Twin Research: Biology, Health, Epigenetics, and Psychology is a comprehensive, applied resource in twinning and twin studies that is grounded in the most impactful findings from twin research in recent years. While targeted to undergraduate and graduate students, this compendium will prove a valuable resource for scholars already familiar with twin studies, as well as those coming to the field for the first time. Here, more than forty experts across an array of disciplines examine twinning and twin research methodologies from the perspectives of biology, medicine, genetic and epigenetic influences, and neuroscience. Chapters provide clear instruction in both basic and advanced research methods, family and parenting aspects of twinning, twin studies as applied across various disease areas and medical specialties, genetic and epigenetic determinants of differentiation, and academic, neurological and cognitive development. The presentation of existing studies and methods instruction empowers students and researchers to apply twin-based research and advance new studies across a range of biomedical and behavioral fields, highlighting current research trends and future directions.

Cytogenomics demonstrates that chromosomes are crucial in understanding the human genome and that new high-throughput approaches are central to advancing cytogenetics in the 21st century. After an introduction to (molecular) cytogenetics, being the basic of all cytogenomic research, this book highlights the strengths and newfound advantages of cytogenomic research methods and technologies, enabling researchers to jump-start their own projects and more effectively gather and interpret chromosomal data. Methods discussed include banding and molecular cytogenetics, molecular combing, molecular karyotyping, next-generation sequencing, epigenetic study approaches, optical mapping/karyomapping, and CRISPR-cas9 applications for cytogenomics. The book's second half demonstrates recent applications of cytogenomic techniques, such as characterizing 3D chromosome structure across different tissue types and insights into multilayer organization of chromosomes, role of repetitive elements and noncoding RNAs in human genome, studies in topologically associated domains, interchromosomal interactions, and chromoanagenesis. This book is an important reference source for researchers, students, basic and translational scientists, and clinicians in the areas of human genetics, genomics, reproductive medicine, gynecology, obstetrics, internal medicine, oncology, bioinformatics, medical genetics, and prenatal testing, as well as genetic counselors, clinical laboratory geneticists, bioethicists, and fertility specialists.

Epigenetics and Reproductive Health, a new volume in the Translational Epigenetics series, provides a thorough overview and discussion of epigenetics in reproduction and implications for reproductive medicine. Twenty international researchers discuss epigenetic mechanisms operating during the formation of male and female gametes, fertilization and subsequent embryo and placental development, particularly in mammals and transgenerational epigenetic inheritance. This volume also addresses aberrant epigenetic changes influencing male and female infertility, pregnancy related disorders, and those potentially linked to therapeutic manipulations and assisted reproductive technologies. Emphasis is placed on identifying biomarkers for early detection of aberrant epigenetic mechanisms. Later chapters examine the possibility of correcting these epigenetic dysfunctions, as well as current challenges and next steps in research, enabling new translational discoveries and efforts towards developing therapeutics.

The human pathogens Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae are exquisitely adapted to life within the human mucosa, their only natural niche. N. meningitidis is the causative agent of rapidly transmissible meningitis and septic shock. Vaccines developed to control this pathogen can be rendered ineffective by the pathogen's ability to undergo antigenic variation. In contrast, there are no current vaccination prospects for N. gonorrhoeae, the causative agent of sexually transmitted gonorrhoea. Historically, infections caused by N. gonorrhoeae were treated with antibiotics. However, the recent advent of new strains with resistance to all known antibiotics is causing such treatment regimes to fail, necessitating the need for new and more effective control strategies. In this book, leading Neisseria authorities review the most important research on pathogenic Neisseria to provide a timely overview of the field. The topics covered include: the link between pathogenesis and important metabolic pathways * vaccine development * antibiotic resistance * transcriptomics of regulatory networks * regulatory small RNAs * interactions with neutrophils * advances in humanized mouse models. An essential guide for research scientists, advanced students, clinicians, and other professionals working with Neisseria, the book is a recommended text for all microbiology libraries.

Epigenetics in Organ Specific Disorders, a new volume in the Translational Epigenetics series, provides a foundational overview and nuanced analysis of epigenetic gene regulation distinct to each organ type and organ specific disorders, fully elucidating the epigenetics pathways that promote and regulate disease. After a brief introduction, chapter authors compare epigenetic regulations across normal and disease conditions in different organ tissues, exploring similarities and contrasts. The role of epigenetic mechanisms in stem cells, cell-matrix interactions and cell proliferation, cell migration, cellular apoptosis, necrosis, pyknosis, tumor suppression, and immune responses across different organ types are examined in-depth. Organ specific epigenetic mechanisms and biomarkers of early use in developing drugs, which can selectively target the organ of interest, are also explored to enable new precision therapies.

Although scientists recognize the role of epigenetic mechanisms in DNA damage response, the complex, mechanistic interplay between chromatin regulation and DNA repair is still poorly understood. Comprehending how these processes are connected in time and space and play out in developmental processes may reveal novel directions for new research and disease treatment. Epigenetics and DNA Damage, a new volume in the Translational Epigenetics series, offers a thorough grounding in the relationship between DNA Damage, epigenetic modifications, and chromatin regulation. Early chapters address the basic science of DNA damage and its association with various epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation, post-translational histone modifications, histone variants, chromatin remodeling, miRNAs, and lncRNAs. This is followed by a close discussion of DNA damage and epigenetics in metabolism, aging, cellular differentiation, immune function, stem cell biology, and cancer, tying recent research to translational application in disease understanding. Later chapters examine possible epigenetic therapies combining DNA damage induction and epigenetic alteration, as well as instructive chapters on how to analyze DNA damage and epigenetic alterations in new research.

Secretory Proteins, Volume 133 in the Advances in Protein Chemistry and Structural Biology series highlights new advances in the field, including chapters on Proprotein Convertases regulate trafficking and maturation of key proteins within the secretory pathway, Secretory Proteins in Cancer Diagnosis, Senescent Cells and SASP in Cancer Microenvironment: new approaches in cancer therapy, Autophagy for secretory protein: Therapeutic targets in cancer, Secretory proteins and pathways of secretion of osteosarcoma, Monocyte secretory proteins as drug targets for arresting progression of atherosclerosis, The secretory phenotypes of envenomed cells: insights into venom cytotoxicity, Macromolecules for secretory pathway in SARS-CoV-2 infection, and much more. Other sections cover Exploring the role of secretory proteins in the human infectious diseases diagnosis and therapeutics, Secretory proteins in orchestration of microbial pathogenesis- the curious case of Staphylococcus aureus, Influence of pathological mutations in Aspartylglucosylamine Deaspartylase causing Aspartylglucosaminuria: an in silico approach, and Change in conformational dynamics of Lipase A secretory protein upon mutation causing Wolman disease.

Protein Interaction Networks, Volume 131 in the Advances in Protein Chemistry and Structural Biology series, highlights new advances in the field, with this new volume presenting interesting chapters written by an international board of authors.

Protein Design and Structure, Volume 130 in the Advances in Protein Chemistry and Structural Biology series, highlights new advances in the field, with this new volume presenting interesting chapters. Each chapter is written by an international board of authors.

Twentieth Century Mouse Genetics: A Historical and Scientific Review provides a comprehensive examination of key advances in mouse genetics throughout the 20th century. Here Dr. Robert P. Erickson, a leader in the field, identifies the contributions of historic mouse genetics studies, and how those approaches and early discoveries are still shaping human genetics research and medical genetics today. In addition to historical overviews, the author provides researcher biographies and updates connecting historic research to ongoing advances. Past studies discussed use the T/t complex as an example and include the origins of mouse genetics, the synthesis of genetics and evolution, cytogenetics and gene mapping, population genetics and mutation research, immunogenetics, reproductive genetics, molecular cloning, X-inactivation and epigenetics, sex determination, and pharmacogenetics. Here researchers, students, and clinicians will find fresh inspiration to engage in human genetics research employing mouse models and to translate those findings to clinical practice.

Enzymes - Mechanisms, Dynamics and Inhibition, Volume 122, the latest release in the Advances in Protein Chemistry and Structural Biology series, highlights new advances in the field, with this new volume presenting new and interesting chapters on the topics. Each chapter is written by an international board of authors.

Gene Environment Interactions: Nature and Nurture in the Twenty-first Century offers a rare, synergistic view of ongoing revelations in gene environment interaction studies, drawing together key themes from epigenetics, microbiomics, disease etiology, and toxicology to illuminate pathways for clinical translation and the paradigm shift towards precision medicine. Across eleven chapters, Dr. Smith discusses interactions with the environment, human adaptations to environmental stimuli, pathogen encounters across the centuries, epigenetic modulation of gene expression, transgenerational inheritance, the microbiome's intrinsic effects on human health, and the gene-environment etiology of cardiovascular, metabolic, psychiatric, behavioral and monogenic disorders. Later chapters illuminate how our new understanding of gene environment interactions are driving advances in precision medicine and novel treatments. In addition, the book's author shares strategies to support clinical translation of these scientific findings to improve heath literacy among the general population.

Sex, Gender, and Epigenetics: From Molecule to Bedside explores the complex interplay of sex and gender-based influences on gene expression via epigenetic mechanisms. The book provides an overview of the field and evidence gathered to-date that is followed by a discussion of epigenetic pathways by which biological sex and the impact of the environment collaborate to regulate genetic function. The book also analyzes the impact of ancestors' environmental experience on subsequent generations and describes the nature of sex-specific transmission of environmentally induced epigenetic modifications. Here, international leaders in the field discuss both sex-specific normal physiology and the experience of disease, with chapters dedicated to fetal programming, microbiome, cancer, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, embryogenesis, and oocyte aging, among other topics.

DNA Repair, Volume 45 in The Enzymes series highlights new advances in the field, with this new volume presenting interesting chapters on DNA polymerase beta and other gap-filling enzymes in mammalian base excision repair, Translesion polymerases, mechanism and function, The Rev1-Pol? Mutasome: Structure and Interactions in Translesion Synthesis, Challenges for base excision repair enzymes: acquiring access to damaged DNA in chromatin Nucleotide excision repair, DNA damage recognition mechanisms in mammalian nucleotide excision repair, Advances in understanding DNA mismatch repair, and more.

Nonheme Iron Enzymes: Structures and Mechanisms, Volume 117, highlights new advances in the field, with this new volume presenting new and interesting chapters on the topics. Each chapter is written by an international board of authors.

The Regulatory Genome in Adaptation, Evolution, Development, and Disease synthesizes insights from recent genomic and gene expression studies across organisms, from humans to plants, animals, and single cell life, exploring common roles gene regulation has played in adaptive evolution, as well as in developmental biology and susceptibility to disease. Here, Moyra Smith, a celebrated researcher in the field, sheds light on common themes in gene regulation across evolutionary timelines, illuminating new areas of focus and pathways for future research. Early chapters consider key elements in gene expression regulation, fundamentals of genomic alterations over time and in response to environmental and local conditions, and the role of epigenetics in adaptive evolution, with later chapters considering the role of adaptive gene regulation in healthy processes and developmental biology, as well as in disease biology. Throughout the book, a comparative approach is adopted across organisms, to highlight common evolutionary themes and genome diversity revealed by recent sequencing and GWAS studies, as well as how this informs our understanding of human adaptive evolution. The book finishes by detailing how we can use this knowledge to impact disease outcomes and healthy human metabolism, development, and physiology.

Mechanisms of DNA Recombination and Genome Rearrangements: Intersection between Homologous Recombination, DNA Replication and DNA Repair, Volume 601, the latest release in the Methods in Enzymology series, continues the legacy of this premier serial with quality chapters authored by leaders in the field. Homologous genetic recombination remains the most enigmatic process in DNA metabolism. The molecular machines of recombination preserve the integrity of the genetic material in all organisms and generate genetic diversity in evolution. The same molecular machines that support genetic integrity by orchestrating accurate repair of the most deleterious DNA lesions, however, also promote survival of cancerous cells and emergence of radiation and chemotherapy resistance. This two-volume set offers a comprehensive set of cutting edge methods to study various aspects of homologous recombination and cellular processes that utilize the enzymatic machinery of recombination. The chapters are written by the leading researches and cover a broad range of topics from the basic molecular mechanisms of recombinational proteins and enzymes to emerging cellular techniques and drug discovery efforts.

Omics Technologies and Bio-Engineering: Towards Improving Quality of Life, Volume 2 is a unique reference that brings together multiple perspectives on omics research, providing in-depth analysis and insights from an international team of authors. The book delivers pivotal information that will inform and improve medical and biological research by helping readers gain more direct access to analytic data, an increased understanding on data evaluation, and a comprehensive picture on how to use omics data in molecular biology, biotechnology and human health care.

Concepts and techniques in genomics and proteomics covers the important concepts of high-throughput modern techniques used in the genomics and proteomics field. Each technique is explained with its underlying concepts, and simple line diagrams and flow charts are included to aid understanding and memory. A summary of key points precedes each chapter within the book, followed by detailed description in the subsections. Each subsection concludes with suggested relevant original references.

DNA Replication Across Taxa, the latest volume in The Enzymes series summarizes the most important discoveries associated with DNA replication.

Methods in Enzymology: Visualizing RNA Dynamics in the Cell continues the legacy of this premier serial with quality chapters authored by leaders in the field. This volume covers research methods visualizing RNA dynamics in the cell, and includes sections on such topics as identification of RNA cis-regulatory sequences, IRAS, IMAGEtags, MERFISH, plant RNA labeling using MS2, and visualization of 5S dynamics in live cells using photostable corn probe.

Omic Studies of Neurodegenerative Disease: Part A is part of a well-established international series on neuroscience that examines major areas of basic and clinical research, along with emerging and promising subfields. The book informs the reader on the current state of the studies used to evaluate the mechanisms, causes, and treatment of neurodegeneration through a combination of literature reviews and examples of current research.

Epigenetics of Stress and Stress Disorders, a new volume in the Translational Epigenetics series, examines the epigenetic mechanisms involved in modifying DNA following prolonged stress or trauma. This is accomplished through the evaluation of both the physiological and molecular effects of stress on the body that can eventually lead to stress disorders. The book begins by providing a psychiatric, biological, and phenomenological foundation for understanding stress disorders, before delving into the genomics of stress disorders. From here, chapter authors discuss a range of recent epigenetic research in the area, highlighting epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS), exciting developments in noncoding RNA studies, possible effects of prolonged stress on telomere shortening, and the long-term physical effects of PTSD on the health of patients. The book also examines the effect of adversity during sensitive periods or development and across the life span. The book concludes by looking at possible transgenerational stress-induced epigenetic alterations on future offspring and important areas of research for public health, along with the potential for epigenetic therapeutics or "epidrugs."

This document is exclusively dedicated to DNA. It explains the secrets of DNA from all corners. Presented in a simple, lucid manner; it will useful to all involved in bioscience. In all it consists 12 chapters, figures, photos and a wholesome glossary of the terms related to DNA.

Reciprocity in Population Biobanks: Relational Autonomy and the Duty to Inform in the Genomic Era begins by discussing how current judicial interpretation keeps standard of disclosure at the core of genomic research. The book then outlines multiple limitations individualistic autonomy faces in the context of gene and population biobanks, including an analysis of the complexities of benefit considerations in the research setting. Second, the book explores how individualistic autonomy fails to acknowledge the multilateral relationships implicated in genomic research, including those that affect the broader research community, research participants' families, and the general public. In carrying out this analysis, this book pays special attention to alternative approaches and ways researchers, public health officials, and judicial bodies might interact in years to come. In other words, implementing an understanding of relational autonomy that acknowledges and sustains the multilateral relationships found in genomic research without compromising the rights of participants. In short, this book proposes a reconceived duty to inform for researchers and a new standard of disclosure that is more meaningful and impactful for research participants and researchers.