Human Molecular Biology is an introduction to the molecular basis of health and disease for the new generation of life scientists and medical students. By integrating cutting-edge molecular genetics and biochemistry with the latest clinical information, the book weaves a pattern which unifies biology with syndromes, genetic pathways with developmental phenotypes, and protein function with drug action. From the origins of life to the present day, a narrative is traced through the workings of genomes, cells and organ systems, culminating in linking of laboratory technologies to future research horizons. Lavishly illustrated throughout with two-colour diagrams and full colour clinical pictures, this text brings the complexities and breadth of human molecular biology clearly to life. This seamless account breaks through the boundaries between molecular biology and medicine, and leads the reader on to a new dimension where the biological basis of health and disease is inescapably molecular. Human Molecular Biology scooped both the Richard Asher prize for best new textbook and the overall 'Medical Book of the Year' in the Society of Authors and Royal Society of Medicine Medical Book Awards 2003.

1. Introduction - a disease for every gene? Part I. From Molecular Biology to Human Genetics: 2. Biomolecular evolution 3. Chromatin and chromosomes 4. Gene expression 5. RNA processing and translation 6. Protein structure and function Part II. From Molecular Genetics to Human Biochemistry: 7. Nutrition and energy 8. Membranes and channels 9. Cell surface receptors 10. Adhesion molecules and the extracellular matrix 11. Cytoskeletal and motor proteins Part III. From Molecular Biochemistry to Human Cell Biology: 12. Signal transduction 13. Inflammatory cytokines 14. Hormones and growth factors 15. Hemopoietins, angiogenins and vasoactive mediators 16. Cell cycle control, apoptosis and ageing Part IV. From Molecular Cell Biology to Human Physiology: 17. Development 18. Metabolism 19. Blood 20. Immunity 21. Neurobiology Part V. From Molecular Physiology to Human Molecular Biology: 22. Genetic test systems 23. Gene and protein analysis 24. Genetic engineering, gene mapping and gene testing 25. Gene knockouts, transgenics, and cloned animals 26. Gene therapy and recombinant DNA technology Index.