While numerous advanced statistical approaches have recently been developed for quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping, the methods are scattered throughout the literature. Statistical Methods for QTL Mapping brings together many recent statistical techniques that address the data complexity of QTL mapping.

After introducing basic genetics topics and statistical principles, the author discusses the principles of quantitative genetics, general statistical issues of QTL mapping, commonly used one-dimensional QTL mapping approaches, and multiple interval mapping methods. He then explains how to use a feature selection approach to tackle a QTL mapping problem with dense markers. The book also provides comprehensive coverage of Bayesian models and MCMC algorithms and describes methods for multi-trait QTL mapping and eQTL mapping, including meta-trait methods and multivariate sequential procedures.

This book emphasizes the modern statistical methodology for QTL mapping as well as the statistical issues that arise during this process. It gives the necessary biological background for statisticians without training in genetics and, likewise, covers statistical thinking and principles for geneticists. Written primarily for geneticists and statisticians specializing in QTL mapping, the book can also be used as a supplement in graduate courses or for self-study by PhD students working on QTL mapping projects.

The field of stem cell biology is expanding with a continued surge of new information related to its applications. Over past few years, stem cells have been extensively used in cell therapy, tissue engineering, in vitro drug testing among others. At the moment there is no single book available which comprehensively describes the significance of various application of stem cells derived from embryonic and adult sources from lab to clinics. In this edited volume, we discuss basics and advanced topics of stem cells to help researchers, students and professional find the most important information in a single source of updated information about stem cells and relevant applications. This book is divided in 12 chapters and covers topics such as in vitro cell culture, 3D cell culture, cell therapy, tissue engineering, cell factory, cell functionality, in vitro drug testing, organ development, autologous transplantation, allogeneic transplantation, adult stem cells, multipotent stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, a pluripotent and embryonic stem cells.

DNA, once the exclusive domain of scientists in research labs, is now the darling of popular and social media. With personal genetic testing kits in homes and GMO foods in stores, DNA is an increasingly familiar term. Unfortunately, what people know, or think they know, about DNA and genetics is often confused or incorrect. Contrary to popular belief, for instance, genes don't "skip a generation" and, no, human DNA is not "different" from DNA of other species. With popular misconceptions proliferating in the news and on the internet, how can anyone sort fact from fiction? DNA Demystified satisfies the public appetite for and curiosity about DNA and genetics. Alan McHughen, an accomplished academic and public science advocate, brings the reader up-to-speed on what we know, what we don't, and where genetic technologies are taking us. The book begins with the basic groundwork and a brief history of DNA and genetics. Chapters then cover newsworthy topics, including DNA fingerprinting, using DNA in forensic analyses, and identifying cold-case criminals. For readers intrigued by the proliferation of at-home DNA tests, the text includes fascinating explorations of genetic genealogy and family tree construction-crucial for people seeking their biological ancestry. Other chapters describe genetic engineering in medicine and pharmaceuticals, and the use of those same technologies in creating the far more controversial GMOs in food and agriculture. Throughout, the book raises provocative ethical and privacy issues arising from DNA and genetic technologies. With the author's comprehensive expertise, DNA Demystified offers an informal yet authoritative guide to the genetic marvel of DNA.

When Crime and Personality was first published in 1964, J.A.C. Brown, writing in the New Statesman, commented: 'There can be no doubt of the importance of Professor Eysenck's book on the nature and treatment of criminal behaviour.' This third edition, originally published in 1977, had been completely revised and brought up to date, and although the major theory linking personality and crime has been retained, many of the details have been changed in conformity with recent research of the time. The book presents a theory concerning the personality of criminals, and offers evidence to show that these personality features characterising criminals are based on genetic foundations. It is argued that criminality as a whole is not exclusively based on environmental factors as has so often been suggested, but has a strong biological basis. A good deal of evidence is reviewed showing that there are many data supporting this view, from studies of identical and fraternal twins, adopted children, and comparisons between criminals and non-criminals both in the Western world and in Communist countries. Professor Eysenck suggests that important consequences follow from such an attempt to redress the one-sided emphasis on environmental factors which had been so characteristic of the previous fifty years, and some of these consequences are described in detail. He further suggests that only proper understanding of the psychological factors making for antisocial behaviour will help in reversing the increasing burden that criminality places upon society. The book also takes issue with political arguments of the time regarding the origins of criminality, and shows that criminals behind the Iron Curtain show the same personality characteristics as do criminals in Western countries.

Quantum Dots captures many diverse applications enabling utility in biological detection. Organized into five parts, the first two parts cover the use of QDs in imaging fixed and living cells (and tissues). Protocols are included for using QDs in routine (protein and structural cellular labeling), as well as enabling (single receptor trafficking, clinical pathology, correlative microscopy) applications. Part 3 shows early efforts aimed at using QDs in live animals. The final 2 parts demonstrate the versatility of QD technology in existing assay technology.

In the late 1910s Dr. Harry J. Haiselden, a prominent Chicago surgeon, electrified the nation by allowing the deaths of at least six infants he diagnosed as "defectives". Seeking to publicize his efforts to eliminate the "unfit", he displayed the dying infants to journalists, wrote about them for the Hearst newspapers, and starred in a feature film about his crusade. Prominent Americans from Clarence Darrow to Helen Keller rallied to his support. The Black Stork tells this startling story, based on newly-rediscovered sources and long-lost motion pictures, in order to illuminate many broader controversies. The books shows how efforts to improve human heredity (eugenics) became linked with mercy-killing (euthanasia) and with race, class, gender and ethnic hatreds. It documents how mass culture changed the meaning of medical concepts like "heredity" and "disease", and how medical controversies helped shape the commercial mass media. It demonstrates how cultural values influence science, and how scientific claims of objectivity have shaped modern culture. While focused on the formative years of early 20th century America, The Black Stork traces these issues from antiquity to the rise of Nazism, and to the "Baby Doe", "assisted suicide" and human genome initiative debates of today.

This second edition provides a comprehensive collection of the cutting-edge methods for creating and monitoring transgenic cotton and its application on agricultural and basic research. Chapters detail current status and perspectives of transgenic cotton, principle and methods for making transgenic cotton, creating gene knockout lines, foreign gene copy and expression in transgenic plants, improvements to cotton using transgenic technology, and monitoring the potential impact of transgenic cotton on environment. 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 Authoritative and cutting-edge, Transgenic Cotton: Methods and Protocols 2nd aims to be a resource for scientists as well as graduate students who work on transgenic plants, plant genetics, molecular biology, and agricultural sciences.

The success of individualized medicine, advanced crops, and new and sustainable energy sources requires thoroughly annotated genomic information and the integration of this information into a coherent model. A thorough overview of this field, Genome Annotation explores automated genome analysis and annotation from its origins to the challenges of next-generation sequencing data analysis. The book initially takes you through the last 16 years since the sequencing of the first complete microbial genome. It explains how current analysis strategies were developed, including sequencing strategies, statistical models, and early annotation systems. The authors then present visualization techniques for displaying integrated results as well as state-of-the-art annotation tools, including MAGPIE, Ensembl, Bluejay, and Galaxy. They also discuss the pipelines for the analysis and annotation of complex, next-generation DNA sequencing data. Each chapter includes references and pointers to relevant tools. As very few existing genome annotation pipelines are capable of dealing with the staggering amount of DNA sequence information, new strategies must be developed to accommodate the needs of today's genome researchers. Covering this topic in detail, Genome Annotation provides you with the foundation and tools to tackle this challenging and evolving area. Suitable for both students new to the field and professionals who deal with genomic information in their work, the book offers two genome annotation systems on an accompanying downloadable resources.

Stem cell mobilization represents a transient increase in the levels of circulating stem and progenitor cells. In" Stem Cell Mobilization: Methods in Protocols," expert researchers in the field detail cell mobilization methodology and recent developments in the field for basic and biomedical research community. Specifically clinical hematopoietic progenitor cell mobilization protocols, frontiers in mobilization and analysis of non-hematopoietic progenitors, mesenchymal progenitor cells, monocyte-derived fibroblast progenitors, and very small embryonic like cells. 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 key tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.

Authoritative and practical, "Stem Cell Mobilization: Methods and Protocols "seeks to aid scientists in the further study of this important stem cell research. "

This volume provides a comprehensive overview of the major applications and potential of fungal biotechnology. The respective chapters report on the latest advances and opportunities in each topic area, proposing new and sustainable solutions to some of the major challenges faced by modern society. Aimed at researchers and biotechnologists in academia and industry, it represents essential reading for anyone interested in fungal biotechnology, as well as those working within the broader area of microbial biotechnology. Written in an accessible language, the book also offers a valuable reference resource for decision-makers in government and at non-governmental organizations who are involved in the development of cleaner technologies and the global bioeconomy. The 21st century is characterized by a number of critical challenges in terms of human health, developing a sustainable bioeconomy, facilitating agricultural production, and establishing practices that support a cleaner environment. While there are chemical solutions to some of these challenges, developing bio-based approaches is becoming increasingly important. Filamentous fungi, 'the forgotten kingdom,' are a group of unique organisms whose full potential has yet to be revealed. Some key properties, such as their exceptional capacity to secrete proteins into the external environment, have already been successfully harnessed for the production of industrial enzymes and cellulosic biofuels. Many further aspects discussed here -such as feeding the hungry with fungal protein, and the potential applications of the various small molecules produced by fungi -warrant further exploration. In turn, the book covers the use of fungal cell factories to produce foreign molecules, e.g. for therapeutics. Strategies including molecular approaches to strain improvement, and recent advances in high-throughput technologies, which are key to finding better products and producers, are also addressed. Lastly, the book discusses the advent of synthetic biology, which is destined to greatly expand the scope of fungal biotechnology. The chapter "Fungal Biotechnology in Space: Why and How?" is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License at link.springer.com.

Gene regulatory networks play a vital role in organismal development and function by controlling gene expression. With the availability of complete genome sequences, several novel experimental and computational approaches have recently been developed which promise to significantly enhance our ability to comprehensively characterize these regulatory networks by enabling the identification of respectively their genomic or regulatory state components, or the interactions between these two in unprecedented detail. Divided into five convenient sections, Gene Regulatory Networks: Methods and Protocols details how each of these approaches contributes to a more thorough understanding of the composition and function of gene regulatory networks, while providing a comprehensive protocol on how to implement them in the laboratory. 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, Gene Regulatory Networks: Methods and Protocols aims to provide novices and experienced researchers alike with a comprehensive and timely toolkit to study gene regulatory networks from the point of data generation to processing, visualization, and modeling.

This two-volume book gives a broad coverage of various aspects of plant molecular biology relevant to the improvement of woody plants. The authors provide background information on genetic engineering and molecular marker techniques, and specific examples of species in which sufficient progress has been made.

The late 20th century has witnessed dramatic technological developments in biomedical science and the delivery of health care, and these developments have brought with them important social changes. All too often ethical analysis has lagged behind these changes. The purpose of this series is to provide lively, up-to-date, and authoritative studies for the increasingly large and diverse readership concerned with issues in biomedical ethics - not just healthcare trainees and professionals, but also social scientists, philosophers, lawyers, social workers, and legislators. This volume brings together work by an international group of contributors from various fields and perspectives, on ethical, social, and legal issues raised by recent advances in reproductive technology. These advances have put us in a position to choose what kinds of children and parents there should be; the aim of the essays is to illuminate how we should deal with these possibilities for choice. Topics discussed include gender and race selection, genetic engineering, fertility treatment, ovarian tissue transfer, and post-menopausal pregnancy. The central focus of the volume is the interface between reproductive c

Conservation genetics focuses on understanding the role and requirement of genetic variation for population persistence. However, considerable debate now surrounds the role of genetic factors (as opposed to non-genetic factors such as habitat destruction etc.) in population extinction, and a comprehensive synthesis is now timely. Can extinction be explained by habitat destruction alone or is lack of genetic variation a part of the explanation? The book thoroughly reviews the arguments for a role of genetics in the present biodiversity crisis. It describes the methods used to study genetic variation in endangered species and examines the influence of genetic variation in the extinction of species.
To date, conservation genetics has predominantly utilized neutral genetic markers e.g. microsatellites. However, with the recent advances in molecular genetics and genomics it will soon be possible to study 'direct gene action', following the fate of genetic variation at the level of DNA, through expression, to proteins in order to determine how such phenotypes fare in populations of free living organisms. Evolutionary Conservation Genetics explores these exciting avenues of future research potential, integrating ecological quantitative genetics with the new genome science. It is now more important than ever that we ask relevant questions about the evolutionary fate of endangered populations throughout the globe and incorporate our knowledge of evolutionary processes and the distribution of genetic diversity into effective conservation planning and action.

Stem Cells and Tissue Repair: Methods and Protocols presents in-depth methods for the three major approaches of rejuvenating an aging or sick body: latent regenerative capacity stimulated in a targeted way, replacement organs grown de novo and surgically implanted, and tissue surgically implanted and coaxed to integrate and restore problem areas. The first approach taps into the latent regenerative capacity of particular tissues, such as muscle, skin, fat, or bone marrow. The second approach induces and grows pluripotent stem cells, drives their differentiation along certain pathways such as germ layers, neural crest, liver, teeth or retina, and cultures organs such as pancreas and heart. While the third approach involves various engraftment techniques for neural tissue. 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 easily accessible, Stem Cells and Tissue Repair: Methods and Protocols provides state-of the-art methods descriptions and the references therein that will provide a suitable starting point for exploring the vast literature that has already developed for regenerative medicine.

This book gives a comprehensive overview of the unique roles that non-coding repetitive elements such as satellite DNAs play in different physiological and evolutionary processes. It presents the gene-regulatory aspect of satellite DNAs in different model systems including mammals, insects and plants. In addition, evolutionary aspects of activation of satellite DNAs in terms of transcription and proliferation are highlighted, revealing the role of satellite DNAs in the process of adaptation to changing environment and in the speciation process. Finally, the book discusses satellite DNA activation during pathological transformation and the mechanisms by which they affect disease progression. Namely, some satellite DNAs promote the oncogenic processes by affecting genome epigenetic regulation as well as genome integrity. Readers get a full overview of the latest research on satellite DNA.

This volume contains cutting-edge techniques to study the function of enhancers and promoters in depth. Chapters are divided into six sections and describe enhancer-promoter transcripts, nucleosome occupancy, DNA accessibility, chromatin interactions, protein-DNA interactions, functional analyses, and DNA methylation assays. Written in the Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include comprehensive introductions, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step laboratory protocols, and useful suggestions for troubleshooting. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Enhancers and Promoters: Methods and Protocols is a useful guide for future experiments. Chapters 4 and 11 are available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com

This book offers comprehensive information on the genomics of spruces (Picea spp.), naturally abundant conifer tree species that are widely distributed in the Northern Hemisphere. Due to their tremendous ecological and economic importance, the management of forest genetic resources has chiefly focused on conservation and tree improvement. A draft genome sequence of the 20-gigabase Norway spruce genome was published in the journal Nature in 2013. Continuous efforts to improve the spruce genome assembly are underway, but are hindered by the inherent characteristics of conifer genomes: high amounts of repetitive sequences (introns and transposable elements) in the genome and large gene family expansions with regards to abiotic stress, secondary metabolism and spruces' defense responses to pathogens and herbivory. This book presents the latest information on the status of genome assemblies, provides detailed insights into transposable elements and methylation patterns, and highlights the extensive genomic resources available for inferring population genomics and climate adaptation, as well as emerging genomics tools for tree improvement programs. In addition, this volume features whole-genome comparisons among conifer species, and demonstrates how functional genomics can be used to improve gene function annotations. The book closes with an outlook on emerging fields of research in spruce genomics.

This new edition captures the advances made in the field of evolutionary systems biology since the publication of the first edition. The first edition focused on laying the foundations of evolutionary systems biology as an interdisciplinary field, where a way of thinking and asking questions is combined with a wide variety of tools, both experimental and theoretical/computational. Since publication of the first edition, evolutionary systems biology is now a well-known term describing this growing field. The new edition provides an overview of the current status and future developments of this interdisciplinary field. Chapters highlight several key achievements from the last decade and outline exciting new developments, including an understanding of the interplay between complexity and predictability in evolutionary systems, new viewpoints and methods to study organisms in evolving populations at the level of the genome, gene regulatory network, and metabolic network, and better analysis and modeling techniques that will open new avenues of scientific inquiry.

Mitochondrial diseases comprise a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of rare disorders that may affect virtually any system of the body at any age. Due to their complexity, understanding and diagnosing these diseases requires a multidisciplinary approach. This book provides an update on the major features of human mitochondrial diseases: genetic bases, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment, and of the new technologies involved in the diagnosis and on the characterization of patients. The 11 chapters examine the unique complex interactions between the mitochondrial and the nuclear genomes involved in the biogenesis and the regulation of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, and their relevance to human disease. We discuss the traditional biochemical and genetic approaches, as well as the new omic technologies, and the cellular and animal models used in mitochondrial research. The last chapter is dedicated to the current treatment options. Authors are worldwide experts in these fields and integrate expertise in both basic science and clinical research. This book is particularly important for both scientists and clinicians interested in the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases.

'Developmental biology' is widely understood as processes, which mainly concern embryonic animal development and differentiation of cells and tissue. It is also often defined as the timeline for the evolutionary developmental biology of eukaryotic multicellular higher organisms, i.e., plants and animals. The development of prokaryotes and lower eukaryotes in contrary has been neglected for a long time, which was the motivation for publishing this book. This book highlights one of Darwin's most important findings: Evolution is a creative, but not a conscious process. It also illustrates that this concept does not only apply to multicellular higher organisms, but affects every form of life. The reader shall find complex biochemical and genetic pathways of bacteria, yeasts or protozoa, comparable to those exhibited by plants or animals. The molecular mechanisms of dramatic genome rearrangements, recombination and horizontal gene transfer that are responsible for evolutionary adaptations are discussed. Additionally, the book covers bacteria of the genera Myxobacteriales and Caulobacterales, which are able to develop tissue-like cellular organization. The morphogenesis of entomopathogenic fungi and the endosymbiont theory are also addressed. The book is a useful introduction to the field for junior scientists, interested in bacteriology, protistology and fungal development. It is also an interesting read for advanced scientists, giving them a broader view of the field beyond their area of specialization.