{"title":"Michel Brahic","description":"\u003cp\u003eDiscover the fascinating world of prions with the insightful works of Michel Brahic. A distinguished author in the realm of science and nature, Brahic explores the complex and often perplexing field of proteinaceous infectious particles, commonly known as prions. Through his authoritative books, including the notable \u003cem\u003eThe Power of Prions\u003c\/em\u003e, readers can delve into the intricacies of these unique proteins that have intrigued scientists for decades.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBrahic's writings are known for their clarity and accessibility, making complex scientific concepts comprehensible to both enthusiasts and professionals alike. His ability to elucidate the stark realities and potential implications of prions in our world invites readers to engage with cutting-edge scientific discoveries and ponder the many questions that remain unanswered.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhether you're a seasoned scientist, a student of biology, or simply a curious reader eager to learn more about the wonders of the natural world, Michel Brahic's collection is an essential resource for broadening your understanding of one of science's most enigmatic fields.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-power-of-prions-by-michel-brahic-9780691252384","title":"The Power of Prions","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOver the last decade, scientists have discovered the importance and widespread presence in the body of a remarkable family of proteins known as prion proteins. Research links various types of prion proteins to neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, and this has fuelled the search for new drugs that could halt the progression of these terrible disorders. Other discoveries have revealed the essential roles prion proteins play in memory and immunity, and in an extraordinary finding, the part they may have played in the beginnings of life on our planet. In this engaging and accessible book, Michel Brahic tells the story of these amazing and versatile proteins.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBrahic, a leading researcher on diseases of the central nervous system, first describes the discovery of prions and their role in infection, beginning with early work on the animal disease scrapie and a mysterious human illness in New Guinea, apparently transmitted by cannibalism. Prions were eventually identified and named by Stanley Prusiner in the 1980s. (Brahic tells us Prusiner's alternate name for prion was 'piaf'.) Prion proteins were then revealed as the cause of other illnesses, from 'mad cow' disease and its human counterpart, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, to such non-infectious brain disorders as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. While the prion proteins responsible for diseases are definitively 'bad', Brahic also explains that these abnormal prions are rare exceptions. Most of the time, prion proteins actually serve 'good' and vital functions, and they may even have been present at the origin of life itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMichel Brahic provides a thorough history of prion proteins that delves beyond their well-documented role in neurodegenerative diseases. A prion researcher himself, Brahic expertly details the origins of his field.\u003c\/b\u003e — Francisco J. Rivera-Rosario, \u003ci\u003eThe Transmitter\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMichel Brahic provides a close-up view of these mysterious proteins...[and] provides a clear, straightforward overview of how the nervous system and proteins function.\u003c\/b\u003e — Ed Cara, \u003ci\u003eGizmodo\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"NewSouth Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46855188349164,"sku":"9780691252384","price":44.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/944e110de8ce63c9d9ed4f4798bd1b47.jpg?v=1759279610"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/michel-brahic.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}