Introduction to Molecular Biology: From Cells to Atoms - Anthony Rees, Michael Sternberg 2002

From the Translation Editor

It is well known that molecular biology has achieved its greatest success in understanding the MOLECULAR MECHANISMS OF genetic processes, as well as studying the synthesis, Structure, and Functions of Proteins and Nucleic Acids—the master molecules of all living things. The greater part of the book by American scientists E. Rees and M. Sternberg offered to the reader is dedicated precisely to these issues. It provides a comprehensive examination of Cell Structure and its components, viral architecture, enzyme action mechanisms and The regulation of their activity, Introduction/18.html">Protein Evolution, and much more. Alongside this, the book sheds light on many other vital topics in molecular and cell biology, as well as A number of related fields. Thus, the book spans a vast range of scales—from atoms and molecules to living Cells.

What is The Nature of this relatively compact publication that covers such a broad and diverse range of material? Given its concise presentation, it might be regarded as an encyclopedic dictionary and reference guide to molecular biology. However, the book is arguably not exhaustive enough for that Classification. Its primary merit lies in the systematic delivery of all the core facts and breakthroughs in these disciplines. No one would read an encyclopedic dictionary from cover to cover, page by page. Yet, readers will primarily use Rees and Sternberg's book in precisely this manner, although it can undoubtedly serve as a reference tool as well. Despite its brevity, the book is exceptionally rich in content, encapsulating the fundamental tenets of molecular biology in a concentrated form. This is greatly aided by superb illustrations that play a role no less important than the text itself.

We believe that the book by Rees and Sternberg will be met with great enthusiasm. It will be especially useful for senior high school students, as well as undergraduate and graduate students in physics, chemistry, and biology—both as an Introduction to the problems of this rapidly advancing field and as a reference manual. Specialists will also read individual chapters with great pleasure.

Publications of this kind are lacking in our country, and this book will brilliantly fill that gap.

Yu. S. Lazurkin V.

A. Tkachuk