Marc Zimmer's book 'Glowing Genes' was published in 2005 and I believe still holds relevance for biochemical science today.
The book starts of describing various types of green florescent proteins (GFP) such as firefly's luciferase, and the most common and popular GFP Aequorea victoria from jellyfish. But also details the array of luminescent bacteria that can be used in biochemical research.
The main purpose of Zimmer's book is to convey the huge impact of the GFP revolution in biochemistry. One example of the use of GFP is in cancer research (a subject which I am very passionate about). Scientist have managed to couple a luciferase protein onto cancer cells in a mouse. Although luciferase requires ATP to fluoresce work effectively the cancerous cells could be tracked efficiently with the help of a CCD camera (aequorea studies with cancer have been more successful in recent years) . The CCD camera was a huge advance in this study as before the CCD, the mice had to be killed to see the GFP attached to the metastasising cells, but now the cancerous spread of cells could be viewed in real time. The research has enabled a new range of therapies for cancer by helping the researchers understand metastasic pathways that are analogous to human cells.
Overall 'Glowing Genes' is a relevant and enlightening book which I would recommend to any up and coming biochemist. Along with the hard core science this book has relevant applications and provides a concise yet detailed overview of the use of GFP in biochemical research.
The book starts of describing various types of green florescent proteins (GFP) such as firefly's luciferase, and the most common and popular GFP Aequorea victoria from jellyfish. But also details the array of luminescent bacteria that can be used in biochemical research.
The main purpose of Zimmer's book is to convey the huge impact of the GFP revolution in biochemistry. One example of the use of GFP is in cancer research (a subject which I am very passionate about). Scientist have managed to couple a luciferase protein onto cancer cells in a mouse. Although luciferase requires ATP to fluoresce work effectively the cancerous cells could be tracked efficiently with the help of a CCD camera (aequorea studies with cancer have been more successful in recent years) . The CCD camera was a huge advance in this study as before the CCD, the mice had to be killed to see the GFP attached to the metastasising cells, but now the cancerous spread of cells could be viewed in real time. The research has enabled a new range of therapies for cancer by helping the researchers understand metastasic pathways that are analogous to human cells.
Overall 'Glowing Genes' is a relevant and enlightening book which I would recommend to any up and coming biochemist. Along with the hard core science this book has relevant applications and provides a concise yet detailed overview of the use of GFP in biochemical research.
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