What Insights Does C.R. Woese Offer for the Future of Biology?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around insights offered by Carl R. Woese in his article "A New Biology for a New Century," focusing on the current state of biology and potential future directions. Participants are encouraged to explore the implications of Woese's views, including connections to physics, as well as the challenges and limitations of molecular biology.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant mentions a discussion among microbiologists at a conference, suggesting that Woese's views are seen as valid.
  • Another participant expresses frustration over the article being behind a subscription wall and questions what new discipline Woese proposes to replace molecular biology.
  • A separate post notes the availability of the article for subscribers and mentions a specific date when it will be free for all users.
  • One participant offers to share the article and provide notes on its major points for others interested in the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There appears to be a lack of consensus regarding the specifics of Woese's proposed new discipline, as some participants are unclear about its nature and implications. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple viewpoints expressed.

Contextual Notes

Participants have noted limitations due to the article being behind a paywall, which may restrict access to its full content and hinder a comprehensive discussion of Woese's ideas.

iansmith
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Couple weeks ago, I read an article by Carl R. Woese titled "A New Biology for a New Century" . Woese discuss the state of biology nowadays and the direction it should follows. We were discussing the article amongst some microbiologist the other at our conference and what came out was that he was rigth. I was wondering what you guys at to say. He is also convering some physics history, so physicists are more than welcome to comment on his view.

C.R. Woese is a microbiologist at the Univeristy of Illinois at Urban-champaign. He hold a B. Sc. in math and physics and a PhD in biophysics. http://www.life.uiuc.edu/micro/faculty/faculty_woese.htm
He has also done major works on archeas and their classification.

So background reading
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pubmed&pubmedid=12077305
http://www.physicspost.com/articles.php?articleId=175
 
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The full article is behind a subscription wall. From the abstract I couldn't learn what he wants to put in place of molecular biology. What is the new discipline that will do the things molecular biology can't?
 
Carl Woese to be freed on June 1, 2005

selfAdjoint said:
The full article is behind a subscription wall.
...http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=419918 2005.



  • free for subscribers now; free for all users 12 months after publication, on June 1, 2005
 
I have the article on my computer and I can make available do anyone who wants it. I can also try to make notes of the major points from the article.