Biological systems are very special substrates for engineering—uniquely the products of evolution, they are easily redesigned by similar approaches. A simple algorithm of iterative cycles of diversification and selection, evolution works at all scales, from single molecules to whole ecosystems. In the little more than a decade since the first reported applications of evolutionary design to enzyme engineering, directed evolution has matured to the point where it now represents the centerpiece of industrial biocatalyst development and is being practiced by thousands of academic and industrial scientists in com- nies and universities around the world. The appeal of directed evolution is easy to understand: it is conceptually straightforward, it can be practiced without any special instrumentation and, most important, it frequently yields useful solutions, many of which are totally unanticipated. Directed evolution has r- dered protein engineering readily accessible to a broad audience of scientists and engineers who wish to tailor a myriad of protein properties, including th- mal and solvent stability, enzyme selectivity, specific activity, protease s- ceptibility, allosteric control of protein function, ligand binding, transcriptional activation, and solubility. Furthermore, the range of applications has expanded to the engineering of more complex functions such as those performed by m- tiple proteins acting in concert (in biosynthetic pathways) or as part of mac- molecular complexes and biological networks.

Directed evolution comprises two distinct steps that are typically applied in an iterative fashion: (1) generating molecular diversity and (2) finding among the ensemble of mutant sequences those proteins that perform the desired fu- tion according to the specified criteria. In many ways, the second step is the most challenging. No matter how cleverly designed or diverse the starting library, without an effective screening strategy the ability to isolate useful clones is severely diminished. The best screens are (1) high throughput, to increase the likelihood that useful clones will be found; (2) sufficiently sen- tive (i. e. , good signal to noise) to allow the isolation of lower activity clones early in evolution; (3) sufficiently reproducible to allow one to find small improvements; (4) robust, which means that the signal afforded by active clones is not dependent on difficult-to-control environmental variables; and, most importantly, (5) sensitive to the desired function. Regarding this last point, almost anyone who has attempted a directed evolution experiment has learned firsthand the truth of the dictum “you get what you screen for. ” The protocols in Directed Enzyme Evolution describe a series of detailed p- cedures of proven utility for directed evolution purposes. The volume begins with several selection strategies for enzyme evolution and continues with assay methods that can be used to screen enzyme libraries. Genetic selections offer the advantage that functional proteins can be isolated from very large libraries s- ply by growing a population of cells under selective conditions.

Eleanor's secret love for Chad could mean losing her inheritance and giving up a life-long dream. Will she follow her own will, or make the hard choice to submit her life to Christ's leadership? Now available with a contemporary new look, Not My Will is a classic story of love, loss, and surrender, with more than 500,000 copies sold.

Frances Arnold: Pioneering the Future of Science Frances Arnold is a remarkable woman whose groundbreaking work has revolutionized the field of biotechnology. In this compelling book, readers will discover the incredible journey of a scientist and innovator who has defied all odds to become one of the most influential figures in her field. From her early days growing up in Pittsburgh to her groundbreaking research at the California Institute of Technology, Frances Arnold's story is one of determination, passion, and unwavering commitment to scientific discovery. Through her pioneering work in the field of directed evolution, Frances has transformed the way we approach the design of proteins and enzymes, opening up new possibilities for applications in medicine, industry, and environmental sustainability. Readers will get to know the woman behind the groundbreaking research as they follow Frances's journey from her early struggles to her awe-inspiring achievements. Along the way, they will gain a deep understanding of the scientific principles that have shaped her career and led to her groundbreaking discoveries. Frances Arnold's work has not only earned her numerous accolades and awards, including the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, but has also paved the way for a new era of scientific innovation. Through her pioneering spirit and relentless pursuit of knowledge, she has inspired countless others to push the boundaries of what is possible in the world of biotechnology and beyond. This book is a captivating and inspiring portrait of a true trailblazer, whose work has not only transformed the scientific landscape but has also helped to shape the future of humanity. Frances Arnold: Pioneering the Future of Science is a must-read for anyone interested in the remarkable story of a woman who has changed the world through her groundbreaking contributions to science.

This is the initial volume of a comprehensive history that traces the “Presidential line” of the Washingtons. Volume one begins with the immigrant John Washington who settled in Westmoreland Co., Va., in 1657, married Anne Pope, and was the great-grandfather of President George Washington. This volume continues the story of John and Anne’s family for a total of seven generations, collecting over 5,000 direct descendants. Future volumes will trace eight more generations with a total of over 63,000 descendants. Although structured in a genealogical format for the sake of clarity, this is no bare bones genealogy but a true family history with over 1,200 detailed biographical narratives. These in turn strive to convey the greatness of the family that produced not only The Father of His Country but many others, great and humble, who struggled to build that country. The Washingtons includes the time-honored John Wright line which in recent years has been challenged largely on the basis of DNA evidence. Volumes one and two will form a set, with a cumulative bibliography appearing at the end of volume 2. Volume two will highlight the most notable descendants and spouses from the later volumes, including such luminaries as General George S. Patton, the author Shelby Foote, and the actor Lee Marvin. All of the volumes, now estimated at fourteen in all, are virtually complete and are scheduled for release over the course of the next year.