The Emergence of Life: From Chemical Origins to Synthetic Biology

Addressing the emergence of life from a systems biology perspective, this new edition has undergone extensive revision, reflecting changes in scientific understanding and evolution of thought on the question 'what is life?'. With an emphasis on the philosophical aspects of science, including the epistemic features of modern synthetic biology, and also providing an updated view of the autopoiesis/cognition theory, the book gives an exhaustive treatment of the biophysical properties of vesicles, seen as the beginning of the 'road map' to the minimal cell - a road map which will develop into the question of whether and to what extent synthetic biology will be capable of making minimal life in the laboratory. Fully illustrated, accessibly written, directly challenging the reader with provocative questions, offering suggestions for research proposals, and including dialogues with contemporary authors such as Humberto Maturana, Albert Eschenmoser and Harold Morowitz, this is an ideal resource for researchers and students across fields including bioengineering, evolutionary biology, molecular biology, chemistry and chemical engineering.

Author: Pier Luigi Luisi
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 02/14/2019
Pages: 478
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 1.67lbs
Size: 9.61h x 6.69w x 0.97d
ISBN13: 9781108735506
ISBN10: 1108735509
BISAC Categories:
- Science | Life Sciences | Evolution
- Science | Chemistry | Organic