an exciting trek through the machinery of life

This book, which appeared in late 2014 in the sixth edition, despite the scope and consistency is one of the most exciting representations of molecular biology.
Whether genetics and the related technologies, structural or functional aspects of cells and cell clusters, cell differentiation, energy metabolism, signal processing, cancer, immune system, etc. - everything is broken down to its molecular biological fundamentals and related to each other. Should the authors thereby create a fascinating picture of the machinery of life. Even current media-present themes (eg human genome, stem cells) remain not spared.
For non-professionals, therefore this book is the first choice for incorporation in this policy group, also for interested laymen; just computer scientists I can warmly recommend the reading only, since the image of a parallel world, of course-evolutionary incurred IT infrastructure is spread that has caused me much amazement and eye-opening experience.

What makes the presentation in this book so special? For me it is this aspect: Findings are presented in isolation, but systematized and classified by the authors; the text does not get lost in the details, but rather tries to keep the necessary for an understanding of the system of detail. Section by section and chapter by chapter created this way, the image of a For all the complexity finely balanced, natural-evolutionary resulting system, which leaves our own nanotechnological efforts look quite old. On each page of the book new, often imaginative and refined-looking aspects are presented, which could rise rapidly respect and esteem for the machinery of life with me; the miracle of life is not appreciated here but disenchanted illuminated and reputable. Each chapter makes you want to the next.

Much of the success of this exciting journey through the molecular biology bears the model style of the authors at: unpretentious, not heischend effect and not losing itself in addition to theaters of war. From simple to complex continuous, always in an effort to restore order and system, the path goes along many issues, without being in the understanding of flow disturbing details lost. It is announced which is explained, it is explained, it is summarized. All the facts are scrutinized on benefits for the system; Alternative explanations offered generously. In all material wealth and peripheral issues have their place, but always associated to molecular biology principles or the cellular machinery. Everything rests here on a solid biochemical foundation, which must be said that the biochemical chapters focus on the aspects that are later actually used - biochemists had better learn from a dedicated biochemistry book. Extensive forward and backward references in the text to keep things together, important basic motives of functional or structural nature are frequently repeated. The authors often point to points that are still unclear or poorly understood - that conveys a good sense of their professional competence. The text itself is divided into small, manageable sections whose headings summarize the key messages. A summary at the end of each sub-chapter presents the knowledge then again in a condensed form.
The diagrams and drawings contribute to the positive overall impression, because virtually every portion is connected to at least one image that visualizes the central content. The color display is kept pleasantly understated. My only criticism is that some representations for me have come almost too small; especially molecular structure representations of enzyme complexes threaten to transform in this size in color-amorphous lump. Here you should think in later editions about a change in the presentation or these more pressure chamber concede.

A major difference to the last issue is that the text is again completely contained in the paperback edition. Since the scope of pages that was all the same, the text of a tightening of about underwent 250 pages. Since the book focuses on the elaboration of principles and contexts, this is in my opinion not really a disadvantage. Who in the context of education or scientific activity, however, would like to delve deeper into specific aspects, of course, need more literature. The listed at the end of each chapter references range to 2014 - the whole thing is up to date.
Before the English text itself need have no fear - on the contrary, the English is pleasant and easy to read; Student of the Department of Biochemistry / Molecular Biology must later anyway cope with English primary literature.