RNA Royale

Throughout the modern history of biology, DNA has been given a front-row seat. Many biology textbooks and courses present the RNA molecule as an accessory to the DNA molecule. Although we take the roles of RNA for granted, its history is not as well known as that of DNA. Perhaps it was long overdue for a stellar RNA researcher such as James Darnell to undertake such a challenge. The book he has written is as remarkable as his career. No one seems more capable of describing the journey into RNA discovery than Darnell, a scientist, educator, and author. The highly detailed account, along with a flawless sense of history, takes the reader through a fascinating journey of several decades of discoveries and exciting findings in molecular biology. Darnell’s very personal style makes this book enjoyable, despite the highly technical experimental details in some of the chapters.