High-Yield Cell and Molecular Biology

Consistent with the High-Yield book series, the second edition of High-Yield Cell and Molecular Biology succinctly, yet comprehensively, provides the reader with a review of essential concepts that are supplemented with clinical correlations. Designed to assist students who are reviewing for the USMLE Step 1, High-Yield Cell and Molecular Biology succeeds in presenting the fundamental elements of biological processes in a logically organized and easily read fashion. In the preface, Dr. Dudek states, “One of my main concerns in writing this book was not to write a review of basic molecular biology; but to write a book that addressed molecular biology from a clinical perspective that would be useful and necessary for our future physicians.” It is worth noting that an understanding of the contents of this book is also obligatory for our future pharmacists. The text includes 27 chapters that are preceded by an indispensable section defining a complete list of abbreviations and followed by a useful appendix for quick information retrieval that includes the functions of cell membrane proteins, the genetic code, the codons that translate into amino acids, and the chromosomal locations of human genetic diseases. While not divided into distinct sections, the chapters follow a rational progression. Initially, an exceptional synopsis of the cell membrane, receptors, and signal transduction mechanisms sets the stage for the topics to follow and immediately emphasizes the relevance of the text to pharmacy by including information on prototypical drugs that interact with these receptors and processes. This opening chapter engages the reader and builds a firm foundation that facilitates the comprehension of the successive chapters. After outlining the structure and functions of cellular organelles and the basic biochemistry of nucleic acids and protein synthesis, the book advances into the major aspects of the human genome and the control of gene expression. A discussion of nucleic acid mutations easily transitions into the cell cycle and the molecular biology of cancer. Perhaps the most pertinent group of chapters of the book follows with a thorough review of the cell and molecular biology of the immune system and viruses that will surely provide a good reference for pharmacy professionals. The book concludes with chapters that concisely describe molecular biology techniques, identification of human disease genes, the limitations and possibilities of gene therapy, and the most creative section of the book, a chapter on understanding the research literature where a fictitious molecular biology scenario is presented as it would be published in the scientific literature with the intent of providing the reader with a sense of how early molecular biology discoveries are reported. While the text of the book is organized in outline form, complete sentences are used to illustrate concepts. Bolding of key terms/processes followed by definitions assist the reader in understanding as well as allow for rapid identification of searched for terms. Although this is a concise review book, the ample use of tables and illustrations reinforce the information in a positive way and give it the feel of a textbook. The only distraction associated with the text is several typographical errors, which seem clustered in certain chapters. In summary, particular features of High-Yield Cell and Molecular Biology make it a nice addition to a pharmacy library. These include a comprehensive review of receptors and signal transduction pathways, clinical considerations related to nucleic acid abnormalities, an inclusive appraisal of the biology of the immune system, and a brief discussion concerning gene therapy. While the text is not a standalone resource of cell and molecular biology, it succeeds in its mission to provide a concise review of important topics that directly impact the practice of pharmacy.