Just over a decade since Matt Ridley's seminal Genome, Nessa Carey presents a hugely compelling explanation of the very latest from the frontline of modern biology. How is it that, despite each cell in your body carrying exactly the same DNA, you don't have teeth growing out of your eyeballs or toenails on your liver? How can one blueprint lead to so many different results? It turns out that cells read the genetic code in DNA more like a script to be interpreted than a mould that replicates the same result each time. This is epigenetics and it's the fastest-moving field in modern biology. The Epigenetics Revolution traces the thrilling path this discipline has taken over the last twenty years. Biologist Nessa Carey deftly explains such diverse phenomena as how queen bees and ants control their colonies, why tortoiseshell cats are always female, why some plants need a period of cold before they can flower, why we age, develop disease and become addicted to drugs, and much more. She concludes by investigating the amazing possibilities for the improvement of humankind that epigenetics offers for the surprisingly near future

About the Author

Nessa Carey has a PhD in virology from the University of Edinburgh and has worked in the biotech industry for nearly ten years.

Reviews

Why doesn't DNA completely determine our destiny? The answer may lie in the new biological frontier of epigenetics-the "changes to our genetic material that change the way genes are switched on or off, but which don't alter the genes themselves." Recent research has revealed how these changes occur-or, as former genetics professor and biotech/pharmaceutical industry veteran Carey explains: "We are finally starting to unravel the missing link between nature and nurture; how our environment talks to us and alters us, sometimes forever." She takes readers inside the genome, showing how epigenetic phenomena occur at the molecular level and what that means for the entire organism, be it worm, mouse, or human. Early chapters introduce key concepts in epigenetics, while subsequent chapters highlight major findings in epigenetic research and the role of epigenetic phenomena in cancer, mental illness, and aging. VERDICT Throughout, Carey's clear prose, well-chosen analogies, and simple, clear diagrams help the scientifically literate lay reader understand complicated concepts and processes. This book provides an excellent introduction to a fascinating new field that may revolutionize our understanding of human health and disease. Highly recommended.-Janet A. Crum, City of Hope, Duarte, CA (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.