Molecular Models of Life

Molecular Models of Life
Author: Sahotra Sarkar
Publisher: MIT Press
Total Pages: 426
Release: 2007-01-26
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9780262264730

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Despite the transformation in biological practice and theory brought about by discoveries in molecular biology, until recently philosophy of biology continued to focus on evolutionary biology. When the Human Genome Project got underway in the late 1980s and early 1990s, philosophers of biology—unlike historians and social scientists—had little to add to the debate. In this landmark collection of essays, Sahotra Sarkar broadens the scope of current discussions of the philosophy of biology, viewing molecular biology as a unifying perspective on life that complements that of evolutionary biology. His focus is on molecular biology, but the overriding question behind these papers is what molecular biology contributes to all traditional areas of biological research.Molecular biology—described with some foresight in a 1938 Rockefeller Foundation report as a branch of science in which "delicate modern techniques are being used to investigate ever more minute details"—and its modeling strategies apparently argue in favor of physical reductionism. Sarkar's first three chapters explore reductionism—defending it, but cautioning that reduction to molecular interactions is not necessarily a reduction to genetics (and does not support the claims of either heriditarianism or environmentalism). The next sections of the book discuss function, exploring how functional explanations pose a problem for reductionism; the informational interpretation of biology and how it interacts with reductionism; and the tension between the unifying framework of molecular biology and the received framework of evolutionary theory. The concluding chapter is an essay in the emerging field of developmental evolution, exploring what molecular biology may contribute to the transformation of evolutionary theory as evolutionary theory takes into account morphogenetic development.

Molecular Modeling and Simulation

Molecular Modeling and Simulation
Author: Tamar Schlick
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 669
Release: 2013-04-18
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0387224645

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Very broad overview of the field intended for an interdisciplinary audience; Lively discussion of current challenges written in a colloquial style; Author is a rising star in this discipline; Suitably accessible for beginners and suitably rigorous for experts; Features extensive four-color illustrations; Appendices featuring homework assignments and reading lists complement the material in the main text

Molecular Evolutionary Models in Drug Discovery

Molecular Evolutionary Models in Drug Discovery
Author: Juan Bueno
Publisher: Academic Press
Total Pages: 194
Release: 2020-01-22
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0128189290

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Molecular Evolutionary Models in Drug Discovery explores the application of evolutionary molecular models in drug discovery in which secondary metabolites play a fundamental role. Secondary metabolites are not produced in isolation, they are the result of the interaction of genes, metabolism and the environment. The book examines the role of secondary metabolites as leads in drug discovery and on the development of a rational bioprospecting model for new medicines based on the evolution of secondary metabolism. These evolutionary models are part of biological systems and are the most reliable expression of the functioning of living beings. Examines the integration and application of evolutionary models in the pharmaceutical industry to create new drug development platforms Investigates the biotechnological prospecting of secondary metabolites and their potential use in the discovery of new drugs Evaluates the ecosystem of living beings and how its molecular adaptation might improve the success of therapies

Rendering Life Molecular

Rendering Life Molecular
Author: Natasha Myers
Publisher: Duke University Press
Total Pages: 201
Release: 2015-08-27
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 082237563X

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What are living bodies made of? Protein modelers tell us that our cells are composed of millions of proteins, intricately folded molecular structures on the scale of nanoparticles. Proteins twist and wriggle as they carry out the activities that keep cells alive. Figuring out how to make these unruly substances visible, tangible, and workable is a challenging task, one that is not readily automated, even by the fastest computers. Natasha Myers explores what protein modelers must do to render three-dimensional, atomic-resolution models of these lively materials. Rendering Life Molecular shows that protein models are not just informed by scientific data: model building entangles a modeler’s entire sensorium, and modelers must learn to feel their way through the data in order to interpret molecular forms. Myers takes us into protein modeling laboratories and classrooms, tracking how gesture, affect, imagination, and intuition shape practices of objectivity. Asking, ‘What is life becoming in modelers' hands?’ she tunes into the ways they animate molecules through their moving bodies and other media. In the process she amplifies an otherwise muted liveliness inflecting mechanistic accounts of the stuff of life.

Molecular Modeling

Molecular Modeling
Author: Hans-Dieter Höltje
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 206
Release: 2008-07-11
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3527614761

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Written by experienced experts in molecular modeling, this books describes the basics to the extent that is necessary if one wants to be able to reliably judge the results from molecular modeling calculations. Its main objective is the description of the various pitfalls to be avoided. Without unnecessary overhead it leads the reader from simple calculations on small molecules to the modeling of proteins and other relevant biomolecules. A textbook for beginners as well as an invaluable reference for all those dealing with molecular modeling in their daily work!

Models of Life

Models of Life
Author: Kim Sneppen
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 353
Release: 2014-10-02
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1107061903

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An overview of current models of biological systems, reflecting the major advances that have been made over the past decade.

Molecular Biology of The Cell

Molecular Biology of The Cell
Author: Bruce Alberts
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2002
Genre: Cytology
ISBN: 9780815332183

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Modeling Dynamic Phenomena in Molecular and Cellular Biology

Modeling Dynamic Phenomena in Molecular and Cellular Biology
Author: Lee A. Segel
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 326
Release: 1984-03-30
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN: 9780521274777

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The dynamic development of various processes is a central problem of biology and indeed of all the sciences. The mathematics describing that development is, in general, complicated, because the models that are realistic are usually nonlinear. Consequently many biologists may not notice a possible application of theory. They may be unable to decide whether a particular model captures the essence of a system, or to appreciate that analysis of a model can reveal important aspects of biological problems and may even describe in detail how a system works. The aim of this textbook is to remedy the situation by adopting a general approach to model analysis and applying it several times to problems (drawn primarily from molecular and cellular biology) of gradually increasing biological and mathematical complexity. Although material of considerable sophistication is included, little mathematical background is required - only some exposure to elementary calculus; appendixes supply the necessary mathematics and the author concentrates on concepts rather than techniques. He also emphasizes the role of computers in giving a full picture of model behavior and complementing more qualitative analysis. Some problems suitable for computer analysis are also included. This is a class-tested textbook suitable for a one-semester course for advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate students in biology or applied mathematics. It can also be used as a source book for teachers and a reference for specialists.

The Molecular Life of Plants

The Molecular Life of Plants
Author: Russell L. Jones
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 1
Release: 2012-08-31
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1118315987

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A stunning landmark co-publication between the American Society of Plant Biologists and Wiley-Blackwell. The Molecular Life of Plants presents students with an innovative, integrated approach to plant science. It looks at the processes and mechanisms that underlie each stage of plant life and describes the intricate network of cellular, molecular, biochemical and physiological events through which plants make life on land possible. Richly illustrated, this book follows the life of the plant, starting with the seed, progressing through germination to the seedling and mature plant, and ending with reproduction and senescence. This "seed-to-seed" approach will provide students with a logical framework for acquiring the knowledge needed to fully understand plant growth and development. Written by a highly respected and experienced author team The Molecular Life of Plants will prove invaluable to students needing a comprehensive, integrated introduction to the subject across a variety of disciplines including plant science, biological science, horticulture and agriculture.

Biological Modeling and Simulation

Biological Modeling and Simulation
Author: Russell Schwartz
Publisher: MIT Press
Total Pages: 403
Release: 2008-07-25
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0262303396

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A practice-oriented survey of techniques for computational modeling and simulation suitable for a broad range of biological problems. There are many excellent computational biology resources now available for learning about methods that have been developed to address specific biological systems, but comparatively little attention has been paid to training aspiring computational biologists to handle new and unanticipated problems. This text is intended to fill that gap by teaching students how to reason about developing formal mathematical models of biological systems that are amenable to computational analysis. It collects in one place a selection of broadly useful models, algorithms, and theoretical analysis tools normally found scattered among many other disciplines. It thereby gives the aspiring student a bag of tricks that will serve him or her well in modeling problems drawn from numerous subfields of biology. These techniques are taught from the perspective of what the practitioner needs to know to use them effectively, supplemented with references for further reading on more advanced use of each method covered. The text, which grew out of a class taught at Carnegie Mellon University, covers models for optimization, simulation and sampling, and parameter tuning. These topics provide a general framework for learning how to formulate mathematical models of biological systems, what techniques are available to work with these models, and how to fit the models to particular systems. Their application is illustrated by many examples drawn from a variety of biological disciplines and several extended case studies that show how the methods described have been applied to real problems in biology.