Description

PREFACE

A NEW EDITION
What factors might explain the re-emergence of a well-received biochemistry
textbook (Biochemistry, Third Edition, 2000, by C. K. Mathews, K. E. van Holde,
and K. G. Ahern), some 12 years after publication of the previous edition? In a
rapidly evolving field like biochemistry, textbooks are typically revised every four
or five years to retain their educational value.
Still, biochemistry instructors and students continued to ask when and
whether a fourth edition might appear. While Chris Mathews was interested in
revising and updating the book, his previous coauthors were unable to commit to
a pro
ject of this magnitude, and so the search began for a new author team. After
a long and careful selection process, two new coauthors

joined Chris Mathews
:
Dr. Dean R. Appling, Lester J. Reed Professor of Biochemistry and Associate Dean
for Research and Facilities for the College of Natural Sciences at the University of
Texas at Austin, and Dr. Spencer J. Anthony-Cahill, Professor of Chemistry at
Western Washington University, Bellingham.
Dean Appling is an enzymologist with interests in regulation and organization
of metabolic pathways, with particular emphasis upon folate cofactors and the
metabolism of single-carbon units. Much of his work uses NMR and molecular

genetics to probe metabolic compartmentation and control. Spencer Anthony-
Cahill’s chief interest is protein folding and design, with current emphasis upon

folding patterns in protein variants that have circularly permuted sequences.
Before assuming his present faculty position, Spencer worked for five years in the
biotechnology industry, an experience that gives him a valuable perspective in
teaching biochemistry. Both Dean and Spencer have used previous editions of
Biochemistry in their own teaching, so they were well aware of the strengths of this
book and areas where fresh attention was needed.
The research interests of the new author team created a natural division of

writing responsibilities. Spencer’s writing was focused upon biomolecular struc-
ture and mechanisms, Dean dealt with metabolism and its control, and Chris put

his major effort into genetic biochemistry. However, the pro

ject was truly a team
effort. Each chapter draft was scrutinized by all three authors, with revisions made
by each principal draft author before submission to our editors and outside
reviewers. We found our fellow authors to be our strongest critics. And, although
Ken van Holde was not actively involved with this edition, he did review some
drafts and much of his graceful writing remains in this new edition.