This book offers an integrative view of the evolution of genetics and the natural world. Even in this advanced age of genomics, the evolutionary process of unicellular and multicellular organisms is continually in debate. "Evolutionary Biology, Cell-Cell Communication, and Complex Disease" challenges current wisdom by using physiology to present an integrative view of the nature, origins, and evolution of fundamental biological systems.
Providing a deeper understanding of the way genes relate to the traits of living organisms, this book offers useful information applying evolutionary biology, functional genomics, and cell communication studies to complex disease. Examining the 4.5 billion-year evolution process from environment adaptations to cell-cell communication to communication of genetic information for reproduction, "Evolutionary Biology" hones in on the "why and how" of evolution by uniquely focusing on the cell as the smallest unit of biologic structure and function.
Based on empirically derived data rather than association studies, "Evolutionary Biology" covers:
- A model for forming testable hypotheses in complex disease studies
- The integrating role played by the evolution of metabolism, especially lipid metabolism
- The evolutionary continuum from development to homeostasis
- Regeneration and aging mediated by signaling molecules
Ambitious and game-changing, "Evolutionary Biology" suggests that biology began as a mechanism for reducing energy within the cell, defying the second law of thermodynamics. An ideal text for those interested in forward thinking scientific study, the insights presented in "Evolutionary Biology" help practitioners effectively comprehend the evolutionary process.
Preface xi
About the Authors xiii
1 The Cellular Origin of Vertebrates 1
2 Reducing Lung Physiology to its Molecular Phenotypes 17
3 A Cell-molecular Strategy for Solving the Evolutionary Puzzle 25
4 The Evolution of Cell-cell Communication 35
5 How to Integrate Cell-molecular Development, Homeostasis, Ecology, and Evolutionary Biology: The Missing Links 53
6 From Cell-cell Communication to the Evolution of Integrated Physiology 75
7 Exploiting Cell-cell Communication across Spacetime to Deconstruct Evolution 95
8 The Periodic Table of Biology 115
9 Value Added by Thinking in Terms of the Cell-cell Communication Model for Evolution 125
10 Cell-cell Communication as the Basis for Practicing Clinical Medicine 139
Summary 149
Name Index 151
Subject Index 153
John Torday, PhD, is Professor of Pediatrics and Ob/Gyn at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center where he is also Director of The Henry L. Guenther Laboratory for Cell/Molecular Research and Director of Laboratory for Evolutionary Preventive Medicine. He is the author of over 130 peer-reviewed articles, Dr. Torday specializes in pre and neo-natal lung development, particularly regarding cell-cell communication within this pathway.
V.K. Rehan, MD, is Professor of Pediatrics and Director of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. The recipient of numerous teaching honors, Dr. Rehan is involved both in treating patients and continuing research on neo and peri-natal respiratory issues and lung development.