The field of Genetics is rapidly evolving and new medical breakthroughs are occuring as a result of advances in knowledge gained from genetics research. Advances in Genetics continually publishes important, timely reviews from leaders in the field that cover a broad range of topics of interest to geneticists and their colleagues in affiliated disciplines.
Important, timely reviews from leaders in the field.
Cover a broad range of topics of interest to geneticists and their colleagues in affiliated disciplines.

The difference among pluripotent stem cells, multipotent stem cells, and unipotent stem cells is pointed out. Vast therapeutic applications of the following specific stem cells in disease and tissue injury are discussed: human embryonic stem cells, human mesenchymal stem cells, germ cell-derived pluripotent stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, human umbilical cord blood-derived stem cells, breast tumor stem cells,and hematopoietic stem cells. Because of the potential of human embryonic stem cells to produce unlimited quantities of any human cell type, considerable focus is placed on their therapeutic potential. Because of their pluripotency, these cells have been used in various applications such as tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, pharmacological and toxicological studies, and fundamental studies of cell differentiation. The formation of embryoid bodies, which are three-dimensional aggregates of embryonic stem cells, is explained as this is the first step in cell differentiation. Such embryoid body culture has been widely used as a trigger for the in vitro differentiation of embryonic stem cells. The basic capacity of self-renewal of human embryogenic stem cells is explained. The role of TGF-beta in the propagation of human embryonic stem cells is discussed. The differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into neurons, hepatocytes, cardiomyocytes, and retinal cells is fully explained. Donor policies for hematopoietic stem cells are also explained.

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.

Arabidopsis Protocols, Third Edition compiles some of the most recent methodologies developed to exploit the Arabidopsis genome. These methodologies cover from the guided access to public resources, to genetic, cell biology, biochemical and physiological techniques, including both those that are widely used as well as those novel techniques likely to open up new avenues of knowledge in the future. In addition, considering the recent unparalleled progress of the "omics" tools in Arabidopsis, leading experts have contributed sections on genome, transcriptome, proteome, metabolome and other whole-system approaches. Arabidopsis thaliana is acknowledged as the most important plant model system by the scientific community and Arabidopsis research has fundamentally influenced our understanding of the basic biology and ecology of plants. 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, Arabidopsis Protocols, Third Edition seeks to serve both experienced researchers and beginners with its detailed methodologies on this burgeoning scientific field.

In this volume three of the key figures in the field set out to establish some parameters for the study of creativity. After examining the earlier works on the subject, they present their current research findings, and then attempt to project where the field is likely to go in the decade ahead.

Gardner, the proponent of biological aspects of creativity, ranges widely as he examines Freud's Vienna and the features of medicine that both constrained and challenged his revolutionary idea. Csikszentmihalyi, with his exploration of genes and memes, examines individual issues as well as broader contextual concerns. Feldman concentrates on the notions of coincidence and the transformational imperative. These essays point to the rejuvenation of the field of creativity research, and suggest where the field is likely to move in the future. This work is a major synthesis of value to advanced researchers as well as students and all those concerned with creativity.

Since the discovery of a collagen-degrading protease in the tadpole tail in 1962, matrix metalloproteinase research has led to the discovery of more than twenty distinct vertebrate MMPs, along with a variety of homologues from diverse organisms such as the sea urchin, plants, insects, and nematode worms. Fully updating and adding to the popular first edition, Matrix Metalloproteinase Protocols, Second Edition includes a series of state-of-the-art techniques provided by eminent experts in the field. Beginning with a brief overview of the MMP arena, from how these enzymes fit into the larger degradome to what occurs when their expression and function in the mouse is modulated, the volume continues with sections on the expression and purification of MMPs and TIMPs, the detection of MMPs and TIMPs at both the protein and mRNA level, and our ability to assay MMP and TIMP activities in a wide variety of circumstances. 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.

Comprehensive and cutting-edge, Matrix Metalloproteinase Protocols, Second Edition is an ideal source for many of the essential laboratory techniques for both novice and seasoned researchers alike collected in one convenient volume.

Genes interact with environment, experience, and the biology of the brain to shape an animal s behavior. This latest volume in Advances in Genetics, organized according to the most widely used model organisms, describes the latest genetic discoveries in relation to neural circuit development and activity.
* Explores latest topics in neural circuits and behavior research in zebrafish, drosophila, c.elegans, and mouse models
* Includes methods for testing with ethical, legal, and social implications
* Critically analyzes prospects future prospects

This book introduces readers to the biology of leukemia stem cells (LSCs) and emphasizes the necessity and importance of targeting LSCs in the treatment of hematopoietic malignancies. It addresses the role of leukemia stem cells in different leukemia diseases and molecular signatures, as well as the metabolic and epigenetic regulation of leukemia stem cell function. With regard to solid tumors, a significant number of blood cancers are believed to be derived from leukemia stem cells (LSCs), which are responsible for disease progression, relapse and drug resistance. Consequently, new therapeutic strategies need to be developed by focusing on the complete eradication of LSCs. Given its scope, the book offers a valuable asset for graduate students and scientists in the fields of cell biology and cancer research etc.

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.

Arguing that human evolution has come to a stand-still, this book sets out to explore the evolutionary steps that have defined life on this planet. It describes the stages from cosmic to chemical and biological evolution and to the development of civilization and culture. From this scientific approach, the author concludes that new rules of ethics are required in order to maintain and improve the civilization and culture of humanity. Matare argues for corrective genetic interference and explores the moral implications.

ThediscoveryofmicroRNAshasrevealedanunexpectedandspectacularadditional levelof?netuningofthegenomeandhowgenesareusedagainandagainin differentcombinationstogeneratethecomplexitythatunderliesforinstancethe brain. SincetheinitialstudiesperformedinC. elegans,wegavegoneafarwayto begintounderstandhowmicroRNApathwayscanhaveanimpactonhealthand diseaseinhuman. AlthoughmicroRNAsareabundantlyexpressedinthebrain, relativelylittleisknownaboutthemultiplefunctionsoftheseRNAmoleculesinthe nervous system. Nevertheless,we knowalready that microRNA pathways play majorrolesintheproliferation,differentiation,functionandmaintenanceofneu- nalcells. SeveralintriguingstudieshavelinkedmicroRNAsasmajorregulatorsof theneuronalphenotype,andhaveimplicatedspeci?cmicroRNAsintheregulation ofsynapseformationandplasticity. DysfunctionofmicroRNApathwaysisalso slowlyemergingasapotentialimportantcontributortothepathogenesisofmajor neurodegenerativedisorderssuchasAlzheimer'sdiseaseandParkinson'sdisease. Thesenovelinsightsappeartobeparticularpromisingfortheunderstandingofthe veryfrequentandbadlyunderstoodsporadicformsofthesediseasesascomparedto thegeneticforms. Thus,thebetterunderstandingoftheimplicationsofthisnovel ?eldofmolecularbiologyiscrucialforthebroadareaofneurosciences,fromthe fundamentalaspectstotheclinic,andfromnoveldiagnostictopotentiallythe- peuticapplicationsforsevereneurologicalandmaybepsychiatricdiseases. The presentvolumegatherscontributionstotheColloqueMe'decineetRechercheonthe implicationsofmicroRNAsinneuroscienceorganizedbytheFondationIpsen,in Paris,onApril20,2009. Ithadasobjectivetobringtogetherneuroscientistsfrom differentareasofresearchtodiscusstheircurrentinsightsintothewonderfulworld ofmicroRNAs,andtohearanddiscusstheirresearchandviewsaboutmicroRNA biologyinneuronalprocessesandinbraindisorders. BartdeStrooper YvesChristen v Acknowledgments The editors wish to thank Jacqueline Mervaillie and Sonia Le Cornec for the organizationofthemeetingandMaryLynnGagefortheeditingofthebook. vii Contents Pro?lingthemicroRNAs ...1 KennethS. Kosik,ThalesPapagiannakopoulos,NaXu, KawtherAbu-Elneel,TsunglinLiu,andMinJeongKye TheWideVarietyofmiRNAExpressionPro?les intheDevelopingandMatureCNS ...9 MarikaKapsimali InteractionsbetweenmicroRNAsandTranscription FactorsintheDevelopmentandFunction oftheNervousSystem ...19 DavidJ. Simon AmicroRNAFeedbackCircuitinMidbrainDopamineNeurons ...27 AsaAbeliovich Fine-tuningmRNATranslationatSynapseswithmicroRNAs ...35 GerhardM. Schratt NeuronalP-bodiesandTransportofmicroRNA-Repressed mRNAs ...4 5 FlorenceRage CrosstalkbetweenmicroRNAandEpigeneticRegulation inStemCells ...57 KeithSzulwach,ShuangChang,andPengJin microRNAsinCNSDevelopmentandNeurodegeneration: InsightsfromDrosophilaGenetics ...69 StephenM. Cohen ix x Contents DrosophilaasaModelforNeurodegenerativeDisease: RolesofRNAPathwaysinPathogenesis ...79 NancyM. Bonini microRNAsinSporadicAlzheimer'ThediscoveryofmicroRNAshasrevealedanunexpectedandspectacularadditional levelof?netuningofthegenomeandhowgenesareusedagainandagainin differentcombinationstogeneratethecomplexitythatunderliesforinstancethe brain. SincetheinitialstudiesperformedinC. elegans,wegavegoneafarwayto begintounderstandhowmicroRNApathwayscanhaveanimpactonhealthand diseaseinhuman. AlthoughmicroRNAsareabundantlyexpressedinthebrain, relativelylittleisknownaboutthemultiplefunctionsoftheseRNAmoleculesinthe nervous system. Nevertheless,we knowalready that microRNA pathways play majorrolesintheproliferation,differentiation,functionandmaintenanceofneu- nalcells. SeveralintriguingstudieshavelinkedmicroRNAsasmajorregulatorsof theneuronalphenotype,andhaveimplicatedspeci?cmicroRNAsintheregulation ofsynapseformationandplasticity. DysfunctionofmicroRNApathwaysisalso slowlyemergingasapotentialimportantcontributortothepathogenesisofmajor neurodegenerativedisorderssuchasAlzheimer'sdiseaseandParkinson'sdisease. Thesenovelinsightsappeartobeparticularpromisingfortheunderstandingofthe veryfrequentandbadlyunderstoodsporadicformsofthesediseasesascomparedto thegeneticforms. Thus,thebetterunderstandingoftheimplicationsofthisnovel ?eldofmolecularbiologyiscrucialforthebroadareaofneurosciences,fromthe fundamentalaspectstotheclinic,andfromnoveldiagnostictopotentiallythe- peuticapplicationsforsevereneurologicalandmaybepsychiatricdiseases. The presentvolumegatherscontributionstotheColloqueMe'decineetRechercheonthe implicationsofmicroRNAsinneuroscienceorganizedbytheFondationIpsen,in Paris,onApril20,2009. Ithadasobjectivetobringtogetherneuroscientistsfrom differentareasofresearchtodiscusstheircurrentinsightsintothewonderfulworld ofmicroRNAs,andtohearanddiscusstheirresearchandviewsaboutmicroRNA biologyinneuronalprocessesandinbraindisorders. BartdeStrooper YvesChristen v Acknowledgments The editors wish to thank Jacqueline Mervaillie and Sonia Le Cornec for the organizationofthemeetingandMaryLynnGagefortheeditingofthebook. vii Contents Pro? lingthemicroRNAs ...1 KennethS. Kosik,ThalesPapagiannakopoulos,NaXu, KawtherAbu-Elneel,TsunglinLiu,andMinJeongKye TheWideVarietyofmiRNAExpressionPro?les intheDevelopingandMatureCNS ...9 MarikaKapsimali InteractionsbetweenmicroRNAsandTranscription FactorsintheDevelopmentandFunction oftheNervousSystem ...19 DavidJ. Simon AmicroRNAFeedbackCircuitinMidbrainDopamineNeurons ...27 AsaAbeliovich Fine-tuningmRNATranslationatSynapseswithmicroRNAs ...35 GerhardM. Schratt NeuronalP-bodiesandTransportofmicroRNA-Repressed mRNAs ...45 FlorenceRage CrosstalkbetweenmicroRNAandEpigeneticRegulation inStemCells ...57 KeithSzulwach,ShuangChang,andPengJin microRNAsinCNSDevelopmentandNeurodegeneration: InsightsfromDrosophilaGenetics ...69 StephenM. Cohen ix x Contents DrosophilaasaModelforNeurodegenerativeDisease: RolesofRNAPathwaysinPathogenesis ...79 NancyM. Bonini microRNAsinSporadicAlzheimer'sDiseaseandRelated Dementias ...91 Se'bastienS. He'bert,WimMandemakers,AikateriniS. Papadopoulou, andBartDeStrooper microRNADysregulationinPsychiatricDisorders ...99 BinXu,JosephA. Gogos,andMariaKarayiorgou Index ...1 19 Contributors Abeliovich Asa Columbia University Medical Center, 630 West 168th Street, Room15-405,NewYork,NY10032,USA,aa900@columbia. edu Abu-ElneelKawther NeuroscienceResearchInstitute,DepartmentofMolecular CellularandDevelopmentalBiology,UniversityofCaliforniaSantaBarbara,USA BoniniNancyM. UniversityofPennsylvania,306LeidyLaboratories,Depa- mentofBiology,Philadelphia,PA19104,USA,nbonini@sas. upenn. edu Chang Shuang Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine,Atlanta,GA30322,USA CohenStephenM. TemasekLifeSciencesLaboratoryLimited,1ResearchLink National University of Singapore, 117604 Singapore, SINGAPORE, steve@ tll. org. sg DeStrooperBart Centerforhumangenetics,K. U. LeuvenandDepartmentof molecularanddevelopmentalgenetics,VIBLeuven,BELGIUM GogosJosephA. DepartmentofPhysiology&CellularBiophysicsandDepa- mentofNeuroscience,ColumbiaUniversity,NewYork,USA He'bert Se'bastien S. Centre de Recherche du CHUQ (CHUL), Axe Neur- ciences,Universite'Laval,De'partementdeBiologieme'dicale,2705Boul. Laurier, LocalRC-9800,Que'bec,Qc,Canada,sebastien. hebert@crchul. ulaval. ca JinPeng DepartmentofHumanGeneticsandGraduatePrograminGeneticsand MolecularBiology,EmoryUniversitySchoolofMedicine,Atlanta,GA30322, USA,pjin@genetics. emory. edu ' ' ' ' KapsimaliMarika INSERMU784,GenetiqueMoleculaireduDeveloppement, ' Ecole Normale Superieure, 46 rue d'Ulm, 75230 PARIS Cedex 05 FRANCE, kapsimal@biologie. ens. fr xi xii Contributors Karayiorgou Maria Columbia University, Department of Psychiatry, 1051 RiversideDrive,Unit#28,NewYorkNY10032,USA,mk2758@columbia. edu Kosik Kenneth S. Neuroscience Research Institute, Department of Molecular Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California Santa Barbara, BiologyII,Room6139A,SantaBarbara,CA93106,USA,kosik@lifesci. ucsb.

Understanding organogenesis is central to current efforts to direct stem cell differentiation and function in the context of a complex organ. Defects in organogenesis are often the major manifestations of human genetic disease syndromes. This volume describes the development of 10 major organ systems, reviewed by experts in each, to provide an up-to-date overview for researchers within and outside the field, students, teachers and clinicians.

Summarizes the key morphological and cellular events

Emphasizes up-to-date research relating to molecular control mechanisms

Draws on a range of model vertebrates and contemporary experimental approaches, including lessons learnt from human developmental disease

Distils common themes and differences for comparative studies

Highlights key remaining questions and sets the agenda for future research

The field of genetics is rapidly evolving, and new medical breakthroughs are occurring as a result of advances in knowledge gained from genetics research. This serial continually publishes important reviews of the broadest interest to geneticists and their colleagues in affiliated disciplines.

* Includes important reviews of the broadest interest to geneticists and their colleagues in affiliated disciplines, providing researchers an overview and synthesis of the latest findings in the area * Presents up-to-date research from leaders in the field

Recent developments in stem cell biology have opened new directions in cell therapy. This book provides the state-of-the-art developments in using biomaterials as artificial niches for engineering stem cells, both for the purpose of better understanding their biology under 3D biomimetic conditions as well as for developing new strategies for efficient long term maintenance and directed differentiation of stem cells into various therapeutic lineages. Animal and human stem cells of both embryonic and adult origin are discussed with applications ranging from nerve regeneration, orthopedics, cardiovascular therapy, blood cell generation and cancer therapy. Both synthetic and natural biomaterials are reviewed with emphasis on how material-stem cell interactions direct specific signaling pathways and ultimately modulate the cell fate. This book is valuable for biomaterial scientists, tissue engineers, clinicians as well as stem cell biologists involved in basic research and applications of adult and embryonic stem cells.

This volume comprehensively covers new technologies and methodologies that have appeared for the study of mouse development.

This volume is the first of a 2 part update of volume 225, "Guide to Techniques in Mouse Development," edited by P.M. Wassarman and M.L. DePamphilis and published in 1993.

Comprehensively covers new techniques for the cryopreservation of gametes and embryos, production of transgenic and null (knockout) animals (use of ES cells), generation of conditional/inducible mutant animals, use of gene-trap mutagenesis, analysis of allele-specific expression, use of new reporter constructs, humanizing of transgenic animals, transcript profiling of mouse development, imaging of mouse development, and rederivation of animals and use of mouse genomics.

Guide to Techniques in Mouse Development, Part B, is an authoritative guide to different methods used in enzymology, focusing on investigating mouse development using technological advances. The text provides information regarding the principles of the methods in mouse development, and it offers readers reliable experimental protocols and recipes described comprehensively by leaders in the field of enzymology. The text is divided into three sections and organized into 25 chapters. Below are several concepts covered by the text: Lentivirus transgenesis o Germline modification using mouse stem cells Electroporation Applications of transposons in mouse genetics Functional genomics using transposon systems The use of DNA transposons in detecting cancer genes in mice Recombination, conditional mutagenesis and induction of tamoxifen Genetic fate mapping using recombinases Genetic screens mouse ES cells Gene trap mutagenesis Mouse mutagenesis Self- renewal and pluripotency Transgenic RNAi applications Gene knockdowns Tetracycline-controlled transcription Gene expression profiling of mouse embryos The book is a comprehensive guide for students and professionals in genetics, cytology and molecular biology, who will find this book invaluable for their learning and practice.

This volume focuses on various approaches to studying long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), including techniques for finding lncRNAs, localization, and observing their functions. The chapters in this book cover how to catalog lncRNAs in various plant species; determining subcellular localization; protein interactions; structures; and RNA modifications. 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. Cutting-edge and innovative, Plant Long Non-Coding RNAs: Methods and Protocols is a valuable resource that aids researchers in understanding the functions of lncRNAs in different plant species, and helps them explore currently uncharted facets of plant biology.

The field of genetics is rapidly evolving, and new medical breakthroughs are occurring as a result of advances in our knowledge of genetics. This series continually publishes important reviews of the broadest interest to geneticists and their colleagues in affiliated disciplines. This thematicvolume reviews the latest research findings in the area of vascular proteomics related to the receptors of the vascular endothelium, and expands insights into diseases that exhibit distinct vascular characteristics, including cancer, obesity, andinflammation.

* Provides contrasting roles of VEGF, givingresearchers a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of VEGF *Includeschapters that review research employing a variety of organisms, allowing researchers to compare and contrast *Focuses onmaterial that translates basic research to real-life treatment applications, showing primary researchers how the basic science is being used in the clinical setting"

Genetic engineering and biotechnology along with conventional breeding have played an important role in developing superior cultivars by transferring economically important traits from distant, wild and even unrelated species to the cultivated varieties which otherwise could not have been possible with conventional breeding. There is a vast amount of literature pertaining to the genetic improvement of crops over last few decades. However, the wonderful results achieved by crop scientists in food legumes' research and development over the years are scattered in different journals of the World. The two volumes in the series 'Alien Gene Transfer in Crop Plants' address this issue and offer a comprehensive reference on the developments made in major food crops of the world. These volumes aim at bringing the contributions from globally renowned scientists at one platform in a reader-friendly manner. The second volume entitled, "Alien Gene Transfer in Crop Plants: Achievements and Impact" will deal more with the practical aspects. This volume will cover achievements of alien gene transfer in major food crops of the world and their impact on development of newer genetic variability and additional avenues for selection; development of superior cultivars for increased yield, resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, improved nutritional and industrial quality; innovation of new techniques and positive as well as negative environmental implications. This volume has been divided into four groups with an aim to cover all major cereals, pulses, oilseeds and other crops (vegetable and horticultural crops) which are of economic importance.

This fully revised 2e provides the only unified synthesis of available information concerning the mechanisms of higher-order memory formation. It spans the range from learning theory, to human and animal behavioral learning models, to cellular physiology and biochemistry. It is unique in its incorporation of chapters on memory disorders, tying in these clinically important syndromes with the basic science of synaptic plasticity and memory mechanisms. It also covers cutting-edge approaches such as the use of genetically engineered animals in studies of memory and memory diseases. Written in an engaging and easily readable style and extensively illustrated with many new, full-color figures to help explain key concepts, this book demystifies the complexities of memory and deepens the reader s understanding.
More than 25% new content, particularly expanding the scope to include new findings in translational research. Unique in its depth of coverage of molecular and cellular mechanisms Extensive cross-referencing to Comprehensive Learning and Memory Discusses clinically relevant memory disorders in the context of modern molecular research and includes numerous practical examples
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The biological function of clusterin (CLU, also known as ApoJ, SGP2, TRPM2, CLI) has been puzzling researchers since its discovery and characterization in the early 1980s. Approaches such as cloning, expression and functional characterization of the different protein products generated by the CLU gene have now produced a critical mass of information of tremendous biological importance that are teaching us an important lesson in molecular biology of gene expression regulation. This volume brings together the contributions of top researchers in the field, providing an overview and synthesis of the latest thought and findings relating to CLU.

This MIE volume provides laboratory techniques that aim to predict the structure of a protein which can have tremendous implications ranging from drug design, to cellular pathways and their dynamics, to viral entry into cells.
Expert researchers introduce the most advanced technologies and techniques in protein structure and folding
Includes techniques on tiling assays.