Transducing the Genome: Information, Anarchy, and Revolution in the Biomedical Sciences

"Captivating... hard to put down."­­Choice

"A bracing insider's account of why gene structure matters to science and commerce."­­American Scientist

How genomics is bringing biology into the Digital Age

In this important book, a scientist gives us an inside account of the historic paradigm shift under way in the life sciences as a result of the Human Genome Project and provides a philosophical framework in which to understand biology and medicine as information sciences. In a story told on many fascinating levels, Gary Zweiger introduces us to the visionaries who first understood genes as information carriers and chronicles how their early efforts led to the birth of the new science of genomics. He provides insights into the uneasy collaboration of private, government, and academic efforts, the role of the pharmaceutical companies, and the influence of venture capitalists on one of the most ambitious and potentially significant scientific undertakings in history. Most important, he explores the profound impact that the transducing of biological information into a digital format already has had on biological research and medicine, and the equally profound effect it is sure to have on our understanding of ourselves and all living creatures.

Gary Zweiger, PhD is a geneticist and Director of Business Development and Strategic Planning at Agilent Technologies, a leading producer of biomedical tools. Prior to joining Agilent, he was Senior Strategic Advisor at Incyte Genomics, Inc., a founding company in the genomics industry. He has also worked as a consultant to venture capitalists, investment bankers, and other early backers of the emerging genomics industry, and has taught classes in human biology and biotechnology at several colleges.