The emergence of life : from chemical origins to synthetic biology / Pier Luigi Luisi, University of Rome 3.

Author
Luisi, P. L. [Browse]
Format
Book
Language
English
Εdition
Second edition.
Published/​Created
Cambridge, United Kingdom ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 2016.
Description
xiv, 464 pages ; 26 cm

Availability

Copies in the Library

Location Call Number Status Location Service Notes
Lewis Library - Stacks QH325 .L85 2016 Browse related items Request

    Details

    Subject(s)
    Summary note
    "Addressing the emergence of life from a systems biology perspective, this new edition has undergone extensive revision, reflecting changes in scientific understanding and evolution of thought on the question 'what is life?'. With an emphasis on the philosophical aspects of science, including the epistemic features of modern synthetic biology, and also providing an updated view of the autopoiesis/cognition theory, the book gives an exhaustive treatment of the biophysical properties of vesicles, seen as the beginning of the 'road map' to the minimal cell - a road map which will develop into the question of whether and to what extent synthetic biology will be capable of making minimal life in the laboratory. Fully illustrated, accessibly written, directly challenging the reader with provocative questions, offering suggestions for research proposals, and including dialogues with contemporary authors such as Humberto Maturana, Albert Eschenmoser and Harold Morowitz, this is an ideal resource for researchers and students across fields including bioengineering, evolutionary biology, molecular biology, chemistry and chemical engineering."--Provided by publisher.
    Bibliographic references
    Includes bibliographical references and index.
    Contents
    • Setting the stage
    • The hardware
    • Ascending the ramp of complexity
    • Experimental approaches to the origin of life
    • Origin of life from ground zero
    • Autopoiesis : the invariant property
    • Cognition
    • Self-organization
    • The notion of emergence
    • Self-replication and self-reproduction
    • The various types of surfactant aggregates
    • Vesicle reactivity and transformation
    • Biochemistry and molecular biology in vesicles
    • A panoramic view of synthetic biology
    • The minimal cell
    • Appendix. The open questions about the origin of life.
    ISBN
    • 9781107092396 ((hardback))
    • 1107092396 ((hardback))
    LCCN
    2015049383
    OCLC
    944954724
    Statement on language in description
    Princeton University Library aims to describe library materials in a manner that is respectful to the individuals and communities who create, use, and are represented in the collections we manage. Read more...
    Other views
    Staff view

    Supplementary Information