How is a tiny fertilised egg able to turn itself into a human being? How can an acorn transform itself into an oak tree? Over the past twenty years there has been a revolution in biology. For the first time we have begun to understand how organisms make themselves. The Art of Genes gives an account of these new and exciting findings, and of their broader significance for how we view ourselves. Through a highly original synthesis of science and art, Enrico Coen vividly describes this revolution in our understanding of how plants and animals develop.

This book provides a description of the theoretical basis of the technique, the practical details of the method, and the philosophy behind the technology transfer program that Harris has developed over the past ten years. The book serves as a guide for potential users in developing countries and for scientists who may wish to work abroad. In addition, the low-cost approach outlined in this book can be useful for high school, undergraduate, or continuing education programs.

The technique of DNA Sequencing lies at the heart of modern molecular biology. Since current methods were first introduced, sequence databases have grown exponentially, and are now an indispensable research tool. This up-to-date, practical guide is unique in covering all aspects of the methodology of DNA sequencing, as well as sequence analysis. It describes the basic methods (both manual and automated) and the more advanced techniques (for example, those based on PCR) before moving on to key applications. The final section focuses on the analysis of sequence data; it details the software available, and explains how the Internet can be used for accessing software and major databases. By explaining the options available and their merits, DNA Sequencing allows newcomers to the field to decide which method is the most suitable for their application. For experienced sequencers the book is a useful reference source for details of the less common techniques and as a means of updating knowledge.

DNA fingerprinting is a revolutionary technique that enables scientists to match minute tissue samples and facilitates scientific studies on the composition, reproduction, and evolution of animal and plant populations. As a tool for positive identification of criminals, it plays a particularly important role in forensic science. The first book to be published in the field, , DNA Fingerprinting is a practical guide to basic principles and laboratory methods as applied to a variety of fields including forensic analysis, paternity testing, medical diagnostics, animal and plant sciences, and wildlife poaching.

Phenotypic Switching: Implications in Biology and Medicine provides a comprehensive examination of phenotypic switching across biological systems, including underlying mechanisms, evolutionary significance, and its role in biomedical science. Contributions from international leaders discuss conceptual and theoretical aspects of phenotypic plasticity, its influence over biological development, differentiation, biodiversity, and potential applications in cancer therapy, regenerative medicine and stem cell therapy, among other treatments. Chapters discuss fundamental mechanisms of phenotypic switching, including transition states, cell fate decisions, epigenetic factors, stochasticity, protein-based inheritance, specific areas of human development and disease relevance, phenotypic plasticity in melanoma, prostate cancer, breast cancer, non-genetic heterogeneity in cancer, hepatitis C, and more. This book is essential for active researchers, basic and translational scientists, clinicians, postgraduates and students in genetics, human genomics, pathology, bioinformatics, developmental biology, evolutionary biology and adaptive opportunities in yeast.

This book is a guide for users of new technologies, as it includes accurately proven protocols, allowing readers to prepare their samples for experiments. Additionally, it is a guide for the bioinformatics tools that are available for the analysis of the obtained tags, including the design of the software, the sources and the Web. Finally, the book provides examples of the application of these technologies to identify promoters, annotate genomes, identify new RNAs and reconstruct models of transcriptional control. Although examples mainly concern mammalians, the discussion expands to other groups of eukaryotes, where these approaches are complementing genome sequencing.

The Affymetrix GeneChip (R) system is one of the most widely adapted microarray platforms. However, due to the overwhelming amount of information available, many Affymetrix users tend to stick to the default analysis settings and may end up drawing sub-optimal conclusions. Written by a molecular biologist and a biostatistician with a combined decade of experience in practical expression profiling experiments and data analyses, Gene Expression Studies Using Affymetrix Microarrays tears down the omnipresent language barriers among molecular biology, bioinformatics, and biostatistics by explaining the entire process of a gene expression study from conception to conclusion. Truly Multidisciplinary: Merges Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics, and Biostatistics This authoritative resource covers important technical and statistical pitfalls and problems, helping not only to explain concepts outside the domain of researchers, but to provide additional guidance in their field of expertise. The book also describes technical and statistical methods conceptually with illustrative, full-color examples, enabling those inexperienced with gene expression studies to grasp the basic principles. Gene Expression Studies Using Affymetrix Microarrays provides novices with a detailed, yet focused introductory course and practical user guide. Specialized experts will also find it useful as a translation dictionary to understand other involved disciplines or to get a broader picture of microarray gene expression studies in general. Although focusing on Affymetrix gene expression, this globally relevant guide covers topics that are equally useful for other microarray platforms and other Affymetrix applications.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Present and Future Uses of Microarray Technology Microarray technology continues to evolve, taking on a variety of forms. From the spotting of cDNA and the in situ synthesis of oligonucleotide arrays now come microarrays comprising proteins, carbohydrates, drugs, tissues, and cells. With contributions from microarray experts in both academia and industry, Microarray Methods and Protocols is a turn-by-turn roadmap through the processes necessary to perform a successful microarray experiment. This easy to use book addresses the fundamental aspects of preparing and processing microarrays and bead arrays, labeling, and detection. It also includes a detailed How it Works section that discusses the underlying principles of a number of techniques. Troubleshooting guides offer additional advice for the successful performance of more than 100 protocols in 10 chapters that cover work involving nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates, and lectins. --Concise and Well-Organized-- With a focus on the preparation and use of microarrays of biomedical relevance, the text describes a variety of microarray formats useful in the assessment of human disease and in genomic and proteomic research. This authoritative resource provides detailed information regarding sample preparation, labeling, array construction processes, substrate chemistry, array printing, and quality control. Originating with the glass microscope slide and biochip, microarray technology is now pressing onward into the nanotechnology frontier. This book is the all-inclusive manual scientists need to take microarray research to the next level of discovery.

Microarray Technology Through Applications provides the reader with an understanding, from an applications perspective, of the diverse range of concepts required to master the experimental and data analysis aspects of microarray technology. The first chapter is a concise introduction to the technology and provides the theoretical background required to understand the subsequent sections. The following chapters are a series of case studies representative of the most general and important applications of microarray technology, including CGH, analysis of gene expression, SNP arrays and protein arrays. The case studies are written by experts in the field and describe prototypic projects, indicating how to generalize the approach to similar studies. There are detailed step-by-step protocols describing the specific experimental and data analysis protocols mentioned in the case study section. There is also information on printing glass DNA microarray slides and data interpretation. Colour figures and data sets are provided on the website at http://www.garlandscience.com/9780415378536

In the post-genomic age, much biomedical research looks at when, where, and at what level genes are expressed. Measuring Gene Expression is an all-in-one introduction to the main methods of measuring gene expression, including RT-PCR, differential display, RNA interference, reporter genes, microarrays, and proteomics, as well as a section on RNA isolation and analysis. There is an overview of each method: its pros and cons, sample preparation, sources of error, and data interpretation.

Now in its second edition, Forensic DNA Evidence Interpretation is the most comprehensive resource for DNA casework available today. Written by leaders in the fields of biology and statistics, including a contribution from Peter Gill, the father of DNA analysis, the book emphasizes the interpretation of test results and provides the necessary formulae in an easily accessible manner. This latest edition is fully updated and includes current and emerging techniques in this fast-moving field. The book begins by reviewing all pertinent biology, and then provides information on every aspect of DNA analysis. This includes modern interpretation methods and contemporary population genetic models available for estimating DNA frequencies or likelihood ratios. Following a chapter on procedures for validating databases, the text presents overviews and performance assessments of both modern sampling uncertainty methods and current paternity testing techniques, including new guidelines on paternity testing in alignment with the International Society for Forensic Genetics. Later chapters discuss the latest methods for mixture analysis, LCN (ultra trace) analysis and non-autosomal (mito, X, and Y) DNA analysis. The text concludes with an overview of procedures for disaster victim identification and information on DNA intelligence databases. Highlights of the second edition include: New information about PCR processes, heterozygote balance and back and forward stuttering New information on the interpretation of low template DNA, drop models and continuous models Additional coverage of lineage marker subpopulation effects, mixtures and combinations with autosomal markers This authoritative book provides a link among the biological, forensic, and interpretative domains of the DNA profiling field. It continues to serve as an invaluable resource that allows forensic scientists, technicians, molecular biologists and attorneys to use forensic DNA evidence to its greatest potential.

DNA Sequencing III: Dealing With Difficult Templates Is The Third Volume In This Informative Series By Jan Kieleczawa. This Volume Focuses On Working With The Sequencing Of Especially Difficult Or Problematic Templates And Brings Together The Real Experiences Of Experts From Top Facilities Worldwide, Who Offer Guidance On How To Optimize Lab Processes.

DNA replication is an important part in the machinery of cell and viral proliferation. After significant advances in the past few years, its regulation is now more fully understood. This text provides a detailed and up-to-date review of the complexity of DNA replication in eukaryotic cells. It is organized into three parts. "Concepts" is a distillation of underlying principles, "Proteins" offers a description of each protein class involved, and "Systems" gives a review of events over a wide range of organisms. The book is aimed at teachers who want a current survey of a topic central to the biology syllabus, investigators of replication who require a source of knowledge in their specialty, and scientists studying other biological functions on which DNA replication has an impact.

Genomic Applications in Pathology provides a state-of-the art review of the scientific principles underlying next generation genomic technologies and the required bioinformatics approaches to analyses of the daunting amount of data generated by current and emerging genomic technologies. Implementation roadmaps for various clinical assays such as single gene, gene panels, whole exome and whole genome assays are discussed together with issues related to reporting, including the pathologist's role in interpretation and clinical integration of genomic tests results. Genomic applications for site-specific solid tumors and hematologic neoplasms are detailed, as well as genomic applications in pharmacogenomics, inherited genetic diseases, and infectious diseases. The latest iteration of practice recommendations and guidelines in genomic testing, put forth by stakeholder professional organizations such as the Association for Molecular Pathology and the College of American Pathologists, are also discussed in the volume, as well as regulatory issues and laboratory accreditation related to genomic testing. Written by experts in the field, Genomic Applications in Pathology provides a comprehensive resource that is of great value to practicing molecular pathologists, hematopathologists, other subspecialized pathologists, general pathologists, pathology trainees, oncologists, and geneticists.

Genetic engineering is a rapidly growing field in the area of biological sciences. The driving forces behind this are the challenges encountered by health sectors, agriculture, the environment, and industry. As such, accurate and comprehensive knowledge about the philosophy, principles and application of genetic engineering is indispensable for students and researchers to harness maximum opportunities from this field of science. This volume gathers together comprehensive information regarding genetic engineering from recent studies, and presents it in a coherent manner. As such, it will be of interest to undergraduate and postgraduate students and researchers working in the biological sciences.

This volume contains a compilation of techniques and laboratory protocols directly related to RNA nano technology and its applications in nano biotechnology and nano medicine. The chapters in this book cover a wide range of research methods that can be easily comprehended and carried out in a step-by-step manner by graduate students and postdoctoral fellows from diverse scientific disciplines. Some of the covered topics include various biochemical, biophysical and bioinformatics approaches for analyzing RNA structures and properties; methods to analyze the multi-step assembly process of RNA nano architectures; purification of multifunctional RNA nanoparticles by ultracentrifugation and HPLC; real-time detection of RNA nano constructs in vivo; conjugation of imaging, targeting and therapeutic modules to RNA scaffold; and design and characterization of RNA-protein nanostructures. Written in the highly successful Methods of Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols and key tips on troubles troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Cutting-edge and practical, RNA Nanotechnology and Therapeutics: Methods and Protocols propels the field toward new heights by engaging researchers working in the diverse fields of physical, engineering, and life sciences.

Current genomic research primarily focuses on the decoding of genes and other DNA sequences. For many, the genome simply represents a bag of genes, whereas genes are the functional parts of the system. Therefore understanding the genes will lead to medically applicable results. To point out a new direction in genomic research, this book will discuss that genes and genomes represent distinctive biological entities, and that the genome (rather than individual genes) is the evolutionary selection unit, as the function of a gene is determined by the context of the genome. Accordingly, current genomic research must move beyond sequencing in order to truly decode the genome. To support such a key statement, a series of paradoxes will be addressed leading to the introduction of genome theory. Dr. Heng has been working on a new genome theory for the past 10 years. With this new way of thinking, his group has solved a number of key questions both in cancer biology and evolutionary biology. The recently introduced genome theory of somatic cell- and organismal- evolution has received an increasing amount of attention. With Dr. Heng s first-hand experience, this book will walk readers through the journey of change, from the selfish gene concept to genome chaos, leading the reader to appreciate the ignored genome variation and its important implications to evolution and medicine. This book will outline the new genome based genomic research.

In the tradition of the acclaimed Methods in Molecular Biology series, this collection of more than 500 tried-and-tested PCR protocols will become the standard PCR reference set in all biological science laboratories. Comprehensive in scope, yet easily searchable, these protocols will enable PCR labs to have access to the widest array of PCR protocols available and thus be able to complete any kind of PCR experiment with ease. The protocols are presented in a step-by-step fashion and cover every aspect of PCR, making this an essential reference for all biological scientists.

This book, which includes the first fourteen chapters of the acclaimed monograph DNA Replication in Eukaryotic Cells, is a broad account of the basic principles of DNA replication and related functions such as DNA repair and protein phosphorylation. It also includes a newly commissioned chapter in which the editor, Mel DePamphilis, provides a review of the most recent advances in understanding the complex gene and protein interactions that underpin this essential cellular function.

Contains keyword indices to the titles published through 1995. Each indexed book is a collection of articles derived from the presentations made at the First, Second, and Third International In Situ and On-Site Bioremediation Symposia, which were held in 1991, 1993, and 1995 in San Diego, California. This book also contains a cumulative author index to the 10 books in the 1995 set.

This complete and practical manual on expression measurement using DNA arrays covers the existing methods (from nylon macroarrays to oligonucleotide chips) and includes detailed protocols. It has been written by practising scientists who have experienced the difficulties involved in actually using microarrays, and provides helpful advice and hints on setting up these powerful but sometimes tricky methods. Software, data mining procedures and probable future developments, which should be useful to any practising scientist interested in expression measurement, are also covered in this book. It also provides detailed protocols as well as many helpful hints to achieve experimental success and to avoid pitfalls.