Molecules of life & mutations

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This book offers insights into the structures and functions of 130 key biomolecules and their interactions with other molecules, both endogenous and exogenous. Illustrated with stunning 3-dimensional images of atomic structures, these visuals replace abstract formulas, enhancing comprehension. The author has curated an extraordinary collection of molecules, utilizing molecular modeling software on atomic coordinate files from the Brookhaven Protein Data Bank (PDB). Accompanied by concise explanatory texts, the book deepens the reader's understanding of biological phenomena in both healthy and diseased organisms. Employing a novel didactic approach, it distills essential facts in an accessible manner for nonspecialists while guiding readers through extensive information in authoritative databases like PDB and OMIM (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man). For those interested in genetic diseases, an enhanced index with databank accession numbers, gene names, and chromosomal locations is included, with online access via the book’s website. A detailed list of useful Internet resources further enhances its practical value. By elucidating how mutations lead to functionally altered proteins and their relation to diseases, the book reflects the emerging field of molecular medicine, appealing to biologists, physicians, pharmacologists, medical students, lecturers, and anyone interested in life sciences.