The Machinery of Life

Taking its readers on a journey into the sub-microscopic world of molecular machines, this book introduces the types of molecules built by cells. Then, in a series of full-color illustrations, the reader is guided through the interior world of cells.

Imagine that we had some way to look directly at the molecules in a living organism. An x-ray microscope would do the trick, or since we're dreaming, perhaps an Asimov-style nanosubmarine (unfortunately, neither is currently feasible). Think of the wonders we could witness firsthand: antibodies atta- ing a virus, electrical signals racing down nerve fibers, proteins building new strands of DNA. Many of the questions puzzling the current cadre of sci- tists would be answered at a glance. But the nanoscale world of molecules is separated from our everyday world of experience by a daunting million-fold difference in size, so the world of molecules is completely invisible. I created the illustrations in this book to help bridge this gulf and allow us to see the molecular structure of cells, if not directly, then in an artistic rendition. I have included two types of illustrations with this goal in mind: watercolor paintings which magnify a small portion of a living cell by one million times, showing the arrangement of molecules inside, and comput- generated pictures, which show the atomic details of individual molecules. In this second edition of The Machinery of Life, these illustrations are presented in full color, and they incorporate many of the exciting scientific advances of the 15 years since the first edition.

Explores molecular machinery and the complexity and interconnected nature of living things through three levels: the machines, the molecular world, and the cell Contains 50+ vibrant, full color illustrations of molecules and molecular processes at the atomic and cellular level Incorporates 15 years of updates and advances in research and technology since the first edition, including never before seen illustrations Includes a clear, jargon-free text accessible to the lay reader Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Autorentext
Dr. David S. Goodsell is Associate Professor in the Department of Molecular Biology at The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA. His illustrations have become well known and now appear in many publications as the primary demonstration of the crowded nature of cells. He has also provided expertise and illustrations to many science museums, most recently acting as a "thinking partner for a new multi-site nanotechnology initiative headed in part by the Exploratorium in San Francisco.

Zusammenfassung
I have included two types of illustrations with this goal in mind: watercolor paintings which magnify a small portion of a living cell by one million times, showing the arrangement of molecules inside, and comput- generated pictures, which show the atomic details of individual molecules.

Inhalt
Molecular Machines.- The Processes of Living.- Molecules in Cells: Escherichia coli.- A Human Cell: The Advantages of Compartments.- The Human Body: The Advantages of Specialization.- Life and Death.- Viruses.- You and Your Molecules.