
The Quest For Life In Amber
George Poinar(Author)
Perseus Books (Publisher)
Published on 25. October 1995
Book
Paperback/Softback
240 pages
978-0-201-48928-6 (ISBN)
Description
George Poinar began collecting amber specimins over thirty years ago, but it was only recently that he, Roberta Poinar, and the rest of his research team astounded the scientific community with the news that they had obtained "live" DNA strands from an insect over 40 million years old. The news was so significant that it made headlines throughout the world. Since that time, their lab has remained extraordinarily active, and in the summer of 1993, they were able to announce the successful extraction of preserved DNA strands over 125 million years old. Thus, there is now DNA available for study dating from the early dinosaur period.In passages that read more like an Indiana Jones screenplay than a story about scientific research, the Poinars describe how what began as a hobby grew into a semi-obsession which ultimately led to a breakthrough scientific discovery. Along the way, they encounter all manner of unusual characters, from threatening black marketeers and gun-toting guerrillas to extraordinarily talented scientists, and of course, the luminously beautiful specimins captured in the still-life of amber.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Boulder
United States
Publishing group
INGRAM PUBLISHER SERVICES US
Product notice
Paperback (UK-trade)
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
402 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-201-48928-6 (9780201489286)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
George and Roberta Poinar founded the Amber Institute in Oregon, where they both continue their amber research. George is also in the Department of Entomology at Oregon State University.
Content
* Amber from the Sea * The Russian Connection * Looking at Amber Up Close * African Safari * Adventures with Tomb Amber * Excursion in Poland * Searching for Berber Amber * Bringing them Back Alive * Million-Year-Old Cells * Pursuing Ancient DNA * Amber South of the Border * The Extinct DNA Study Group * Western European Collections * Amber in the Carribean * Amber Down Under