New
The Triumph of Biology's Model Organisms,
Edition 1 How Flies, Mice, and Slime Molds Became Teachers of BiologyEditors: By Joseph Travis, PhD
Publication Date:
24 Jun 2026
Conformance
-
PDF/UA-1
-
The publication contains a conformance statement that it meets the EPUB Accessibility 1.1, WCAG 2.1, Level AA standard. Please see https://bornaccessible.benetech.org/certified-publishers/ for further details of our compatibility testing.
-
The publication was certified on 20250710
-
Accessibility addendum
-
The certifier's credential is https://bornaccessible.benetech.org/certified-publishers/
-
For detailed accessibility information, see Elsevier’s website at https://www.elsevier.com/about/accessibility
-
Compatibility tested
-
For queries regarding accessibility information, contact [email protected]
Ways Of Reading
-
This e-publication is accessible to the full extent that the file format and types of content allow, on a specific reading device, by default, without necessarily including any additions such as textual descriptions of images or enhanced navigation.
-
Short alternative textual descriptions
-
Information-rich images are described by extended descriptions
-
All contents of the digital publication necessary to use and understanding, including any text, images (via alternative descriptions), video (via audio description) is fully accessible via suitable audio reproduction.
Navigation
-
The contents of the PDF have been tagged to permit access by assistive technologies as per PDF-UA-1 standard.
-
Index with links to referenced entries
-
Page breaks included from the original print source
Additional Accessibility Information
-
All (or substantially all) textual matter is arranged in a single logical reading order (including text that is visually presented as separate from the main text flow, e.g., in boxouts, captions, tables, footnotes, endnotes, citations, etc.). Non-textual content is also linked from within this logical reading order. (Purely decorative non-text content can be ignored).
-
The language of the text has been specified (e.g., via the HTML or XML lang attribute) to optimise text-to-speech (and other alternative renderings), both at the whole document level and, where appropriate, for individual words, phrases or passages in a different language.
-
For readers with color vision deficiency, use of color (e.g., in diagrams, graphics and charts, in prompts, or on buttons inviting a response) is not the sole means of graphical distinction or of conveying information
-
Content is enhanced with ARIA roles to optimize organization and facilitate navigation
-
Where interactive content is included in the product, controls are provided (e.g., for speed, pause and resume, reset) and labelled to make their use clear.
-
Content provides explanations for unusual words, abbreviations, acronyms, idioms, jargon in an accessible form, such as glossaries, scripted pop-ups.
Product Content
-
The primary content is text.
-
Content includes a significant number of actionable (clickable) web links to external content, downloadable resources, supplementary material, etc.
-
Content includes a significant number of actionable (clickable) cross-references, hyperlinked notes and annotations, or with other actionable links between largely textual elements (e.g., quiz/test questions, ‘choose your own ending’, etc.).
-
Content includes supplementary text as promotional content such as, for example, a teaser chapter.
-
Content includes photographs, whether in a plate section / insert or not.
-
Content includes a significant number of web links (printed URLs, QR codes etc.).
-
Product includes actionable (clickable) links to external interactive content.
Note
-
This product relies on 3rd party tooling which may impact the accessibility features visible in inspection copies. All accessibility features mentioned would be present in the purchased version of the title.
Description
The Triumph of Biology's Model Organisms: How Flies, Mice, and Slime Molds Became Teachers of Biology provides an exploration on how seemingly ordinary organisms—flies, mice, slime molds, and more—have become central to scientific discovery. The book addresses the need to connect the stories of these organisms to broad advances in fundamental and biomedical science, providing readers with an appreciation for how curiosity-driven research translates into practical outcomes. Spanning a diverse array of species, it examines what makes an organism a model, the evolutionary principles underlying their utility, and the blend of wisdom and luck that led to their selection.Through compelling case studies and featured scientist reflections, chapters invite readers to critically examine how model organisms are chosen and why they matter. Readers will discover the pivotal roles of classic models like Drosophila and Neurospora, the transformation of pests into research heroes, and how extreme biological features have been harnessed to solve enduring questions. This book equips advanced undergraduates, graduate students, and researchers with a comprehensive understanding of the scientific and historical significance of model organisms.
Key Features
- Illustrates the critical role of model organisms in biological discovery and evolutionary biology
- Integrates case studies and scientific perspectives to foster critical thinking and engagement
- Connects the evolutionary biology of model organisms to research applications
- Highlights the interplay of luck, design, and serendipity in scientific discovery
About the author
By Joseph Travis, PhD, Robert O. Lawson Professor Emeritus, Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
1. What Is a Model Organism?
2. What Does Evolution have to do with Model
Organisms?
3. Wise or Lucky?
4. From Villains to Heroes
5. Exploiting Extreme Features
6. Curiosity, Serendipity, and Discovery
7. New Models, Old Problems, and New Insights
8. When Animal Models Fail
9. New Ways to Learn from Old Models
2. What Does Evolution have to do with Model
Organisms?
3. Wise or Lucky?
4. From Villains to Heroes
5. Exploiting Extreme Features
6. Curiosity, Serendipity, and Discovery
7. New Models, Old Problems, and New Insights
8. When Animal Models Fail
9. New Ways to Learn from Old Models
ISBN:
9780443443671
Page Count:
192
Retail Price (USD)
:
Advanced undergraduate and graduate students studying evolutionary biology; early medical students