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doi: 10.1242/10.1242/jcs.00188
Book Review |
by Alfonso Martinez Arias and Alison Stewart
Oxford
University Press (2002) 410 pages. ISBN 0-19-8792840 £28.99
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The transformation of an egg into a living organism is one of the most magical processes of biology. Over the past 20 years, the application of genetic and biochemical techniques has given us a molecular outline for this biological miracle. The new book by Martinez Arias and Stewart sets out to summarize and identify common principles in the molecular processes that underlie the development of an animal. The book differs from others in that it focuses on commonalities in molecular mechanisms rather than on the embryological description of the processes they execute and control. The project is timely because many of the molecules involved in easily observed developmental processes have now been identified and found to function similarly in different animal species. I found that the book broadly achieved its aim of summarizing developmental principles, and it will be a valuable source of reference and inspiration for the researcher, teacher and final-year undergraduate.
The book is divided into four sections. The first few chapters deal with the molecular basis of information transfer: signal initiation at the cell surface, signal transduction and transcriptional control are all discussed using examples relating to developmental biology. The second section then explains how the unit of development, the cell, responds appropriately to these signals: behaviours such as shape change, migration, division and death are all reviewed. These foundations are then used to build an understanding of developmental concepts, such as lineage determination and morphogen gradients. Finally, the authors provide a truly excellent overview of well-characterised developmental processes, such as myogenesis and neurogenesis. I found that this overall organisation made good logical sense. I particularly enjoyed the early chapters where the molecules are introduced not only in terms of how they function but also in terms of how they were discovered and how they are studied.
The text is up-to-date and well written, combining reasoned arguments with judicious use of appropriate metaphor. The numerous and colourful diagrams are helpful and one of the strengths of the book. I particularly applaud the abundant inclusion of original data, together with references, which make it easy for readers to find further detail. The molecules that are the focus of the book are clearly represented as linear modular structures according to their protein domain content. It would have been helpful, however, to have a glossary of these diagrams together with further information as an appendix for quick reference. Indeed, I felt that the book could be improved by placing a greater emphasis on structural explanations of molecular functions and then relating these to developmental outcomes. A chapter or section that described structural aspects of the protein domains present in the molecules would have been appropriate. In particular, an explanation of the specificity of the protein—nucleic-acid and protein-protein interactions that form the basis of biological function would have reinforced the value of looking at processes at a molecular level.
These latter points aside, this book makes an excellent job of presenting developmental biology in a fresh way, through the underlying molecular principles. Genome sequencing projects coupled with technical advances have driven an ever-growing interest in using a reverse-genetic approach to understanding gene function. Martinez Arias and Stewart show that textbooks, as well as research papers, can take this `molecule first' approach to explaining biological processes. This may be the way of the future. I can wholeheartedly recommend this book to researchers, students and anyone else interested in discovering more about the wonderful process of animal development. For me, understanding the mechanics still doesn't take away any of the magic.
Vertebrate Development Laboratory, Cancer Research UK, London, UK
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