Books in New Biology series

The most respected and accomplished authorship team in high school biology, Ken Miller and Joe Levine are real scientists and educators who have dedicated their lives to scientific literacy. Their experience, knowledge, and insight guided them in creating this breakaway biology program -- one that continues to set the standard for clear, accessible writing. Brand-new content includes the latest scholarship on high-interest topics like stem cells, genetically modified foods, and antibiotics in animals.

Viruses describes the structure, function, and evolution of viruses with an emphasis on their dual role as infectious microorganisms and important members of Earth's biosphere. Coverage includes the origin of viruses, viral structure and behavior, viral taxonomy, and the history of virology. This comprehensive new resource also examines marine virology, the use of viruses in biomedical research, viral diseases, and modern methods for fighting viral infections. Viruses devotes an entire chapter to viral pandemics, a topic that the general public has recently become interested in as health agencies, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), release annual bulletins regarding the threat of possibly deadly viral strains. The final chapter provides background material on cell biology, biotechnology, methods in virology, and other relevant topics.

The Cell, Revised Edition contains new and revised material throughout, accompanied by many photographs and line drawings, all of which are now in color. Updated chapters in this timely resource now cover the recent controversy over the teaching of creationism in public schools, life on other planets, bacterial populations, and the potential threat of certain pathogenic species, as well as a more detailed discussion of eukaryote structure and function. New chapters have been added on the many cells that make up the human body as well as the crucial role that photosynthesis plays during the formation of the Earth's biosphere.

Animal Cloning, Revised Edition discusses all aspects of this new biology, including the scientific, ethical, and legal issues. Completely revised and updated, this edition now features full-color photographs and illustrations as well as further resources and Web sites to guide additional research. Beginning chapters discuss cloning within the context of a natural process that many animals use as a survival strategy, followed by the historical development of the nuclear transfer procedure, the cloning of Dolly the sheep, the medical applications of cloning technology, and much more. A new section on plant clones has been added.

This work takes an inside look at the natural processes of aging and the technological developments in this field. There are almost as many theories about the aging process as there are researchers working in the field. This stems from the fact that scientists do not know why animals grow old and thus examine every aspect of an animal's physiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology in attempting to answer this important question. The current trend among biologists studying the way animals age is to keep the theories in mind, but to focus their attention on dominant age-related diseases, such as Alzheimer's or cardiovascular disease. The Science of Aging tackles this fascinating subject, from natural processes to technological developments, and describes past and present research on extending the human life span. Different theories about aging and the studies of the fruit fly and housefly, which have provided a basis of knowledge in this field, are presented in a clear and concise manner. effects of aging, the use of antioxidants is discussed as another area being pursued by scientists, and possible side effects and monetary expenses are also examined. This volume presents the full story about the hopes, efforts, progress, and realities of this timeless topic.

The number of disorders treated with gene therapy has increased from a few in 1990 to more than 900 in 2009. Of all the technologies provided by the new biology, gene therapy holds the promise of unlimited potential for curing disease and reversing the effects of aging. Gene Therapy, Revised Edition discusses the science behind gene therapy, as well as the ethical and legal issues associated with this therapy. Featuring updated and revised material including many new full-color figures and photographs this timely resource introduces two new chapters that focus on genomic research and the many recent gene therapy clinical trials. Additional genetic diseases are also highlighted, including retinal dystrophy, a form of blindness that is now treated with gene therapy in a clinical trial. Written in clear and accessible language, Gene Therapy, Revised Edition covers cell biology, biotechnology, and other topics relevant to gene therapy.