Calculations for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology: A Guide to Mathematics in the Laboratory [Paperback]

Frank H. Stephenson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0126657513 | ISBN-13: 978-0126657517 | Publication Date: July 14, 2003 | Edition: 1

Calculations in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology: A Guide to Mathematics in the Laboratory is the first comprehensive guide devoted exclusively to calculations encountered in the genetic engineering laboratory. Mathematics, as a vital component of the successful design and interpretation of basic research, is used daily in laboratory work. This guide, written for students, technicians, and scientists, provides example calculations for the most frequently confronted problems encountered in gene discovery and analysis. The text and sample calculations are written in an easy-to-follow format. It is the perfect laboratory companion for anyone working in DNA manipulation and analysis.

*A comprehensive guide to calculations for a wide variety of problems encountered in the basic research laboratory.
* Example calculations are worked through from start to finish in easy-to-follow steps
* Key chapters devoted to calculations encountered when working with bacteria, phage, PCR, radioisotopes, recombinant DNA, centrifugation, oligonucleotides, protein, and forensic science.
*Written for students and laboratory technicians but a useful reference for the more experienced researcher.
*A valuable teaching resource.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

The first comprehensive guide devoted exclusively to calculations for the genetic engineering laboratory.

About the Author

By Dr. Frank H. Stephenson

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Product Details

• Paperback: 302 pages
• Publisher: Academic Press; 1 edition (July 14, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0126657513
• ISBN-13: 978-0126657517
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,009,328 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Calculator and This Book on Every Lab Bench, October 29, 2003

By 

"aeedaugher" (Redwood City, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Calculations for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology: A Guide to Mathematics in the Laboratory (Paperback)

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For most of my entry-level biotechnology students, it's not the science, it's the math.

Adults and students in my three-year biotechnology pathway (San Mateo Biotechnology Career Pathway) have weak, incomplete or dated math backgrounds. Dr. Stephenson's "Calculations for Molecular Biology anf Biotechnology" quickly and clearly explains and demonstrates how to make the most common calculations done in biotechnology research and manufacturing.

In a conversational way, that puts users of all levels at ease, the book does a particularly good job of presenting text in small, digestible amounts with practice problems and answers directly following.

For my program, Chapter 1 (Scientific Notation and Metric Prefixes) and Chapter 2 (Solutions, Mixtures, and Media) are excellent reviews and remediation of calculations taught in the first semester's standard lab training.

Other chapters include several sections that are used or could be used as reference for my second and third year students. Some of these include bacterial growth curves and cell culture concentrations (Chapter 3), DNA Quantitation using spectrophotometers and gels (Chapter 5), PCR reactants concentration and preparation (Chapter 8), Protein Quantitation using spectrophotometry (Chapter 10), and Data Analysis (Chapter 12).

One of the things I like best about the book is that there are so many topics presented that my students have proposed several new research ideas utilizing the techniques and calculations presented.

I recommend this book as a reference for technicians, researchers, students, and teachers who work or are training to work in biotechnology labs or manufacturing facilities.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good for beginners, November 22, 2010

By 

RS - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Calculations for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology: A Guide to Mathematics in the Laboratory (Paperback)

I got myself this book by reading reviews. I should admit that it did have real good stuff for beginners although I did not find what I wanted. I was looking more of teaching how to do math when it comes to compound dilution from a stock concentration to a final concentration. Example, stockin mM to fianl of uM or nM in a well (96 well). I wanted to learn how to claculate the working concentration etc. How much volume to add and how to maintain the same concentration of DMSO till the end and stuffs like that. I wanted to learn some basics of qPCR calculation.

1 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Basic, June 13, 2007

By 

katy "squiker" (Iowa City, IA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Calculations for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology: A Guide to Mathematics in the Laboratory (Paperback)

This book was really simplistic. For freshman, it is ok, for the practice.