Back to biomolecular basics: Practical Skills in Biomolecular Sciences by Rob Reed, David Holmes, Jonathan Weyers and Allan Jones

Abstract

Addison Wesley Longman, 1998. £17.99 (xii +338 pages)ISBN 0 582 298261In light of the widening of access to higher education, a challenge exists for those who provide undergraduate courses in the biosciences. Students starting such courses now have more diverse academic backgrounds; teaching staff therefore face the task of bringing the new intake up to a similar level so that all students are equipped for the rest of the course.Bioscience courses—particularly those that cover microbiology, biochemistry, molecular biology or genetics—require a thorough understanding of not only the basics of each discipline but also the practical skills that underpin it. Indeed, the authors of Practical Skills in Biomolecular Sciences rightly point out that, to make advances in these areas nowadays, a training in many diverse subjects (from experimental design and the use of analytical techniques to interpretation and presentation of experimental data) is critical. The challenge is therefore to provide to all students, who might have very different experiences of practical laboratory work, with a coherent study package that supports and extends the basic principles. Students also need a good supporting text, and they are the intended market for this book.The book has nine sections and comprises 59 relatively short chapters. The authors aim to provide an understanding of basic concepts in biosciences, with an emphasis on the practical aspects. Fundamental laboratory techniques are dealt with in the first section, which leads on logically to the investigative approaches used in science. Handling cells and tissues, analytical techniques, assaying biomolecules and studying metabolism, and genetics, make up the next sections. Subsequent sections cover analysis and presentation of data, information technology and library resources; communicating information makes up the final section.Each chapter follows a similar format. This includes the highlighting of key points, ‘how tocf9 boxes (which are used to emphasize important information), checklists and several worked examples—especially in the more numerically based subjects, such as statistics. A small number of self-assessment questions after each section would have been useful and would have provided a way of integrating the text into workshops or tutorials. In general, the material is well presented and easy to follow—in part because of the logical nature of the individual chapters within each section. The familiar format of the chapters is also very pleasing, and although the use of shading is limited it is effective. The short length of the chapters is also a positive point; each chapter provides enough information to enable the student to get started in a particular area without having to search through large amounts of background material to find the relevant points.Perhaps the most useful aspect of the book is not the detail within each chapter but the breadth of material covered. Basic aspects of pH, buffers and molarity are treated just as well as the design of primers for PCR. Similarly the use of laboratory records and log books are dealt with, as are writing reviews, projects, posters, and using spreadsheets and the Internet. Thus, the book is very useful not only for its bioscientific content but also for the way in which the authors have covered general skills in data interpretation and communication within the context of biological science. This is a fundamental point but one that is missed in many textbooks aimed at this market.The authors point out that the book is not a detailed technical manual but a user-friendly guide to aspects of practical biomolecular sciences. In this respect, their intention for it to be used as a supplement to the traditional methods of teaching is a sound one. Indeed, it would be almost impossible to open and manipulate a spreadsheet on the basis of the information contained in Chapter 50, ‘Using Spreadsheets’; however, students (and therefore teaching staff) would benefit from reading the chapter before a workshop or tutorial on the subject. Indeed, the authors' assertion that the material is aimed at students just starting out but will remain useful to them in subsequent years is well founded, because much of the book will remain useful as a source reference.The challenge of meeting the needs of students of biomolecular science who are just starting out is one that Practical Skills in Biomolecular Sciences meets admirably. I highly recommend using this book as a companion/supplement to relevant courses in biomolecular science. It will not only allow students to understand the basics but also provide a starting point for further study.