innovative reads, indeed! what scientists are reading in 2024
2024-01-17
- top picks from industry experts in biotechnology, genetic testing and research
as we venture into 2024, the world of science is evolving at an unprecedented pace. from breakthroughs in genetic engineering to cutting-edge research in biotechnology, the possibilities seem endless. but with so much information available, it can be challenging to discern valuable resources.
the bgi genomics team has curated a brief list of all-time bestsellers and recently released science books, including those that delve into cutting-edge research on genetic innovation, cancer, biology and societal evolution.
read on for inspiration and to expand your personal horizons.
title: the genesis machine:
author: amy webb, andrew hessel
synthetic biology is a rapidly growing field that uses computers to modify genetic code, creating groundbreaking solutions like mrna covid vaccines, ivf, and lab-grown hamburgers. it offers solutions to climate change, food insecurity, and fuel access. in the genesis machine amy webb and andrew hessel's examination of synthetic biology and the bioeconomy provides a background for considering the risks and moral dilemmas of redesigning life.
title: an elegant defense: the extraordinary new science of the immune system
author: matt richtel
pulitzer prize-winning new york times journalist matt richtel's an elegant defense is a scientific detective tale that covers the black plague, vaccination, antibiotics, and immunology. in this first-of-its-kind book, entwining leading-edge scientific discovery with the intimate stories of four individual lives, richtel provides accessible insights into cancer immunotherapy, the microbiome, and autoimmune treatments, and how these therapies interact with the immune system, sometimes balancing it but also causing imbalances.
title: our fragile moment: how lessons from the earth’s past can help us survive the climate crisis
author: michael mann
in our fragile moment, renowned scientist michael mann explores the conditions that allowed humans to thrive on earth for 4.54 billion years. the book highlights the importance of early hominids, agriculture, and the little ice age cooling events that made our current existence possible. mann argues that climate variability has created new niches and challenges, but only within a narrow range of conditions can human civilization remain viable. a compelling read to understand the gravity of the climate crisis and act before it becomes too late.
title: the man from the future: the visionary ideas of john von neumann
author: ananyo bhattacharya
john von neumann, a visionary scientist born in budapest at the turn of the century, is largely overlooked. he was a child prodigy, mastered calculus, and made significant contributions to mathematics. he laid the foundations of quantum mechanics and was believed to have the fastest brain on the planet. von neumann was instrumental in the manhattan project, cold war geopolitics, modern economic theory, and the creation of the first programmable digital computer. taking us on an astonishing journey, the man from the future explores how a combination of genius and unique historical circumstances allowed a single man to sweep through a stunningly diverse array of fields, sparking revolutions wherever he went.
title: the one: how an ancient idea holds the future of physics
author: heinrich päs
in the one, particle physicist heinrich päs presents a bold idea: fundamentally, everything in the universe is an aspect of one unified whole. monism, which has a history dating back to plato, has inspired enlightenment science and romantic poetry. päs aims to show how this concept could inspire modern physics and break down intellectual stagnation, helping the field achieve its grand theory. the one is an epic exploration of human thought and reality.
title: p53: the gene that cracked the cancer code
author: sue armstrong
the most studied gene in history, p53, is a tumor suppressor gene – which codes for a protein that regulates cell division and prevents the formation of tumors. mutations of the gene are present in nearly 50% of all cancers. through the personal accounts of key researchers, science writer sue armstrong reveals the excitement of the hunt for new cures--the hype, the enthusiasm, the lost opportunities, the blind alleys and the thrilling breakthroughs.
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about bgi genomics
bgi genomics, headquartered in shenzhen china, is the world's leading integrated solutions provider of precision medicine. our services cover over 100 countries and regions, involving more than 2,300 medical institutions. in july 2017, as a subsidiary of bgi group, bgi genomics (300676.sz) was officially listed on the shenzhen stock exchange.