Gene Machine cover art

Gene Machine

The Race to Decipher the Secrets of the Ribosome

 Preview
Free with 30-day trial
Prime logo New to Audible Prime Member exclusive:
2 credits with free trial
1 credit a month to use on any title to download and keep
Listen to anything from the Plus Catalogue—thousands of Audible Originals, podcasts and audiobooks
Download titles to your library and listen offline
₹199 per month after 30-day trial. Cancel anytime.

Gene Machine

Written by: Venki Ramakrishnan
Narrated by: Matthew Waterson
Free with 30-day trial

₹199 per month after 30-day trial. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for ₹703.00

Buy Now for ₹703.00

About this listen

Everyone has heard of DNA. But by itself, DNA is just an inert blueprint for life. It is the ribosome - an enormous molecular machine made up of a million atoms - that makes DNA come to life, turning our genetic code into proteins and therefore into us.

Gene Machine is an insider account of the race for the structure of the ribosome, a fundamental discovery that both advances our knowledge of all life and could lead to the development of better antibiotics against life-threatening diseases.

But this is also a human story of Ramakrishnan's unlikely journey, from his first fumbling experiments in a biology lab to being the dark horse in a fierce competition with some of the world's best scientists. In the end, Gene Machine is a frank insider's account of the pursuit of high-stakes science.

©2018 Venki Ramakrishnan (P)2018 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books Biological Sciences Professionals & Academics Science Science & Technology Leaders
All stars
Most relevant
He attributes discovery of calculus to European scientists in the 17th century whereas it is well known that from a study by universities of Manchester and Exeter which says it knows where the true credit lies — and it's with someone else completely.

The "Kerala school," a little-known group of scholars and mathematicians in fourteenth century India, identified the "infinite series" — one of the basic components of calculus — around 1350.

He also talks about being irritated by the multitude of emails from his country of birth when he won the noble. However he gives a weak reason for accepting knighthood in England.

While I liked the story, a part of me was disappointed by the author’s rejection of his roots.

Interesting story but the author needs to be aware non-European scientific discoveries

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Throughly enjoyed the book and it was crystallography 101. Must for any protein Crystollapher to read and assimilate

Must read for anyone

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Venki Ramakrishnan, co-winner of the Nobel prize for the discovery of of the ribosome structure gives a (mostly) layman friendly insight into his run for the race towards solving one of biology's biggest puzzles, using technologies and collaborations. Highly recommended to budding scientists and sundry curious people.

Lucid retelling of a marvelous quest to solve one of life's greatest riddles.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
V Ramakrishnan's uses simple words, yet the language is vivid enough to help us visualise the (wo)men and molecules that inhabit this book. Waterson's narration is pleasant, even paced and distinct. A good listen!

Lucidly written, distinctly narrated

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
A good overview of the race for cracking the ribosome structure. The book gives a very good account of the author's and his competitors' work leading to cracking the ribosome structure. Along the way a reasonably good explanation of the ribosome and it's functions are given.

Race for cracking the ribosome structure

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews