive exploration covers the origins of natural light, bioluminescent organisms worldwide, the chemistry behind light production, and its role in the deep sea and terrestrial ecosystems. Unearth the mysteries of fireflies, glowing fungi, and marine life, all while unraveling its scientific, cultural, and ecological significance. Join the journey through the mesmerizing glow of bioluminescence.

Genetics For Dummies

Genetics For Dummies PDF

Author: Tara Rodden Robinson

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2005-09-02

Total Pages: 387

ISBN-13: 0764595547

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"Want to know more about genetics? This non-intimidating guide gets you up to speed on all the fundamentals. From dominant and recessive inherited traits to the DNA double-helix, you get clear expectations in easy-to-understand terms. Plus, you'll see how people are applying genetic science to fight disease, develop new products, solve crimes ... and even clone cats." -- back cover.

The State of Science

The State of Science PDF

Author: Marc Zimmer

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Published: 2020-07-20

Total Pages: 221

ISBN-13: 1633886409

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New research and innovations in the field of science are leading to life-changing and world-altering discoveries like never before. What does the horizon of science look like? Who are the scientists that are making it happen? And, how are we to introduce these revolutions to a society in which a segment of the population has become more and more skeptical of science? Climate change is the biggest challenge facing our nation, and scientists are working on renewable energy sources, meat alternatives, and carbon dioxide sequestration. At the same time, climate change deniers and the politicization of funding threaten their work. CRISPR, (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) repurposes bacterial defense systems to edit genes, which can change the way we live, but also presents real ethical problems. Optogenetics will help neuroscientists map complicated neural circuitry deep inside the brain, shedding light on treating Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Zimmer also investigates phony science ranging from questionable “health” products to the fervent anti-vaccination movement. Zimmer introduces readers to the real people making these breakthroughs. Concluding with chapters on the rise of women in STEM fields, the importance of US immigration policies to science, and new, unorthodox ways of DIY science and crowdsource funding, The State of Science shows where science is, where it is heading, and the scientists who are at the forefront of progress.

Cold Light

Cold Light PDF

Author: Anita Sitarski

Publisher: Boyds Mills Press

Published: 2007-10-01

Total Pages: 56

ISBN-13: 9781590784686

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Luminescence sheds light on the adventure of science. Scientists and many others have explored the science and wonder of cold light—the chemistry of animals and things that make light but not heat. A seventeenth-century alchemist tried to turn a stone into gold. He failed, but the stone glowed in the dark instead. The alchemist began to mold the first luminescent objects. A light also came on one night for the famous chemist Robert Boyle. After he saw a raw chicken glowing in his kitchen, he began his own research into luminescence. With light humor, Anita Sitarski brings the thrill of discovery to life as she recounts the stories of the alchemist, chemist Robert Boyle, the adventurers who first saw bizarre creatures glowing in the depths of the sea, and others. Awe-inspiring, full-color photographs accompany the compelling, fact-filled text in these scientific explorations.

Academic English for Biology

Academic English for Biology PDF

Author: Kallia Katsampoxaki-Hodgetts

Publisher: BoD – Books on Demand

Published: 2024-06-07

Total Pages: 274

ISBN-13: 6185242338

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Academic English for Biology aims to improve your ability to study Biosciences in English effectively. It has been written by an English for Specific Academic Purposes Instructor and reviewed by Biology researchers and experts in the field. It is written for international students who speak English as a foreign language and are planning to embark on an undergraduate programme of Biological Sciences. With this course, you will develop your knowledge of academic and scientific conventions, and you will improve your skills in the following areas: reading and understanding of science-related articles in English listening to lectures, understanding sign-posting language, main points and improve your note-taking skills noticing writing conventions for different audiences and purposes within the same discipline and providing guidelines for effective lab report writing improving academic writing skills such as argumentative essay writing, paraphrasing, formality and citations contributing effectively in seminar discussions preparing and giving effective scientific presentations improving academic vocabulary i.e. experimental language and prominent language features such as biological prefixes, compound words, phrasal verbs and prepositions improving study skills such as planning, note-taking and summarising improving your critical reading and writing skills with peer-review evaluations

Luminous Pursuit: Jellyfish, Gfp, And The Unforeseen Path To The Nobel Prize

Luminous Pursuit: Jellyfish, Gfp, And The Unforeseen Path To The Nobel Prize PDF

Author: Osamu Shimomura

Publisher: World Scientific

Published: 2017-05-23

Total Pages: 228

ISBN-13: 9813202181

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This book narrates the uniquely intertwined life and scientific career of Nobel laureate Osamu Shimomura, with particular attention to his discovery of aequorin and Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP). It includes his early memories of Manchuria and wartime Japan featuring an eyewitness account of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, his postwar studies and his travels to collect and research more than fifteen bioluminescent species, in locations ranging from Japan to San Juan Island, Bermuda, New Zealand and Norway. Dr Shimomura describes the unique combination of serendipity and perseverance that led ultimately to his 2008 Nobel Prize in chemistry. The book provides an engaging account of the life of a dedicated scientist, emphasizing the value of determination in the pursuit of pure scientific knowledge, and showing how a general understanding of science helped him open up new areas of research that have led to unforeseen applications in cell biology and medicine.