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The Catalyst: RNA and the Quest to Unlock Life's Deepest Secrets
A Nobel Prize–winning scientist reveals biology’s most transformative achievements in decades―a Double Helix for the dawning of the RNA age. Over the last half century, a quiet revolution has taken place. In a series of breathtaking discoveries, biochemist Thomas Cech and a diverse cast of brilliant scientists have revealed RNA at the center of biology’s greatest mysteries, from how life began to what makes us human to why we age. At last, The Catalyst pulls back the curtain to show how RNA―long sidelined as the passive servant of DNA―defines life, from its very origins to our future in the twenty-first century. Recounting his own paradigm-shifting discovery that RNA can catalyze biochemical reactions, as well as his work on the “fountain of youth” telomerase, Cech unfolds how RNA holds the key to the intricate machinery of our cells, the critical processes of aging and disease, and the spectacular powers of breakthrough therapies from CRISPR to mRNA vaccines. From one of our foremost scientists, The Catalyst is a must-read guide to the present and future of biology and medicine. 26 illustrations
304 pages, Hardcover
Published June 4, 2024
239 people are currently reading
2813 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
June 10, 2024
This was a very exciting read. I sometimes feel like I don’t really belong in this century, as I am now in my 84th year. However, it is so wonderful to read about all the fantastic research being done today. It is also very good to read about Dr.Cech’s lab partners, including many brilliant and hard-working women who are finally being fully accepted in science careers. Because of this, the pool of biology discoverers has been expanded greatly and this has made life much better in so many ways for people today. Chapter after chapter reveals all the ways RNA is contributing to solutions to problems that were once thought unsolvable. Vaccines, treatments for inherited diseases such as cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, cancers, ALS, and many more are saving lives.There is even a chapter that tells how RNA can tackle global climate change.
Dr. Cech explains why basic research is necessary. Many of the applications were preceded by discoveries that did not seem to have any practical use, but as soon as the techniques were available, other scientists were able to apply the new knowledge to important problems. CRISPR is a good example. Many new biological companies are using It to find new applications that save lives and improve life for many.
This book is written for non-scientists, so technical terms are explained in every day language. I highly recommend it.
Dr. Cech explains why basic research is necessary. Many of the applications were preceded by discoveries that did not seem to have any practical use, but as soon as the techniques were available, other scientists were able to apply the new knowledge to important problems. CRISPR is a good example. Many new biological companies are using It to find new applications that save lives and improve life for many.
This book is written for non-scientists, so technical terms are explained in every day language. I highly recommend it.
January 16, 2025
As a post-doctoral RNA scientist myself, I can’t say any of the concepts covered in this book were new to me (which is really just as well, or I might have to give my PhD back). Regardless, this was an engaging, clear, and accurate summary of some of the highlights of the field. Graciously not patronising, and striking an accurate tone for the current mood of academics, I enjoyed this read and I think non-scientists would too. I would love for everyone to give this a go and learn a little more about the best part of biology (not that I’m biased)
June 20, 2025
IP 6.1.25
Cech begins this interlude of "The Catalyst: RNA and the Quest to Unlock Life's Deepest Secrets," starting with messenger RNA delivered in a way most palatable for a student to digest without interference or nausea. Through his masterful method (based on Yong-Zhen Zhang’s SARS-CoV-2 sequence) it was known they could use mRNA to make enough protein to signal an immune response. They created a substantive method for copying DNA into loads of mRNA. Collectively, they deduced that lipid-RNA combinations gave wings and velocity to RNA thus allowing entrance.
"It had taken 30 years for mRNA therapeutics to evolve from being generally disparaged— “too unstable,” “too difficult to get into cells, ‘”t00 immunogenic”—to being heralded as “A shot to save the world.”
--Thomas Cech (Nobel Laureate)
Cech begins this interlude of "The Catalyst: RNA and the Quest to Unlock Life's Deepest Secrets," starting with messenger RNA delivered in a way most palatable for a student to digest without interference or nausea. Through his masterful method (based on Yong-Zhen Zhang’s SARS-CoV-2 sequence) it was known they could use mRNA to make enough protein to signal an immune response. They created a substantive method for copying DNA into loads of mRNA. Collectively, they deduced that lipid-RNA combinations gave wings and velocity to RNA thus allowing entrance.
"It had taken 30 years for mRNA therapeutics to evolve from being generally disparaged— “too unstable,” “too difficult to get into cells, ‘”t00 immunogenic”—to being heralded as “A shot to save the world.”
--Thomas Cech (Nobel Laureate)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 21, 2024
man this was cool
November 19, 2024
“While the Covid-19 vaccine did appear in record time, it was built on decades of scientific breakthroughs... It was impressive to see how quickly the puzzle was solved, but all the pieces were already lying there on the table when the pandemic struck. ” — Thomas Cech, The Catalyst
Thomas Cech’s The Catalyst is a laudable, slightly-autobiographical introduction to the field of RNA microbiology intending to explain the science behind many headline terms like coronavirus, mRNA, and (somewhat separately) CRISPR. As the winner of the 1989 Nobel Prize in chemistry for his discovery of catalytic RNA, Cech is an authoritative guide to the world of RNA research. I’ve picked my copy up at an appropriate time: it’s flu season, and friends all around me are getting the another Covid-19 vaccine booster along with their seasonal flu shots.
The Catalyst not only explains how mRNA vaccines work in preventing viral infection, but also provides a narrative to understand the progression of RNA research, recent medical applications for RNA, and potential for further understanding. It does not have the technical depth of a research paper, but the book does well to highlight the persistence and scientific cleverness of many individuals whose research played a pivotal role in the RNA domain, such as recent Nobel Prize laureate (and Cech’s former postdoctoral student) Jennifer Doudna. The Catalyst is a recommended read if you are curious about the role RNA plays in our lives — Cech will almost certainly convince you that the better-known DNA is boring and one-dimensional by comparison. I am very happy that a distinguished scientist would distill decades of research into a few hundred pages of reading. I’m certain that a book like this would be particularly impactful in the hands of a high schooler, undecided undergraduate, or anyone deciding on a course for intellectual pursuit.
Something I would like to highlight in my reflection here is how Cech dwells on the distributed nature of scientific discovery. Cech, in following the story of RNA research, mentions numerous individuals who each contributed to building a shared body of knowledge. Sometimes there is competition between labs to “fill in the blank” the quickest, as was the case when Cech’s lab at the University of Colorado Boulder and Bob Weinberg’s group at MIT raced to publish the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) gene. Or there are tales of underestimated researchers in an underdog field, as with Katalin Karikó, an immigrant adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania who contributed research into alternative uracil nucleotide bases that would not trigger an inappropriate immune response to RNA in a therapeutic context. There are well-funded, persistent researchers, like Doudna and Jack Szostack, industry players seeking direct drug development, and lesser-known names who deserve to be recognized. Ultimately, research happens thanks to curious biologists from all walks life publishing experimental results that incrementally add to our shared understanding.
I mean “distributed nature” also in the sense of there being a wide-ranging research domains and methods that contributed to today’s results. Scientific progress can come from unexpected directions, and Cech calls out the reduced diversity of research funding while contemplating the future of RNA research. The general public should understand that useful knowledge can come from unexpected places; while “disease-oriented research” is obviously meaningful, curiosity-driven exploration into the foundations of how biology can work outside of the human body is often worthwhile as well. His own results were enabled by experimentation on a micro-organism called Tetrahymena, and later on, further telomerase research was enabled by another micro-organism, Euplotes aediculatus. In both cases, foundational understanding was the goal and therapeutic uses were but a long-term vision. Cech explains that myopic funding practices has put off many of his talented colleagues.
To wrap up my review, The Catalyst is a great primer into a complex field of research. The knowledge it imparts is valuable to the curious and impact-driven. Research in this field leads to technology that can save millions of lives, and vastly improve countless others. Cech does well to emphasize the great impact RNA research has had, not just in vaccine development, but across a wide variety of domains. If this book convinces even a few talented researchers to enter the field, Cech will have himself had even greater impact in the field than he already has.
Thomas Cech’s The Catalyst is a laudable, slightly-autobiographical introduction to the field of RNA microbiology intending to explain the science behind many headline terms like coronavirus, mRNA, and (somewhat separately) CRISPR. As the winner of the 1989 Nobel Prize in chemistry for his discovery of catalytic RNA, Cech is an authoritative guide to the world of RNA research. I’ve picked my copy up at an appropriate time: it’s flu season, and friends all around me are getting the another Covid-19 vaccine booster along with their seasonal flu shots.
The Catalyst not only explains how mRNA vaccines work in preventing viral infection, but also provides a narrative to understand the progression of RNA research, recent medical applications for RNA, and potential for further understanding. It does not have the technical depth of a research paper, but the book does well to highlight the persistence and scientific cleverness of many individuals whose research played a pivotal role in the RNA domain, such as recent Nobel Prize laureate (and Cech’s former postdoctoral student) Jennifer Doudna. The Catalyst is a recommended read if you are curious about the role RNA plays in our lives — Cech will almost certainly convince you that the better-known DNA is boring and one-dimensional by comparison. I am very happy that a distinguished scientist would distill decades of research into a few hundred pages of reading. I’m certain that a book like this would be particularly impactful in the hands of a high schooler, undecided undergraduate, or anyone deciding on a course for intellectual pursuit.
Something I would like to highlight in my reflection here is how Cech dwells on the distributed nature of scientific discovery. Cech, in following the story of RNA research, mentions numerous individuals who each contributed to building a shared body of knowledge. Sometimes there is competition between labs to “fill in the blank” the quickest, as was the case when Cech’s lab at the University of Colorado Boulder and Bob Weinberg’s group at MIT raced to publish the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) gene. Or there are tales of underestimated researchers in an underdog field, as with Katalin Karikó, an immigrant adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania who contributed research into alternative uracil nucleotide bases that would not trigger an inappropriate immune response to RNA in a therapeutic context. There are well-funded, persistent researchers, like Doudna and Jack Szostack, industry players seeking direct drug development, and lesser-known names who deserve to be recognized. Ultimately, research happens thanks to curious biologists from all walks life publishing experimental results that incrementally add to our shared understanding.
I mean “distributed nature” also in the sense of there being a wide-ranging research domains and methods that contributed to today’s results. Scientific progress can come from unexpected directions, and Cech calls out the reduced diversity of research funding while contemplating the future of RNA research. The general public should understand that useful knowledge can come from unexpected places; while “disease-oriented research” is obviously meaningful, curiosity-driven exploration into the foundations of how biology can work outside of the human body is often worthwhile as well. His own results were enabled by experimentation on a micro-organism called Tetrahymena, and later on, further telomerase research was enabled by another micro-organism, Euplotes aediculatus. In both cases, foundational understanding was the goal and therapeutic uses were but a long-term vision. Cech explains that myopic funding practices has put off many of his talented colleagues.
To wrap up my review, The Catalyst is a great primer into a complex field of research. The knowledge it imparts is valuable to the curious and impact-driven. Research in this field leads to technology that can save millions of lives, and vastly improve countless others. Cech does well to emphasize the great impact RNA research has had, not just in vaccine development, but across a wide variety of domains. If this book convinces even a few talented researchers to enter the field, Cech will have himself had even greater impact in the field than he already has.
July 20, 2024
An excellent introduction to the amazing features and functions of RNA by the Nobel Prize winner who first described RNA molecules able to cut and reseal themselves (a function until then assumed to be possible only by special proteins called enzymes). The book covers all the main fields of research into RNA and offers examples (where available) or speculates carefully (where research is still in progress) about applications for human and ecological health. I loved how the author emphasized the importance of picking the correct model organism to study. He also offers a warning about restricting our research only to the bigger more complex organisms that are usually required prior to human studies; such models have clinical relevance, but a lot of clinically-relevant discoveries started from open-ended, fun-driven experimentation. The only constant in research appears to be that one can almost never predict what roads a new discovery can open. Another part I loved in this book was the high number of women scientists that the author highlighted (and collaborated with), even during times when women were almost exclusively barred from the lab/field. The author explains complex terms and phenomena carefully and patiently, so this is an excellent read for a lay audience. I'm a biochemist by training and at times I wished for the story to progress faster (mainly because I knew the phenomenon and had used it in the lab many times already), but even I found several things I didn't know or hadn't considered. So the book definitely appeals to a wide audience.
Why not five stars? I have a couple of gripes. The minor one is that I think the order of the chapters wasn't always the most conducive to an easy understanding. Why did we separate the chapters on interference RNA and CRISPR? Why not link the chapters speculating on the potential RNA-orgin of life, with the chapters on viral RNAs, with interference RNA and finally CRISPR? They follow each other logically, and I don't think the order the publisher/author selected was the most linear one. A bigger gripe I have remains with the nature of research. After 14 years spent in non-academic research I have very strong negative feelings against the competitive nature of modern research, which has generated scores of unreproducible and falsified research. The author presents everything like it's all good, fun competition. It's not; it can get vial. And it's also wasteful. When Dr. Cech's team was very close to uncovering the genes coding human telomerase, he warned some very young scientists who were close on his tails to give up because they'd be scooped. Why should the scientists give up though? Why not join efforts when everyone was close to the finish line? Both groups published their results a few weeks apart, with Dr. Cech securing a spot in the much more prestigious journal Science, whereas the second group landed in the still prestigious Cell. Why wouldn't these two groups be published back to back in the same prestigious journal? Because of stupid competitive research practices, that's why. We're acting as if only one person can cross the finish line, but this wasn't a race like with the COVID vaccines. At least there the race had a point: multiple vaccine formulations allowed researchers to figure out what may or may not work in future mRNA vaccines. In the telomerase example, it was just another case of wasteful research practices that can end career, lead to horrific bullying, incorrect evaluation of merit and promote dishonest work. I'm always going to have an issue with that.
Why not five stars? I have a couple of gripes. The minor one is that I think the order of the chapters wasn't always the most conducive to an easy understanding. Why did we separate the chapters on interference RNA and CRISPR? Why not link the chapters speculating on the potential RNA-orgin of life, with the chapters on viral RNAs, with interference RNA and finally CRISPR? They follow each other logically, and I don't think the order the publisher/author selected was the most linear one. A bigger gripe I have remains with the nature of research. After 14 years spent in non-academic research I have very strong negative feelings against the competitive nature of modern research, which has generated scores of unreproducible and falsified research. The author presents everything like it's all good, fun competition. It's not; it can get vial. And it's also wasteful. When Dr. Cech's team was very close to uncovering the genes coding human telomerase, he warned some very young scientists who were close on his tails to give up because they'd be scooped. Why should the scientists give up though? Why not join efforts when everyone was close to the finish line? Both groups published their results a few weeks apart, with Dr. Cech securing a spot in the much more prestigious journal Science, whereas the second group landed in the still prestigious Cell. Why wouldn't these two groups be published back to back in the same prestigious journal? Because of stupid competitive research practices, that's why. We're acting as if only one person can cross the finish line, but this wasn't a race like with the COVID vaccines. At least there the race had a point: multiple vaccine formulations allowed researchers to figure out what may or may not work in future mRNA vaccines. In the telomerase example, it was just another case of wasteful research practices that can end career, lead to horrific bullying, incorrect evaluation of merit and promote dishonest work. I'm always going to have an issue with that.
October 7, 2025
this is the first science reads that has me really missing the lab bench 😭🥼Cech truly goes above and beyond explaining the complex RNA discoveries over the decades! This is one of my new favorite science reads, in no small part because my PhD research was in non-coding RNA so it felt like a light refresher on the topic.
Cech, 1989 Nobel Prize winner in chemistry for discovering catalytic properties of RNA, wrote this book to break down why RNA is so important - and how RNA does so much more than transcribe DNA as messenger RNA to make proteins.
I love how the story is written, each chapter is filled with so many discoveries and nuggets of information about the scientists making the discoveries. And I was surprised how humble the author was throughout - highlighting both how important collaboration is and challenges with the science field (funding, gender discrimination, what techniques are available, model organisms).
He also hammers home a problem that has become even more apparent since 2024 when this book was published - funding basic science research. Most of us think of RNA with vaccines nowadays, but those breakthroughs only happened because of the decades of basic science research in RNA, back when no one thought it could be used in vaccines or other medical applications. Disease targeted research is of course valuable, but without basic science research we wouldn’t understand all the proteins (and RNA!) involved in translational research.
5/5⭐️ can I rate it 6/5? I will say all the names make it so it won’t read like fiction (e.g. with one protagonist) and there is a lot of science covered (less people focused) but nothing is drawn out and each discovery builds to the next. Expertly weaving cool science to showcase decades of worldwide collaboration.
Cech, 1989 Nobel Prize winner in chemistry for discovering catalytic properties of RNA, wrote this book to break down why RNA is so important - and how RNA does so much more than transcribe DNA as messenger RNA to make proteins.
I love how the story is written, each chapter is filled with so many discoveries and nuggets of information about the scientists making the discoveries. And I was surprised how humble the author was throughout - highlighting both how important collaboration is and challenges with the science field (funding, gender discrimination, what techniques are available, model organisms).
He also hammers home a problem that has become even more apparent since 2024 when this book was published - funding basic science research. Most of us think of RNA with vaccines nowadays, but those breakthroughs only happened because of the decades of basic science research in RNA, back when no one thought it could be used in vaccines or other medical applications. Disease targeted research is of course valuable, but without basic science research we wouldn’t understand all the proteins (and RNA!) involved in translational research.
5/5⭐️ can I rate it 6/5? I will say all the names make it so it won’t read like fiction (e.g. with one protagonist) and there is a lot of science covered (less people focused) but nothing is drawn out and each discovery builds to the next. Expertly weaving cool science to showcase decades of worldwide collaboration.
January 17, 2025
Read for a freelance piece, but generally enjoyed! I think some college biology was key to the ease with which I could read this, but not at all a bad first go at popsci for such a prolific academic paper writer. And boy do i love a molecular underdog (RNA). The second half of the book is very interesting for it's relevance to so many big button issues in pharma.
March 22, 2025
As a scientist I have worked extensively with DNA and RNA for many years and thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's my favorite kind of science writing where an expert in the field tells the story of a particular molecule or class of molecule or phenomenon through the history of the related discoveries in the field. It's even better when the writer had a hand in some of the discoveries. Great writing. Superb metaphors. Highly recommend.
December 18, 2024
An incredible introduction into the world of RNA and the major scientific and societal milestones over the years. The writing is extremely succinct, might take a long second to digest for some, but totally worth the time and effort!
August 26, 2024
Dr. Cech has written an interesting and clear explanation of RNA and it's many current and potential uses. The book is detailed yet written for the educated layman and allows the reader to understand the many roles and types of RNA. Given all the misconceptions and conspiracies around genetics, this book, written by a Nobel Prize winning expert, is timely and important.
November 6, 2024
The book is fantastic. It explained the current research on RNA and how it became the cutting edge science.
I think this great interest is because of all the RNA vaccines that are now available, especially for COVID-19.
It is not bogged down with details, but still makes you understand the importance of the research as well the implications.
Dr. Cech has done a fantastic job of illuminating the basics, that we follow the entire book. Also, with some focus on the scientists and the scientific process he gives it a human touch.
It was an easy read, and I read it like a detective novel, waiting to see what will come up in the next page.
I think this great interest is because of all the RNA vaccines that are now available, especially for COVID-19.
It is not bogged down with details, but still makes you understand the importance of the research as well the implications.
Dr. Cech has done a fantastic job of illuminating the basics, that we follow the entire book. Also, with some focus on the scientists and the scientific process he gives it a human touch.
It was an easy read, and I read it like a detective novel, waiting to see what will come up in the next page.
July 7, 2024
Fascinating explanation of RNA functionality. Can't say I followed every sentence, but very interesting discussion on RNA coding, replication and mutation.
Also interesting sections on the origin of life.
Also interesting sections on the origin of life.
February 21, 2025
Amazing writing about the bloom and fruits of RNA research in the past decades. It’s a such exciting reading to experience the development of a science field with huge potential through the writing of the pioneer of this field .
February 5, 2025
3,5 stars; interesting history of the unravelling of the genetic code, in particular that of RNA; in light of the new technology of mRNA vaccines this was very welcome; writing style not all that gripping, could use some freshening up.
December 6, 2024
I've read a lot of books like this. Memoirs of scientists along with a description of the science or technology they are involved with. Some are more interesting than others. This was definitely on the less interesting side. I just finished reading the Asteroid Hunter which is a similar kind of book but so much more engaging. The author here just didn't really tell a good story about himself or what motivated him or much about his background. I found the discussions of RNA to be confusing actually. Partly because it is confusing and can play so many different roles. That's sort of the point of the book. But I really didn't like the author using such simplistic analogies. If anybody is going to read a book on RNA, the chances are they are pretty good at following a discussion in some kind of technical terminology. When I was working we did a lot of writing and presenting to people who are not experts in our field but were experienced in reading and following other science or technology in general. The book ended with a discussion of mRNA vaccines but I felt that discussion could also have been better. Sorry, kind of a downer review. Maybe it caught me at a bad time.
December 15, 2024
In The Catalyst, Cech finally brings together years of research to demonstrate that RNA is the true key to understanding life on Earth, from its very origins to our future in the twenty-first century.
The book moves from the early experiments that first hinted at RNA’s spectacular powers, to Cech’s own paradigm-shifting finding that it can catalyze cellular reactions, to the cutting-edge biotechnologies poised to reshape our health. We learn how RNA―once thought merely to transmit DNA’s genetic instructions to the cell’s protein-making machinery―may have jump-started life itself.
The book moves from the early experiments that first hinted at RNA’s spectacular powers, to Cech’s own paradigm-shifting finding that it can catalyze cellular reactions, to the cutting-edge biotechnologies poised to reshape our health. We learn how RNA―once thought merely to transmit DNA’s genetic instructions to the cell’s protein-making machinery―may have jump-started life itself.
August 15, 2024
pretty good. very easy read and a great introduction to the new world of RNA. I thought that his incorporation of history was great and important. A bit surface-level though, which I guess is the point but I still enjoyed it (especially the chapter on splicing!)
June 16, 2024
Some parts over my head, but great summary of all things RNA and why it is important.
July 15, 2024
Favorite clips:
RNA is tiny, measuring only about a nanometer in diameter. If you stacked molecules of mRNA side by side, you could fit 50,000 of them within the breadth of a single human hair.
In biological terms, 'deciphering the genetic code' means understanding how DNA encodes proteins. Life is built from proteins, which are the main movers and shakers in every organism in our biosphere. In humans, some proteins form structures such as muscle fibers, skin, and hair. Some act as enzymes, breaking down the food we eat into its constituent components and then recycling these pieces to build up new cellular machines. Other proteins act as signaling molecules. Still others are antibodies, which protect us from foreign invaders such as viruses.
One way of thinking about this biological process is to imagine a record player. The ribosome is your turntable, the mRNA is the vinyl LP record, and the protein is the music you hear when you lower the needle. Just as a record player can play any LP record, ribosomes can work with any mRNA that comes along. The mRNA is what determines the specific protein produced.
This copy-and-paste process - in which DNA is being copies into mRNA - is happening constantly in our bodies, every time a new protein needs to be synthesized. The region of the DNA that is copied into mRNA differs depending on what's needed at a particular time and place. Different parts of the genome are copied in growing children compared with parts copied in full-grown adults, and different parts of the genome are copied in the heart compared with the parts copied in the brain, the liver, and the skin.
A 'frameshift mutation' can cause unpleasant results such as CF, Crohn's disease, and Tay-Sachs disease. A frameshift is so deleterious because it renders all the words after it nonsense.
He started with amino acids that had been labeled with a radioactive isotope of carbon, so that he could track where they went - a bit like a bank hiding an exploding canister of paint in a moneybag so the money can be tracked if it's stolen by thieves.
In 1981, just 4 years after mRNA splicing was discovered - the blood disorder beta-thalassemia become the first recognized disease that can be caused by mis-splicing.
Enzymes enable biochemical reactions in all living organisms: they make our heart beat, they break down the food in our stomach, they metabolize the alcohol we drink. Enzymes also synthesize every part of every cell in our body - from the scaffolds that hold the cell together, to the chromosomes that wrap up our DNA into tidy packages, to the greasy envelope that makes up the so-called cell membrane.
Chemically speaking, enzymes speed up, or catalyze, reactions, which sounds mundane enough - until you understand their breathtaking power. They can accelerate the natural process by which two chemicals react with each other by a factor of 10 billion. The same reaction that takes one second with an enzyme would take 317 years without it. There are roughly 10,000 enzymes in humans alone.
Just as medieval monks transcribed biblical text onto fresh parchment, cellular enzymes transcribe DNA into RNA.
Like a locomotive on a railroad track, the ribosome rides along a mRNA. It stops for an instant at each triplet codon, waits for the correct tRNA to pair with it, then adds the correct amino acid to a growing protein chain.
Build out of proteins and RNA, telomerase enables cells to keep dividing by adding protective genetic material to telomeres - the ends of chromosomes. Chromosomes are like little strings of DNA pearls nestled inside a cell's nucleus. In the absence of telomerase, the pearl at the end of the string is lost each time a cell divides; the whole string becomes slightly shorter.
RNA is tiny, measuring only about a nanometer in diameter. If you stacked molecules of mRNA side by side, you could fit 50,000 of them within the breadth of a single human hair.
In biological terms, 'deciphering the genetic code' means understanding how DNA encodes proteins. Life is built from proteins, which are the main movers and shakers in every organism in our biosphere. In humans, some proteins form structures such as muscle fibers, skin, and hair. Some act as enzymes, breaking down the food we eat into its constituent components and then recycling these pieces to build up new cellular machines. Other proteins act as signaling molecules. Still others are antibodies, which protect us from foreign invaders such as viruses.
One way of thinking about this biological process is to imagine a record player. The ribosome is your turntable, the mRNA is the vinyl LP record, and the protein is the music you hear when you lower the needle. Just as a record player can play any LP record, ribosomes can work with any mRNA that comes along. The mRNA is what determines the specific protein produced.
This copy-and-paste process - in which DNA is being copies into mRNA - is happening constantly in our bodies, every time a new protein needs to be synthesized. The region of the DNA that is copied into mRNA differs depending on what's needed at a particular time and place. Different parts of the genome are copied in growing children compared with parts copied in full-grown adults, and different parts of the genome are copied in the heart compared with the parts copied in the brain, the liver, and the skin.
A 'frameshift mutation' can cause unpleasant results such as CF, Crohn's disease, and Tay-Sachs disease. A frameshift is so deleterious because it renders all the words after it nonsense.
He started with amino acids that had been labeled with a radioactive isotope of carbon, so that he could track where they went - a bit like a bank hiding an exploding canister of paint in a moneybag so the money can be tracked if it's stolen by thieves.
In 1981, just 4 years after mRNA splicing was discovered - the blood disorder beta-thalassemia become the first recognized disease that can be caused by mis-splicing.
Enzymes enable biochemical reactions in all living organisms: they make our heart beat, they break down the food in our stomach, they metabolize the alcohol we drink. Enzymes also synthesize every part of every cell in our body - from the scaffolds that hold the cell together, to the chromosomes that wrap up our DNA into tidy packages, to the greasy envelope that makes up the so-called cell membrane.
Chemically speaking, enzymes speed up, or catalyze, reactions, which sounds mundane enough - until you understand their breathtaking power. They can accelerate the natural process by which two chemicals react with each other by a factor of 10 billion. The same reaction that takes one second with an enzyme would take 317 years without it. There are roughly 10,000 enzymes in humans alone.
Just as medieval monks transcribed biblical text onto fresh parchment, cellular enzymes transcribe DNA into RNA.
Like a locomotive on a railroad track, the ribosome rides along a mRNA. It stops for an instant at each triplet codon, waits for the correct tRNA to pair with it, then adds the correct amino acid to a growing protein chain.
Build out of proteins and RNA, telomerase enables cells to keep dividing by adding protective genetic material to telomeres - the ends of chromosomes. Chromosomes are like little strings of DNA pearls nestled inside a cell's nucleus. In the absence of telomerase, the pearl at the end of the string is lost each time a cell divides; the whole string becomes slightly shorter.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2025
It strikes me that discovery of RNA can be more groundbreaking than that of the famous double-helix DNA. RNA turns out to be more than a humble servant of DNA. And an important molecule it is. A game changer.
As far as scientific recognition is concerned, RNA-related breakthroughs have led to 11 Nobel Prizes since 2000. Do I have to remind you the 2023 Nobel Laureates have been working on the mRNA vaccines that save millions of lives?
But the structure and functions of RNA have proved to be a lot trickier than DNA's. To learn more about RNA, I borrowed this book written by the Nobel Prize-winning scientist Thomas Cech.
To be frank, it is a book I wish I had read before my biology class. It is extraordinary to see how Thomas Cech explains the complicated subject in an easy-to-understand way. The answers to RNA seem esoteric, but the author is able to explain the complex subject to the general public elegantly. One trick of his is to use figurative language or analogy. To explain the concept of splicing noncoding DNA or introns, Thomas Cech reminds us the repair of a badly frayed rope segment by a sailor. That's how a sailor would cut the rope above and below the frayed segment, throw away the damaged piece, and attach (or splice) the ends of the two good pieces back together.
To give us a better idea of splicing, Thomas Cech invites us to think of an intron as a few meaningless words, a string of "blahs," interrupting an otherwise intelligible sentence: You really smell nice blah-blah-blah-blah-blah-blah-blah today. Splicing is explained like a word-processing system which can highlight the offending interruption. Press "Delete", and the blahs are spliced out. You really smell nice today.
What if there is something called alternative splicing? That happens when there are two introns instead of one: You really smell blah-blah nice blah-blah-blah-blah-blah-blah-blah today. As usual, both introns are spliced out, and then the final version reads: You really smell nice today. But wait, hang on a minute. An unexpected mistake, or so-called alternative splicing, could have come with a hefty price tag. The alternative step could have skipped over nice, resulting in smell being joined to today. That way of splicing would then change the sentence.
You really smell today.
As far as scientific recognition is concerned, RNA-related breakthroughs have led to 11 Nobel Prizes since 2000. Do I have to remind you the 2023 Nobel Laureates have been working on the mRNA vaccines that save millions of lives?
But the structure and functions of RNA have proved to be a lot trickier than DNA's. To learn more about RNA, I borrowed this book written by the Nobel Prize-winning scientist Thomas Cech.
To be frank, it is a book I wish I had read before my biology class. It is extraordinary to see how Thomas Cech explains the complicated subject in an easy-to-understand way. The answers to RNA seem esoteric, but the author is able to explain the complex subject to the general public elegantly. One trick of his is to use figurative language or analogy. To explain the concept of splicing noncoding DNA or introns, Thomas Cech reminds us the repair of a badly frayed rope segment by a sailor. That's how a sailor would cut the rope above and below the frayed segment, throw away the damaged piece, and attach (or splice) the ends of the two good pieces back together.
To give us a better idea of splicing, Thomas Cech invites us to think of an intron as a few meaningless words, a string of "blahs," interrupting an otherwise intelligible sentence: You really smell nice blah-blah-blah-blah-blah-blah-blah today. Splicing is explained like a word-processing system which can highlight the offending interruption. Press "Delete", and the blahs are spliced out. You really smell nice today.
What if there is something called alternative splicing? That happens when there are two introns instead of one: You really smell blah-blah nice blah-blah-blah-blah-blah-blah-blah today. As usual, both introns are spliced out, and then the final version reads: You really smell nice today. But wait, hang on a minute. An unexpected mistake, or so-called alternative splicing, could have come with a hefty price tag. The alternative step could have skipped over nice, resulting in smell being joined to today. That way of splicing would then change the sentence.
You really smell today.
October 30, 2024
Very well written, accessible and focused. This book tells the story of the discoveries about RNA - first as a bit player in the DNA show, then later discovered to be actually... much more interesting and versatile than the staid DNA! Messenger RNA, transfer RNA, ribosomal RNA - those are the "big three", but then are all those fascinating other forms of RNA, like long non-coding RNAs and microRNAs. The author's interest in RNA stems from his Nobel-prize winning discovery that strings of RNA could have enzymatic functions (move over, proteins! New kid on the enzymology block!). This was not something I had ever thought much about, and so I was very pleased to read about the actual thought processes and experiments that had led to this discovery. It starts with pond scum and ends with an extra band on a gel - I loved being able to follow this story.
From there, the author takes us on a tour of antisense oligonucleotides, small interfering RNAs, aptamers and CRISPR, in essence giving the reader a quick education in the field of RNA research. This was easy to read and easy to follow. I liked the way the author used 3-letter words as stand-in for the triplet code, and used that to explain how a single nucleotide shift or deletion could turn an intelligible message into nonsense. That example was used consistently throughout the book, and I thought this was a great example of good popular science writing. I also liked the fact that the various scientists who contributed to these fascinating discoveries, are properly but concisely introduced. I like to read about the science, less about people’s personal lives.
The illustrations could have been a little more detailed, perhaps, but that's a minor concern.
Highly recommended.
From there, the author takes us on a tour of antisense oligonucleotides, small interfering RNAs, aptamers and CRISPR, in essence giving the reader a quick education in the field of RNA research. This was easy to read and easy to follow. I liked the way the author used 3-letter words as stand-in for the triplet code, and used that to explain how a single nucleotide shift or deletion could turn an intelligible message into nonsense. That example was used consistently throughout the book, and I thought this was a great example of good popular science writing. I also liked the fact that the various scientists who contributed to these fascinating discoveries, are properly but concisely introduced. I like to read about the science, less about people’s personal lives.
The illustrations could have been a little more detailed, perhaps, but that's a minor concern.
Highly recommended.
January 16, 2025
88%
I was not braced for this book. It was a thing, so coming into this was wildly cool. Learning about RNA, coding in more advanced terms, the application of it, mRNA, CRISPR, DNA, gene encoding. This is what I imagine it's like to be in a formal education setting in an advanced coursework. Because it's been a long time since I've been in any sort of formal medical education training. Most of my education actually came from independent coursework. That is not university assigned. Surprise. I was not prepared for this going in. I was just like, okay, cool, let's read the book that's recommended to me. I had to look up a few things here, but I still understood all of the concepts. That's part of the most exciting thing here. I find this extremely overwhelming, and I love it. Because of the practical application and the extreme in-depth nature of this, which I want to be even more extreme and in-depth. Because it's beautiful, it's hard, it helps me to understand and expand my education and understanding of the world around me and the universe. And application of the CRISPR technologies, RNA, mRNA, transcribing, coding. All of these fascinating things coming together in this really difficult jargon way, which could have easily been stated in a less medically terminology, strict, rigorous phrasing. But it's really great either way.
I was not braced for this book. It was a thing, so coming into this was wildly cool. Learning about RNA, coding in more advanced terms, the application of it, mRNA, CRISPR, DNA, gene encoding. This is what I imagine it's like to be in a formal education setting in an advanced coursework. Because it's been a long time since I've been in any sort of formal medical education training. Most of my education actually came from independent coursework. That is not university assigned. Surprise. I was not prepared for this going in. I was just like, okay, cool, let's read the book that's recommended to me. I had to look up a few things here, but I still understood all of the concepts. That's part of the most exciting thing here. I find this extremely overwhelming, and I love it. Because of the practical application and the extreme in-depth nature of this, which I want to be even more extreme and in-depth. Because it's beautiful, it's hard, it helps me to understand and expand my education and understanding of the world around me and the universe. And application of the CRISPR technologies, RNA, mRNA, transcribing, coding. All of these fascinating things coming together in this really difficult jargon way, which could have easily been stated in a less medically terminology, strict, rigorous phrasing. But it's really great either way.
May 11, 2025
This is a great book that covers RNA from the discovery of its role in protein synthesis, how it stars in origin of life research, to its use in vaccines. It's part autobiography as the author played an important role in part of this story. It's very accessible without leaving out too many of the important details.
I have one major complaint, though, about a minor point raised in the closing chapter. In discussing CRISPR he mentions the project to eradicate malaria by eradicating the Aedes aegypti mosquito which transmits the plasmodium parasite. He raises as a serious ethical concern whether this action might have unintended consequences, a la the cane toads introduced to Australia, Kudzu introduced to the American South, etc. These examples he gives are all invasive species which, lacking natural predators, do harm to native ecosystems. But this is not analogous in any way to removing a nuisance species. Yes, this is accomplished by "introducing" the gene-drive males into an endemic mosquito population. But the result isn't out of control growth. Quite the opposite. So shockingly invalid is this comparison that I have a hard time believing it's made in good faith. I think he lazily copied this fallacious argument from an anti-GMO source without even seriously considering it himself.
I have one major complaint, though, about a minor point raised in the closing chapter. In discussing CRISPR he mentions the project to eradicate malaria by eradicating the Aedes aegypti mosquito which transmits the plasmodium parasite. He raises as a serious ethical concern whether this action might have unintended consequences, a la the cane toads introduced to Australia, Kudzu introduced to the American South, etc. These examples he gives are all invasive species which, lacking natural predators, do harm to native ecosystems. But this is not analogous in any way to removing a nuisance species. Yes, this is accomplished by "introducing" the gene-drive males into an endemic mosquito population. But the result isn't out of control growth. Quite the opposite. So shockingly invalid is this comparison that I have a hard time believing it's made in good faith. I think he lazily copied this fallacious argument from an anti-GMO source without even seriously considering it himself.
July 17, 2024
Cech loves RNA. He makes a great case that RNA is much more versatile and interesting than boring, stable DNA. While RNA carries information in its nucleotide sequence like DNA, it can take on many shapes and can catalyze chemical reactions, provide protection against invading viruses, and regulate levels of protein synthesis. RNAs may have been the first molecules in the origin of life.
As a retired biologist, I knew about most of the topics that Cech discusses. Besides his clear explanations however, Cech provides great background stories to discoveries, emphasizing the people involved and the effort that it took. Much of that was new to me. There is the question whether a person with limited biological background or interest would get very far into the book.
About 3/4 of the way through, Cech gives a wonderful explanation of the development of the Covid RNA vaccine. Using the analogy of a jigsaw puzzle, Cech shows that although the vaccine was produced in record time, it was neither unsupported nor premature. Given that many readers may not get through the book, how many would get to this defense of the Covid vaccine?
As a retired biologist, I knew about most of the topics that Cech discusses. Besides his clear explanations however, Cech provides great background stories to discoveries, emphasizing the people involved and the effort that it took. Much of that was new to me. There is the question whether a person with limited biological background or interest would get very far into the book.
About 3/4 of the way through, Cech gives a wonderful explanation of the development of the Covid RNA vaccine. Using the analogy of a jigsaw puzzle, Cech shows that although the vaccine was produced in record time, it was neither unsupported nor premature. Given that many readers may not get through the book, how many would get to this defense of the Covid vaccine?
September 6, 2024
A good book about the history of what we know about RNA. I remember my High School science courses, way back when, and other sources, talking about DNA and dismissing RNA. Times are still changing, but RNA is now widely understood as very important.
The first worry I had when reading was that the author mentioned the history of DNA's discovery and didn't once mention Rosalind Franklin, who should have shared the Nobel. I was afraid that sexism would follow through the book, but I'm happy to say that isn't the case. He gives many women credit for what they've done. It must be hero/buddy worship that kept him avoiding her.
The other issue to be aware of is that is does sometimes get a bit too much on the weeds for a general audience. Don't let that stop you. The amateur biologists will love it while the rest of us can skim it and stick with the higher issues of what we know and don't know.
I did also like the bit at the end about the risks of abusing CRISPER and other technologies. That leads to the need for regulation to ensure appropriate uses while preventing potentially very dangerous ones.
The first worry I had when reading was that the author mentioned the history of DNA's discovery and didn't once mention Rosalind Franklin, who should have shared the Nobel. I was afraid that sexism would follow through the book, but I'm happy to say that isn't the case. He gives many women credit for what they've done. It must be hero/buddy worship that kept him avoiding her.
The other issue to be aware of is that is does sometimes get a bit too much on the weeds for a general audience. Don't let that stop you. The amateur biologists will love it while the rest of us can skim it and stick with the higher issues of what we know and don't know.
I did also like the bit at the end about the risks of abusing CRISPER and other technologies. That leads to the need for regulation to ensure appropriate uses while preventing potentially very dangerous ones.
January 17, 2025
4.5 ⭐️. The Catalyst is a part memoir, part history, part science book that really nails home how much collaboration, time, and effort (and some luck) goes into groundbreaking discoveries. Cech writes in an engaging manner that kept me wondering what was next up for RNA though his technical explanations often had me re-reading sections. There were times I wish he went into just a little more detail to explain how something was done/discovered but I recognize he cannot possibly teach even 5% of the scientific knowledge required to really understand RNA research. I found referencing my old college genetics textbook helpful.
While I enjoyed learning about the numerous stepwise discoveries that directly and indirectly allowed RNA research to flourish, the second half of the book was my favorite. In part 2, Cech writes about established and possible future applications of RNA technology which I found to be the most exciting.
Overall, a really cool book that had me struggling to remember my science classes but eager to know more!
While I enjoyed learning about the numerous stepwise discoveries that directly and indirectly allowed RNA research to flourish, the second half of the book was my favorite. In part 2, Cech writes about established and possible future applications of RNA technology which I found to be the most exciting.
Overall, a really cool book that had me struggling to remember my science classes but eager to know more!
February 9, 2025
A very well written book that is even more clear and crisp in its writing than the books by Siddhartha Mukherjee. This book takes you on the journey of discoveries around RNA over the past several decades, including our improved understanding of the enzymatic nature of RNA, how gamers and AI have supported discovering RNA structures, the nature of the ribosome and telomerase, the likelihood that the evolution of life started with RNA, microRNAs, siRNA, and the development of modern mRNA-based COVID vaccines heralding a more personalized vaccine revolution.
At the end of the book (and throughout), Cech makes case for the importance of funding basic curiosity-driven research and development, as opposed to funding commercial research and development - showing how many of the discoveries around RNA (that eventually found commercial uses) came about through basic research. Such funding has declined in the U.S. in recent decades and is unfortunately being cut even further under the current Trump administration.
At the end of the book (and throughout), Cech makes case for the importance of funding basic curiosity-driven research and development, as opposed to funding commercial research and development - showing how many of the discoveries around RNA (that eventually found commercial uses) came about through basic research. Such funding has declined in the U.S. in recent decades and is unfortunately being cut even further under the current Trump administration.
July 8, 2024
An important book written by an important scientist that did a great job balancing where RNA science has come over the past 50+ years, and where the important questions are still being explored. Highly recommended for anyone with at least a passing interest in studying biology or chemistry.
But having said that, I didn't give it a fifth star because I couldn't help but think while reading the book that Dr. Cech's writing style limited the scope of its audience. It's probably not technical enough for trained biologists and chemists, and too technical in many spots for lay persons like myself. It's a must read for AP biology students and undergrads - and kudos to the author for basically admitting just that in the opening of the acknowledgments!
But having said that, I didn't give it a fifth star because I couldn't help but think while reading the book that Dr. Cech's writing style limited the scope of its audience. It's probably not technical enough for trained biologists and chemists, and too technical in many spots for lay persons like myself. It's a must read for AP biology students and undergrads - and kudos to the author for basically admitting just that in the opening of the acknowledgments!
September 8, 2024
INCREDIBLE WRITING BY THIS AUTHOR! Very accessible and readily understandable for everyone even if you don’t have a background in science. 🧬
🧬🦠🧫🔬
DO YOU BELIEVE THAT THE COVID 19 WAS A RUSH JOB! ?
DO YOU UNDERSTAND THAT IT TOOK OVER 60 YEARS OF CONSTANT RESEARCH TO HAVE ALL THE PIECES COME TOGETHER TO CREATE A VACCINE AGAINST COVID?
ANTI-VAXXERS WONT EVEN CHOOSE TO PICK THIS BOOK UP.
DID YOU KNOW THAT OVER THIS 60 YEAR DEVELOPMENT HUNDREDS OF WOMEN WERE INVOLVED? WITHOUT WOMEN SCIENTISTS WE WOULD NOT HAVE A COVID VACCINE?
YOU MUST KNOW THAT DNA IS NOT THE STAR OF THIS BOOK!
RNA IS THE HERO, THE CATALYST. THIS IS GROUNDBREAKING, ASTONISHING AND A STORY ABOUT FORWARD THINKING INTO THE FUTURE!
🧬🦠🧫🔬
DO YOU BELIEVE THAT THE COVID 19 WAS A RUSH JOB! ?
DO YOU UNDERSTAND THAT IT TOOK OVER 60 YEARS OF CONSTANT RESEARCH TO HAVE ALL THE PIECES COME TOGETHER TO CREATE A VACCINE AGAINST COVID?
ANTI-VAXXERS WONT EVEN CHOOSE TO PICK THIS BOOK UP.
DID YOU KNOW THAT OVER THIS 60 YEAR DEVELOPMENT HUNDREDS OF WOMEN WERE INVOLVED? WITHOUT WOMEN SCIENTISTS WE WOULD NOT HAVE A COVID VACCINE?
YOU MUST KNOW THAT DNA IS NOT THE STAR OF THIS BOOK!
RNA IS THE HERO, THE CATALYST. THIS IS GROUNDBREAKING, ASTONISHING AND A STORY ABOUT FORWARD THINKING INTO THE FUTURE!
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