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Book Review
Story of the DNA
THE DNA SAGA — 50 years of the Double Helix: Biman Basu; Published by Vigyan Prasar, C-24, Qutab Institutional Area, New Delhi - 110016. Rs.75.
"THE GENOMIC revolution is here: are you ready?" This was the question that greeted the visitors to the 2001 exhibition at the American Museum of Natural History, New York. This is also the goal of this extremely readable and illustrated book.
The pioneers who created molecular genetics in the last 50 years were a colourful and dedicated group. Their research was characterised by the use of genetic methods to answer biochemistry problems.
From the profound discovery of the Augustinian monk, Gregor Mendal, who figured out in 1865 the basic rules of inheritance, to Watson and Crick's 1953 model of the double-helix structure of DNA, the author presents the exciting story of events, weaving into the work the contributions of 20 Nobel Laureates from Thomas Morgan (1933) to Barbara McClintock (1983).
The double helix has brought about a revolution in our understanding of the development, function and disease in living organisms. This is a turning point in the history of cell biology. The book offers a lucid, entertaining account of cell biology (without equations) and will be a valuable source of knowledge to medical practitioners, students of science and laymen.
The publishers are to be congratulated for making such a popular account available at such a low price.
R. PARTHASARATHY
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