Books by "Richard H. Kessin"
2 books found
Dictyostelia are soil amoebae capable of extraordinary feats of survival, motility, chemotaxis, and development. Characterised by their ability to transform from a single-celled organism into an elaborate assemblage of thousands of synchronously-moving cells, Dictyostelids are often referred to as 'social amoebae', and have been the subjects of serious study since the 1930s. Research in this area has been instrumental in understanding many problems in cellular biology. Beginning with the history of Dictyostelids and discussing each stage of their development, this book considers the evolution of this unique organism, analyses the special properties of the Dictyostelid genome, and presents in detail the methods available, at the time of the book's original publication in 2001, to manipulate their genes. Representing the synthesis of such material and with an emphasis on combining classical experiments with modern molecular findings, this book will be essential for researchers and graduates in developmental and cellular biology.
Dr. Susan Rogulski knew instantly that the cells in the petri dish had been destroyed. And the destroyer was a virus. She was sure of that. And then she thought - how stupid that the two men peering over her shoulder wore no masks gloves or gowns.... In this story, told with the voices of young scientists and physicians, the discovery of the virus is only a beginning. A reader put it this way: I couldn't put this book down. If such a virus ever appears - and there is no reason that it couldn't, it would be discovered and studied exactly as Dr. Kessin describes. The consequences and the cool headed way the scientists tackle an unfolding catastrophe makes a superb story. A virus that affects men that can only be studied by women scientists? Who ever imagined that? I loved the characters - even the nasty ones. And I never predicted the end. The story intertwines scientists, a religious community, the Congress and the military and comes out in a surprising place.