Virolution : the most important evolutionary book since Dawkins' Selfish Gene / Frank Ryan.
Material type:
TextPublication details: London : Collins, 2009.Description: viii, 390 p. : ill. ; 22 cmISBN: - 9780007315123 (pbk.)
- 0007315120 (pbk.)
- 579.2138 RYA
| Item type | Current library | Call number | Copy number | Status | Date due | Barcode | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Loan | Thurles Library Main Collection | 579.2138 RYA (Browse shelf(Opens below)) | 1 | Available | 39002100501403 | ||
| Standard Loan | Thurles Library Main Collection | 579.2138 RYA (Browse shelf(Opens below)) | 2 | Available | 39002100501452 |
Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:
The extraordinary role of viruses in evolution and how this is revolutionising biology and medicine.
Darwin's theory of evolution is still the greatest breakthrough in biological science. His explanation of the role of natural selection in driving the evolution of life on earth depended on steady variation of living things over time - but he was unable to explain how this variation occurred. In the 150 years since publication of the Origin of Species, we have discovered three main sources for this variation - mutation, hybridisation and epigenetics. Then on Sunday, 12th February, 2001 the evidence for perhaps the most extraordinary cause of variation was simultaneously released by two organisations - the code for the entire human genome. Not only was the human genome unbelievably simple (it is only ten times more complicated than a bacteria), but embedded in the code were large fragments that were derived from viruses - fragments that were vital to evolution of all organisms and the evidence for a fourth and vital source of variation - viruses.
Virolution is the product of Dr Frank Ryan's decade of research at the frontiers of this new science - now called viral symbiosis - and the amazing revolution that it has had in these few years. As scientists begin to look for evidence of viral involvement in more and more processes, they have discovered that they are vital in nearly every case. And with this understanding comes the possibility of manipulating the role of the viruses to help fight a huge range of diseases.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
"On Sunday, 12th February, 2001 the code for the entire human genome was finally deciphered. Embedded in the code were large fragments that were directly derived from viruses. These fragments were evidence for the extraordinary role of viruses in the evolution of all life on earth and their vital involvement in a huge range of biological processes. Virolution is the definitive guide to this amazing new field of research that has redefined the science of evolution and disease."--BOOK JACKET.
Author notes provided by Syndetics
Frank Ryan is a consultant physician based in Sheffield, and an honorary Research Fellow in the Department of Animal and Plant Sciences at the University of Sheffield. He is also an international best-selling writer. His book, Tuberculosis: The Greatest Story Never Told, was a New York Times Book of the Year while Darwin's Blind Spot was the 'Amazon Featured Book' recommended by Charlie Munger at the 2003 Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting. He pioneered the evolutionary concepts of 'viral symbiosis' and 'genomic creativity' and has contributed to the modern understanding of the evolution of the human genome. He is a Fellow of The Royal College of Physicians, the Royal Society of Medicine and the Linnean Society of London.