Book excerpt: An introduction to the possible application of research techniques and principles developed for the study of disordered systems, to problems that arise in biology. Admitting that their knowledge of disordered systems, as represented by spin glasses, is far from complete, researchers explore how the notions derived can be of use in studying neural networks, adaptation and evolution, maturation of the immune response, and protein dynamics and folding. Requires a solid understanding of spin glass physics. No index. Acidic paper. Paper edition (unseen), $28. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR