The book explores the fundamental principles, advances in forensic techniques, and its application on forensic DNA analysis. The book is divided into three modules; the first module provides the historical prospect of forensic DNA typing and introduces fundamentals of forensic DNA typing, methodology, and technical advancements, application of STRs, and DNA databases for forensic DNA profile analysis. Module 2 examines the problems and challenges encountered in extracting DNA and generating DNA profiles. It provides information on the methods and the best practices for DNA isolation from forensic biological samples and human remains like ancient DNA, DNA typing of skeletal remains and disaster victim identification, the importance of DNA typing in human trafficking, and various problems associated with capillary electrophoresis. Module 3 emphasizes various technologies that are based on SNPs, STRs namely Y-STR, X-STR, mitochondrial DNA profiling in forensic science. Module 4 explores the application of non-human forensic DNA typing of domestic animals, wildlife forensics, plant DNA fingerprinting, and microbial forensics. The last module discusses new areas and alternative methods in forensic DNA typing, including Next-Generation Sequencing, and its utility in forensic science, oral microbes, and forensic DNA phenotyping. Given its scope, the book is a useful resource in the field of DNA fingerprinting for scientists, forensic experts, and students at the postgraduate level.

This second edition volume is a companion volume to the previous edition and looks at new findings on novel bioactive chemicals and cognate targets, as well as the use of synthetic small molecules and a variety of tools to understand these processes. Chapters in this book cover topics such as screening plants for novel bioactive chemicals including lipid signaling and photo receptors; small molecule screens to include peptide ligands to generate new variations; using new chemicals to affect and dissect hormone signaling; and the application of easier microscale methods to simplify target identification and validation. 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 practical, Plant Chemical Genomics: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition is a valuable resource that provides a foundation of techniques for novice and expert researchers in the plant chemical biology community.

This book focusing on the bitter gourd genome is the first comprehensive compilation of knowledge on the botany, cytogenetical analysis, genetic resources and diversity, traditional breeding, tissue culture and genetic transformation, whole genome sequencing and comparative genomics in the Cucurbitaceae family. It discusses the biochemical profile of the bioactives present in this horticultural crop, used both as a vegetable and as a medicine, and also addresses sex determination in bitter gourd. Written by respected international experts, the book is useful to students, teachers and scientists in academia, as well as seed companies and pharmaceutical industries.

Few, if any, genes have had the same level of impact on the field of evolutionary-developmental biology (evo-devo) as the Hox genes. These genes are renowned for their roles in patterning the body plans and development of the animal kingdom. This is complemented by the distinctive organisation of these genes in the genome, with them frequently being found as clusters in which gene position is linked to when and where the individual genes are expressed, particularly during embryogenesis. This book provides the latest overviews of Hox gene organisation and function for major clades of animals from across the animal kingdom. With the rapidly increasing availability of high-quality whole genome sequences from an ever-expanding range of species, it is becoming increasingly evident that there is great diversity in the organisation of Hox genes. These great strides in genome sequencing are wedded to important developments in our ability to detect expression and disrupt gene function in species that are not traditionally genetically-amenable animals. These technical developments are integrated with wide taxon-sampling in this volume to provide new perspectives on the roles of Hox genes in understanding fundamental issues such as embryo patterning, mechanisms of gene regulation, homology, evolvability, evolutionary novelties, phylogeny, the role of gene and genome duplications in evolution, and ancestral states for major clades of animals. Key features Integrative overviews from major animal groups including, arthropods, vertebrates, echinoderms, mollusks and other spiralians. Perspectives gleaned from the latest genome sequence and gene expression data. Individual chapters written by world-leading experts in Hox genes and evo-devo in each animal group. Related Titles Scholtz, G., ed. Evolutionary Developmental Biology of Crustacea (ISBN 978-9-0580-9637-1) Mattick, J. & P. Amaral. RNA, The Epicenter of Genetic Information (ISBN 978-0-3675-6778-1) Bard, J. Evolution: The Origins and Mechanisms of Diversity (ISBN 978-0-3673-5701-6)

The idea of eugenics - human selective breeding - originated in Victorian Britain in response to the problem of the urban poor. It was championed by New Woman writers, who sought to restore the health of the nation, arguing that through rational reproduction middle-class women could regenerate the British imperial race. Exploring the pervasiveness of eugenic ideas in fin-de-siècle Britain, and recontextualizing New Woman fiction, Love and Eugenics in the Late Nineteenth Century makes a radical contribution to nineteenth-century studies, establishing the intimate relations between early feminism and eugenics.

This book presents deliberations on molecular and genomic mechanisms underlying the interactions of crop plants to the abiotic stresses caused by heat, cold, drought, flooding, submergence, salinity, acidity, etc., important to develop resistant crop varieties. Knowledge on the advanced genetic and genomic crop improvement strategies including molecular breeding, transgenics, genomic-assisted breeding, and the recently emerging genome editing for developing resistant varieties in pulse crops is imperative for addressing FHNEE (food, health, nutrition, energy, and environment) security. Whole genome sequencing of these crops followed by genotyping-by-sequencing has provided precise information regarding the genes conferring resistance useful for gene discovery, allele mining, and shuttle breeding which in turn opened up the scope for 'designing' crop genomes with resistance to abiotic stresses. The nine chapters each dedicated to a pulse crop in this volume elucidate on different types of abiotic stresses and their effects on and interaction with the crop; enumerate on the available genetic diversity with regard to abiotic stress resistance among available cultivars; illuminate on the potential gene pools for utilization in interspecific gene transfer; present brief on classical genetics of stress resistance and traditional breeding for transferring them to their cultivated counterparts; depict the success stories of genetic engineering for developing abiotic stress-resistant crop varieties; discuss on molecular mapping of genes and QTLs underlying stress resistance and their marker-assisted introgression into elite varieties; enunciate on different genomics-aided techniques including genomic selection, allele mining, gene discovery, and gene pyramiding for developing adaptive crop varieties with higher quantity and quality of yields, and also elaborate some case studies on genome editing focusing on specific genes for generating abiotic stress-resistant crops.

This new series, based on a bi-annual conference and its topics, represents a major contribution to the emerging science of cancer research and regenerative medicine. Each volume brings together some of the most pre-eminent scientists working on cancer biology, cancer treatment, cancer diagnosis, cancer prevention and regenerative medicine to share information on currently ongoing work which will help shape future therapies. These volumes are invaluable resources not only for already active researchers or clinicians but also for those entering these fields, plus those in industry. Cancer Biology and Advances in Treatment is a proceedings volume which reflects papers presented at the 3rd bi-annual Innovations in Regenerative Medicine and Cancer Research conference; taken with its companion volume Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cells: Biology and Engineering it provides a complete overview of the papers from that meeting of international experts.

This book provides the first and only comprehensive description and detailed summary of the genetics, structure, function, mechanisms of action, evolution and engineering of homing endonucleases and inteins. These two unique protein superfamilies, which are tied together through their frequent fusion and coevolution, have generated considerable excitement for their fundamental, structural, and functional properties, their evolution as parasitic elements, and their widespread applications as gene targeting agents and as instruments for the generation of modified proteins and novel protein combinations.

This second edition explores up-to-date tools in various function-based technologies currently used in metagenomics. The chapters in this book discuss all of the working steps involved in these technologies, such as: DNA isolation from soils and marine samples followed by the construction and screening of libraries for diverse enzymes and biomolecules; current methods used to isolate DNA and construct large- and small-insert libraries from terrestrial and marine habitats; methods for establishing metagenome libraries in none-E.coli hosts; new molecular tools used for function-driven mining of metagenomic DNA; and screening protocols for a wide array of different genes encoding enzymes with relevance to biotechnology and ecology. Metagenomics: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition also provides detailed screening protocols for phosphatases, poly-hydroxyalkanoate, metabolism-related enzymes, stereoselective hydrolases, and microbial signals for the discovery of secondary metabolites. 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. Comprehensive and cutting-edge, Metagenomics: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition is a collection of up-to-date metagenome protocols and tools for the recovery of numerous major types of biocatalysts, and allows researchers to easily setup these screens in any microbiology laboratory.

This fully updated volume explores improved and extended protocols for embryonic stem cell (ESC) research, provided with the most direct and informative methodologies currently available. The book examines how these models for cell lineage and differentiation studies have continued to mature into a critical research workhorse. Written for 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 up-to-date, Embryonic Stem Cell Protocols, Fourth Edition serves as an ideal resource for researching mining the depths of the ESC field.

This volume provides cutting-edge techniques to further the study chromatin biology. Chapters include both novel and well-established methods for the analysis of DNA-associated proteins, DNA methylation, three-dimensional chromatin interactions, deep sequencing-based tools, and data analysis pipelines. Written in the format of the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, each chapter includes an introduction to the topic, provides details of the necessary materials and reagents, includes tips on troubleshooting and known pitfalls, and describes step-by-step, readily reproducible protocols. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Chromatin: Methods and Protocols aims to further the understanding of how modified DNA and associated proteins affect the transcriptional output of the genome. Chapter Genome-wide mapping and microscopy visualization of protein-DNA interactions by pA-DamID [Chapter 12] is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.

This collection reviews developments in DNA profiling across jurisdictions with a focus on scientific and technological developments as well as their political, ethical, and socio-legal aspects. Written by leading scholars in the fields of social studies of forensic science, science and technology studies and socio-legal studies, the book provides state-of-the-art analyses of forensic DNA practices in a diverse range of jurisdictions, new and emerging forensic genetics technologies and issues of legitimacy. The work articulates the various forms of technolegal politics involved in the everyday, standardised and emerging practices of forensic genetics and engages with the most recent scholarly and policy literature. In analyses of empirical cases, and by taking into account the most recent technolegal developments, the book explores what it means to live in a world that is increasingly governed through anticipatory crime control and its related risk management and bio-surveillance mechanisms, which intervene with and produce political and legal subjectivities through human bodies in their DNA. This volume is an invaluable resource for those working in the areas of social studies of forensic science, science and technology studies, socio-legal studies, sociology, anthropology, ethics, law, politics and international relations.

Stephen Jay Gould (1941-2002) was a leading critic of human behavioral genetics, human sociobiology, evolutionary psychology, and the modern evolutionary synthesis. "Why Gould Was Wrong" explains why Gould's claims were horribly wrong.

Much research has focused on the basic cellular and molecular biological aspects of stem cells. Much of this research has been fueled by their potential for use in regenerative medicine applications, which has in turn spurred growing numbers of translational and clinical studies. However, more work is needed if the potential is to be realized for improvement of the lives and well-being of patients with numerous diseases and conditions. This online first book series 'Cell Biology and Translational Medicine (CBTMED)' as part of SpringerNature's longstanding and very successful Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology book series, has the goal to accelerate advances by timely information exchange. Emerging areas of regenerative medicine and translational aspects of stem cells are covered in each volume. Outstanding researchers are recruited to highlight developments and remaining challenges in both the basic research and clinical arenas. This current book is the second volume of a continuing series.

This detailed collection explores genome-wide association studies (GWAS), which have revolutionized the investigation of complex traits over the past decade and have unveiled numerous useful genotype-phenotype associations in plants. The book describes the key concepts and methods underlying GWAS, including the genetic architecture underlying variation for phenotypic traits, the structure of genetic variation in plants, technologies for capturing genetic information, study designs, and the statistical models and bioinformatics tools used for data analysis. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include the kind of invaluable implementation advice that leads to the most fruitful research results. Authoritative and practical, Genome-Wide Association Studies serves as an extremely valuable resource for the plant research community by rendering GWAS analysis less challenging and more accessible to a broader group of users.

This volume presents readers with up-to-date protocols, bioinformatics toolkits, and reference material for understanding circRNAs in plants. The chapters in this book summarize the concepts and techniques for prediction/identification, validation, and analysis of plant circRNAs and their regulatory targets. Some of the topics covered are procedures for circRNA identification and characterization; strategies for circRNA generation; next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies and circRNAs' research; and bioinformatics tools and pipelines for the analysis of circRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks. 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 practical, Plant Circular RNAs: Methods and Protocols is an important reference for any researcher looking to explore and apply the latest developments made in this field.

This book explores how human population genetics has emerged as a means of imagining and enacting belonging in contemporary society. Venla Oikkonen approaches population genetics as an evolving set of technological, material, narrative and affective practices, arguing that these practices are engaged in multiple forms of belonging that are often mutually contradictory. Considering scientific, popular and fictional texts, with several carefully selected case studies spanning three decades, the author traces shifts in the affective, material and gendered preconditions of population genetic visions of belonging. Topics encompass the debate about Mitochondrial Eve, ancient human DNA, temporality and nostalgia, commercial genetic ancestry tests, and tensions between continental and national genetic inheritance. The book will be of particular interest to scholars and students of science and technology studies, cultural studies, sociology, and gender studies.

The book focuses on the evolutionary impact of horizontal gene transfer processes on pathogenicity, environmental adaptation and biological speciation. Newly acquired genetic material has been considered as a driving force in evolution for prokaryotic genomes for many years, with recent technical developments advancing this field further. However, the extent and implications of gene transfer between prokaryotes and eukaryotes still raise controversies. This multi-authored volume introduces various means by which DNA can be exchanged, covers gene transfer between prokaryotes and their viruses as well as between bacteria and eukaryotes, such as fungi, plants and animals, and addresses the role of horizontal gene transfer in human diseases. Aspects discussed also include the relevance for virulence and drug resistance development on one hand, and for the occurrence of naturally derived antibiotics and other secondary metabolites on the other hand. This book offers new insights to anyone interested in genome evolution and the exchange of DNA between the different domains of life, the genetic toolkit for adaptation and the emergence of multidrug resistant bacteria.

This book examines the visual representations used in the popular communication of genetics. Drawing upon public science communication theories, information design theories, and social semiotics, the book offers both in-depth analyses and high-level synthesis of how genetics is visualized for the U.S. public from the early 20th century to the present. Individual chapters focus on six visual genres: photographs, micrographs, illustrations, genetic code images, quantitative graphs, and molecular structure images. Han Yu challenges readers to consider the significance of these images we often take for granted, including their historical contexts, scientific backstories, information richness, stylistic choices, economic motivations, and social implications. In doing so, the book reveals the complex cognitive, affective, and social-cultural factors that both shape and are shaped by these images. The book will be particularly useful to scholars of public science communication and visual communication, practitioners of science communication, and scientists from a range of related life science disciplines.

This book reviews recent knowledge of the role of stem cells in the gastrointestinal system. It covers extensive topics for each organ, including the pancreas, esophagus, liver, and colon, while also discussing the contributions of stem cells to therapeutic approaches toward gastrointestinal diseases, including inflammatory bowel diseases. Comprehensive and cutting-edge, Digestive System Diseases: Stem Cell Mechanisms and Therapies deepens a reader's theoretical expertise in gastrointestinal stem cell biology. It furthers scientists' understanding of gastrointestinal stem cells and, most importantly, the development of novel therapeutic targets. Graduate and postdoctoral students, medical doctors (including gastroenterologists and surgeons), and principal investigators in both academia and industry will benefit from this book. In particular, it is a valuable resource for professionals within the fields of gastrointestinal research, pharmaceutical science, molecular biology, regenerative medicine, and genetics.

This book, which is the third volume of Biomedical translational research, focuses on the fundamental role of biomedical research in developing new medicinal products. It emphasizes the importance of understanding biological and pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the disease to discover and develop new biological agents. The book uniquely explores the genomic computational integrative approach for drug repositioning. Further, it discusses the health benefits of nutraceuticals and their application in human diseases. Further, the book comprehensively reviews different computational approaches that employ GWAS data to guide drug repositioning. Finally, it summarizes the major challenges in drug development and the strategies for the rational design of the next generation more effective but less toxic therapeutic agents.

This volume explores and challenges the assumption that behavioral proclivities and pathologies are directly traceable to experience-an assumption that still widely dominates folk psychology as well as the perspective of many mental health practitioners. This tendency continues despite powerful evidence from the field of behavioral genetics that genetic endowment dwarfs other discrete influences on development and psychopathology when extrinsic conditions are not extreme. An interdisciplinary collection, the book uses historical, cultural and clinical perspectives to challenge the longstanding notion of identity as the product of a life-narrative. Although the nativist-empiricist debate has been revivified by recent advances in molecular biology, such ideas date back to the Socratic dialogue on the innate mathematical sense possessed by an illiterate slave. The author takes a philosophical and historical approach in revisiting the writings of select figures from science, medicine, and literature whose insights into the potency of inherited factors in behavior were particularly prescient, and ran contrary to the modern declivity toward the self as narrative. The final part of the volume uses historical and clinical perspectives to help illuminate the elusive concept of innateness, and highlights important ramifications of the revolution in behavioral genetics. Seeking to challenge the clinical utility of the therapeutic narrative rather than the importance of experience per se, the book will ultimately appeal to psychiatrists, psychologists, and academics from various disciplines working across the fields of behavioral genetics, evolutionary biology, philosophy of science, and the history of science.

The fourth edition of this classic text continues to provide the basis for understanding genetic principles behind quantitative differences, and extends these concepts to the segregation of genes that cause genetic variation in quantitative traits. The authors explain key techniques and methods.

This text is written for advanced students with a basic background in molecular biology and provides a clear and concise summary of the flow of information from genes to proteins in simple prokaryotic cells. Transcription regulation is of central importance to molecular biology, and in bacterial cells the major regulatory stage is transcription. While most textbooks cover transcription in a single chapter with a strong emphasis on eukaryotic transcription, this new text is devoted to prokaryotic transcription and is perfect for use on molecular biology, microbiology and technology courses.