Molecular Models of Life
Title | Molecular Models of Life PDF eBook |
Author | Sahotra Sarkar |
Publisher | |
Pages | 352 |
Release | 2005 |
Genre | Biology |
ISBN | 9780262302937 |
Despite the transformation in biological practice and theory brought about by discoveries in molecular biology, until recently philosophy of biology continued to focus on evolutionary biology. When the Human Genome Project got underway in the late 1980s and early 1990s, philosophers of biology -- unlike historians and social scientists -- had little to add to the debate. In this landmark collection of essays, Sahotra Sarkar broadens the scope of current discussions of the philosophy of biology, viewing molecular biology as a unifying perspective on life that complements that of evolutionary biology. His focus is on molecular biology, but the overriding question behind these papers is what molecular biology contributes to all traditional areas of biological research.Molecular biology—described with some foresight in a 1938 Rockefeller Foundation report as a branch of science in which "delicate modern techniques are being used to investigate ever more minute details"—and its modeling strategies apparently argue in favor of physical reductionism. Sarkar's first three chapters explore reductionism—defending it, but cautioning that reduction to molecular interactions is not necessarily a reduction to genetics (and does not support the claims of either heriditarianism or environmentalism). The next sections of the book discuss function, exploring how functional explanations pose a problem for reductionism; the informational interpretation of biology and how it interacts with reductionism; and the tension between the unifying framework of molecular biology and the received framework of evolutionary theory. The concluding chapter is an essay in the emerging field of developmental evolution, exploring what molecular biology may contribute to the transformation of evolutionary theory as evolutionary theory takes into account morphogenetic development.
Molecular Models of Life
Title | Molecular Models of Life PDF eBook |
Author | Sahotra Sarkar |
Publisher | MIT Press |
Pages | 426 |
Release | 2007-01-26 |
Genre | Science |
ISBN | 9780262264730 |
Despite the transformation in biological practice and theory brought about by discoveries in molecular biology, until recently philosophy of biology continued to focus on evolutionary biology. When the Human Genome Project got underway in the late 1980s and early 1990s, philosophers of biology—unlike historians and social scientists—had little to add to the debate. In this landmark collection of essays, Sahotra Sarkar broadens the scope of current discussions of the philosophy of biology, viewing molecular biology as a unifying perspective on life that complements that of evolutionary biology. His focus is on molecular biology, but the overriding question behind these papers is what molecular biology contributes to all traditional areas of biological research.Molecular biology—described with some foresight in a 1938 Rockefeller Foundation report as a branch of science in which "delicate modern techniques are being used to investigate ever more minute details"—and its modeling strategies apparently argue in favor of physical reductionism. Sarkar's first three chapters explore reductionism—defending it, but cautioning that reduction to molecular interactions is not necessarily a reduction to genetics (and does not support the claims of either heriditarianism or environmentalism). The next sections of the book discuss function, exploring how functional explanations pose a problem for reductionism; the informational interpretation of biology and how it interacts with reductionism; and the tension between the unifying framework of molecular biology and the received framework of evolutionary theory. The concluding chapter is an essay in the emerging field of developmental evolution, exploring what molecular biology may contribute to the transformation of evolutionary theory as evolutionary theory takes into account morphogenetic development.
Molecular Biology of The Cell
Title | Molecular Biology of The Cell PDF eBook |
Author | Bruce Alberts |
Publisher | |
Pages | 0 |
Release | 2002 |
Genre | Cytology |
ISBN | 9780815332183 |
Rendering Life Molecular
Title | Rendering Life Molecular PDF eBook |
Author | Natasha Myers |
Publisher | Duke University Press |
Pages | 201 |
Release | 2015-08-27 |
Genre | Social Science |
ISBN | 082237563X |
What are living bodies made of? Protein modelers tell us that our cells are composed of millions of proteins, intricately folded molecular structures on the scale of nanoparticles. Proteins twist and wriggle as they carry out the activities that keep cells alive. Figuring out how to make these unruly substances visible, tangible, and workable is a challenging task, one that is not readily automated, even by the fastest computers. Natasha Myers explores what protein modelers must do to render three-dimensional, atomic-resolution models of these lively materials. Rendering Life Molecular shows that protein models are not just informed by scientific data: model building entangles a modeler’s entire sensorium, and modelers must learn to feel their way through the data in order to interpret molecular forms. Myers takes us into protein modeling laboratories and classrooms, tracking how gesture, affect, imagination, and intuition shape practices of objectivity. Asking, ‘What is life becoming in modelers' hands?’ she tunes into the ways they animate molecules through their moving bodies and other media. In the process she amplifies an otherwise muted liveliness inflecting mechanistic accounts of the stuff of life.
Modeling Dynamic Phenomena in Molecular and Cellular Biology
Title | Modeling Dynamic Phenomena in Molecular and Cellular Biology PDF eBook |
Author | Lee A. Segel |
Publisher | Cambridge University Press |
Pages | 326 |
Release | 1984-03-30 |
Genre | Mathematics |
ISBN | 9780521274777 |
The dynamic development of various processes is a central problem of biology and indeed of all the sciences. The mathematics describing that development is, in general, complicated, because the models that are realistic are usually nonlinear. Consequently many biologists may not notice a possible application of theory. They may be unable to decide whether a particular model captures the essence of a system, or to appreciate that analysis of a model can reveal important aspects of biological problems and may even describe in detail how a system works. The aim of this textbook is to remedy the situation by adopting a general approach to model analysis and applying it several times to problems (drawn primarily from molecular and cellular biology) of gradually increasing biological and mathematical complexity. Although material of considerable sophistication is included, little mathematical background is required - only some exposure to elementary calculus; appendixes supply the necessary mathematics and the author concentrates on concepts rather than techniques. He also emphasizes the role of computers in giving a full picture of model behavior and complementing more qualitative analysis. Some problems suitable for computer analysis are also included. This is a class-tested textbook suitable for a one-semester course for advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate students in biology or applied mathematics. It can also be used as a source book for teachers and a reference for specialists.
Models of Life
Title | Models of Life PDF eBook |
Author | Kim Sneppen |
Publisher | Cambridge University Press |
Pages | 353 |
Release | 2014-10-02 |
Genre | Science |
ISBN | 1107061903 |
An overview of current models of biological systems, reflecting the major advances that have been made over the past decade.
Molecular Modeling
Title | Molecular Modeling PDF eBook |
Author | Hans-Dieter Höltje |
Publisher | John Wiley & Sons |
Pages | 206 |
Release | 2008-07-11 |
Genre | Science |
ISBN | 3527614761 |
Written by experienced experts in molecular modeling, this books describes the basics to the extent that is necessary if one wants to be able to reliably judge the results from molecular modeling calculations. Its main objective is the description of the various pitfalls to be avoided. Without unnecessary overhead it leads the reader from simple calculations on small molecules to the modeling of proteins and other relevant biomolecules. A textbook for beginners as well as an invaluable reference for all those dealing with molecular modeling in their daily work!