The Manga Guide
to Molecular Biology
Reviewed by
Harry {doc} Babad ©
2009
Author: Masaharu
Takemura, Sakura, and Becom Co., Ltd.
Publisher: No Starch Press (August 2009)
Web Site: http://oreilly.com/catalog/9781593272029
Updates/Errata
{None yet posted}: http://www.nostarch.com/mg_mbiology.htm
Product
Dimensions: 265 Pages
including the Index, as a 9 x 6.9 x 0.7 inches paperback or Safari books
online, an eBook.
Cost: List $19.95, Street $13.57 [USD]
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1593272022
ISBN-13: 978-1593272029
Review
Rating: 
Audience: Any and all one interested in a
descriptive introduction to molecular biology.
Strengths:
As is usual for this
Magna Guide series, but perhaps more effectively with this descriptive science,
the Manga comic format serves to keep readers interest in the complex world of
molecular biology and better yet focus their attention of the technical
material.
Weaknesses: The lack of a glossary of terms made
rechecking 
the
meanings of the many unfamiliar terms more difficult then needed. Although the
index guided me to where terms were used, the lack of more formal definitions
was a bit discouraging.
Copyright
Notice: Product and
company names and logos in this review may be registered trademarks of their
respective companies.
Sidebar #1: Reviews were
documented on my iMac 2.8 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with 2 GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM
running Mac OS X version 10.5.8 with all current security updates installed.
Sidebar #2:
Disclaimer: When
reviewing books I will often use the developerÕs product, functions and
features descriptions. Because of this unless IÕm quoting directly from another
source, I do no cutter
up the review with quotation marks. All other comments are strictly my own and
based on analysis. Why need I rewrite the authors
narratives, if they are clearly written?
Introduction
I have previously
reviewed Guides to Physics, Electricity, Statistics and Databases. Of
necessity, all but the database book and now the Molecular Biology guide were
loaded with more math then my comfortable level could accommodate. They were
all, when you get down to it, excellent books, as apparently was the Manga
Guide to calculus with Robert Pritchett recently reviewed for macC. But, from
high school on, due to a combination of bad teachers and (2) an uninteresting
mostly pedantically just do it
dry approach, I am math adverse.
ItÕs
not that (1) donÕt understand mathematical relationship or when necessary carry
out mathematical analysis or calculations to the level of calculus— its
just that IÕm figuratively allergic to things mathematical. There mere presence
puts me in a mod to daydream or even sleep. As a result I took my Ph. D. in
organic chemistry, which at the time was very descriptive science. Of
necessity, choosing the next least mathematically oriented chemical discipline;
I took a first minor (University of Illinois – Class of Õ61.) I minored
in analytical chemistry for which the math was simple – at a level not
much above high school math. To compensate for my potentially mathematics
induced overload I
requested and was allowed, by petition, to take a second
minor in English literature.
Therefore reading
and refreshing my understanding of Molecular Biology in this newest Magna was a
delight. It was entirely descriptive — not a mathematical equation in the book! Wow, since
IÕm a chemist the occasional molecular formula was a no brainer. But donÕt let
the structural formals bother you — the amino acids, bases and the like
are just serious eye candy. YouÕll easily see the differences, lets say,
between Thymine, Uracil and CytosineÉ
the authors show that to you. Then they go on to explain why these
differences are important. Therefore, the interestingly drawn black and white,
Japanese comic style drawings were a perfect foil for the technical material
being presented.
But because Mr.
Takemura does not define it, I will.
ÒMolecular biology is the study of
biology at a molecular level. The field overlaps with other areas of biology
and chemistry, particularly genetics and biochemistry. Molecular biology
chiefly concerns itself with understanding the interactions between the various
systems of a cell
, including the interactions between
DNA, RNA and protein biosynthesis as well as learning how these interactions
are regulated.Ó
Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molecular_biology
In effect, as is noted
throughout the book, molecular biology is the study of the molecular basis of
life.
The PublisherÕs
Description — ÒRin and Ami, the at times unwilling students, have been
skipping molecular biology class all semester, and Professor Moro has had
enough—he's sentencing them to summer school on his private island. But
they're in store for a special lesson. Using Dr. Moro's virtual reality machine
to travel inside the human body, they'll get a close-up look at the fascinating
world of molecular biology. Their experience, complete with ÔridesÕ on a
virtual reality machine, a hunky TA É and more for the shell for the plotline
of the story. As the book progresses, they get up close and personal into the microscopic
world of cells by using Dr. MoroÕs virtual reality machine. With it they and
Marcus, the TA, travel inside the human body and get a close-up look at the
fascinating world of molecular biology.
ÒJoin them in The
Manga Guide to Molecular Biology,
and learn all about cells and nuclei including specifics like DNA, RNA, proteins, amino acids, and
more. Along the way, you'll see chemical reactions first-hand and meet
entertaining characters like Enzyme Man and Drinkzilla, 
who
show how the liver metabolizes alcohol.
ÒTogether with Ami
and Rin, you'll learn all about:
¤ The organelles and proteins inside cells,
and how they support cellular functions
¤ The processes of transcription and
translation, and your genes' role in synthesizing proteins
¤ The pieces that make up our genetic code,
like nucleotides, codons, introns, and exons
¤ The processes of DNA replication, mitosis
and cytokinesis
¤ Genetic technology like transduction and
cloning, and the role of molecular biology in medicine
ÒWhether you need a
molecular biology refresher or you're just fascinated by the science of life, The
Manga Guide to Molecular Biology
will give you a uniquely fun and informative introduction.Ó
Okay, read on about
whatÕs in the book, and why I liked it.
The
Nature of the Beast — How the book is organized
This is a very easy
science book to get involved with. Although of necessity it is filled with
molecular biochemistry specific terms (E.g., genome, amino acid, DNA, RNA,
protein, base pairs, nucleotides) is easy to follow and understand. The book
flows smoothly from answering the question What is a Cell, through an explanation of Proteins
and DNA: Deciphering the Genetic Code.
One past these
relatively introductory topics we soon become immersed in DNA Replication
and Cell Division
followed by an overview of How is a Protein Made. Fascinating, if I do say so, for this
is literally the stuff of life, all life on earth.
From the practical
standpoint, understanding how molecular biology relates to the activities we
read and about, almost daily in print media and news broadcast is then
discussed.
The authors, then
logically, completes our orientation with a well organized and written chapter
on Genetic Technology and Research.
That, from my perspective, is a critical chapter because it answers the
question of why
should I care about this
science stuff.
After all, as the
understanding and of molecular biology increases, almost exponentially from
year to year, we will be increasing asked to take advantage of, or skip out on
using the products and application of this new science. Whether it is new
healthier seeds and the food we grow, to getting our
genetic code analyzed to tell us the hereditary based risks from future chronic
or disruptive diseases such as cancer and dementia.
This is not to say
that practical or still dreamed of uses for this science are neglected in the
first four chapters, but in this concluding narrative, we get the rationale for
all the work that being done on this topic.
Disappointments
A Glossary that
is only Virtual —
Alas, thereÕs no formal glossary of terms.
As part of this
review, I mention some of the terms used my microbiologists, there are many. As
in most descriptive sciences, the terms used are arcane and not in normal everyday use. It is
disheartening that
the authors did not include such a help feature — a glossary of terms
— in addition to the bookÕs excellent index. The former would serve to
help the reader ÔrememberÕ what the terms mean as they were used and reused in
various parts of the book. I checked the website for this book, bout found no
errata or additions. Hint: perhaps a glossary?
Omissions: Nits
and Nats —
¤
Chapter 5
(General) — Why is
Darwin not mentioned? In chapter 5 and elsewhere in this book lesser lights,
mere Noble prizewinners are identified and their contributions discussed.
¤ Chapter 5 (General) — Although the
focus much governmental and individual concern, as well as media hype, the
ethical consideration of molecular biology are not mentioned — no, not
even in passing. These issues are certainly of concern on a broad level in
Japan and the European Union Franken-foods) and less broadly, except for stem
cell research in the United States. Indeed, the aversion that many pregnant
women have to taking the swine flue vaccine, despite their significantly higher
risk of death, is an example of, in this case, lack of understanding of risk
factors and of how molecular biology work — again lack of education is
also an ethical thing.
¤ Page 80, Image Pane — ÒNo amino
acids hereÓ image caption is never explained.
Conclusion
With its
straightforward B/W technical illustrations and simple charts, the fundamental
of molecular biology are much more clearly defined. Seeing the idea written out
in picture form can help clear the confusion often encountered by student of
this complex subject. It, although not a textbook, makes appropriate reading from
students 
who will be taking introductory molecular biology courses, but
the high school educated general at large.
After reading this
book, youÕll realize that:
¤ Genetically modified seeds and the higher
yield disease and insect resistant crops grown from them. Those who oppose this
effort, call the products Franken seeds.
¤ Cloning tissues or even whole animals,
¤
Stem cell
research to correct genetically caused diseases
¤ Personalized medicine including diagnosis
and risk analysis,
¤ Stem cell research to replace damaged or
lost organs,
¤ Modified algae that create high yields of
biodiesel fuel
¤ Potent new disease controlling drugs and
those that cure.
These topics and
more are all aspects of molecular biology in our daily lives. This book
succeeds in making readers familiar with the concepts and the subjects
associated with life, all life — Planet earthÕs molecular biology.
This book by Mr. Takemura deserves
my stingy 4.5 macCÕs.
Buy a copy for your
self – I donÕt matter whether youÕre a student or a wide-awake citizen.
The book will help you in understanding both the headlines and the overall
details that appear in your newspaper, magazines and favorite new radio
program. After all, molecular biology is coming of age, DNA is becoming common
-speak,
despite the fact that the specific term molecular biology is seldom used by the
popular media.
About
the Author
Masaharu Takemura is a Lecturer at the Tokyo University of
Science in biology, molecular biology, and life sciences. A Doctor of Medical
Science, Takemura has written several books about biology.
