Berg, P.: Dealing with Genes: The Language of Heredity, University Science Books, Mill Valley, CA, 1992. A book by a leader in the field; Paul Berg won the 1980 Nobel Prize in chemistry for hiw work on the development of recombinant DNA.

Lewis, M., and others: "Crystal Structure of the Lactose Operon Repressor and Its Complexes with DNA and Inducer," Science, March 1996, vol. 271, pages 1247–54. A helix-turn-helix motif governs the binding of this regulatory protein to DNA.

Tijan, R.: "Molecular Machines That Control Genes," Scientific American, February 1995, pages 54–61. A stunning discussion of the regulatory proteins that assemble on DNA to direct transcription, and what happens when they malfunction.

Tijan, R., and T. Maniatis: "Transcriptional Activation: A Complex Puzzle with Few Easy Pieces," Cell, vol. 77, April 8, 1994, pages 5–8. RNA, RNA polymerase, and gene expression are discussed. This particular volume of Cell has many detailed papers on transcription.

Welch, W.: "How Cells Respond to Stress," Scientific American, vol. 268, May 1993, page 56. Cells produce stress proteins that repair damage and help proteins fold properly.

Wingender, E.: Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes, VCH Publishers, New York, 1993. An up-to-date, in-depth look at eukaryotic gene regulation, including discussions of transcription factors, RNA polymerases, and signal transduction.

Wolffe, A.: "Transcription: In Tune with the Histones," Cell, vol. 77, April 8, 1994, pages 13–16. A look at what is known about how transcription is affected by histones. This particular volume of Cell has many detailed papers on transcription.