Pigment of the Imagination: A History of Phytochrome Research [Hardcover]

Linda C. Sage (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0126144451 | ISBN-13: 978-0126144451 | Publication Date: April 21, 1992

Pigment of the Imagination chronicles the story of phytochrome, the bright-blue photoreversible pigment through which plants constantly monitor the quality and presence of light. The book begins with work that led to the discovery of phytochrome and ends with the latest findings in gene regulation and expression. The phytochrome story provides a paradigm for the process of scientific discovery. This book should thus be of interest to scientists who work on phytochrome and related subjects in plant science, as well as to all scientists and science historians interested in how a scientific research field begins, develops, and matures.

Documents the science and history of phytochrome research over an 80 year span
Combines information from scientific literature, archival documents, and in-person inteviews
Describes in scholarly and readable style an elegant example of biological discovery
Accessible to researchers and students in all areas of science and history of science

Editorial Reviews

Review

Linda Sage provides a thoroughly researched historigraphical account of the phytochrome research during the past 80 years....The author writes in a clear style....The result is a book that can be followed easily by nonspecialists.
--NATURE
(long Version of the Quote)
Provides a fascinating account of the vast amount of phytochrome research that has been conducted during the past eight decades. It is the product of extensive work by Linda Sage, who analyzed scientific literature and personal records and conducted numerous interviews....Part 1 is a well-balanced blend of research data and personal information that provides the reader with the facts as well as an appreciation for the ingenuity and insights of many of the key investigators....Part 2 provides a wealth of information obtained from various fronts....Part 2 does as superb job of bringing together contemporary information on the latest advances with molecular genetics, biochemistry, and biophysics to dissect the complex physiology of phytochrom action. In addition to being a valuable resource for both the novice and the seasoned photobiology researcher, Pigment of the Imagination should be enjoyed by everyone interested in plant physiology or the history of science, whether teacher or researcher. I look forward to the sequel, in which we will find out how researchers finally arrive at a comprehensive understanding of the mode of action of the pigment that has captured the imagination of so many.
--SCIENCE
(Short Version of the Quote Above)
Pigment of the Imagination provides a fascinating account of the vast amount of phytochrome research that has been conducted during the past eight decades.
In addition to being a valuable resource for both the novice and the seasoned photobiology researcher, Pigment of the Imagination should be enjoyed by everyone interested in plant physiology or the history of science, whether teacher or researcher.
--SCIENCE

Product Details

• Hardcover: 562 pages
• Publisher: Academic Press (April 21, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0126144451
• ISBN-13: 978-0126144451
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,763,455 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Time to Chew the Chrome!, December 7, 2000

By 

Brian M. Parks (Madison, Wisconsin United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pigment of the Imagination: A History of Phytochrome Research (Hardcover)

Hold the phone fellow Phytonerds!.... Here is your definitive skip along the Aqua/Teal Brick Road leading to the Oz of plant photobiology. Ms. Sage has done one heckuva job here in compiling the story of Phytochrome, the Wondercule. She has traveled the world to interview the living major players of phytochrome research in an effort to drain their brains of the scientific and anecdotal information regarding the story of this fascinating photoreceptor first discovered in plants. Phytochrome is immensely important to normal plant development. With both Pr and Pfr playing center stage, you are treated to one of plant biology's finest sagas of ongoing discovery. Flowering, seed germination, gene regulation, and lots more fill these pages with text and data that just itch to grab at your own photoreceptors. However, this field is clearly hitting the ground with its feet running, since this text is now already way out of date. But a little more digging after you depart here will easily bring you up to speed. The land of Chrome awaits you, so punch your card and get on the bus!

5.0 out of 5 stars Perspective!, October 20, 2005

By 

K. Folta (Gainesville, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pigment of the Imagination: A History of Phytochrome Research (Hardcover)

Today's whiny molecular biology brats will benefit from a review of the history of phytochrome, a molecule discovered through hard-core brute-force bucket biochemistry and the investment of millions of combined work hours. Careers were made and lost in pursuit of an understanding of a light sensitive trigger; a molecule that could be switched between active and inactive states depending on prevailing wavebands. The book gives us all a perspective of the brilliant hypotheses posed and tested, the behind-the-scenes thinking of scientific minds honed to attack a critical facet of plant biology.

Dittos to B.M.Parks (the above review) a guy that was there and featured in the text. From Borthwich, Spiegelman and Hendricks to Chory, Briggs and Quail, the text covers the gamut of players and their important contributions to understanding a critical molecule in plant biology. A great story, not just for scientists.