Our understanding of the mechanisms regulating gene expression, which determine the patterns of growth and development in all living organisms, ultimately involves the elucidation of the detailed and dy namic interactions of proteins with nucleic acids -both DNA and RNA. Until recently the commonly presented view of the DNA double helix as visualized on the covers of many textbooks and journals - was as a monotonous static straight rod incapable in its own right of directing the processes necessary for the conservation and selective reading of genetic information. This view, although perhaps extreme, was reinforced by the necessary linearity of genetic maps. The reality is that the biological functions of both DNA and RNA are dependent on complex, and sometimes transient, three-dimensional nucleoprotein structures in which genetically distant elements are brought into close spatial proximity. It is in such structures that the enzymatic manipulation of DNA in the essential biological processes as DNA replication, transcription and recombination are effected - the complexes are the mediators of the 'DNA transactions' of Hatch Echols.

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The value of this analysis is found in the insight it provides into the mechanism of complex systems.... the text is generally well-written and flows smoothly. [this work] is full of insights and stimulating in its unification of structure and function, a perspective that is increasingly inmportant in molecular biology. Trends in Genetics; Andrew Travers has done an excellent job of selecting examples illustrating the central theme of the book...the figures are instructive, well designed and selected...I wholeheartedly recommend this book for all structural and molecular biologists who are interested in the biological role of DNA - Trends in Biochemical Sciences; ...the book does bring together areas in a juxtaposition unique to its author...explained with the authority one would expect from Travers. - Nature; ...the book quickly takes us beyond the straightforward undergraduate texts, to provide a helpful source of information and discussion material for advanced undergraduate or Masters'courses. Journal of Biological Education; The value of this analysis is found in the insight it provides into the mechanism of complex systems.... the text is generally well-written and flows smoothly. [this work] is full of insights and stimulating in its unification of structure and function, a perspective that is increasingly r portant in molecular biology. Trends in Genetics; Overall, this is a densely detailed text and worth its place on the shelf of practitioners in the field who wish to maintain an overall view...gathers together current knowledge in a useful way - Current Biology



Book Information
ISBN 9780412259906
Author A. Travers
Format Paperback
Page Count 192
Imprint Chapman and Hall
Publisher Chapman and Hall