p53: The Gene that Cracked the Cancer Code
Sue Armstrong
Mar 2026 · Bloomsbury GB Audio · Narrated by Stephanie Beattie
headphones
Audiobook
9 hr 31 min
Unabridged
family_home
Eligible
info
Want a free 15 min sample? Listen anytime, even offline.
Add
About this audiobook
Bloomsbury presents P53: The Gene that cracked the cancer code by Sue Armstrong, read by Stephanie Beattie
The BMA Medical Book Award-shortlisted story of the search for p53 - the most important gene in medicine.
All of us have lurking in our DNA a most remarkable gene, which has a crucial job – it protects us from cancer. Known simply as p53, this gene constantly scans our cells to ensure that they grow and divide without mishap. If a cell makes a mistake in copying its DNA during the process of division, p53 stops it in its tracks, summoning a repair team before allowing the cell to carry on dividing. If the mistake is irreparable and the rogue cell threatens to grow out of control, p53 commands the cell to commit suicide. Cancer cannot develop unless p53 itself is damaged or prevented from functioning normally.
This book tells the story of medical science’s mission to unravel the mysteries of this crucial gene, and to get to the heart of what happens in our cells when they turn cancerous, highlighting the tremendous recent advances made in our understanding of cancer.
The BMA Medical Book Award-shortlisted story of the search for p53 - the most important gene in medicine.
All of us have lurking in our DNA a most remarkable gene, which has a crucial job – it protects us from cancer. Known simply as p53, this gene constantly scans our cells to ensure that they grow and divide without mishap. If a cell makes a mistake in copying its DNA during the process of division, p53 stops it in its tracks, summoning a repair team before allowing the cell to carry on dividing. If the mistake is irreparable and the rogue cell threatens to grow out of control, p53 commands the cell to commit suicide. Cancer cannot develop unless p53 itself is damaged or prevented from functioning normally.
This book tells the story of medical science’s mission to unravel the mysteries of this crucial gene, and to get to the heart of what happens in our cells when they turn cancerous, highlighting the tremendous recent advances made in our understanding of cancer.
Bloomsbury presents P53: The Gene that cracked the cancer code by Sue Armstrong, read by Stephanie Beattie
The BMA Medical Book Award-shortlisted story of the search for p53 - the most important gene in medicine.
All of us have lurking in our DNA a most remarkable gene, which has a crucial job...
Discover more
About the author
Sue Armstrong is a science writer and broadcaster based in Edinburgh. She has worked for a variety of media organisations, including New Scientist and BBC Radio 4, and since the 1980s has undertaken regular assignments for the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNAIDS, reporting from the frontline in countries as diverse as Haiti, Papua New Guinea, Uganda, Thailand, Namibia and Serbia.
Sue Armstrong is a science writer and broadcaster based in Edinburgh. She has worked for a variety of media organisations, including New Scientist and BBC Radio 4, and since the 1980s has undertaken regular assignments for the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNAIDS, reporting from the frontli...
Rate this audiobook
Tell us what you think.
Listening information
Smartphones and tablets
Install the Google Play Books app for Android and iPad/iPhone. It syncs automatically with your account and allows you to read online or offline wherever you are.
Laptops and computers
You can read books purchased on Google Play using your computer's web browser.
