392 TIBS 14- September 1989

example, gives priority to relationships within the T7 family, and consequent discussions on the origin and evolution of these phages. In contrast the exten- sive review of bacteriophage P1, by two of those whose groups have exploited molecular cloning to dissect this com- plex phage, is comprehensive. Even though this article was drafted well over a year ago, it remains up-to-date, perhaps a reflection of good informal communication within the P1 world. Surely this chapter will be a definitive work for some years. Like many in these volumes, it gives historical back- ground about the isolation of the phage and interesting 'lore' previously com- municated only by oral tradition.

The coliphages reviewed include various T phages, Mu, P2, N4 qbx174,

RNA and filamentous phages. In addi- tion, there are chapters on the bacter- iophages of archaebacteria, cyano- bacteria and Bacillus subtilis, and on those bacteriophage that contain lipid, those with protein attached to the ends of their genomes, and those that encode gene products that cause human dis- ease. I, for one, welcome the chapters that focus on specific topics, e.g. DNA replication, DNA packaging, phage assembly and the modification of RNA polymerases. There is, however, no chapter on either recombination or restriction and modification, but aspects of the latter as exemplified by bacteriophage PI arc, of course, covered in depth in the chapter on this phage, and mechanisms of combating restrictions arc discussed where rel-

evant to any particular phage. It is a pity that the chapter on the phages of B. subtilis was completed too soon to cover the more recent exciting work on the domains of phage encoded methyl transferases.

All molecular biologists will find chapters of interest within these two volumes. Some of the chapters will become standard reference articles, some make enjoyable reading and all are useful. 1 hope that University li- braries will add these volumes to their shelves because few teachers will have the luxury of owning their own.

NOREEN E. MURRAY

Detmrtment of Molecular Biology, UniversiO' of Edinburgh, Kings Buildings, Ma)field Road, Edinburgh EH93JR, UK.

Books in Brief

HPLC of Macromolecules: A Pract ical A p p r o a c h

edited by R. W. A. Oliver, 1RL Press, 1989. £27.00 (xvi + 236 pages) ISBN 019 9630216

HPLC of macromolecules is an exciting area which has undergone rapid advance in the past 5-10 years, but this particular treatise is unlikely either to inspire interest in HPLC in the senior investigator wishing to develop a better understanding of the potential HPLC for the fractionation of macromol- ecules, or to provide helpful informa- tion for the newcomer.

The quality and information pro- vided in this multi-author edited collec- tion is highly variable from chapter to chapter. Some chapters appear to be directed at the novice and others require considerable sophistication of the reader. Many sections are repeti- tive. Certain chapters, such as those dealing with oligonucleotide frac- tionation, appear to be quite up to date and potentially useful, whereas others (particularly those dealing with carbo- hydrates and affinity chromatography) are out of date and inadequate.

The development of strategies for the utilization of HPLC to solve separ- ation problems, an issue of major importance to the investigator, is given relatively little consideration. Readers require a true understanding of what is possible and how it can be achieved,

and few references to more sophisti- cated descriptions of the issues in- volved are provided.

Although the book does include a useful description of various columns provided by current manufacturers, I cannot recommend it as good value for money, or well written (with the excep- tion of a few chapters).

J . U . B .

Colloidal Gold : A New Perspec t ive for Cy tochemica l Mark ing

by Julian E. Beesley, Ox]brd Univer- sit); Press, 1989. £5.85 (58pages) ISBN 019 856418 X

This is a useful introduction to the area of colloidal gold immunolabelling. Although inevitably brief, all import- ant applications are covered and the references are up to date, giving access to valuable further information. The micrographs presented are of good quality and useful summary tables of methods are given.

1 was sorry not to see a micrograph of Lowicryl embedded material included, as this resin is widely used and gives excellent results.

This will be a valuable book to have in any laboratory using colloidal gold as a cytochemical marker, and its low price makes it affordable for individual workers as well.

P. R. F.

Bio t r an s fo rm a t io n s , Vol. 1

by D.R. Hawkins, The Royal Society of Chemistrv, 1988. £75.00 (xxi + 5l l pages) ISBNO 85186 1571

This book takes a relatively novel view of biotransformation reactions, i.e. a chemical/reaction-type view. It will be of value to libraries as well as to post- graduate scientists and to students on specialized courses.

The book provides a good introduc- tory overview, suffering only from a lack of references (particularly to the enzymology). The references that arc presented are very up to date. the illustrations used are good and the index is thorough. The coverage is broad and includes clinically used drugs, pesticides, environmental pollu- tants, xenobiotics and naturally occur- ring compounds. The description of each compound is followed by one ref- erence to the l i tera ture- again maybe a few more references would have been appropriate.

This is an excellent piece of work which I'm sure 1 will continually refer to. It very professionally fills a void in the literature. I would encourage the author to keep the series going.

G. (~.

Renew promptly to ensure an uninterrupted supply of

TIBS.