Atoms, Bytes and Genes

Atoms, Bytes and Genes
Author: Martin W. Bauer
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 321
Release: 2015-02-11
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 1317689143

"Atom," "byte" and "gene" are metonymies for techno-scientific developments of the 20th century: nuclear power, computing and genetic engineering. Resistance continues to challenge these developments in public opinion. This book traces historical debates over atoms, bytes and genes which raised controversy with consequences, and argues that public opinion is a factor of the development of modern techno-science. The level and scope of public controversy is an index of resistance, examined here with a "pain analogy" which shows that just as pain impacts movement, resistance impacts techno-scientific mobilization: it signals that something is wrong, and this requires attention, elaboration and a response to the challenge. This analysis shows how different fields of enquiry deal with the resistance of social-psychological mentalities in the face of industrial, scientific and political activities inspired by projected futures.

The Myths We Live by

The Myths We Live by
Author: Mary Midgley
Publisher: Psychology Press
Total Pages: 212
Release: 2004
Genre: Civilization, Modern
ISBN: 9780415340779

The Myths We Live By is a powerful, clearly written book that shows us what goes wrong when we try to apply the metaphors of science to the problems of our lives. Essential reading for anyone concerned about how to understand the world today.

Our Genes, Our Choices

Our Genes, Our Choices
Author: David Goldman
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 328
Release: 2023-09-04
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0443221626

Our Genes, Our Choices: How Genotype and Gene Interactions Affect Behavior, Second Edition explains how the complexity of human behavior, including concepts of free will, derives from a relatively small number of genes, which direct neurodevelopmental sequences. Are people free to make choices, or do genes determine behavior? Paradoxically, the answer to both questions is "yes," because of neurogenetic individuality, a new theory with profound implications. Here, author David Goldman uses judicial, political, medical, and ethical examples to illustrate that this lifelong process is guided by individual genotype, molecular and physiologic principles, as well as by randomness and environmental exposures, a combination of factors that we choose and do not choose. Written in an authoritative yet accessible style, the book includes practical descriptions of the function of DNA, discusses the scientific and historical bases of genethics, and introduces the topics of epigenetics and the predictive power of behavioral genetics. In the decade since the first edition published, knowledge of genetic influences on the neurogenetic underpinnings of behavior has been transformed by genomic technologies. Genome-Wide Association studies, for example, have revealed that hundreds of genes influence vulnerability to psychiatric disease and innate predisposition to risk-taking behaviors. This new edition has been thoroughly revised to focus on free will and its neurogenetic origins. In addition, the use of polygenic scores for behavioral prediction are discussed in-depth, reflecting the GWAS (Genome-Wide Association Study) revolution and combined use of genetic predictors in polygenic scores. Sections on epigenetics are also substantially expanded throughout, better defined, and tied to neuroplasticity and gene-environment interaction. Figures and illustrations have been added or improved throughout, and disease nosology and terminology has been updated. Updates on the previous edition which was the First Prize winner of the 2013 BMA Medical Book Award for Basic and Clinical Sciences Poses and resolves challenges to moral responsibility raised by modern genetics and neuroscience Analyzes the neurogenetic origins of human behavior and free will Features expanded sections on the neurogenetic basis of free will, polygenic risk scores, and epigenetic influence over behavior, as well as improved figures and updated terminology

Bioinformatics

Bioinformatics
Author: Christine Orengo
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Total Pages: 393
Release: 2003-12-16
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1135325235

Bioinformatics, the use of computers to address biological questions, has become an essential tool in biological research. It is one of the critical keys needed to unlock the information encoded in the flood of data generated by genome, protein structure, transcriptome and proteome research. Bioinformatics: Genes, Proteins & Computers covers both the more traditional approaches to bioinformatics, including gene and protein sequence analysis and structure prediction, and more recent technologies such as datamining of transcriptomic and proteomic data to provide insights on cellular mechanisms and the causes of disease.

The Genetic Effects of Radiation

The Genetic Effects of Radiation
Author: Isaac Asimov
Publisher: Good Press
Total Pages: 74
Release: 2023-11-02
Genre: Science
ISBN:

In 'The Genetic Effects of Radiation', a compelling collection that traverses the nuanced landscapes of biology, genetics, and the foreboding shadow of nuclear energy, readers are invited to explore a confluence of scientific insight and speculative foresight. This anthology, marked by its interdisciplinary approach, features contributions that range in style from rigorous scientific discourse to speculative fiction. The works within offer a panoramic view on the implications of radiation on genetic material, both at the minutiae of DNA and the broader ecosystemic level, underscoring the collections thematic gravity and its significant place within scientific literature. Noteworthy are the essays that bridge the gap between hard science and speculative possibilities, serving as a testament to the collection's diversity and depth. The authors, Isaac Asimov and Theodosius Dobzhansky, bring to the table vastly different backgroundsan acclaimed science fiction writer known for his ability to speculate about the future of humanity, and a prominent geneticist whose work laid foundational contributions to the field of evolutionary biology. Their collaboration underlines the anthologys unique position at the intersection of genetics, evolutionary theory, and speculative science fiction. The collection is emblematic of a period where the public and scientific community grappled with the potentialities and perils of nuclear energy, making it a significant cultural and scientific artifact. 'The Genetic Effects of Radiation' is an essential read for those intrigued by the intersection of science, literature, and society. It offers a unique opportunity to engage with complex scientific themes through varied narrative forms, making accessible the intricate world of genetics and radiation to a broader audience. Readers will not only gain insight into the scientific debates of the past but will also be prompted to reflect on the current and future implications of human technological advancement. This anthology is a must-have for anyone interested in the dialogue between science and the human imagination, offering both education and speculation within its covers.

Computers and DNA

Computers and DNA
Author: Thomas Marr
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 296
Release: 2018-02-20
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 0429970013

The fields of molecular biology and genetics are faced with an enormous accumulation of information: DNA sequencing, associated sequences of amino acids in proteins, genetics, macromolecular structures and other sets have created a quantitative backlog of data which needs to be organized and analyzed. Moreover, the rate of data acquisitions is accelerating as improved technologies are used and as organized programs such as the Human Genome Initiative are established. Because of this data's importance, molecular biologists have turned to computational scientists for help in processing this mass of information.The Santa Fe Institute organized a workshop on "The Interface Between Computational Science and DNA Sequencing" in 1998 to address this information crisis. Approximately one hundred molecular biologists, computer scientists, mathematicians, and other scientists in diverse fields met to discuss how computational science can best keep pace with molecular biology. The papers presented at that meeting and included in this volume serve as a comprehensive introduction to the field and as a discussion of research on some of the current problems.

Advances in Computers

Advances in Computers
Author: Marvin Zelkowitz
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 335
Release: 2006-12-11
Genre: Computers
ISBN: 0080466346

The field of bioinformatics and computational biology arose due to the need to apply techniques from computer science, statistics, informatics, and applied mathematics to solve biological problems. Scientists have been trying to study biology at a molecular level using techniques derived from biochemistry, biophysics, and genetics. Progress has greatly accelerated with the discovery of fast and inexpensive automated DNA sequencing techniques. As the genomes of more and more organisms are sequenced and assembled, scientists are discovering many useful facts by tracing the evolution of organisms by measuring changes in their DNA, rather than through physical characteristics alone. This has led to rapid growth in the related fields of phylogenetics, the study of evolutionary relatedness among various groups of organisms, and comparative genomics, the study of the correspondence between genes and other genomic features in different organisms. Comparing the genomes of organisms has allowed researchers to better understand the features and functions of DNA in individual organisms, as well as provide insights into how organisms evolve over time. The first four chapters of Advances in Computers focus on algorithms for comparing the genomes of different organisms. Possible concrete applications include identifying the basis for genetic diseases and tracking the development and spread of different forms of Avian flu. As researchers begin to better understand the function of DNA, attention has begun shifting towards the actual proteins produced by DNA. The final two chapters explore proteomic techniques for analyzing proteins directly to identify their presence and understand their physical structure. - Written by active PhD researchers in computational biology and bioinformatics

DK Online Encyclopedia

DK Online Encyclopedia
Author: DK Publishing, Inc
Publisher: DK Children
Total Pages: 452
Release: 2006
Genre: Juvenile Nonfiction
ISBN: 9780756621087

There is a wealth of incredible facts and images online if only we know where to look. This book combines the best of a traditional encyclopedia with a dedicated Web site created by Google, the world's leading search engine. Together they guide the reader to the most amazing sites the Web has to offer.