Finlay, Chris

English

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Finlay, Chris (2011) Review: Genome Duplication: Concepts, Mechanisms, 
Evolution and Disease by Melvin L DePamphilis and Stephen D 
Bell. Reviews - HEA Guide to Publications in the Physical Sciences, 22 
(12). p. 27. 
 
Copyright © 2011 HEA Physical Sciences Centre 
 
A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, 
without prior permission or charge 
 
Content must not be changed in any way or reproduced in any format 
or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holder(s) 
 
 
When referring to this work, full bibliographic details must be given 
 
 
 
http://eprints.gla.ac.uk/91945/ 
 
 
 
  Deposited on: 10 March 2014 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Enlighten – Research publications by members of the University of Glasgow 
http://eprints.gla.ac.uk 
Title: Genome Duplication: Concepts, Mechanisms, Evolution and 
Disease. 
 
Authors:  Melvin L. DePamphilis & Stephen D. Bell 
 
Subject Area: Genetic Processes 
 
Description: This text covers a range of topics revolving around the 
principles of genome duplication.  This is linked to the three 
domains of life with further links to resulting genetic disorders 
and possible therapies. 
 
Publishers: Garland Science 
 
Date/Edition:  2011 
 
ISBN:   978-0-4154-4206-0 
 
Level:   Undergraduate 
 
Price:    
 
The first line of the preface of this book, “This book is dedicated to the premise that 
nothing is more fundamental to Life that the ability to reproduce.” sets up the 
subsequent chapters nicely for the reader.  With directions throughout the text and the 
extensive glossary the content is accessible and interesting throughout. 
The book is aimed at undergraduate students and, in a very straightforward way, takes 
the reader through the basics of genetic replication, variations within these 
mechanisms and possible exceptions.  Chapter 1 very clearly introduces the topic, 
highlighting the essential terminology and knowledge needed to completely follow 
the subject matter.  Some prior knowledge is expected but these introductory sections 
are very well presented and the level of detail is such that anyone with an interest in 
this area should be able to at least grasp the theory behind the content.  The links to 
further reading, mostly other textbooks, should then allow anyone to expand on the 
presented detail and ensure a detailed foundation in the topic.  By the end of this 
initial chapter the reader is aware of the importance of, structures and roles of DNA 
within various organisms. 
Chapter 2 then begins to link this information to the three domains of life.  All 
subsequent chapters then refer across all three; bacteria, archaea and eukarya.  
Specific organisms from each domain are then focussed on throughout helping the 
reader follow the content through the multiple chapters and relate each part back to 
the basics of each organism. 
Subsequent chapters work through the various components and mechanisms involved 
in replication, synthesis, modification etc.  The later chapters bring this all together 
with detail on the cell cycle, human disease and lastly, the evolution of these 
mechanisms. 
The content is presented in a very straightforward manner and I particularly like the 
boxes presented throughout the text referring to experiments and data explaining how 
specific discoveries were made and their impact on the scientific knowledge of the 
day.  With a personal interest in how these mechanisms/ processes are related to 
disease I focussed with interest on chapter 14 (Human Disease).  Understanding of the 
content of this chapter does require the knowledge from the previous chapters but the 
detail and diagrams are very useful and comprehensively cover the detail I would 
have expected.  The chapter ends with information on how our level of current 
knowledge is being investigated for possible therapeutic uses.   
The final chapter, one of the shortest, closes the book by describing the evolutionary 
beginnings of these processes.  Personally I feel this information may have been better 
placed throughout the previous chapters rather than as a stand alone chapter. 
Each chapter finishes with a summary of the chapter which I sometimes found 
presented a clearer explanation of a topic than the original text.  This is followed by 
references to additional reading and the literature cited within the text. 
As a summary I feel that this book is a great addition to the bank of available books 
on this content and I would be very happy to refer students to this resource.  The build 
up of knowledge as you progress through the book and the clear links to expanding 
this knowledge would allow the book to be applicable for various year groups across a 
relevant degree programme. 
It is well structured, engaging and highlights the key points in a very straightforward 
and accessible way.   
 
Scores 
Academic Content  5 
Usefulness to Student  5 
Usefulness to Teacher  5 
Meets Objectives  5 
Accuracy   5 
 
 
My Details 
Dr Chris Finlay 
Teaching Manager/ University Teacher 
Faculty of Biomedical & Life Sciences 
University of Glasgow 
Glasgow 
G12 8QQ 


Review: Genome Duplication: Concepts, Mechanisms, Evolution and Disease by Melvin L DePamphilis and Stephen D Bell

Enlighten

          Finlay, Chris (2011) Review: Genome Duplication: Concepts, Mechanisms, Evolution and Disease by Melvin L DePamphilis and Stephen D Bell. Reviews - HEA Guide to Publications in the Physical Sciences, 22 (12). p. 27.  Copyright © 2011 HEA Physical Sciences Centre  A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge  Content must not be changed in any way or reproduced in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holder(s)   When referring to this work, full bibliographic details must be given    http://eprints.gla.ac.uk/91945/      Deposited on: 10 March 2014                Enlighten – Research publications by members of the University of Glasgow http://eprints.gla.ac.uk Title: Genome Duplication: Concepts, Mechanisms, Evolution and Disease.  Authors:  Melvin L. DePamphilis & Stephen D. Bell  Subject Area: Genetic Processes  Description: This text covers a range of topics revolving around the principles of genome duplication.  This is linked to the three domains of life with further links to resulting genetic disorders and possible therapies.  Publishers: Garland Science  Date/Edition:  2011  ISBN:   978-0-4154-4206-0  Level:   Undergraduate  Price:     The first line of the preface of this book, “This book is dedicated to the premise that nothing is more fundamental to Life that the ability to reproduce.” sets up the subsequent chapters nicely for the reader.  With directions throughout the text and the extensive glossary the content is accessible and interesting throughout. The book is aimed at undergraduate students and, in a very straightforward way, takes the reader through the basics of genetic replication, variations within these mechanisms and possible exceptions.  Chapter 1 very clearly introduces the topic, highlighting the essential terminology and knowledge needed to completely follow the subject matter.  Some prior knowledge is expected but these introductory sections are very well presented and the level of detail is such that anyone with an interest in this area should be able to at least grasp the theory behind the content.  The links to further reading, mostly other textbooks, should then allow anyone to expand on the presented detail and ensure a detailed foundation in the topic.  By the end of this initial chapter the reader is aware of the importance of, structures and roles of DNA within various organisms. Chapter 2 then begins to link this information to the three domains of life.  All subsequent chapters then refer across all three; bacteria, archaea and eukarya.  Specific organisms from each domain are then focussed on throughout helping the reader follow the content through the multiple chapters and relate each part back to the basics of each organism. Subsequent chapters work through the various components and mechanisms involved in replication, synthesis, modification etc.  The later chapters bring this all together with detail on the cell cycle, human disease and lastly, the evolution of these mechanisms. The content is presented in a very straightforward manner and I particularly like the boxes presented throughout the text referring to experiments and data explaining how specific discoveries were made and their impact on the scientific knowledge of the day.  With a personal interest in how these mechanisms/ processes are related to disease I focussed with interest on chapter 14 (Human Disease).  Understanding of the content of this chapter does require the knowledge from the previous chapters but the detail and diagrams are very useful and comprehensively cover the detail I would have expected.  The chapter ends with information on how our level of current knowledge is being investigated for possible therapeutic uses.   The final chapter, one of the shortest, closes the book by describing the evolutionary beginnings of these processes.  Personally I feel this information may have been better placed throughout the previous chapters rather than as a stand alone chapter. Each chapter finishes with a summary of the chapter which I sometimes found presented a clearer explanation of a topic than the original text.  This is followed by references to additional reading and the literature cited within the text. As a summary I feel that this book is a great addition to the bank of available books on this content and I would be very happy to refer students to this resource.  The build up of knowledge as you progress through the book and the clear links to expanding this knowledge would allow the book to be applicable for various year groups across a relevant degree programme. It is well structured, engaging and highlights the key points in a very straightforward and accessible way.    Scores Academic Content  5 Usefulness to Student  5 Usefulness to Teacher  5 Meets Objectives  5 Accuracy   5   My Details Dr Chris Finlay Teaching Manager/ University Teacher Faculty of Biomedical & Life Sciences University of Glasgow Glasgow G12 8QQ 

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Review: Genome Duplication: Concepts, Mechanisms, Evolution and Disease by Melvin L DePamphilis and Stephen D Bell

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