Completely up-to-date with the latest research advances, the Sixth Edition of James D. Watson’s classic text, Molecular Biology of the Gene retains the distinctive character of earlier editions that has made it the most widely used book in molecular biology. Twenty-two concise chapters, co-authored by six highly respected biologists, provide current, authoritative coverage of an exciting, fast-changing discipline.

Two new chapters discuss the emerging research fields of Regulatory RNAs (Chapter 18) and Genomics and Systems Biology (Chapter 20), and give particular focus on RNAi, microRNAs, the opportunities offered by the new generation of genome technologies, and the elucidation of gene regulatory networks. 

Every chapter includes thorough content updates, and where relevant, the inclusion of medical insights that have emerged from our understanding of basic molecular biology, and references that direct students to explore the expanded companion website.


Table of Contents

PART 1  Chemistry and Genetics

1  Mendelian View of the World

2  Nucleic Acids Convey Genetic Information

3  The Importance of Weak Chemical Interactions

4  The Importance of High Energy Bonds

5  Weak and Strong Bonds Determine Macromolecular Interactions

PART 2  Maintenance of the Genome

6  The Structures of DNA and RNA

7  Genome Structure, Chromatin and the Nucleosome

8  DNA replication

9  The Mutability and Repair of DNA 

10  Homologous Recombination at the Molecular Level

11  Site-Specific Recombination and Transposition of DNA

PART 3  Expression of the Genome

12  Mechanisms of Transcription

13  Splicing

14  Translation

PART 4 Regulation 

15  The Genetic Code

16  Transcriptional Regulation in Prokaryotes

17  Transcriptional Regulation in Eukaryotes

18  Regulatory RNAs

19  Gene Regulation in Development and Evolution

20  Genomics and Systems Biology

PART 5  Methods

21  Techniques of Molecular Biology

22  Model Organisms