book reviews experiment. In addition, whereas Maxwell’s Kondrashov’s theory of the origin of sex — to many or all of the mature cell types found Demon acts as a non-randomizer, achieving has recently indeed been tested, and found in the tissue. For example, embryonic stem its impossible goal by biased sorting of parti- wanting. Kondrashov suggested that sex cells of the inner cell mass of the early cles, Ridley’s central message is that Mendel’s evolved to shuffle deleterious mutations, embryo give rise to all the cells of the body; acts as a randomizer (of genetic information). thereby facilitating the survival of individu- haematopoietic stem cells in the bone The two demons have nothing in common. als with relatively few mutations and the marrow produce all blood cells; and neural Mendel would surely have had no truck with selective elimination of individuals with stem cells produce different types of neurons demons; Ridley should have followed his lead. many. The theory requires that overall muta- and supporting glial cells. The current The Cooperative Gene is the latest product tion rates in sexual species should therefore intense interest in stem cells lies in their of what might be called the ‘Oxford School’ of exceed the critical one-per-genome-per- potential to transform regenerative medi- evolutionary biology, whose current major generation threshold. However, a recent cine, as well as the fact that recent advances protagonists include Richard Dawkins, Alan empirical study of mutation rates found that have raised ethical issues related to the use of Grafen and David Haig. Starting from the a substantial proportion of sexual species do human fetal tissue as a source of stem cells. inclusive-fitness arguments of W. D. Hamil- not meet this criterion. Such troublesome The future of stem-cell biology will be to ton, the Oxford School takes a ‘gene’s-eye facts notwithstanding, Ridley has written a integrate what we know about stem cells in view’ of evolutionary problems, and prefers marvellous book — one that brings the different tissues and at different times in the logic and elegant mathematics of game evolutionary analysis of genetic systems well development, so that we can both uncover theory to the messy algebra of classical popu- and truly into the genome era. common mechanisms of regulation and lation genetics. But Ridley’s book makes it Andrew Berry is at MCZ Laboratories, 26 Oxford reveal the distinctions that guide stem cells clear that this approach is more than a mere Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA. to form different tissues. Yet most stem-cell alternative to traditional ones. Population biologists specialize in studying one type of genetics takes Mendel’s laws as a given and stem cell from one tissue and have little basis applies them to populations, but Ridley is on which to compare the properties of their asking a more profound question: why and cells with those from other systems. how did genetic systems, including meiosis, To begin at the Nonetheless, the similarities between evolve? Thus population genetics essentially stem cells in different systems have suffused addresses the effects of the underlying causes beginning the field with a belief that stem cells from in which Ridley is interested. The Cooperative Stem Cell Biology different tissues will turn out to share many Gene showcases a new way of thinking about edited by Daniel R. Marshak, Richard L. molecular properties. There is a widespread, evolutionary biology. Gardner and David Gottlieb but untested, expectation that different stem Ridley’s logic is often beguiling, and he all Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press: 2001. cells will use the same mechanisms to regu- too often commits the familiar Oxford 540 pp. $115 late common properties such as self-renewal School sin of being too easily satisfied by Sean J. Morrison and multipotency — the ability to form plausible speculation — if it looks kosher many different mature cell types. To test this and sounds good, then it’s good enough. Most tissues contain a small pool of un- expectation, we need to determine whether Ironically, one of the few hypotheses differentiated cells called stem cells, which common genetic programmes are active in championed by Ridley that is readily have the capacity to renew themselves by cell many different types of stem cells. Given the amenable to experimental testing — Alexey division, proliferate extensively and give rise proclivity of stem-cell biologists to speculate unabashedly on the generality of their find- Through the eye of the camera? ings, some perspective is required to avoid myth-making. A photographic reconstruction Stem Cell Biology, edited by Daniel (right) of Vermeer’s The Music Marshak, Richard Gardner and David Lesson (below) reveals that a Gottlieb, will aid us in this task. This book camera obscura may have been considers the rich evolutionary and dev- a part of the artist’s armoury. elopmental complexity of stem cells in Vermeer’s Camera: Uncovering chapters ranging from yeasts to people, the Truth Behind the embryos to adults, and all three layers of the Masterpieces by Philip developing embryo — mesoderm, ecto- Steadman (Oxford University derm and endoderm. The editors have done Press, £17.99, $25) examines an excellent job of recruiting distinguished this controversial idea. authors, including veteran leaders in the field such as Brigid Hogan and Austin Smith, and younger stars such as Markus Grompe. As a result, the book is strong on credibility and perspective. Each chapter is consistently written in a way that is accessible to the non- specialist. This is therefore a very good book both for newcomers to stem-cell biology and for experts looking for new ideas by broad- ening their perspective. In addition to the requisite chapters on haematopoietic, neural, epidermal, embry- onic and the connective-tissue-producing mesenchymal stem cells, the book includes a general consideration of progenitor-cell biology, including chapters on cell-type

380 © 2001 Macmillan Magazines Ltd NATURE | VOL 412 | 26 JULY 2001 | www.nature.com book reviews switching in yeast and cell-cycle control. 3215 CCGC, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Equivalence groups are also discussed; these University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan are clusters of undifferentiated cells with 48109-0934, USA. equivalent developmental potentials from which individual cells are selected to adopt specific fates. This discussion of the funda- mental mechanisms that control prolifera- tion and differentiation in yeast, flies and Reactions of a worms was a very perceptive addition, for the mechanisms identified in these model chemical nature systems resonate with the questions asked of Nationalizing Science: Adolphe mammalian stem cells in later chapters. For Wurtz and the Battle for French example, an early chapter discussing the gen- Chemistry eral phenomenon of senescence provided an by Alan J. Rocke interesting perspective on later discussions MIT Press: 2001. 443 pp. $42.95, £29.50 of the ageing of liver and haematopoietic Georges Bram stem cells. Two types of stem cell figure most promi- A small street in Paris, and a street and a nently in the book: pluripotent stem cells — statue in Strasbourg, are now the only visible those able to give rise to all somatic cell types reminders of the distinguished nineteenth- and germline cells — and haematopoietic century French chemist Charles-Adolphe stem cells. This is appropriate because, along Wurtz — the man who famously wrote that with neural stem cells, they are the best “chemistry is a French science”. Wurtz was a characterized and most studied stem cells. senator, a member of the French Academy Indeed, many of the hypotheses being tested of Sciences and a professor of organic in the context of liver and mesenchymal stem chemistry at the Sorbonne. But he was not, cells were conceived by analogy with as Alan Rocke explains, a ‘star’ of French sci- haematopoietic stem cells. ence like Louis Pasteur, Marcellin Berthelot Four chapters covering different aspects or Claude Bernard. Nevertheless, Wurtz’s French pioneer: Wurtz tirelessly promoted the of the basic biology of haematopoietic stem death, on 12 May 1884, received extensive new theories that shaped organic chemistry. cells give reasonably comprehensive cover- coverage in the newspapers, and his age, although more systematic attention students and colleagues wrote obituaries and traditional school, which believed that the could have been paid to the different types of biographical memoirs soon after. Studies intimate structure of matter was not a legiti- stem cells residing in different regions of the on various aspects of Wurtz’s work have mate question. developing fetal haematopoietic system. been published more recently, but a com- Rocke also describes chemistry at the These chapters provide an appreciation of prehensive account was needed. This we time of Wurtz, and the chemists Wurtz knew. the model on which much of stem-cell now have from Alan Rocke in a book that A chapter apiece is devoted to Liebig and biology was conceptualized. will become a landmark in the study of the Jean-Baptiste Dumas, Wurtz’s mentors. Similarly, an entire section of the book history of chemistry. Another describes Berthelot, with whom (six chapters) covers different aspects of stem The author sets out his aim clearly — to Wurtz had a prolonged scientific fight over cells in early development. They include a provide a picture not only of the personal the question of atomic theory. look at male and female germline stem cells and intellectual life of Wurtz the man and Rocke provides a valuable analysis of the in Drosophila, and use excellent illustrations scientist, but also of the social and political decline of science in France in the second half to demystify the complex cell biology of each environment in which he lived, his daily of the nineteenth century — in particular, system. A particularly nice feature is Minx working life and the evolution of scientific the decline of French chemistry in contrast to Fuller’s side-by-side description of germline ideas. the rise of German chemistry. He discusses stem cells in flies and mammals. A chapter on Rocke gives us a good idea of the life and historians’ ideas on this question and pro- trophoblast stem cells — cells that eventually work of one of the major chemists of the poses some explanations. These include the form most of the placenta — and three nineteenth century. Many students passed adverse effects of French university rules; chapters on different types of potentially through Wurtz’s laboratory. They came the custom for academics to hold many pluripotent stem cells compose the rest of the from France, particularly Alsace, Wurtz’s positions at the same time, leading young section. Together, they illustrate the diversity home region, and from other countries, and scientists to miss out on job opportunities; of pluripotent cell types and the parallels the lab was almost as important a school of the low salaries of young scientists; and the between them. Given the current controver- chemistry as was the laboratory of Justus von poor equipment in French laboratories. He sies over the derivation and use of human Liebig in Giessen. gives figures that clearly show the French pluripotent cell lines, these chapters would Wurtz was a tireless pioneer of the new deficit in science students: in 1876, the total be timely reading for non-specialists partici- theories that shaped organic chemistry. He number of students studying in the faculties pating in the debate. promoted the ideas of Charles Gerhardt and of science in French universities was 293; this If the future of basic stem-cell biology Auguste Laurent who, in the first part of was equal to the number of students working depends on our ability to integrate our the nineteenth century, pioneered atomic for a scientific PhD at Liepzig University understanding of different stem-cell theory in organic chemistry. And he later alone. In spite of the high quality of many of systems, and if the future of applied stem- promoted the ideas of August Kekulé, who its teachers, French chemistry was in decline. cell biology depends on our ability to explain proposed the structure of the benzene ring. One cause of the decline, as Rocke the field to non-specialists, then this book is a Completely convinced by atomic theory, explains, was that, until the end of the nine- welcome step into the future. Wurtz was opposed in this regard to many teenth century, the atomic basis of organic Sean J. Morrison is in the Departments of Internal leading chemists such as Berthelot and Henri chemistry was only taught in French science Medicine and Cell and Developmental Biology, Sainte-Claire Deville, who belonged to the faculties if individual teachers decided to

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