Split And Splice

An esteemed historian of science explores the diversity of scientific experimentation. The experiment has long been seen as a test bed for theory, but in Split and Splice, Hans-Jörg Rheinberger makes the case, instead, for treating experimentation as a creative practice. His latest book provides an innovative look at the experimental protocols and connections that have made the life sciences so productive. Delving into the materiality of the experiment, the first part of the book assesses traces, models, grafting, and note-taking—the conditions that give experiments structure and make discovery possible. The second section widens its focus from micro-level laboratory processes to the temporal, spatial, and narrative links between experimental systems. Rheinberger narrates with accessible examples, most of which are drawn from molecular biology, including from the author’s laboratory notebooks from his years researching ribosomes. A critical hit when it was released in Germany, Split and Splice describes a method that involves irregular results and hit-or-miss connections—not analysis, not synthesis, but the splitting and splicing that form a scientific experiment. Building on Rheinberger’s earlier writing about science and epistemology, this book is a major achievement by one of today’s most influential theorists of scientific practice.

The research and development process in modern drug discovery and development is a complex and challenging task. Using traditional biological test methods such as PCR to measure the expression levels or function of these genes is costly and time-consuming. RNA-seq can measure the expression patterns of thousands of genes simultaneously and provide insights into functional pathways or regulations in biological processes, which has revolutionized the way biological scientists examine gene functions. This book addresses the various aspects of the RNA-seq technique, especially its application in drug discovery and development. Features • One of the few books that focuses on the applications of the RNA-seq technique in drug discovery and development. • Comprehensive and timely publication which relates RNA sequencing to drug targets, mechanisms of action, and resistance. • The editor has extensive experience in the field of computational medicinal chemistry, computational biophysics, and bioinformatics. • Chapter authors are at the frontline of the academic and industrial science in this particular area of RNA sequencing.