MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
Dr. Anfinsen has provided the first general account of the major accomplishments to date in molecular biology, which is certainly the most active, and perhaps the most important field of contemporary biological research.
Abstract
In the past few years, the central problem of biology at the cellular level-namely, the structural, synthetic and functional interrelationships of nucleic acids and proteins-has become amenable for the first time to fruitful experimental study. The necessary methods and concepts were developed by scientists from a number of different fields, in connection with investigations which, at least initially, often did not seem to be interconnected. The linking up of these diverse lines of work has led to the emergence of a new field, which is becoming known as "molecular biology." Dr. Anfinsen has provided the first general account of the major accomplishments to date in molecular biology. Since this is certainly the most active, and perhaps the most important field of contemporary biological research. he deserves our gratitude. The subject proper of the book is preceded by two chapters which provide brief and elementary accounts of evolutionary concepts and of the principles of classical genetics. They could well have been omitted. For those who are biologists, the information which they provide is superfluous; for those who are not, it could have been found, much better presented, in many elementary texts. The main body of