The term "RNA World" refers to a hypothetical time in the evolution of life on earth in which catalytic RNA was the sole genetic material and in which the standard Watson-Crick pairing was the basis of genetic manipulation; a hypothesis that has been given a new lease on life due to the recent discovery of present-day RNA molecules that do indeed display catalytic activity. These recent discoveries have also prompted editors Atkins (U. of Utah), Gesteland (U. of Utah), and Cech (U. of Colorado) to reject the title The RNA World, 4th edition in favor of RNA Worlds in recognition of the importance of these present day RNA molecules to present-day biology and to investigating the RNA World hypothesis. They present 26 papers exploring these two primordial and present-day RNA Worlds through discussions of the role of RNA in the first life forms and the appearance of cells, characteristics of riboswitches and ribozomes, protein synthesis on ribosomes, recent discoveries concerning RNA regulated gene expression, and tools and methodologies for RNA science. Annotation 2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
