In biological research, the amount of data available to researchers has increased so much over recent years, it is becoming increasingly difficult to understand the current state of the art without some experience and understanding of data analytics and bioinformatics. An Introduction to Bioinformatics with R: A Practical Guide for Biologists leads the reader through the basics of computational analysis of data encountered in modern biological research. With no previous experience with statistics or programming required, readers will develop the ability to plan suitable analyses of biological datasets, and to use the R programming environment to perform these analyses. This is achieved through a series of case studies using R to answer research questions using molecular biology datasets. Broadly applicable statistical methods are explained, including linear and rank-based correlation, distance metrics and hierarchical clustering, hypothesis testing using linear regression, proportional hazards regression for survival data, and principal component analysis. These methods are then applied as appropriate throughout the case studies, illustrating how they can be used to answer research questions. Key Features: * Provides a practical course in computational data analysis suitable for students or researchers with no previous exposure to computer programming. * Describes in detail the theoretical basis for statistical analysis techniques used throughout the textbook, from basic principles * Presents walk-throughs of data analysis tasks using R and example datasets. All R commands are presented and explained in order to enable the reader to carry out these tasks themselves. * Uses outputs from a large range of molecular biology platforms including DNA methylation and genotyping microarrays; RNA-seq, genome sequencing, ChIP-seq and bisulphite sequencing; and high-throughput phenotypic screens. * Gives worked-out examples geared towards problems encountered in cancer research, which can also be applied across many areas of molecular biology and medical research. This book has been developed over years of training biological scientists and clinicians to analyse the large datasets available in their cancer research projects. It is appropriate for use as a textbook or as a practical book for biological scientists looking to gain bioinformatics skills.

Analysis of Genetic Association Studies is both a graduate level textbook in statistical genetics and genetic epidemiology, and a reference book for the analysis of genetic association studies. Students, researchers, and professionals will find the topics introduced in Analysis of Genetic Association Studies particularly relevant. The book is applicable to the study of statistics, biostatistics, genetics and genetic epidemiology. In addition to providing derivations, the book uses real examples and simulations to illustrate step-by-step applications. Introductory chapters on probability and genetic epidemiology terminology provide the reader with necessary background knowledge. The organization of this work allows for both casual reference and close study.

Evolutionary developmental biology, or 'evo-devo', is the study of the relationship between evolution and development. Dealing specifically with the generative mechanisms of organismal form, evo-devo goes straight to the core of the developmental origin of variation, the raw material on which natural selection (and random drift) can work. Evolving Pathways brings together contributions that represent a diversity of approaches. Topics range from developmental genetics to comparative morphology of animals and plants alike, and also include botany and palaeontology, two disciplines for which the potential to be examined from an evo-devo perspective has largely been ignored until now. Researchers and graduate students will find this book a valuable overview of current research as we begin to fill a major gap in our perception of evolutionary change.

Sequencing of the model plant genomes such as those of A. thaliana and rice has revolutionized our understanding of plant biology but it has yet to translate into the improvement of major crop species such as maize, wheat, or barley. Moreover, the comparative genomic studies in cereals that have been performed in the past decade have revealed the limits of conservation between rice and the other cereal genomes. This has necessitated the development of genomic resources and programs for maize, sorghum, wheat, and barley to serve as the foundation for future genome sequencing and the acceleration of genomic based improvement of these critically important crops. Cereals constitute over 50% of total crop production worldwide (http://www.fao.org/) and cereal seeds are one of the most important renewable resources for food, feed, and industrial raw materials. Crop species of the Triticeae tribe that comprise wheat, barley, and rye are essential components of human and domestic animal nutrition. With 17% of all crop area, wheat is the staple food for 40% of the world's population, while barley ranks fifth in the world production. Their domestication in the Fertile Crescent 10,000 years ago ushered in the beginning of agriculture and signified an important breakthrough in the advancement of civilization. Rye is second after wheat among grains most commonly used in the production of bread and is also very important for mixed animal feeds. It can be cultivated in poor soils and climates that are generally not suitable for other cereals. Extensive genetics and cytogenetics studies performed in the Triticeae species over the last 50 years have led to the characterization of their chromosomal composition and origins and have supported intensive work to create new genetic resources. Cytogenetic studies in wheat have allowed the identification and characterization of the different homoeologous genomes and have demonstrated the utility of studying wheat genome evolution as a model for the analysis of polyploidization, a major force in the evolution of the eukaryotic genomes. Barley with its diploid genome shows high collinearity with the other Triticeae genomes and therefore serves as a good template for supporting genomic analyses in the wheat and rye genomes. The knowledge gained from genetic studies in the Triticeae has also been used to produce Triticale, the first human made hybrid crop that results from a cross between wheat and rye and combines the nutrition quality and productivity of wheat with the ruggedness of rye. Despite the economic importance of the Triticeae species and the need for accelerated crop improvement based on genomics studies, the size (1.7 Gb for the bread wheat genome, i.e., 5x the human genome and 40 times the rice genome), high repeat content (>80%), and complexity (polyploidy in wheat) of their genomes often have been considered too challenging for efficient molecular analysis and genetic improvement in these species. Consequently, Triticeae genomics has lagged behind the genomic advances of other cereal crops for many years. Recently, however, the situation has changed dramatically and robust genomic programs can be established in the Triticeae as a result of the convergence of several technology developments that have led to new, more efficient scientific capabilities and resources such as whole-genome and chromosome-specific BAC libraries, extensive EST collections, transformation systems, wild germplasm and mutant collections, as well as DNA chips. Currently, the Triticeae genomics "toolbox" is comprised of: - 9 publicly available BAC libraries from diploid (5), tetraploid (1) and hexaploid (3) wheat; 3 publicly available BAC libraries from barley and one BAC library from rye; - 3 wheat chromosome specific BAC libraries; - DNA chips including commercially available first generation chips from AFFYMETRIX containing 55'000 wheat and 22,000 barley genes; - A large number of wheat and barley genetic maps that are saturated by a significant number of markers; - The largest plant EST collection with 870'000 wheat ESTs, 440'000 barley ESTs and about 10'000 rye ESTs; - Established protocols for stable transformation by biolistic and agrobacterium as well as a transient expression system using VIGS in wheat and barley; and - Large collections of well characterized cultivated and wild genetic resources. International consortia, such as the International Triticeae Mapping Initiative (ITMI), have advanced synergies in the Triticeae genetics community in the development of additional mapping populations and markers that have led to a dramatic improvement in the resolution of the genetic maps and the amount of molecular markers in the three species resulting in the accelerated utilization of molecular markers in selection programs. Together, with the development of the genomic resources, the isolation of the first genes of agronomic interest by map-based cloning has been enabled and has proven the feasibility of forging the link between genotype and phenotype in the Triticeae species. Moreover, the first analyses of BAC sequences from wheat and barley have allowed preliminary characterizations of their genome organization and composition as well as the first inter- and intra-specific comparative genomic studies. These later have revealed important evolutionary mechanisms (e.g. unequal crossing over, illegitimate recombination) that have shaped the wheat and barley genomes during their evolution. These breakthroughs have demonstrated the feasibility of developing efficient genomic studies in the Triticeae and have led to the recent establishment of the International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium (IWGSC) (http//:www.wheatgenome.org) and the International Barley Sequencing Consortium (www.isbc.org) that aim to sequence, respectively, the hexaploid wheat and barley genomes to accelerate gene discovery and crop improvement in the next decade. Large projects aiming at the establishment of the physical maps as well as a better characterization of their composition and organization through large scale random sequencing projects have been initiated already. Concurrently, a number of projects have been launched to develop high throughput functional genomics in wheat and barley. Transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics analyses of traits of agronomic importance, such as quality, disease resistance, drought, and salt tolerance, are underway in both species. Combined with the development of physical maps, efficient gene isolation will be enabled and improved sequencing technologies and reduced sequencing costs will permit ultimately genome sequencing and access to the entire wheat and barley gene regulatory elements repertoire. Because rye is closely related to wheat and barley in Triticeae evolution, the latest developments in wheat and barley genomics will be of great use for developing rye genomics and for providing tools for rye improvement. Finally, a new model for temperate grasses has emerged in the past year with the development of the genetics and genomics (including a 8x whole genome shotgun sequencing project) of Brachypodium, a member of the Poeae family that is more closely related to the Triticeae than rice and can provide valuable information for supporting Triticeae genomics in the near future. These recent breakthroughs have yet to be reviewed in a single source of literature and current handbooks on wheat, barley, or rye are dedicated mainly to progress in genetics. In "Genetics and Genomics of the Triticeae", we will aim to comprehensively review the recent progress in the development of structural and functional genomics tools in the Triticeae species and review the understanding of wheat, barley, and rye biology that has resulted from these new resources as well as to illuminate how this new found knowledge can be applied for the improvement of these essential species. The book will be the seventh volume in the ambitious series of books, Plant Genetics and Genomics (Richard A. Jorgensen, series editor) that will attempt to bring the field up-to-date on the genetics and genomics of important crop plants and genetic models. It is our hope that the publication will be a useful and timely tool for researchers and students alike working with the Triticeae.

Human pluripotent stem cells, including human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells, are a key focus of current biomedical research. The emergence of state of the art culturing techniques is promoting the realization of the full potential of pluripotent stem cells in basic and translational research and in cell-based therapies. This comprehensive and authoritative atlas summarizes more than a decade of experience accumulated by a leading research team in this field. Hands-on step-by-step guidance for the derivation and culturing of human pluripotent stem cells in defined conditions (animal product-free, serum-free, feeder-free) and in non-adhesion suspension culture are provided, as well as methods for examining pluripotency (embryoid body and teratoma formation) and karyotype stability. The Atlas of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells - Derivation and Culturing will serve as a reference and guide to established researchers and those wishing to enter the promising field of pluripotent stem cell research.

Blood has long been viewed as a conduit for therapy, stemming from the ancient days of phlebotomy to remove evil humors to the development of successful blood transfusions to replace missing blood components. The identification and characterization of hematopoietic stem cells by Drs. Till and McCulloch revolutionized the field and soon after, non-hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells were characterized from the blood and bone marrow. Some of these cell types and various blood-derived cell lineages are involved in the repair of various types of tissue damage that span the spectrum of medical disorders. The goal of this book is to provide an up-to-date review of the various types of blood-derived cells with regenerative capacity, identify opportunities for intervention by examining specific clinical applications, and recognize the regulatory environment that will encompass future therapies in regenerative medicine.

An invaluable student-tested study aid, this primer, first published in 2007, provides guided instruction for the analysis and interpretation of genetic principles and practice in problem solving. Each section is introduced with a summary of useful hints for problem solving and an overview of the topic with key terms. A series of problems, generally progressing from simple to more complex, then allows students to test their understanding of the material. Each question and answer is accompanied by detailed explanation. This third edition includes additional problems in basic areas that often challenge students, extended coverage in molecular biology and development, an expanded glossary of terms, and updated historical landmarks. Students at all levels, from beginning biologists and premedical students to graduates seeking a review of basic genetics, will find this book a valuable aid. It will complement the formal presentation in any genetics textbook or stand alone as a self-paced review manual.

Ribonucleases are a ubiquitous and functionally diverse group of enzymes that have a common ability to cleave RNA. Either through scission of internal phosphodiesters, or removal of nucleotides from RNA 5' or 3' ends, ribonucleases perform essential roles in gene expression and regulation, genome replication and maintenance, host defense, stress response, and viral strategies of infection. Ribonucleases have also served as highly informative models to understand virtually every aspect of biomolecular structure and function. The fifteen chapters in this volume are written by recognized researchers in the field, and provide in-depth analyses of the major ribonuclease families. Particular focus is given to the relation of ribonuclease structure and mechanism to biological function, as well as ribonuclease dysfunction in certain disease states. Other topics include the evolutionary genetics and functional diversification of ribonucleases, engineered ribonucleases as anti-cancer agents, the mechanisms of action of artificial ribonucleases, and ribonucleases as models to understand protein folding and stability. This volume should serve as an essential reference for a broad range of researchers and educators with interests in RNA metabolism, enzymology, and gene regulation.

During the past few decades we have witnessed an era of remarkable growth in the field of molecular biology. In 1950 very little was known of the chemical constitution of biological systems, the manner in which information was trans mitted from one organism to another, or the extent to which the chemical basis of life is unified. The picture today is dramatically different. We have an almost bewildering variety of information detailing many different aspects of life at the molecular level. There great advances have brought with them some breath-taking insights into the molecular mechanisms used by nature for rep licating, distributing and modifying biological information. We have learned a great deal about the chemical and physical nature of the macromolecular nucleic acids and proteins, and the manner in which carbohydrates, lipids and smaller molecules work together to provide the molecular setting of living sys tems. It might be said that these few decades have replaced a near vacuum of information with a very large surplus. It is in the context of this flood of information that this series of monographs on molecular biology has been organized. The idea is to bring together in one place, between the covers of one book, a concise assessment of the state of the subject in a well-defined field. This will enable the reader to get a sense of historical perspectiv(}-what is known about the field today-and a description of the frontiers of research where our knowledge is increasing steadily."

While extremely large datasets describing gene sequences, mRNA transcripts, protein abundance, and metabolite concentrations are increasingly commonplace, these represent only starting 'parts lists' that are usually insufficient to unlock mechanistic insights on their own right. Fortunately, as "Network Biology: Methods and Applications" examines, concepts emerging from the study of biological entities such as networks (e.g. functional interactions linking genes, proteins, metabolites, etc.) suggest that order rather than chaos prevails, with such principles as modular and hierarchical organization, reactive information-driven causal-response behaviours, systems robustness, co-evolution, and self-organization guiding the way. This volume presents detailed, practical descriptions of the experimental and computational approaches currently prevalent in network biology as written by practiced experts in the field. Written in the highly successful "Methods in Molecular Biology " series format, relevant chapters contain introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials, step-by-step, readily reproducible protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.

Comprehensive and accessible, "Network Biology: Methods and Applications" provides an ensemble of procedures that will be of great value to a broad assortment of readers, ranging from graduate students to seasoned professionals looking to polish their skill sets."

The field of epigenetics has played a major role at the forefront not only of molecular biology, but also of medical genetics and clinical medicine. Few disciplines have experienced growth comparable to that which we have witnessed for epigenetics in the past decade. The goal of "Epigenetics Protocols, Second Edition "is to highlight select techniques that have been mainstays in the field as well as to cover methods that are especially relevant to extant discoveries in epigenetics. This volume focuses on the two broad areas of epigenetics: DNA methylation and chromatin modifications, and also covers the complex topic of computational methods for epigenetic analyses which is essential to a complete understanding of the vast body of information that is being derived with the use of these newly-developed tools. Written in the highly successful "Methods in Molecular Biology " series format, chapters contain introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.

Authoritative and accessible, "Epigenetics Protocols, Second Edition" serves as an ideal guide to advanced students, basic scientists and clinical researchers as well as clinicians and biotechnology investigators who wish to continue exploring this exciting and progressive research field."

Our current knowledge of marine organisms and the factors affecting their ecology, distribution and evolution has been revolutionised by the use, in the last 20 years, of molecular population genetics tools. This book is the result of a meeting of world-leading experts, in Rio de Janeiro, where the state of the art of this field was reviewed. Topics covered include the molecular analysis of bio-invasions, the recent developments in marine biotechnology, the factors affecting levels of genetic variation and population structure in marine organisms and their application to conservation biology, fisheries and aquaculture. This is the first book dedicated to the genetic study of marine organisms. It will be very useful to biology students, scientists and anyone working or simply interested in areas such as marine biology, zoology, ecology, and population and molecular genetics.

The growth of ???new genetics??? has dramatically increased our understanding of health, diseases and the body. Anthropologists argue that these scientific advances have had far-reaching social and cultural implications, radically changing our self-understanding and perception of what it means to be human; that we have become ???biomedicalized???, fragmented and commodified - redefining our notions of citizenship, social relations, family and identity. This book shows how anthropology can contribute to and challenge the ways we have come to understand genetic issues. Exploring a range of issues and case studies in genetic research, it provides an ethnographic ???reality-check???, arguing that we must look beyond the ???gene-centrism??? of genetic codes, family trees and insular populations, to explore their wider cultural, ethical and philosophical implications. Including coverage of the controversial and widely discussed Icelandic Health Sector Database, this accessible survey will be welcomed by graduate students and researchers in social anthropology, human genetics and biotechnology.

This laboratory manual, published in cooperation with the International Society for Transgenic Technology (ISTT), provides almost all current methods that can be applied to the creation and analysis of genetically modified animals. The chapters have been contributed by leading scientists who are actively using the technology in their laboratories. Based on their first-hand experience the authors also provide helpful notes and troubleshooting sections. Topics range from standard techniques, such as pronuclear microinjection of DNA, to more sophisticated and modern methods, such as the derivation and establishment of embryonic stem (ES) cell lines, with defined inhibitors in cell culture medium. In addition, related topics with relevance to the field are addressed, including global web-based resources, legal issues, colony management, shipment of mice and embryos, and the three R s: refinement, reduction and replacement.

Almost daily, new technologies are being presented that move the field of human pluripotent stem cell research towards a future that may yield highly-effective, personalized medical treatments. Three enabling technologies at hand for human PSCs are 1) directed reprogramming of somatic cells, which eliminate many of the ethical issues associated with the derivation and use of human PSCs, increase genetic diversity of the available human PSC lines, and give rise to better" in vitro" human disease models; 2) the discovery that a Rho-associated protein Kinase (ROCK) inhibitor allows for efficient single cell passaging and cryopreservation, increasing the efficiency and reliability of hPSC culture; and 3) defined, animal-component-free media, which lay the groundwork for simplified scale-up for therapeutic applications, differentiation protocols, and toxicology screens. The aforementioned technologies can be found in "Human Pluripotent Stem Cells: Methods and Protocols," a compilation of 33 detailed protocols in six categories of PSC research that cover laboratory essentials and the derivation of new PSC lines, including induced PSC lines, as well as their growth, maintenance, characterization, genetic manipulation, and differentiation. Written in the successful "Methods in Molecular Biology " series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.

Authoritative and accessible, "Human Pluripotent Stem Cells: Methods and Protocols" serves as an ideal guide to scientists conducting their own pluripotent cell research programs and makes great strides towards furthering human knowledge and, ultimately, improving the human condition.

The migration of stem cells has been found to be critical during early development for the organization of the embryonic body as well as during adult life with tissue homeostasis and regeneration of organ function. Due to the low frequency of these cells in vivo, problems in identifying and prospectively purifying tissue specific stem cells near homogeneity, and, most importantly, a lack of adequate technologies and protocols to study stem cell migration in vivo, this vital research has been quite difficult until recently. In "Stem Cell Migration: Methods and Protocols," experts in the field compile and highlight the standard and novel techniques that allow the studying of the migration of stem cells in one succinct manual. Including protocols on germ, neuronal, and hematopoietic stem cells, during development and adulthood with a clear emphasis on in vivo technologies, the volume also extends its coverage to in vitro approaches toward several developmentally-conserved signaling pathways. Written in the highly successful "Methods in 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 tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.

Practical and convenient, "Stem Cell Migration: Methods and Protocols" provides key, state-of the art information on experimental techniques for studying stem cell migration both at a cellular and molecular level in development, regeneration, and disease.

Regulation of gene expression, a major determinant of gene activity, occupies a central place in molecular biology. Yeast Genetic Networks: Methods and Protocols covers approaches to the systems biological analysis of small-scale gene networks in yeast. Divided into four convenient sections, this detailed volume discusses the methods used to analyze gene expression quantitatively, presents a collection of mathematical and computational tools to analyze stochasticity, adaptation, sensitivity in signal transmission, and oscillations in gene expression, provides instructional methods on how to utilize the tools of quantitative genetics to identify genes that regulate stochasticity and oscillations in gene expression, and concludes with a section devoted to the analysis of conserved gene expression systems and networks in different fungal species. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series format, chapters contain introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and accessible, Yeast Genetic Networks: Methods and Protocols serves as an ideal and valuable resource for both novices and experienced researchers.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells have seen an unprecedented level of interest in the last decade, primarily due to their relative ease of isolation, the large numbers of cells present in the adult, and the ability to propagate these cells in culture. In Mesenchymal Stem Cell Assays and Applications, expert researchers from across the globe explore the latest techniques to propagate, characterize, and engineer this special cell type. Chapters outline a set of protocols and assays used by leading investigators in the field, providing standards that can be applied by all researchers to the population of cells used in their experiments. Composed in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series format, each chapter contains a brief introduction, step-by-step methods, a list of necessary materials, and a Notes section which shares tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Ground-breaking and current, Mesenchymal Stem Cell Assays and Applications is a necessary handbook for all researchers working with this ambiguous population of cells.

With its complex and extensively regulated metabolism, the study of the RNA lifecycle demands tools that allow for the localization of RNAs to be observed either in an in situ setting or, preferably, under in vivo conditions. In RNA Detection and Visualization: Methods and Protocols, the best and brightest investigators provide an up-to-date and in-depth description of basic methods and protocols used for detecting and visualizing mRNAs in both fixed and live cells, from bacteria to mammals. For novices and experts alike, this mix of classic in situ hybridization and advanced live imaging techniques, cell fractionation and affinity purification procedures, and bioinformatics tools gives researchers the most complete and extensive array of research aids possible. As a volume written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and expert tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and cutting-edge, RNA Detection and Visualization: Methods and Protocols offers well-honed techniques in order to inspire researchers around the world to further our knowledge of the vital biological significance of RNA.

Cell culture based research is important for our understanding of biological processes at the cellular and molecular level. Using this approach, the previous decades have produced a wealth of mechanistic information in all areas of biomedical research. Such in vitro research, however, lacks the complexity of in vivo investigations, where many different cell types interact with each other in a normal, three-dimensional environment, with normal levels of cytokines and growth factors. Furthermore, complex human diseases, such as cancer, diabetes or chronic inflammation, can only be modeled in vivo. Due to its small size, its short reproduction time, and the possibility to introduce specific gene mutations, the mouse has become the favourite mammalian model organism to study in vivo function of genes during development and in disease. This book combines review articles on selected subjects presented at the symposium "Mouse as a Model Organism - From Animals to Cells", held in Rovaniemi, Finland, 2009. Among other topics, high-throughput phenotyping of mouse mutants, mouse phenotypes dependent on nature and nuture, and a spectrum of in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro methods to study cancer in mice are described. This book will give an excellent introduction to scientists interested in the use of mice as a model to understand complex biological questions in the post-genomic era. It will highlight the possibilities, but also discuss the current problems and shortcomings, to give a realistic view of the current state-of-art in this fascinating field of biomedical research.

Where did SARS come from? Have we inherited genes from Neanderthals? How do plants use their internal clock? The genomic revolution in biology enables us to answer such questions. But the revolution would have been impossible without the support of powerful computational and statistical methods that enable us to exploit genomic data. Many universities are introducing courses to train the next generation of bioinformaticians: biologists fluent in mathematics and computer science, and data analysts familiar with biology. This readable and entertaining book, based on successful taught courses, provides a roadmap to navigate entry to this field. It guides the reader through key achievements of bioinformatics, using a hands-on approach. Statistical sequence analysis, sequence alignment, hidden Markov models, gene and motif finding and more, are introduced in a rigorous yet accessible way. A companion website provides the reader with Matlab-related software tools for reproducing the steps demonstrated in the book.

Historically, philosophers of biology have tended to sidestep the problem of development by focusing primarily on evolutionary biology and, more recently, on molecular biology and genetics. Quite often too, development has been misunderstood as simply, or even primarily, a matter of gene activation and regulation. Nowadays a growing number of philosophers of science are focusing their analyses on the complexities of development, and in Embryology, Epigenesis and Evolution Jason Scott Robert explores the nature of development against current trends in biological theory and practice and looks at the interrelations between development and evolution (evo-devo), an area of resurgent biological interest. Clearly written, this book should be of interest to students and professionals in the philosophy of science and the philosophy of biology.

This book presents a diverse collection of chapters on basic research at the molecular level using the Lepidoptera as model systems. This volume, however, is more than just a compendium of information about insect systems in general or the Lepidoptera in particular. Each chapter is a self-contained treatment of a broad subject area, providing sufficient background to give readers a sense of the guiding principles and central questions associated with each topic, in addition to major methodologies and findings. Comparisons with other major model systems are emphasized, with special attention given to the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. Topics include a historical overview of research using lepidopteran models, silkworm genetics, mobile elements of lepidopteran genomes, lepidopteran phylogeny, experimental embryogenesis and homeotic genes, chorion gene regulation and evolution, regulation of silk protein and homeobox genes in the silk gland, control of transcription by RNA polymerase III, hormonal regulation of gene expression during development, hormone action in the central nervous system, the molecular genetics of moth olfaction, the immune response, and use of engineered baculoviruses for basic biological studies and insect pest control. Molecular and developmental biologists at graduate student and researcher levels will find this book of great interest.

The book describes the history of Brassica oilseed crops, introduces the Brassica genome, its evolution, diversity, classical genetic studies and breeding. It also delves into molecular genetic linkage and physical maps, progress with genome sequencing initiatives, mutagenesis approaches for trait improvement, proteomics, metabolomics and bioinformatics. The concluding of portion provides detailed methods for whole genome marker assisted breeding, the genetics and genomics of important traits including disease resistance, herbivory, insect and abiotic stress resistance, and discusses the future prospects for Brassica improvement through genomics. This volume provides a state of the moment view of current Brassica genetics, genomics and breeding research which is the foundation for the continued understanding of oilseed Brassica species, their genomes, evolution and further potential as important food and biofuel crops.

The biological and genetic bases of behavioral diversity have long been topics of study within many disciplines, including evolutionary biology, genetics, ethology, sociobiology, and comparative psychology, but only relatively recently have attempts been made to bring these different approaches together. This volume covers a wide range of interdisciplinary research which uses some of the newest and most promising methods and technologies. Presented here is an overview of findings in the ongoing search for the ultimate causes of behavior in several different species, including primates, dogs, rodents, birds, and fish. Divided into five parts, the work describes research on sexual and kin selection, personality and temperament, molecular genetics of personality, color vision and body coloration, and the neurological underpinnings of complex behaviors. Valuable for researchers as well as graduate students in a wide range of fields from neuroscience to ecology, the book is also useful to those seeking to move beyond the boundaries of their own discipline and to expand their knowledge.