The Song of the Cell

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From the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Emperor of All Maladies and The Gene comes a groundbreaking exploration of how our ability to manipulate cells is transforming medicine. This book weaves together captivating narratives of scientists, doctors, and patients whose lives are impacted by these advancements. Mukherjee begins in the late 1600s with Robert Hooke and Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, who, through their handmade microscopes, unveiled the revolutionary concept that complex organisms are made up of tiny, self-contained units called cells. This discovery reframed our understanding of the human body as a cellular ecosystem, leading to a new kind of medicine focused on therapeutic cell manipulation. Conditions such as hip fractures, cardiac arrests, Alzheimer’s, and even COVID pneumonia can now be viewed through the lens of cellular dysfunction, opening pathways for innovative therapies. Mukherjee masterfully narrates the journey of cell discovery and understanding, illustrating how this knowledge is being harnessed to create new humans. His vivid and suspenseful writing transforms complex science into an exhilarating experience. Divided into six parts and enriched by his experiences as a researcher and doctor, this work is both expansive and personal—a true masterpiece.