Book excerpt: Clear and concise, this easy-to-use text offers an introductory course on the language of gene cloning, covering microbial, plant, and animal systems. The essential concepts in biology relevant to the understanding of gene cloning are presented in a well-organized and accessible manner. This updated version of the first edition is an invaluable book for nonscientists as well as scientists with little background knowledge in gene cloning, providing a wealth of information for anyone wishing to gain proficiency in reading and speaking the language of gene cloning.