The Microbial Models Of Molecular Biology

This book discusses the use of simple biological model systems in the development of molecular biology. It covers the history of molecular biology, starting with bacteriophages in E. coli and moving on to other prokaryotic systems, protozoan and algal models, and fungal systems. Each model was chosen for its ability to answer specific questions and had its own community of researchers. As the field progressed, some researchers transitioned to new models, while others continued to study the original models. The book is well-researched and provides varying perspectives on the rise of genetics in the second half of the 20th century.

This book explains the role of simple biological model systems in the growth of molecular biology. Essentially the whole history of molecular biology is presented here, tracing the work in bacteriophages in E. coli, the role of other prokaryotic systems, and also the protozoan and algal models - Paramecium and Chlamydomonas, primarily - and the move into eukaryotes with the fungal systems - Neurospora, Aspergillus and yeast. Each model was selected for its appropriateness for asking a given class of questions, and each spawned its own community of investigators. Some individuals made the transition to a new model over time, and remnant communities of investigators continue to pursue questions in all these models, as the cutting edge of molecular biological research flowed onward from model to model, and onward into higher organisms and, ultimately, mouse and man. Review: The book is finely researched; it should be in any library, reflecting varying views on the phenomenal rise of genetics in the second half of the 20th century. MicroBiology Today