| View Larger Image | Biotechnology for Beginners | Paperbackby Reinhard Renneberg (Author), Arnold L. Demain (Editor)
| List Price: | $59.95 | | Price: | $43.84 | | You Save: | $16.11 (27%) | | | Available: | Usually ships in 24 hours |
| | Binding: | Paperback | | Publisher: | Academic Press | | Edition: | 1st Edition | | Page Count: | 360 Pages | | Publication Date: | December 18, 2007 | | Sales Rank: | 358,517th |
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EDITORIAL REVIEWS |
Product Description
Biotechnology is the applied science of using living organisms and their by-products for commercial development. It has grown and evolved to such an extent over the past few years that increasing numbers of professionals work in areas directly impacted by it. For the first time, this book offers an exciting and colorful overview of biotechnology for professionals and students in a wide array of the life sciences including: Genetics, Immunology, Biochemistry, Agronomy, Food Science, and Animal Science. This book also appeals to the lay reader without a scientific background who is interested in an entertaining and informative introduction to the key aspects of biotechnology.Authors Renneberg and Demain discuss the opportunities and risks of individual technologies and provide historical data in easy-to-reference boxes, highlighting key topics. Biotechnology for Beginners covers all major aspects of the field, from food biotechnology to enzymes, genetic engineering, viruses, antibodies, and vaccines, to environmental biotechnology, transgenic animals, analytical biotechnology, and the human genome. This stimulating book is the most user-friendly source for a comprehensive overview of this complex field. * Accessible to the lay reader without scientific background knowledge* Coverage includes all facets of biotechnology applications* Includes articles from the hottest Scientists: Alan Guttmacher, Carl Djerassi, Frances S. Ligler, Jared Diamond, Susan Greenfield, and more* Each chapter concludes with a summary, annotated references, links to useful Web sites, and appealing review questions* More than 600 color figures and over 100 illustrations* Written in an enthusiastic and engaging style unlike other existing theoretical and dry-style biotechnology books |
CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.5 based on 6 reviews)
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Excellent book. A must read. by BENNARDO FRANCESCO (CASTROLIBERO (CS) ITALY)  5 Stars
March 16, 2008
I have just ended to read the book: Prof. Renneberg has written a masterpiece. This book is complete, well written, rich of marvelous figures and, very important, the book is strongly didactic. All the aspects of the modern biotechnology are covered.
I really suggest this book to anyone that wants to learn about modern biotechnology: she/he will not be disappointed. The reading of this book is really pleasant.
Thanks to Prof. Renneberg.
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A book for all who want to know what Biotechnology really is by Dr. Stefan Rokem (Hebrew University of Jerusalem)  4 Stars
February 13, 2008
The book "Biotechnology for Beginners" contains a treasure of knowledge for this interdisciplinary area of science, which makes it a unique book. The multitude of scientific areas making up biotechnology has made it a very hard subject to cover in a comprehensible way in a volume that is not too heavy, both physically and reading it. Many textbooks on Biotechnology are biased with too much molecular biology, forgetting that Biotechnology is so much more, which is shown with abundance in this volume. In this book the use of recombinant DNA is integrated in almost all of the chapters, and then it becomes relevant. The book is well suited for students as an introduction into biotechnology, and also for journalists, policy makers, governmental workers and others that get in contact with the wonderful world of microorganisms and higher cells, and what these are able to do for each of us.
On 360 pages the author and editor give a up to date survey of most of the core areas in which biotechnology has made such a crucial impact on our daily lives. The book is generously illustrated and has very useful "boxes" to cover specific subjects from a historical perspective and they are full of unique information. The whole book is filled with facts, some usually not found in textbooks on Biotechnology. So even though I have been in the field for over 25 years, I found a lot of new information.
It must also be said that there are things to improve, hopefully for the 2nd edition. Specifically there are terms that are used without an explanation. To solve this I suggest a glossary at the start of each chapter with explanation of the key words used in the chapter. Just an example, on page 33 the words enthalpy and non-competitive inhibition are used but not explained whereas hydrophilic and hydrophobic are. There are more cases like this and a glossary would solve this problem. Another problem is that to comprehend some parts of the text you need to have some background knowledge in science, specifically biochemistry, and hopefully today's students have that.
A short remark on the spelling of the synonym for bioreactor. A fermenter is an organism which carries out the process of fermentation. A fermentor is a large growth vessel used to culture microorganisms on a large scale, frequently for the production of some commercially valuable product. In this book fermenter is used for bioreactor throughout. There are also other spelling mistakes which should be corrected in an eventual 2nd edition.
Stefan Rokem
Department of Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Israel
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A sociologist's view by Erik Baark 5 Stars
January 22, 2008
It is often a problem to find books that help you understand the scientific and technical intricacies of a new phenomenon and at the same time shows its historical and social background. Reinhard Renneberg's Biotechnology for Beginners is the best introduction that I have read recently which achieves this purpose eminently. Renneberg takes you on a tour of biotechnology from its origins in fermentation via gene technology to the development of transgenic animals and analysis of the human genome. His core presentation focuses on the scientific explorations and technological achievements, but the supplementary illustrations and boxes presenting historical developments, critical issues or expert opinions enliven the text. Each chapter is also provided with list of recommended literature and websites, together with self-test questions and other aids for discussion of critical issues.
Many popular books on biotechnology tend to engage in partisan discourse on the merits or dangers of the technology, or they try to avoid the controversial issues altogether. Renneberg in my view strikes a good balance, drawing upon many sources of information and opinion.
As a sociologist and historian of science and technology, I am fascinated with the way that he has woven history and persons (and other living organisms) into the presentation of basic facts. In a sense, he complements technical detail with interesting facts about history and social applications in a way that resembles a double helix. The effect is awesome...
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Can't agree with 1st review by C. M. Priest  3 Stars
January 14, 2008
I can't agree with the reviewer above who faulted the translation of the book into `Germlish'. There is no way that reader has to translate each sentence into `true English' as it reads very clearly to me. However, I would agree that the text is a little dry and as such is not as accessible as it could be. I also think the book is more appropriate for undergrad students than for graduates.
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Cheers! by Georges M. Halpern (Portola Valley, CA USA) 5 Stars
December 01, 2007
Science is fun.
Science must make dreams come true, but dreams are images.
Most textbooks forget fun and kill dreams; until now.
Reinhard Renneberg breaks the silencing wall of boredom, boringness, and blindness. His textbook is as funny as a manga, as exciting as Indiana Jones, as titillating as Gustave Klimt, and full of bouquet like a Chateau Latour 1982.
Cheers & Bravo!
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