This humbling and revelatory book shows how infectious disease has shaped humanity at every stage, from the first success of Homo sapiens over the equally intelligent Neanderthals to the fall of Rome and the rise of Islam. How did the Black Death lead to the birth of capitalism? And how did the Industrial Revolution lead to the birth of the welfare state? Infectious diseases are not just something that happens to us, but a part of who we are. The only reason humans don't lay eggs is that a virus long ago inserted itself into our DNA. In fact, 8% of the human genome was put there by viruses. We have been thinking about the survival of the fittest all wrong- human evolution is not simply about our strength and intelligence, but about what viruses can and can't use for their benefit. By confronting our ongoing battle with infectious diseases globally, Dr Jonathan Kennedy shows how germs have been responsible for some of the seismic revolutions in human history, and how the crises they precipitate offer vital opportunities to change course.
Eagerly awaited, the second edition of the best-selling Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics has been thoroughly updated and enhanced. The text continues to offer the most broad-based introduction to this explosive new discipline, combining theoretical context with practical applications. Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics is a textbook for undergraduate students, graduate students, and anyone involved in biomedical research. The first third of this book covers bioinformatics, a new field at the interface of the ongoing revolutions in molecular biology and computers. A focus of this new discipline is the use of computer databases and computer algorithms to study proteins and genes, including sequence alignment, database searches, and phylogeny. The middle third of this book focuses on functional genomics including approaches such as gene expression profiling and proteomics that are used to study cellular function. The last third of the book is on genomics which is the study of the collection of DNA that comprises an organism, using the tools of bioinformatics. This portion of the book spans the tree of life from viruses to prokaryotes and eukaryotes, including a description of the human genome in health and disease. Highlight features: * Attractive two-color design throughout, with a section of full-color figures * Lavishly illustrated, featuring over 500 figures and tables with 50 NEW figures and tables in this edition Highlights how the tools of bioinformatics can be used to further our understanding of basic processes in cell and molecular biology and genomics * NEW to the second edition: Several fundamentally important proteins (such as histones, insulin, globins, and albumins) are included to better show how to apply bioinformatics tools to basic biological questions * Strong focus on the relevance of bioinformatics tools to the understanding of human disease * Each chapter includes a Problem Set, Pitfalls section, Boxes explaining key techniques and math/stats principles, Summary, Recommended Reading, and a list of freely available Software
A BBC RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEK, TIMES SCIENCE BOOK OF THE YEAR, and SUNDAY TIMES SCIENCE BOOK OF THE YEAR, this work presents a powerful argument about the profound impact of germs on humanity throughout history. Praised for its engaging narrative and insightful analysis, it challenges long-held beliefs about colonialism and human evolution. Dr. Jonathan Kennedy reveals how infectious diseases have been pivotal in shaping key historical events, from the triumph of Homo sapiens over Neanderthals to the fall of Rome and the rise of Islam. The book poses intriguing questions, such as how an Indonesian volcano contributed to the Black Death and why the Industrial Revolution spurred the modern welfare state.
Kennedy emphasizes that infectious diseases are integral to our identity, influencing our biology and societal structures. He highlights that the reason humans do not lay eggs is due to a virus that integrated into our DNA, and that our bodies host as many bacteria as human cells. By reframing the concept of evolution, he argues that it is not solely about human strength but our adaptability in a microbe-dominated world. Through this exploration, the text offers a transformative perspective on the human story, revealing the intimate relationship between humanity and infectious diseases over the past 50,000 years.
