Wetware: A Computer in Every Living Cell |  | Author: Dennis Bray
Publisher: Yale University Press
Category: Book
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Rating:  9 reviews
Sales Rank: 111654
Media: Hardcover
Pages: 280
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.3
Dimensions (in): 9.3 x 6.2 x 1
ISBN: 0300141734
Dewey Decimal Number: 571.6
EAN: 9780300141733
ASIN: 0300141734
Publication Date: May 26, 2009
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Product Description
How does a single-cell creature, such as an amoeba, lead such a sophisticated life? How does it hunt living prey, respond to lights, sounds, and smells, and display complex sequences of movements without the benefit of a nervous system? This book offers a startling and original answer. In clear, jargon-free language, Dennis Bray taps the findings of the new discipline of systems biology to show that the internal chemistry of living cells is a form of computation. Cells are built out of molecular circuits that perform logical operations, as electronic devices do, but with unique properties. Bray argues that the computational juice of cells provides the basis of all the distinctive properties of living systems: it allows organisms to embody in their internal structure an image of the world, and this accounts for their adaptability, responsiveness, and intelligence. In Wetware, Bray offers imaginative, wide-ranging and perceptive critiques of robotics and complexity theory, as well as many entertaining and telling anecdotes. For the general reader, the practicing scientist, and all others with an interest in the nature of life, the book is an exciting portal to some of biology’s latest discoveries and ideas.
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Showing reviews 1-5 of 9
Brilliant explanation of biological computing for the lay reader June 9, 2009
Eggcrate (New York City)
41 out of 41 found this review helpful
The idea that cellular membranes and contents may be functional equivalents of computers may appear strange, if not implausible. Dennis Bray sets forth a highly readable, absolutely intriguing case for the machine nature of proteins that are in a constant dialog with their inner (the cell juice or cytosol) and outer environments, exploiting thermal diffusion, dynamic equilibrium, weak and strong bonding forces, all of which result in a fantastic orchesta of switching on and off to produce this phenomenon well call life.
There is something breathtaking in Bray's thesis, which is stated in such lucid and straightforward language that the general reader will wonder why cellular biology ever seemed like a difficult or alien subject.
Computational biology gives one the sense that we are at the threshold of yet another of civilization's "Spinoza moments" where the entire framework for thinking about life is dramatically, and irrevocably restructured.
Rather than being sourced in unfathomable complexity, life in this model is founded on processes of utmost simplicity, yet have evolved marvellously dense control networks within the structure of those simple rules.
Bray's Wetware is essential reading for the non specialist who wants to know where one of the most significant trends in science and phiolsophy are headed.
complexity reduced June 10, 2009
David A. Rintoul (Manhattan, KS USA)
35 out of 38 found this review helpful
The premise for this book is that systems of proteins can convey and process information at the level of a single free-living cell. These proteins act as switches or transistors, functioning as the nervous system does for multicellular organisms. Bray presents abundant evidence that this is the case. Several well-studied cellular examples (e.g. bacterial chemotaxis) are used to illustrate the principle that complex behaviors and even the appearance of "consciousness" can be the product of relatively simple combinations of switches and outcomes. This is augmented by discussion of simple robots (e.g. Grey Walter's "tortoises") and computer games (e.g. PacMan), illustrating the point that some extremely complex behaviors can result from extremely simple circuits and motors.
His insight that "it is much more difficult to infer internal structure from the observation of behavior than to create the structure that gives the behavior in the first place" is a powerful one, and should give pause to anyone who subscribes to the notion of "intelligent design", or who thinks that cellular activities are "irreducibly complex". Humans can be easily fooled into believing that human-like attributes can only be attributed to human-like intelligence.. But the notion that a cell is so complex that it must have been designed by a supernatural agent is similar to the response one might imagine if a caveman was confronted by a simple robot. In both cases the object seems beyond comprehension; in both cases the object can actually be described by simple physical laws, circuits and switches.
Bray brings the full force of his experience and intellect to this book, showing the way toward a deeper understanding of single-cell behavior, neural net capabilities, and our innate ability to infer consciousness or agency in systems that actually have a very simple network of switches and outcomes. It is important to understand that Bray is not saying that single cells have what we call "consciousness", but they do have properties that could be described as short-term memory, intentions, and learning. Clearly these properties cannot be the result of a brain and nervous system, but must be based in a far simpler circuitry of proteins and environmental cues. Complete appreciation of this book will require some basic biological education; some of that is supplied by the author while other concepts are assumed. His perspective allows us another step away from the brain/mind Descartian dualism that seems to be making a comeback among anti-intellectual and anti-scientific proponents of theological arguments such as intelligent design.
The arguments thus have not only scientific ramifications, but cultural and philosophical ramifications as well.
This is one fantastic book! July 21, 2009
Clive (Max) Maxfield (Alabama, USA)
35 out of 39 found this review helpful
This book blew me away - my head is spinning - I'm a firm believer in evolution (of course), but having read this book I have more of a glimpse of the complexities involved I've decided that we can't possibly exist (grin).
Of course the title of this book doesn't imply a computer like we think of ... more the ability to perform computations and make decisions. To be honest I hadn't really thought about this stuff in this depth before, but as it says on the cover:
"How does a single-cell creature, such as an amoeba, lead such a sophisticated life? How does it hunt living prey, respond to lights, sounds, and smells, and display complex sequences of movements without the benefit of a nervous system?"
Having read this book I can just about understand how an amoeba can move around and hunt its prey etc ... and I can also understand how groups of similar cells can perform "quorum sensing" (detect their relative concentration - i.e how many of them are there in a given area) ... remembering that we're talking about single cells here...
But to go from there to the current peak of human evolution (that would be me ... and you I suppose ... but let's focus on me :-)
... well, all I can say is that "the mind boggles" ...
I'm still trying to wrap my brain around everything that I learned.
This is a fantastic book - highly recommended!!!
Fascinating exploration of the complexities of a cell February 24, 2010
A. Menon (Hong Kong)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
This book is full of fascinating information. Wetware is a book about the cell, it discusses the mechanics of signal transmission, the relationships between the various parts of the cell and the emergent phenomenon that result from a cell's architecture on a case by case basis from protazoa and amoeba to our nerve cells. The commentary describes both the complexity of the cell in terms of its adaptability to a diverse ecosystem as well as the plausible origins of how such complexity evolved. The book argues a strong evolutionary case about life and its origins.
Most of the book is very readable and gives the non-expert an insight into how through diffusion cells react and signals are processed. Cases are studied and the strategies of such single celled organisms such as the ameoba are discussed in strong detail. Examples of environmental sensitivity are discussed and "intelligence" to the extent that even single cells have architecture that allow them to dynamically adapt are explored. The exploration of the single cell is the most interesting, likely because it can be studied in isolation and thus its easier to discuss a single cells properties than a multi-celled organism. The book goes through a lot of interesting material, it discusses RNA, protein structures and dynamics and neural networks. The Neural networks portion is a good overview of how they work and how they can be used in a machine setting to obtain interesting results. As the book gets into the multicelled aspect, the quality doesnt go down so much as the material can be slightly overwhelming. Despite that, the themes of the book can still be gleaned despite some of the specifics being a bit hard to follow.
One reads this book and really mavels at the complexity of the single cell. The author gives a good example at the end - the fruitfly is able to, with negligble energy, navigate efficiently, the computing power required for humans to replicate that is of a very different order of magnitute. The cell is of microscopic size but astronomical complexity and that is where one must stop in awe and appreciate the amazing depth of life. This book takes the reader on that journey. The author tries to only take what can be observed and doesnt try to fill the gaps with intelligent design. He shows how genetic programming results show that solutions to complicated problems show up unexpectedly in evolutionary settings and that is no evidence of design. I found this book to really revitalize the idea that life is truly astonishing. It is not only astonishing from the perspective of muticelled organisms and our own self awareness, but more foundationally, from the single cell and up. I highly recommend this, it should be read by all.
Biology Meets Computer Science December 22, 2009
C. A. Rodriguez (Sunnyvale, CA USA)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I'm extremely happy that Prof. Bray decided to write this book. Little by little biologists and computer scientists are realizing that they are studying two sides of the same coin. It is one of the most profound and important achievements of the 21st century. It will truly change everything.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 9
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