
The Triumph of Biology's Model Organisms
How Flies, Mice, and Slime Molds Became Teachers of Biology
Joseph Travis(Author)
Academic Press
Will be published approx. on 1. September 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
192 pages
978-0-443-44367-1 (ISBN)
Description
The Triumph of Biology's Model Organisms: How Flies, Mice, and Slime Molds Became Teachers of Biology provides an exploration on how seemingly ordinary organisms-flies, mice, slime molds, and more-have become central to scientific discovery. The book addresses the need to connect the stories of these organisms to broad advances in fundamental and biomedical science, providing readers with an appreciation for how curiosity-driven research translates into practical outcomes. Spanning a diverse array of species, it examines what makes an organism a model, the evolutionary principles underlying their utility, and the blend of wisdom and luck that led to their selection.
Through compelling case studies and featured scientist reflections, chapters invite readers to critically examine how model organisms are chosen and why they matter. Readers will discover the pivotal roles of classic models like Drosophila and Neurospora, the transformation of pests into research heroes, and how extreme biological features have been harnessed to solve enduring questions. This book equips advanced undergraduates, graduate students, and researchers with a comprehensive understanding of the scientific and historical significance of model organisms.
Through compelling case studies and featured scientist reflections, chapters invite readers to critically examine how model organisms are chosen and why they matter. Readers will discover the pivotal roles of classic models like Drosophila and Neurospora, the transformation of pests into research heroes, and how extreme biological features have been harnessed to solve enduring questions. This book equips advanced undergraduates, graduate students, and researchers with a comprehensive understanding of the scientific and historical significance of model organisms.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
San Diego
United States
Publishing group
Elsevier Science Publishing Co Inc
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Weight
449 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-443-44367-1 (9780443443671)
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
Dr. Joseph Travis is the Robert O. Lawton Professor Emeritus within Florida State University's Department of Biological Science. He obtained his BA in Biology from the University of Pennsylvania and his PhD in Zoology from Duke University. He is an evolutionary biologist and ecologist whose research spans bird, amphibian, fish, and plant taxa and topics including patterns of inheritance, evolutionary relationships, and predator-prey dynamics. He has published extensively on topics in history and education in biology, including the use of model organisms, the role of natural history in science, and the history of population genetics. He brings more than 40 years of teaching experience to the project, from advanced undergraduate students to medical students.
Author
Robert O. Lawson Professor Emeritus, Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
Content
1. What Is a Model Organism?
2. What Does Evolution have to do with Model
Organisms?
3. Wise or Lucky?
4. From Villains to Heroes
5. Exploiting Extreme Features
6. Curiosity, Serendipity, and Discovery
7. New Models, Old Problems, and New Insights
8. When Animal Models Fail
9. New Ways to Learn from Old Models
2. What Does Evolution have to do with Model
Organisms?
3. Wise or Lucky?
4. From Villains to Heroes
5. Exploiting Extreme Features
6. Curiosity, Serendipity, and Discovery
7. New Models, Old Problems, and New Insights
8. When Animal Models Fail
9. New Ways to Learn from Old Models