How unassuming government researcher Marshall Nirenberg beat James Watson, Francis Crick, and other world-famous scientists in the race to discover the genetic code. The genetic code is the Rosetta Stone by which we interpret the 3.3 billion letters of human DNA, the alphabet of life, and the discovery of the code has had an immeasurable impact on science and society. In 1968, Marshall Nirenberg, an unassuming government scientist working at the National Institutes of Health, shared the Nobel Prize for cracking the genetic code. He was the least likely man to make such an earth-shaking discovery, and yet he had gotten there before such members of the scientific elite as James Watson and Francis Crick. How did Nirenberg do it, and why is he so little known? In The Least Likely Man, Franklin Portugal tells the fascinating life story of a famous scientist that most of us have never heard of. Nirenberg did not have a particularly brilliant undergraduate or graduate career. After being hired as a researcher at the NIH, he quietly explored how cells make proteins. Meanwhile, Watson, Crick, and eighteen other leading scientists had formed the "RNA Tie Club" (named after the distinctive ties they wore, each decorated with one of twenty amino acid designs), intending to claim credit for the discovery of the genetic code before they had even worked out the details. They were surprised, and displeased, when Nirenberg announced his preliminary findings of a genetic code at an international meeting in Moscow in 1961. Drawing on Nirenberg's "lab diaries," Portugal offers an engaging and accessible account of Nirenberg's experimental approach, describes counterclaims by Crick, Watson, and Sidney Brenner, and traces Nirenberg's later switch to an entirely new, even more challenging field. Having won the Nobel for his work on the genetic code, Nirenberg moved on to the next frontier of biological research: how the brain works.

The living world runs on genomic software - what Dawn Field and Neil Davies call the 'biocode' - the sum of all DNA on Earth. In Biocode, they tell the story of a new age of scientific discovery: the growing global effort to read and map the biocode, and what that might mean for the future. The structure of DNA was identified in 1953, and the whole human genome was mapped by 2003. Since then the new field of genomics has mushroomed and is now operating on an industrial scale. Genomes can now be sequenced rapidly and increasingly cheaply. The genomes of large numbers of organisms from mammals to microbes, have been mapped. Getting your genome sequenced is becoming affordable for many. You too can check paternity, find out where your ancestors came from, or whether you are at risk of some diseases. Some check out the pedigree of their pets, while others turn genomes into art. A stray hair is enough to crudely reconstruct the face of the owner. From reading to constructing: the first steps to creating artificial life have already been taken. Some may find the rapidity of developments, and the potential for misuse, alarming. But they also open up unprecedented possibilities. The ability to read DNA has changed how we view ourselves and understand our place in nature. From the largest oceans, to the insides of our guts, we are able to explore the biosphere as never before, from the genome up. Sequencing technology has made the invisible world of microbes visible, and biodiversity genomics is revealing whole new worlds within us and without. The findings are transformational: we are all ecosystems now. Already the first efforts at 'barcoding' entire ecological communities and creating 'genomic observatories' have begun. The future, the authors argue, will involve biocoding the entire planet.

The DNA of all organisms is constantly being damaged by endogenous and exogenous sources. Oxygen metabolism generates reactive species that can damage DNA, proteins and other organic compounds in living cells. Exogenous sources include ionizing and ultraviolet radiations, carcinogenic compounds and environmental toxins among others. The discovery of multiple DNA lesions and DNA repair mechanisms showed the involvement of DNA damage and DNA repair in the pathogenesis of many human diseases, most notably cancer. These books provide a comprehensive overview of the interdisciplinary area of DNA damage and DNA repair, and their relevance to disease pathology. Edited by recognised leaders in the field, this two-volume set is an appealing resource to a variety of readers including chemists, chemical biologists, geneticists, cancer researchers and drug discovery scientists.

Concepts of Genetics is known for its focus on teaching core concepts and problem solving. This best-selling text has been extensively updated, with coverage on emerging topics in genetics, and problem-solving support has been enhanced.

Epigenetics is the study of heritable changes in gene function that do not involve changes in the DNA sequence. These changes, consisting principally of DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs, maintain or modulate the initial impact of regulatory factors that recognize and associate with particular genomic sequences. Epigenetic modifications are manifest in all aspects of normal cellular differentiation and function, but they can also have damaging effects that result in pathologies such as cancer. Research is continuously uncovering the role of epigenetics in a variety of human disorders, providing new avenues for therapeutic interventions and advances in regenerative medicine. This book's primary goal is to establish a framework that can be used to understand the basis of epigenetic regulation and to appreciate both its derivation from genetics and interdependence with genetic mechanisms. A further aim is to highlight the role played by the three-dimensional organization of the genetic material itself (the complex of DNA, histones and non-histone proteins referred to as chromatin), and its distribution within a functionally compartmentalized nucleus. This architectural organization of the genome plays a major role in the subsequent retrieval, interpretation, and execution of both genetic and epigenetic information.

Chromatin is DNA plus the proteins (and RNA) that package DNA within the cell nucleus. The primary functions of chromatin are: to package DNA into a smaller volume to fit in the cell, to strengthen the DNA to allow mitosis and meiosis and prevent DNA damage, and to control gene expression and DNA replication. In this book, the authors present topical research in the study of chromatin including the varied functions of aurora kinases A and B in mitosis and carcinogenesis; the chromatin state of pluripotent stem cells; MITF meets chromatin in melanoma; the state of chromatin as an integrative indicator of cell stress; analysing DNA damage and its repair throughout entire genomes; the cloning process, structural characterisation of Revolver transposon and its patented application for chromosome tags; DNA damage and Rad16; and glucocorticoid-induced chromatin remodelling.

Polyhedra have attracted scientists' attentions due to their high-symmetric architectures since ancient times, and even served as common modes in natural world. Chemists in the past few centuries have strived to synthesise these polyhedral targets. Despite achievements that have been arrived, there is still a gap between the great varieties of polyhedral shapes observed in nature and the relatively limited molecular polyhedra constructed by small organic molecules. Fortunately, DNA was shown to be an excellent material in molecular construction. The construction of polyhedral structures with DNA improves the development of synthetic chemistry. This book reviews the recent progress made in the theoretical investigation of a new mathematical theory of DNA polyhedra.

"From his work as part of the prosecution in the 1995 O. J. Simpson murder trial to his star billing on TV's America's Most Wanted, former San Diego prosecutor George "Woody" Clarke has been party to some of the justice system's most visible, controversial, and melodramatic moments. He puts that populist knack to work in this nonfiction page turner that should appeal just as much to true crime buffs as those concerned with the workings of the criminal justice system."-Publishers Weekly (starred review) "Clarke's account of the rise of DNA evidence is engaging and well paced, and the author comes across as likable and genuinely humble-a rarity in a book of war stories."-San Francisco Chronicle "As a former prosecutor who specialized in DNA evidence, Woody Clarke has the ability to make the difficult science that sometimes confuses a jury understandable to his reader."-Dominick Dunne Databases of both convicted offenders and no-suspect cases demonstrate the power of DNA testing to solve the unsolvable. George "Woody" Clarke chronicles his experiences in some of the most disturbing and notorious sexual assault and murder court cases in California. He charts the beginnings of DNA testing in police investigations and the fight for its acceptance by courts and juries and illustrates the power of science in cases he personally prosecuted or in which he assisted, including his work with the prosecution team in the trial of O. J. Simpson. As Clarke tells the story of how he came to understand and use this new form of evidence, readers will develop a new appreciation for the role of science in the legal system. George "Woody" Clarke, a judge of the Superior Court in San Diego County for the past several years, lectures internationally on DNA evidence and has cohosted America's Most Wanted.

A unique PCR troubleshooting guide that is an essential companion for anyone who uses the polymerase chain reaction technique. Aimed at a reader with some experience in PCR the book discusses the many and varied problems encountered with PCR together with tips, advice and procedures to obviate rather than overcome the PCR problems. Written in the language of the laboratory with a little humour and a down-to-earth approach, the book is easy to read and understand. If you fail at PCR, consult this book The advice in these pages is invaluable and is the sort of advice that is not usually found elsewhere.

Microarray analysis is a highly efficient tool for assessing the expression of a large number of genes simultaneously, and offers a new means to classify cancer and other diseases. Gene expression profiling can also be used to predict clinical outcome and response to specific therapeutic agents. This survey spans recent applications of microarrays in clinical medicine, covering malignant disease including acute leukaemias, lymphoid malignancies and breast cancer, together with diabetes and heart disease. Investigators in oncology, pharmacology and related clinical sciences, as well as basic scientists, will value this review of a promising new diagnostic and prognostic technology.

The most influential scientist of the last century, James Watson has been at dead center in the creation of modern molecular biology. This masterful biography brings to life the extraordinary achievements not only of Watson but also all those working on this cutting edge of scientific discovery, such as Walter Gilbert, Francis Crick, Francois Jacob, and David Baltimore. From the ruthless competition in the race to identify the structure of DNA to a near mutiny in the Harvard biology department, to clashes with ethicists over issues in genetics, Watson has left a wake of detractors as well as fans. Victor McElheny probes brilliantly behind the veil of Watson's own invented persona, bringing us close to the relentless genius and scientific impresario who triggered and sustained a revolution in science.

Jim Watson is one of the world's most famous scientists. A principal architect and visionary of modern biology, a Nobel Prize winner at 34, and best selling author at 40 (The Double Helix), he has been a fearless commentator on the march of DNA science and its impact on society for over twenty years. This sparkling collection was a bestseller in hardcover, and, for the paperback edition, the author has added three newly written essays containing his reflections on the survival value of pursuing happiness, advice for new college graduates, and his thoughts on the completion of a draft of the human genome, a project he initiated over ten years ago. Published/distributed in conjunction with Oxford University Press. All orders from the UK and Australia must be directed to: Oxford University Press Saxon Way West Corby, Northants NN18 9ES United Kingdom Tel: 01536-454534 Fax: 01536-746337 e-mail: [email protected]

The application of computational methods to DNA and protein science is a new and exciting development in biology. Bioinformatics: Sequence and Genome Analysis is a comprehensive introduction to this emerging field of study. The book has many unique and valuable features:
-- It is written for any biologist who wants to understand methods of sequence and structure analysis and how the necessary computer programs work
-- Sequence alignment, structure prediction, phylogenetic and gene prediction, database searching, and genome analysis are clearly explained and amply illustrated
-- Underlying algorithms and assumptions are clearly explained for the non-specialist
-- Examples are presented in simple numerical terms rather than complex formulas and notation
-- Theoretical underpinnings are linked to biological problems and their solutions
-- Extensive tables provide descriptions and Web sources for a broad range of publicly available software
-- An associated Website (www.bioinformaticsonline.org), accessible free of charge by book purchasers, provides links to Internet sources referred to in the text, as well as problem sets for classroom use, and other useful material not included in the text.

Based on the well-established course given at the University of Arizona by the author, David Mount, this book is an ideal foundation for teaching at an undergraduate and graduate level. It is also highly suited for the self-instruction of investigators interested in the application of methods and strategies in functional genomics and for the needs of information specialists working in molecular biology and pharmaceutical laboratories.

Rosalind Franklin's research was central to the discovery of the double-helix structure of DNA. She never received the credit she was due during her lifetime.

Information is central to the evolution of biological complexity, a physical system relying on a continuous supply of energy. Biology provides superb examples of the consequent Darwinian selection of mechanisms for efficient energy utilisation. Genetic information, underpinned by the Watson-Crick base-pairing rules is largely encoded by DNA, a molecule uniquely adapted to its roles in information storage and utilisation.This volume addresses two fundamental questions. Firstly, what properties of the molecule have enabled it to become the predominant genetic material in the biological world today and secondly, to what extent have the informational properties of the molecule contributed to the expansion of biological diversity and the stability of ecosystems. The author argues that bringing these two seemingly unrelated topics together enables Schroedinger's What is Life?, published before the structure of DNA was known, to be revisited and his ideas examined in the context of our current biological understanding.

DNA transfer to cultured cells
Edited by Katya Ravid and R. Ian Freshney
Rapid advances in DNA transfer technology have transformed many disciplines, ranging from molecular genetics to biotechnology. Scientists now have the means to introduce copies of genes into different cell types, then detect the expression of these genes in the cell. It is now possible to regulate cell growth that may lead to cancer, develop new biopharmaceuticals, and apply knowledge about the role of genes in cell processes to basic research in molecular genetics.
DNA Transfer to Cultured Cells is the first quick reference to all of the established techniques for the transfer of genetic material to cells in vitro. Featuring contributions by leading researchers in the field, this detailed guide walks the reader through a variety of DNA transfer methods, describes their application to specific cell types, and integrates aspects of molecular biology with tissue culture. Offering overviews and detailed protocols for the techniques under discussion in each of its sections, this book covers an exceptionally broad array of topics, including:
* Viral infection
* Electroporation
* Phosphate precipitation
* DEAE Dextran
* Liposomes
* Yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs)
* Whole chromosome transfer
* Enhanced expression.
Special sections at the end of each chapter list suppliers for necessary reagents and materials. This easy-to-use, self-contained guide addresses key developments of recent years as well as emerging trends in DNA transfer. For practical applications in cell biology, genetics, heredity, biotechnology, or evolution, DNA Transfer to Cultured Cells is a uniqueand unparalleled resource.

With elegant simplicity, Maxim D. Frank-Kamenetskii elucidates the essential history and inner workings of DNA-a tiny molecule that holds within it the deepest mysteries of life. As Frank-Kamenetskii explains, DNA will undoubtedly shape our future, too, as we call upon it to convict criminals, clone creatures, and ultimately, cure cancer. This definitive guide to DNA, a previous version of which sold over 300,000 copies in the author's native Russia, promises to both inform and inspire.

Applied Antisense Oligonucleotide Technology
Edited by C. A. Stein and Arthur M. Krieg
The past fifteen years have seen major developments in the field of antisense oligonucleotide therapeutics. Antisense technology now yields large amounts of data in clinical trials and shows tremendous potential for therapeutic use in conditions ranging from cancers to infectious diseases. This volume features articles by scientists and academics at the leading edge of antisense research, presenting for the first time an overview of this dynamic, rapidly growing field.
Applied Antisense Oligonucleotide Technology offers a balanced discussion of theory and application, with an emphasis on the practical aspects associated with the use of antisense oligonucleotides to modify gene expression. This book describes critical areas of research and includes results of clinical studies and strategies for use of various agents. It also covers topics of general interest such as pharmacokinetics, toxicity considerations, and the non-antisense effects of oligonucleotides.
Complete with real-world examples and over one hundred illustrations, Applied Antisense Oligonucleotide Technology is presented in seven major parts:
* Oligonucleotide chemistry
* The mechanism of action and non-sequence specificity in oligodeoxynucleotide therapeutics
* Sequence-specific inhibition of gene expression and applied antisense oligonucleotide therapeutics
* Oligodeoxynucleotides as anti-HIV agents
* Therapeutic oligonucleotide data base, including pharmacokinetics, immune stimulation agents, and the use of oligonucleotides as antirestenotic agents
* Splicing and DNA triplex formation
* Areview of the basic concepts in ribozyme technology
Applied Antisense Oligonucleotide Technology is an essential reference for researchers in biotechnology, genetics, and molecular biology. Easy to read and thoughtfully compiled by the co-editors of the journal Antisense Research and Development, this work is also accessible to researchers and academics in other areas, and anyone interested in pursuing this cutting-edge technology.

DNA ancestry companies generate revenues in the region of $1bn a year, and the company 23andMe is said to have sold 10 million DNA ancestry kits to date. Although evidently popular, the science behind how DNA ancestry tests work is mystifying and difficult for the general public to interpret and understand. In this accessible and engaging book, Sheldon Krimsky, a leading researcher, investigates the methods that different companies use for DNA ancestry testing. He also discusses what the tests are used for, from their application in criminal investigations to discovering missing relatives. With a lack of transparency from companies in sharing their data, absent validation of methods by independent scientists, and currently no agreed-upon standards of accuracy, this book also examines the ethical issues behind genetic genealogy testing, including concerns surrounding data privacy and security. It demystifies the art and science of DNA ancestry testing for the general reader.

What does it mean to say that mutation is random? How does mutation influence evolution? Are mutations merely the raw material for selection to shape adaptations? The author draws on a detailed knowledge of mutational mechanisms to argue that the randomness doctrine is best understood, not as a fact-based conclusion, but as the premise of a neo-Darwinian research program focused on selection. The successes of this research program created a blind spot - in mathematical models and verbal theories of causation - that has stymied efforts to re-think the role of variation. However, recent theoretical and empirical work shows that mutational biases can and do influence the course of evolution, including adaptive evolution, through a first come, first served mechanism. This thought-provoking book cuts through the conceptual tangle at the intersection of mutation, randomness, and evolution, offering a fresh, far-reaching, and testable view of the role of variation as a dispositional evolutionary factor. The arguments will be accessible to philosophers and historians with a serious interest in evolution, as well as to researchers and advanced students of evolution focused on molecules, microbes, evo-devo, and population genetics.

Barbara McClintock was born in 1902, within a few years of the rediscovery of Mendel's laws. Her life, discoveries, and insights span the history of genetics in this century. McClintock's unique ability to discern relationships between the behavior of chromosomes and the properties of the whole organism earned her early recognition. At Cold Spring Harbor, she began the studies of the consequence of dicentric chromosome formation and breakage that led her to the discovery of genetic elements capable of moving within the genome and controlling expression of other genes. This book contains a kaleidoscope of contributions, many by those who discovered transposition in other organisms. Their essays give a remarkable account of the scientific legacy of one of the century's greatest geneticists.

Candid, provocative, and disarming, this is the widely-praised memoir of the co-discoverer of the double helix of DNA.

The State of the Art in Transcriptome Analysis RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data offers unprecedented information about the transcriptome, but harnessing this information with bioinformatics tools is typically a bottleneck. RNA-seq Data Analysis: A Practical Approach enables researchers to examine differential expression at gene, exon, and transcript levels and to discover novel genes, transcripts, and whole transcriptomes. Balanced Coverage of Theory and Practice.Each chapter starts with theoretical background, followed by descriptions of relevant analysis tools and practical examples. Accessible to both bioinformaticians and nonprogramming wet lab scientists, the examples illustrate the use of command-line tools, R, and other open source tools, such as the graphical Chipster software. The Tools and Methods to Get Started in Your Lab. Taking readers through the whole data analysis workflow, this self-contained guide provides a detailed overview of the main RNA-seq data analysis methods and explains how to use them in practice. It is suitable for researchers from a wide variety of backgrounds, including biology, medicine, genetics, and computer science. The book can also be used in a graduate or advanced undergraduate course.