The Mechanics of Life: A Closer Look at the Inner Workings of Nature

Description

This book is devoted to current ideas and developments in the biological sciences which stretch into fields such as engineering, medicine, quantum physics, computer modeling and genetics. In the past couple of years, biology and medicine have significantly evolved. The picture of the solitary biologist taking samples from the field and working in a lab with test tubes and chemical apparatus is a thing of the past. Today, bio-labs are filled with scientists across various disciplines like physics, mathematics and engineering. Most equipment are completely automated and robotic. They are often controlled by powerful computers acquiring and processing vast amounts of data for rigorous analysis. These advances have sped up the rate at which research is done in those fields. The topics presented in this book are simplified versions of these advances. Focusing on the how it works explanation, the notions presented here are made easy and simple to follow. Besides current research, the book elaborates on novel innovations in bio-related research (eg: ecosystem simulators, robotic surgery, natural experimentation and state-of-the-art instrumentation). Social and economic aspects of modern biology and medicine are also explored throughout this book; touching on issues related to disease spread, medical efforts and best scientific practices. The final part of this book walks through the mechanisms involved in the evolution of life on our planet. Along these lines, the evolution of Homo sapiens is briefly visited. In essence, this book involves taking a closer look at the mechanics of life. Contents Preface References Acknowledgments Chapter 1 Parasites: Complexity beyond Evolution In Search of Microbes A Parasitic Beginning Host Control In Transit The Power of Extended Phenotypes Fragile Biodiversity Ecological Engineering and Large Blues Simulating the Ecosystem Gaining from Natural Experiments In Brief References Web Sources Chapter 2 Antibiotics, Vaccines and Epidemics The Journey of Antibiotics How Antibiotic Resistance Works Teixobactin and the iChip Evolutionary Arms Race Epidemics versus Medical Efforts Economics of Disease Spread Psychological Feedback Lost in Publication Accentuating the Positive Democratizing Science In Brief References Web Sources Chapter 3 Accounting for Genes Answering the Ultimate Question Memories, Genes and Mad Cow Disease Living Computers Genetically Engineering Medicine Artificial Life Gene Editing Directing Evolution Onwards with Genetic Engineering Transgenic Food Our Kind of Virus In Brief References Web Sources Chapter 4 Physics of Life Little Differences Matter Soup for Starters Keeping It Organized Insect Engineers Valuable Feedback The Attractor Factor Critical Lines in the Ecosystem Patterns of Complexity The Gaming Evolution Evolution In Silico Rise of Machine Intelligence Helping with Dementia: Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and ALS Feeling Electric Lifecycle of Ideas Herding Effect and Zombie Ideas Robot Surgeons Therapeutic Robots In Brief References Figures Source Chapter 5 Stranger Things in Life The First Quantum Biologists Technological Revolution Quantum Efficiency Eau de Quantum? Avian Navigators Zooming-in on Evolution Tinkering with Life Turning Back the Clocks More Curiosities Rise, Red as Dawn Wheels within Wheels All This and Brains Too In Brief References Websites Final Remarks Author Contact Information Index Blank Page