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RNA: Life’S Indispensible Molecule, by James Darnell (CSHL Press, 2011) Jo E L U N a Open Any Molecular Biology Textbook, Orful Diagrams

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RNA: Life’S Indispensible Molecule, by James Darnell (CSHL Press, 2011) Jo E L U N a Open Any Molecular Biology Textbook, Orful Diagrams Issue 84 Dec. 2011 - Jan. 2012 A NEWSLETTER OF THE ROCKEFELLER UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY BOOK REVIEW: RNA: Life’s Indispensible Molecule, by James Darnell (CSHL Press, 2011) JOE L UNA Open any molecular biology textbook, orful diagrams. For a textbook, this un- as these—and and even the most casual reader will be dramatic clarity is largely the point, and there have been assaulted by facts. You’ll learn that dna is essential for students, young and old, as many—present is composed of four nucleotides and ar- a steady reference. Still, it’s probable that the human con- ranged in a triplet code. You’ll read about this general lack of human context is a text brilliantly, if the central dogma (dna to rna to pro- reason why the very term textbook is syn- at the expense of tein, with some exceptions) in extraor- onymous with dry and dense reading, the becoming dated dinary detail, and perhaps you’ll learn intellectual equivalent of plain oatmeal. (The Eighth Day what certain proteins do, or fail to do in Good for you, but not inherently very ap- ends around various disease states. But what’s often petizing. 1975), of bringing missing is the complex human narrative On the other hand, there are works you up to speed of how these truths were discovered. The like Horace Freeland Judson’s masterpiece in a particular messiness of science, with its dogmatic The Eighth Day of Creation, which traces field, or of having Image provided by the author stalwarts, intellectual battles, transforma- the staggering human drama, with all its an overall scien- tional experiments and unsung heroes are heartbreak and triumph, of the early his- tific thesis to communicate. hidden behind simplified figures and col- tory of molecular biology. Books such The middle ground, part textbook and continued on page 2 PDA Corner—New Members, Fall Oligarchy and Occupy BBQ, and Career Development B EN J AMIN C AMP B E ll A SMA H ATOUM The leaves and the weather weren’t the only changes at The Rockefeller Occupy Wall Street can only be understood within the context of how University (ru) this season. This fall, thepda Board handed over increasingly Orwellian our society has become. I do not use that term the reigns to mostly new members. Newly appointed members Paul lightly, but I see no other way to describe a society in which a top- D’Agostino, Linda Feighery, Nidhi Gangadhar, and I have joined return- down consensus is imposed on the people, dissent ridiculed and in- ing member Jim Miller to form this year’s pda Board. Though we have timidated, and where words themselves have been twisted so as to be different voices, we remain dedicated to the same mission: to represent the rendered unrecognizable. This is a society where the accepted terms interests of ru postdoctoral associates, fellows, and research associates to of debate are driven by corporate-bought think tanks and politicians, the faculty and administration, and to provide social and professional de- and where large media empires exist largely to mock those who en- velopment opportunities to the membership body. gage in questioning the manufactured consensus. We live in a society Toward fulfilling its goal of social development, the pda kicked off where billions have been spent militarizing police forces to be used the new academic year with a fall bbq. It was held on a balmy Thurs- in intimidating and keeping under surveillance the people they were day evening under a sky threatening to rain. Luckily, the clouds held all ostensibly supposed to protect. Journalists are barred from report- evening and not a single drop fell as postdocs, students, faculty, and staff, ing on police actions, and those that do are arrested, pepper-sprayed, along with their families and children, gathered at the Faculty Club. The or otherwise attacked. Police in recent months carted off a library of turnout was excellent; the grill was busy for a full three hours until the last books and threw them in a dumpster. The same politicians and me- burger was flipped over dying embers. When all was said and done, 300 dia that were cheerleading the mass slaughter of Iraqis and American burgers, 200 hot dogs, six kegs, and twenty-four magna of wine were con- soldiers now attempt to portray a growing protest movement as vio- sumed. This event would not have been such a success without the help of lent. Our highest court is emblazoned with the motto “Equal Justice the dedicated volunteers who graciously offered their time and labor. We Under Law” while its justices actively seek to ensure that some are are planning to hold a similar social event in the spring. Ideas for this event more equal than others. ceos who have done everything they can (and volunteers) are always welcome. to eliminate the jobs of working Americans are heralded as “job cre- The pda has also focused on career development this fall. Twice a ators.” Our ostensible democracy is a strange kabuki where radical year, the pda awards partial or full reimbursement for expenses associat- ideologues call themselves conservative, while attempting to portray ed with attending conferences and/or workshops. Sixteen applicants were a conservative president as radical. It is only in this context, where continued on page 4 continued on page 3 1 RNA, continued from page 1 part history, thus presents a considerable initially cast as the “adapter,” a fragile and challenge. RNA: Life’s Indispensible Mol- cryptically simple link between the mas- Editorial Board ecule, by Rockefeller University emeritus ter blueprint in dna and the structures of EDITORIAL BOARD professor James Darnell, meets that chal- proteins, the key “doers” of the cell. Dr. lenge forcefully. Dr. Darnell, most well- Darnell upends this notion by showcasing Lauren Brenner known by undergraduates as a textbook a history of rna as the centerpiece of mo- Disan Davis author of Molecular Cell Biology, wields his lecular biology, hidden as it was to many Sasha DeWitt textbook writing skills to create a fluid hu- of its early practitioners, and only slowly Jeanne Garbarino man narrative of the history of . The revealed with new tools and assays over rna Carly Gelfond result is “an unapologetically historical” the past 40 years. Chapters three and four Melina Herman account of rna research, refreshing both offer a concise, though detailed, summary Jim Keller in its use of primary data for the major- of pioneering experiments done in bacte- Collene Lawhorn ity of figures and in the rigorous treatment ria that led to trna and rna polymerase, Joseph Luna of historically important experiments as and experiments done in mammalian cells Aileen Marshall told by one of the giants of the field. The to establish ribosomal function and mrna Engin Ozertugrul experience is one of an exceptional and architecture through the 1970s and 1980s. nuanced guided tour, as Dr. Darnell tells Chapter five, the longest and most text- Tobias Reichenbach a story infused with many first-hand ac- book-like, attempts to summarize rna Susan Russo counts of great scientific moments. This research post-1990, which is admittedly Rich Templeton added context adds unique depth to many a tall order. Yet, by focusing on mrna selections.rockefeller.edu well-known stories on the early biochemi- regulation, Dr. Darnell manages to con- [email protected] cal research of dna and protein, and offers vey a rich story that touches on the most a suitable introduction of rna as the key important aspects that sustain researchers mediator between the two. After summa- to this day. For a thorough introduction rnas, and outlines the incomplete state of rizing the early days of molecular biology, on the major players and themes of cur- current research directed towards finding Dr. Darnell weaves a compact—though rent rna research, you’d be hard-pressed life’s origin. It’s an expansive note to end never too dense (i.e. sleep inducing)—his- to find a better example under a hundred on; certainly one that leaves many ques- torical narrative, plumbing his own rich pages. tions for future rna scientists to explore. history in rna research. One gets the The final chapter, while rooted in con- “Why the furor over dna and pro- sense that Dr. Darnell’s passion for rna jecture, offers many gems to ponder. As tein?” Dr. Darnell asks. He continues, stems from scientific interest as much as Dr. Darnell points out, given the existence “they are both simply the handmaidens from his affection for the people who did of rna genomes and rnas with enzymat- that have allowed rna to have its way with the work: old friends, colleagues, and even ic activity, in principle, one could do away this planet.” This statement, which clos- former competitors, are liberally cred- with dna (as an information carrier) and es the book (and graces the back cover) ited throughout, oftentimes with palpable protein (as an enzymatic machine) entire- shouldn’t be much of a spoiler given the warmth. ly. This final chapter ferries this point to its title. In fact, if that’s all one read, it could The emphasis on rna given Dr. Dar- conclusion by discussing the basis for the rightly be taken as over-the-top. Only af- nell’s career would only mistakenly appear “rna world” hypothesis. Though almost ter traversing a rich history of both cells biased at first glance as it serves an impor- mystical in scope, Dr. Darnell never strays and people, with Dr. Darnell as a spirited tant purpose. For Dr. Darnell, an under- from the scientific basis of positing early guide, does this sentiment not only seem lying theme in charting the course of bi- life as having evolved from self replicating plausible, it is warranted.
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