Bionanotechnology

Discussions of the basic structural, nanotechnology, and system engineering principles, as well as an introductory overview of essential concepts and methods in biotechnology, will be included. Text is presented side-by-side with extensive use of high-quality illustrations prepared using cutting edge computer graphics techniques. Includes numerous examples, such applications in genetic engineering. Represents the only available introduction and overview of this interdisciplinary field, merging the physical and biological sciences. Concludes with the authors' expert assessment of the future promise of nanotechnology, from molecular "tinkertoys" to nanomedicine. David Goodsell is author of two trade books, Machinery of Life and Our Molecular Nature, and Arthur Olson is the world's leader in molecular graphics and nano-scale representation.

Autorentext
David S. Goodsell is an Associate Professor in the Department of Molecular Biology at the Scripps Research Institute, where he divides his time equally between research and science education. His research combines computer graphics and computational chemistry to study the basic mechanisms of protein structure and function. He is currently developing computational models of drug resistance in HIV, seeking new drugs that will be effective in the face of the rapid mutation of the virus. Science education is also a major focus of Goodsell's work, with projects such as the "Molecule of the Month" at the Protein Data Bank (www.pdb.org) and his illustrated books "The Machinery of Life," winner of the 1999 Vesalius Trust Frank Netter Award, and "Our Molecular Nature," which explores biological molecules and their diverse roles within living cells.

Klappentext
Biological molecules are themselves the premier, proven examples of the feasibility and utility of nanotechnology-in effect, "lessons from nature" informing the design of nanoscale machines. Bionanotechnology encompasses the study, creation, and illumination of the connections between structural molecular biology and molecular nanotechnology. The very first resource to address this discipline comprehensively and exclusively, Bionanotechnology: Lessons from Nature delivers an accessible overview that features a stunning set of original watercolor illustrations by the author.

Bionanotechnology: Lessons from Nature shows both students and practitioners how the lessons that may be learned from biology can be applied to nanotechnology today. The first part of the book explores the properties of nanomachines that are available in cells. The second looks to the structure and function of natural nanomachines for guidance in building nanomachinery.

The book then concludes with chapters on applications, surveying some of the exciting bionanotechnological tools and techniques that are currently in development, and speculating on those that may prove feasible in the not-too-distant future. Features of this one-of-a-kind reference include:

• High-quality illustrations produced by cutting-edge design programs
• Discussions of basic structural, nanotechnological, and system engineering principles

• Numerous real-world examples, such as applications in genetic engineering

  Undergraduates, graduate students, practicing researchers, and policymakers will find David Goodsell's Bionanotechnology an accessible, visually compelling introduction to this exciting field.

Inhalt

1. The Quest for Nanotechnology.

   2. Bionanomachines in Action.

   3. Biomolecular Design and Biotechnology.

   4. Structural Principles of Bionanotechnology.

   5. Functional Principles of Bionanotechnology.

   6. Bionanotechnology Today.

   7. The Future of Bionanotechnology.

   Final Thoughts.

   Literature.

   Sources.

   Index.