Atomic Evidence Seeing the Molecular Basis of Life
This book will take an evidence-based approach to current knowledge about biomolecules and their place in our lives, inviting readers to explore how we know what we know, and how current gaps in knowledge may influence the way we approach the information.
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David S. Goodsell
Atomic Evidence Seeing the Molecular Basis of Life
David S. Goodsell The Scripps Research Institute and RCSB Protein Data Bank La Jolla, California USA
ISBN 978-3-319-32508-8 ISBN 978-3-319-32510-1 DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-32510-1
(eBook)
Library of Congress Control Number: 2016943685 © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2016 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. Printed on acid-free paper This Copernicus imprint is published by Springer Nature The registered company is Springer International Publishing AG Switzerland
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Preface Why do I need a new flu shot each year? Should I be frightened by all the news about bacterial drug resistance? What about that new diet I just read about on the web? Biomolecular science is increasingly important in our everyday life, helping us answer questions like these, and giving us the knowledge to make critical choices about our diet, our health, and our wellness. How do fireflies light up? Why do plant and animal populations evolve over many generations? Biomolecular science also allows us to be curious, to look deeper into the natural world, and to be inspired by the complex inner workings of life. In this book, I will take an evidence-based approach to current knowledge about the structure of biomolecules and their place in our lives, inviting us to explore how we know what we know and how current gaps in knowledge may influence our individual approach to the information. The book is separated into a series of short essays that present some of the foundational concepts of biomolecular science, with many examples of the molecules that perform the basic functions of life.
This book builds on my work with the RCSB Protein Data Bank, where I write a column each month that highlights atomic structures from the PDB archive. It has been a tremendous gift to have the opportunity to work on the Molecule of the Month, and I gratefully acknowledge Helen Berman, Stephen Burley, Christine Zardecki, and the ent
