Bibliograph

Life's blueprint, the science and art of embryo creation, Benny Shilo

Type

Label

Life's blueprint, the science and art of embryo creation, Benny Shilo

Language

eng

Bibliography note

Includes bibliographical references (pages 165-168) and index

Illustrations

illustrations

Index

index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

Life's blueprint

Nature of contents

bibliography

Oclc number

875644466

Responsibility statement

Benny Shilo

Sub title

the science and art of embryo creation

Summary

"In the span of just three decades, scientific understanding of the formation of embryos has undergone a major revolution. The implications of these new research findings have an immediate bearing on human health and future therapies, yet most nonscientists remain quite unaware of the exciting news. In this engaging book, a distinguished geneticist offers a clear, jargon-free overview of the field of developmental biology. Benny Shilo transforms complicated scientific paradigms into understandable ideas, employing an array of photographic images to demonstrate analogies between the cells of an embryo and human society. Shilo's innovative approach highlights important concepts in a way that will be intuitive and resonant with readers' own experiences. The author explains what is now known about the mechanisms of embryonic development and the commanding role of genes. For each paradigm under discussion, he provides both a scientific image and a photograph he has taken in the human world. These pairs of images imply powerful metaphors, such as the similarities between communication among cells and among human beings, or between rules embedded in the genome and laws that govern human society. The book concludes with a glimpse of promising future possibilities, including the generation of tissues and organs for use as "spare parts.""--Publisher information

Table Of Contents

Introduction : exploring the principles of embryo creation -- It's all in the genes -- How an embryonic cell "decides" its future destiny -- How cells talk and listen to each other -- How do simple modules lead to complex patterns? -- How can a single substance generate multiple responses? -- How do patterns evolve rapidly? -- How are cells programmed to follow predictable routes to specification? -- Ensuring that embryo development is on the right track -- Shaping the tissues -- Stem cells -- What's next?

Classification