Bruce Alberts

Bruce Alberts

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Molecular Biology of the Cell & Essential Cell Biology

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Molecular Biology of the Cell, 6th Edition

The original idea of a book such as MBoC belonged exclusively to James Watson. In the early 1970s, he wisely spotted a latent hurdle for his long-time vision of transforming the whole biology field into a molecular science. He recognized that the knowledge of cell biology at the time was almost entirely based on light and electron microscopy investigations, and for students this hardly integrated any new molecular biology. Therefore, Watson believed in the need for a new textbook that would combine these two fields. As Martin Raff recalls, for Watson producing MBoC would be a “very important way of modernising the way cell biology was taught and perhaps even how cell biology was done.”

From Beyond a pedagogical tool: 30 years of Molecular Biology of the Cell

Now in it’s 7th edition, Molecular Biology of the Cell (MBoC), a classic university biology textbook, and it’s lighter companion book, Essential Cell Biology (in its 6th edition), continue to offer students a “new and invigorating outlook on what cells are and what they do.”

Cover: Essential Cell Biology Sixth Edition

For more on the history and evolution of the books:

  • Read a 2013 perspective in Nature magazine: Beyond a pedagogical tool: 30 years of Molecular Biology of the Cell.
  • Watch Advancing Biology Education: A conversation with Bruce Alberts and Keith Roberts
Authors and editor of the first Molecular Biology of the Cell, published in 1983. Image ©Keith Roberts.
Authors and editor of the first Molecular Biology of the Cell, published in 1983. Image ©Keith Roberts.
MBOC Authors at Nugent Terrace in June 2014.
MBOC Authors at Nugent Terrace in June 2014. From left to right: Keith Roberts, Martin Raff, David Morgan, John Wilson, Sandy Johnson, Bruce Alberts and Peter Walter.
The team producing the 7th Edition of Essential Cell Biology at the Darling House in Santa Cruz, California in November 2024. From left to right; Nigel Orme, illustrator, and authors Karen Hopkin, Bruce Alberts, David Morgan, Sandy Johnson, Rebecca Heald, Keith Roberts, Manu Hegde, and Gael McGill.

The London House and the Beatles

Since 1985, the authors of the Molecular Biology of the Cell have gathered at this 19th century home in St. John’s Wood, London for writing meetings.

NugentTerrace2012

The home is near the zebra crossing at Abbey Road made famous by the Beatles, which inspired this back cover for the MBoC 3rd edition, and a string of Beatles’ album-inspired back covers for MBoC and Essential Cell Biology texts.

Authors of MBoC 3 imitating the famous Abbey Road cover.
Authors of MBoC 3 imitating the famous Abbey Road cover.

Back cover of MBoC 5th edition
Back cover of MBoC 5th edition, referencing the Revolver album.

Back cover of Essential Cell Biology, 3rd edition. Help album.
Help album on the back cover of ECB 3rd edition.

MBoC 4th edition back cover, and Sargeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
MBoC 4th edition back cover copy of the Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover.
Last updated: May 9, 2025 at 17:10 pm

Current Work

Why Trust Science?

Concrete steps to diversify the scientific workforce

Improving support for young biomedical scientists

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