Evolution since Coding: Cradles, Halos, Barrels, and Wings

Evolution since Coding: Cradles, Halos, Barrels, and Wings describes genesis of metabolism, transcription, translation, cell structure, eukaryotic complexity, LUCA (the last universal common (cellular) ancestor), the great divergence of archaea and bacteria, LECA (the last eukaryotic common ancestor), extinction, and cancer in very simple ways. The work (almost) "synthesizes life from scratch" (since coding) and describes the tools for readers to check the author’s work. As a result, readers understand living systems and their evolution in a conceptual way and are empowered to utilize powerful but accessible tools in computer-based biology.

The work serves as foundational reading for a variety of researchers, academics, and students in life sciences, for example in evolution/evolutionary biology, biochemistry, genetics/molecular genetics, molecular biology, cell biology, and microbiology, as well as disciplines beyond biological science. Its approachable style makes the book accessible for introductory students and educated laypersons. Evolution since Coding is suitable to supplement college courses that mix computers, evolution, and biology from freshman to senior level.

Provides a simple, hands-on, conceptual route to understanding ancient evolution and the diversification of life on earthOffers a conceptual understanding of biology, evolution, protein structure, RNA synthesis systems, protein synthesis systems, signaling systems, genesis of the three domains, and cell structuresApproaches ancient evolution via code-breaking protein and RNA sequences and motifs

1. Big Questions 2. What This Book Is About 3. Scientific Acronyms 4. Molecular Graphics

Section I: The Old Testament of Gene Regulation 5. Evolution as a Cutout Doll Problem I 6. Evolution as a Cutout Doll Problem II 7. The Best Art 8. Intelligent Design 9. Polymers 10. LEGO (Trademark) Life 11. α/β Proteins 12. The Inevitability of α/β Folds 13. Evolution Puts the Y (Why) in Biology 14. Evolution Is Not Anti-Religion 15. Computers in Biology 16. The Old and New Testaments of Gene Regulation 17. Evolution as a Cutout Doll Problem III 18. Multi-subunit RNA Polymerases Book I 19. Multi-Subunit RNA Polymerases Book II 20. The Chemical Synthesis of Life 21. The RNA World 22. Ribosomes 23. The RNA-Protein World 24. Transfer RNA 25. The Three Domains of Life on Earth and Scientific Working Hypotheses 26. LUCA 27. General Transcription Factors and Promoters 28. Archaea 29. Bacteria 30. Methane and Oxygen

Section II: The New Testament of Gene Regulation 31. LECA 32. Eukaryotic Multi-Subunit RNA Polymerases, General Transcription Factors and the CTD 33. Patchwork Eukaryotic Phylogenomics 34. Plants 35. The Permian-Triassic Extinction 36. The Triassic-Jurassic Extinction 37. The Cretaceous-Paleogene Extinction 38. The Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum 39. Promoter Proximal Pausing and the CTD Interactome 40. Human Evolution 41. Human Cancer 42. Homology Modeling and Cryoelectron Microscopy 43. Human Extinction 44. Evolution Versus Faith 45. Concept in Biology 46. Other Books and Studies