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]

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.

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.

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.

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.

Mapping and, ultimately, deciphering the human genome is a major human and scientific adventure that involves thousands of researchers world-wide and considerable funds. Bertrand Jordan, an active scientist in this field, became also a privileged observer through a sabbatical year devoted to visiting nearly a hundred participating laboratories around the world. This placed him in an ideal position to see, discuss, record and analyse progress and difficulties in this endeavour. These observations are the basis for a regular feature, "Chroniques Genomiques" (Tales of the Genome) published in the French periodical medecine/sciences. This book is an integrated, expanded and updated version of the 1990-1993 chronicles. It provides a technically detailed but accessible account of the "Genome World" from the viewpoint of a practising scientist. It describes the strategies implemented in settings that range from small laboratories to semi-industrial installations such as "Genethon", and the associated questions in terms of national policies, economic stakes and ethical issues.

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.

'A phenomenally important book' Lewis Dartnell, author of Origins Why do we live in families? Why do we help complete strangers? Why do we compare ourselves to others? Why do we cooperate? The science of cooperation tells us not only how we got here, but also where we might end up. In The Social Instinct Nichola Raihani introduces us to other species who, like us, live and work together. From the pied babblers of the Kalahari to the cleaner fish of the Great Barrier Reef, they happen to be some of the most fascinating and extraordinarily successful species on this planet. What do we have in common with these animals, and what can we learn from them? The Social Instinct is an exhilarating, far-reaching and thought-provoking journey through all life on Earth, with profound insights into what makes us human and how our societies work. 'A pleasing juxtaposition of insightful scientific theory with illuminating anecdotes' Richard Dawkins 'Surprising, thoughtful and, best of all, endlessly entertaining' Will Storr, author of The Science of Storytelling 'A superb book about how important cooperation is' Alice Roberts, author of Ancestors

Genome sequencing is one of the most exciting scientific breakthroughs of the past thirty years. But what precisely does it involve and how is it developing? In this brilliantly wide-ranging, one-stop guide WIRED journalist Rachael Pells explains the science behind genomics. She analyses its practical applications in medical diagnosis and the treatment of conditions that range from cancer to severe allergic reactions to cystic fibrosis. She considers its potential to help with advances in agriculture and environmental science. She explores the ethics of genetic modification and the dangers involved when humans 'play God'. And she addresses the fundamental question: to what extent will future advances transform human longevity and the quality of life.

Fixing Your Damaged and Incorrect Genes is a book about a well-established biological process called DNA REPAIR. The book describes the multiple and varied biochemical strategies by which damaged or incorrect nucleotides are removed from DNA or are corrected. The book includes multiple figures of notable past and present scientists in the field. The book is uniquely focused on an audience of non-biologists and is written in simple language with minimal use of technical terms. It contains an extensive glossary that provides explanations of key words that readers are encouraged to refer to as they read. Fixing Your Damaged and Incorrect Genes is unique, there being no previously published books for non-biologists on the topic of DNA repair.

This book describes the driving forces behind the evolutionary process at the molecular and genome levels, the effects of the various molecular mechanisms on the structure of genes, proteins, and genomes, the methodology and the analytical tools involved in dealing with molecular data from an evolutionary perspective, and the logic of evolutionary hypothesis testing. Evolutionary phenomena at the molecular level are detailed in a way that can be understood without much prerequisite knowledge of molecular biology, evolution, or mathematics. Numerous examples that support and clarify the theoretical arguments and methodological discussions are included.

There have been remarkable advances towards discovering agents that exhibit selectivity and sequence-specificity for DNA, as well as understanding the interactions that underlie its propensity to bind molecules. This progress has important applications in many areas of biotechnology and medicine, notably in cancer treatment as well as in future gene targeting therapies. The editor and contributing authors are leaders in their fields and provide useful perspectives from diverse and interdisciplinary backgrounds on the current status of this broad area. The role played by chemistry is a unifying theme. Early chapters cover methodologies to evaluate DNA-interactive agents and then the book provides examples of DNA-interactive molecules and technologies in development as therapeutic agents. DNA-binding metal complexes, peptide and polyamide–DNA interactions, and gene targeting tools are some of the most compelling topics treated in depth. This book will be a valuable resource for postgraduate students and researchers in chemical biology, biochemistry, structural biology and medicinal fields. It will also be of interest to supramolecular chemists and biophysicists.

Plants are sessile organisms and their only alternative to a rapidly changing environment is a fast adaptation to abiotic and biotic stresses. Among the several known species of flowering plants, Arabidopsis thaliana is the only plant that has been most thoroughly studied. This angiosperm with dicotyledonous seeds belonging to the family Brassicaceae was known to botanists for at least four centuries and has been used since then for experimental studies for about half a century, until it was Friedrich Laibach who had outlined the advantages of using it in genetic experiments and had also suggested that it could be used as a plant model system in 1943. Its unique features favors genetic experiments, which include its small size, a rapid generation time, the ability to grow well under controlled conditions, high fecundity of up to 10,000 seeds per plant. Like the peas that Mendel studied, it reproduces mainly by self-fertilisation. Arabidopsis is considered a model plant for many studies as its genomic sequence was completely identified and its mechanisms in genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic regulation are often similar to other plant species. The aim of this book is to give an up-to-date overview on the recent breakthroughs in the area of responses and adaptations of Arabidopsis, particularly those regarding its cultivation, life cycle and functional genomics. The chapters are focused on the most exciting and innovative researches on this species, involving authors with strong research experience. The present volume would definitely be an ideal source of scientific information to the advanced students, junior researchers, faculty and scientists involved in the ecology, agriculture, environmental microbiology, genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, biotechnology and other areas involving Arabidopsis studies and plant sciences in general.

DNA methylation is a cryptic phenomenon that invokes the methylation of the cytosines in nuclear DNA and is responsible for a wide variety of essential processes, starting from cellular differentiation (embryogenesis), transposon silencing, miRNA dependent methylation and gene regulation. This book presents an overview of different aspects of DNA methylation with a focus on its basic principles and mechanisms and gene silencing. Also discussed, is the role of DNA methylation in plants; epigenetic control of circadian clock operation; photoperiodic flowering; and DNA methylation in cancer and its role in multiple sclerosis.

Deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, is the fundamental building block for an individual's entire genetic make-up. DNA is a powerful tool for law enforcement investigations because each person's DNA is different from that of every other individual (except for identical twins). DNA can be extracted from a number of sources, such as hair, bone, teeth, saliva, and blood. As early as the 1980s, states began enacting laws that required collecting DNA samples from offenders convicted of certain sexual and other violent crimes. The samples were then analysed and their profiles entered into state databases. Meanwhile, the FBI laboratory convened a working group of federal, state, and local forensic scientists to establish guidelines for the use of forensic DNA analysis in laboratories. This book provides an overview of how DNA is used to investigate crimes and help protect the innocent. It reviews current statutory law on collecting DNA samples, sharing DNA profiles, and providing access to post-conviction DNA testing.

In this book, the authors present new research in the study of sex chromosomes. Topics discussed in this compilation include the evolution of mammalian X chromosomes and X chromosome inactivation; the role of sex chromosomes in mammalian female fertility; the fate of the Y chromosome; the role of Y chromosome genes on tumour development risk in disgenetic gonads; deletion of amelogenin Y-locus; non-invasive prenatal diagnosis for foetal sex determination; and application of X chromosomal STR polymorphisms to individual identification.

MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs involved in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. Thousands of miRNAs have been identified in different organisms including viruses, insects, plants and animals. MiRNAs has emerged as key regulators of important biological processes. The differential expression of miRNAs in various human diseases has made them potential candidates for developing novel therapies and personalized medicines. This book is focused on microRNA let-7, the second miRNA discovered in the year 2000 and one of the most studied miRNA. This book discusses various aspects of miRNA let-7 starting from its discovery, biogenesis, transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation to its crucial role in various fundamental cellular processes such as development, stem cell maintenance and differentiation, regulation of signalling pathways in cancer, drug resistance and therapeutic potential in different human diseases.

In this book, the authors present current research in the study of DNA replication and mutation, including connections between BLM and the Fanconi anemia pathway in the repair of replication fork damage; the mutagenic potential of methacrylates used in restorative dentistry; DNA mutation of the progranulin gene in familial frontotemporal lobar degeneration; effect of DNA polymerase a-inhibitor dehydroaltenusin on DNA replication in cultured cells; gel-based methods of DNA-binding zinc II complexes in the detection of DNA mutations and DNA mutations and genetic coding.

Stem cells are cells found in all multi cellular organisms. They are characterised by the ability to renew themselves through mitotic cell division and differentiate into a diverse range of specialised cell types. This book presents and discusses current research in the study of stem cell research, including cancer and prostate stem cells; neural stem cells and taurine; interactions between transplanted neural stem cells and host tissue; retrovirus vector silencing in stem cells and moral and scientific consideration in embryonic stem cell research.

Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein enzyme that catalyses the cellular synthesis of telomeric DNA during cellular division, resulting in maintenance of telomere length and increased proliferative potential. Several studies suggest that the telomerase may play an important role in the diagnosis and prognosis of cancer because its expression strongly correlates with the potential tumour progression. Ninety percent of human cancers on different organs have shown high telomerasa activity. This book reviews research in the field of telomerase including functions of telomerase independent of its interaction with telomeres on gene expression and chromatin structure; histone deacetylase inhibition as an anticancer telomerase-targeting strategy and others.

Genome stability of every species depends on complex interaction of predefined and environmentally induced genetic and epigenetic states. Predefined states consist of chromatin structure and cell metabolic processes such as DNA repair, radical scavenging and cell signalling, whereas induced states depend on interactions with the environment. Organisms are able to respond to a changing environment by various alterations in their somatic cells as well as in their germline and progeny. In this book, we will describe various phenomena associated with the maintenance of genome stability. These include genetic and epigenetic responses to various stresses in exposed cells and organisms, bystander and, bystander-like effects, transgenerational changes in genome stability and stress tolerance in bacteria, plants and animals.

Ribonucleotide reductase (RNR), a universal enzyme present in essentially all living cells and organisms, has a central role in DNA replication and repair by catalysing production of deoxyribonucleotides from the corresponding ribonucleotides. Three major classes of RNRs are known, differing in their cofactor requirements: class I RNRs (with subclasses Ia and Ib) carry a stable tyrosyl radical and are oxygen-dependent, class II RNRs require the vitamin B12 cofactor 5'-deoxyadenosylcobalamin and are oxygen-independent, and class III RNRs carry a stable glycyl radical and are oxygen-sensitive. Despite these differences, all classes have a similar reaction mechanism and the same highly specific catalytic core structure, indicating that they evolved from a common ancestor. Biochemical studies of RNRs from selected model organisms in combination with the vast number of deduced RNR sequences from publicly available complete genomic sequences show that whereas eukaryotes and their viruses with few exceptions contain only class Ia RNRs, all three major RNR classes are found among prokaryotes and bacteriophages and quite often one organism encodes more than one class of RNR. They are compiled in an open access database, called RNRdb for Ribonucleotide Reductase database that is available at http://rnrdb.molbio.su.se. RNRs are produced in a strictly controlled way depending upon growth phase and environmental cues. The authors describe a comprehensive summary of how the expression of RNR genes is regulated in several eubacterial organisms and in yeast. Due to RNR's importance for the realisation of DNA replication, it has been recognised as a possible target for antiproliferative therapy. The authors present a comprehensive summary of RNR-specific inhibitors that have reached clinical trials and/or are currently used in clinical therapy.