Introduction to Protein Science: Architecture, Function, and Genomics - Softcover

Lesk, Arthur

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0199265119 ISBN 13: 9780199265114

Publisher: OUP Oxford, 2004

Synopsis

Proteins are essential to life, having a vital role in all living organisms. They are the ultimate micro machines: some are building blocks, joining with other substances to make the cells from which we are all formed. Some are catalysts, speeding up essential biochemical reactions to keep our cells alive. Yet others help cells to communicate, to move, and to build up the complex mix of tissues that make up our bodies. Introduction to Protein Science provides a broad ranging introduction to the contemporary study of proteins suitable for students on biosciences degrees internationally. Starting by describing the structure of proteins and how these structures can be studied, the book goes on to illustrate the wide range of functions that proteins have, showing how the shape of a protein is intimately linked to the function that it has. The book then describes how new experimental and computational techniques are helping us to predict a protein s structure and function, and how this is paving the way for us to design new proteins with specific characteristics, with exciting implications in areas such as drug design. Written by Arthur Lesk, the author of the highly successful Introduction to Bioinformatics, this book offers the same clear, student friendly approach to an equally important area of bioscience. Recent advances in genomics and proteomics have paved the way for an explosion of interest in protein structure and function. This book captures the current state of excitement in a way that all biosciences students will find appealing. Online Resource Centre: - Downloadable figures - A Web link library - Animated illustrations (pictures of complicated structures are much more effective if presented as animations; this will take the form of a computer-readable supplement to the book). All these will be available on the Online Resource Centre at www.oup.com/uk/booksites/biosciences/

About this title

Review:

The use of computer generated images of protein structures is a welcome feature in the chapter as they provide a clear representation of the actual 3D structure of the proteins discussed. The commentary about these images in the chapter ensures that the reader is not mislead by the simplicity of the diagrams and explains the more complex features of the protein. The variety of proteins displayed is interesting, as in conventional textbooks the diagrams are often of typical proteins, such as haemoglobin. (Laura Jacobs, 2nd year biomedical science student, Oxford Brookes University)

About the Author:

Dr. Arthur Lesk is a Senior Research Associate, Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge.

About this edition

• Publisher: OUP Oxford
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0199265119
• ISBN 13: 9780199265114
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 336