With so many biology books and websites available, finding the best biology resources can seem daunting. Not only do they need to be up-to-date, but they should also be comprehensive and engaging. After all, biology is a fascinating topic!
With this in mind, we’ve handpicked the best biology resources for 2023. Our list includes a variety of printed books, audiobooks, and online resources, which we believe will keep you informed and entertained. You can also rest assured that there’s not one old-fashioned, jargon-filled textbook in sight!
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Available online resources
Online biology resources are a great source of information. They’re updated regularly and are easily accessible. Plus, some also offer other services and features, too. Here’s our pick of the best online biology resources currently available.
1. Bio Cell Blog
Focusing on cell research, the Bio Cell Blog contains a range of articles, features, and opinions about some of the recent discoveries in life sciences and medicine. The website also offers antibody production services and sells antibodies and reagents for instructional purposes and clinical research.
2. Antibody Society
Providing the latest scientific articles in the field, the Antibody Society is an excellent resource for clinical immunology. It also has a comprehensive list of online resources for general information and a database of antibodies as chemically defined.
3. Science Friday
Offering a range of podcasts, educational videos, and even a weekly radio program, Science Friday is an engaging and truly multimedia resource. It features science topics in the context of current events and socioeconomic-political issues.
4. eLife Sciences
The eLife Sciences website publishes preprint research papers on life science topics such as ecology, immunology, and biochemistry. It’s a good resource for anyone who’s looking for cutting-edge research references.
5. Biology Online
Biology Online includes an alphabetical list of various biology topics and is presented like a dictionary, with definitions and short explanations. It’s an excellent reference for both students and teachers.
6. LibGuides
The biology section of the LibGuides website features teaching resources and simulation virtual labs that can be used by teachers in lectures and classroom activities.
Best biology books of 2023
The best biology books for 2023 are a combination of reference books and popular books. You don’t need to be a biology student or teacher to read and appreciate these books; they’re accessible to anyone who has an interest in science and biology.
1. “The Joy Of Science” by Jim Al-Khalili
The Joy of Science is a popular book intended for members of the general public without a solid scientific background. It’s actually more of a self-help book that’s presented in eight short lessons.
Each section explains how to unlock the power of scientific thinking in daily life. The author is a physicist and, although the book isn’t entirely focused on biology, it does include aspects of biology within the lessons.
2. “I Think You’ll Find It’s A Bit More Complicated Than That” by Ben GoIdacre
This is another popular book that’s written by a well-known British physician, academic and science journalist. The author’s previous books set the tone for his incisive and insightful criticisms of bad science and bad pharma. I Think You’ll Find It’s A Bit More Complicated Than That is a collection of essays and articles previously published on the subject of science and medicine.
3. “What Is Life? Understand Biology In Five Steps” by Paul Nurse
Written by the respected English geneticist Paul Nurse, What Is Life? explores the profound question of defining life based on biological concepts. Paul was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2001 for his discoveries about proteins that control cell division.
4. “Molecular Biology of the Cell” by Bruce Alberts, et al.
This is a reference book intended for tertiary level students. It focuses on the biochemistry of the cell, with an emphasis on molecular biology. Now in its seventh edition, the book has been thoroughly revised based on the latest research.
5. “Population Genomics with R 1st Edition” by Emmanuel Paradis
Population Genomics takes a multidisciplinary approach to the analysis of population genomics. It covers a wide range of topics, including large-scale genomics with sequencing data, and is packed with data and statistical analysis.
Best biology audiobooks available in 2023
If you don’t have time to read or you simply want to learn about science while driving or relaxing, audiobooks are a great option. Here’s our pick of the best biology audiobooks available in 2023.
1. “Brains Through Time” by Georg F. Striedter & R. Glenn Northcutt
This audiobook version of Brains Through Time looks at the evolution of vertebrate brains. It traces the origin of vertebrates and the various anatomical structures that led to the modern human brain.
2. “Hacking Darwin” by Jamie Metzl
Written by a geopolitical expert and technology futurist, the Hacking Darwin audiobook focuses on the prospects of genetic engineering and humanity’s evolutionary direction. It explores both the opportunities and threats of this technology.
Summary
There are lots of interesting and informative biology resources available across a variety of mediums. We’ve picked a few of the best, but there are plenty of other great educational resources out there.
If you’re new to biology, popular books are a great place to start for inspiration. Once you’ve grasped the basics or you want to learn about a particular topic in more detail, you can then explore more specialised reference resources.
Whether you’re a student or a science enthusiast, you’ll find a great selection of education resources on our website.