This volume details methods and protocols to further the study of stem cells within the computational stem cell biology (CSCB) field. Chapters are divided into four sections covering the theory and practice of modeling of stem cell behavior, analyzing single cell genome-scale measurements, reconstructing gene regulatory networks, and metabolomics. 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, Computational Stem Cell Biology: Methods and Protocols will be an invaluable guide to researchers as they explore stem cells from the perspective of computational biology.

This second edition of Protein Purification provides a guide to the major chromatographic techniques, including non-affinity absorption techniques, affinity procedures, non-absorption techniques and methods for monitoring protein purity. The new edition of the book has been organized to encourage incremental learning about the topic, starting with the properties of water, progressing through the characteristics of amino acids and proteins which relate to the purification process. There is an overview of protein strategy and equipment, followed by discussions and examples of each technique and their applications. The basic theory and simple explanations given in Protein Purification make it an ideal handbook for final year undergraduates, and postgraduates, who are conducting research projects. It will also be a useful guide to more experienced researchers who need a good overview of the techniques and products used in protein purification. Key Features * Guide to the major techniques used in protein purification * Includes flowcharts to help the reader slect the best purification strategy * Contains step-by-step protocols that guide the reader through each technique and its use * Includes exercises and solutions

"Data Analysis and Visualization in Genomics and Proteomics" is the first book addressing integrative data analysis and visualization in this field. It addresses important techniques for the interpretation of data originating from multiple sources, encoded in different formats or protocols, and processed by multiple systems. One of the first systematic overviews of the problem of biological data integration using computational approachesThis book provides scientists and students with the basis for the development and application of integrative computational methods to analyse biological data on a systemic scalePlaces emphasis on the processing of multiple data and knowledge resources, and the combination of different models and systems

Advances in genetics and related biotechnologies are having a profound effect on sport, raising important ethical questions about the limits and possibilities of the human body. Drawing on real case studies and grounded in rigorous scientific evidence, this book offers an ethical critique of current practices and explores the intersection of genetics, ethics and sport. Written by two of the world's leading authorities on the ethics of biotechnology in sport, the book addresses the philosophical implications of the latest scientific developments and technological data. Distinguishing fact from popular myth and science fiction, it covers key topics such as the genetic basis of sport performance and the role of genetic testing in talent identification and development. Its ten chapters discuss current debates surrounding issues such as the shifting relationship between genetics, sports medicine and sports science, gene enhancement, gene transfer technology, doping and disability sport. The first book to be published on this important subject in more than a decade, this is fascinating reading for anyone with an interest in the ethics of sport, bioethics or sport performance.

Plant Breeding Reviews presents state-of-the-art reviews on plant genetics and the breeding of all types of crops by both traditional means and molecular methods. At a time when methods of molecular biology are leading to genetically engineered crops, and when the supply of wild varieties of many crops are threatened, this series provides the most current and important information available on the subject.

Recent trends in Nanomedicine and Tissue Engineering covers numerous recent technological and research accomplishments in the area of Nanomedicine and Tissue Engineering. The introduction of nanomaterials and nanotechnology have led to crucial advancements in the fields of nanomedicine and tissue engineering, as well as cancer therapies and drug delivery systems. The book follows recent trends in drug delivery systems, wound healing fields, cancer therapies, protection of teeth and also other health care systems. Technical topics discussed include: * Nanorobots * Tissue engineering * Gene therapy * Drug delivery * Nanomotors * Nanogels

Basics of proteins and proteomics techniques In-depth understanding of mass-spectrometry and quantitative proteomics An overview of interactomics and its application for translational research. Advancement in the field of proteomics and challenges in clinical applications.

The rise of the multi-billion dollar ancestry testing industry points to one immutable truth about us as human beings: we want to know where we come from and who our ancestors were. John H. Relethford and Deborah A. Bolnick explore this topic and many more in this second edition of Reflections of Our Past. Where did modern humans come from and how important are the biological differences among us? Are we descended from Neandertals? How should we understand the connections between genetic ancestry, race, and identity? Were Native Americans the first to inhabit the Americas? Can we see evidence of the Viking invasions of Ireland a millennium ago even in the Irish of today? Through engaging examination of issues such as these, and using non-technical language, Reflections of Our Past shows how anthropologists use genetic information to suggest answers to fundamental questions about human history. By looking at genetic variation in the world today and in the past, we can reconstruct the recent and remote events and processes that have created the variation we see, providing a fascinating reflection of our genetic past.

The new edition of Gene Control has been updated to include significant advances in the roles of the epigenome and regulatory RNAs in gene regulation. The chapter structure remains the same: the first part consists of pairs of chapters that explain the mechanisms involved and how they regulate gene expression, and the second part deals with specific biological processes (including diseases) and how they are controlled by genes. Coverage of methodology has been strengthened by the inclusion more explanation and diagrams. The significant revision and updating will allow Gene Control to continue to be of value to students, scientists and clinicians interested in the topic of gene control.

Authoritative coverage of a revolutionary technique for overcoming problems in electromagnetic design Genetic algorithms are stochastic search procedures modeled on the Darwinian concepts of natural selection and evolution. The machinery of genetic algorithms utilizes an optimization methodology that allows a global search of the cost surface via statistical random processes dictated by the Darwinian evolutionary concept. These easily programmed and readily implemented procedures robustly locate extrema of highly multimodal functions and therefore are particularly well suited to finding solutions to a broad range of electromagnetic optimization problems. Electromagnetic Optimization by Genetic Algorithms is the first book devoted exclusively to the application of genetic algorithms to electromagnetic device design. Compiled by two highly competent and well-respected members of the electromagnetics community, this book describes numerous applications of genetic algorithms to the design and optimization of various low- and high-frequency electromagnetic components. Special features include:

• Introduction by David E. Goldberg, "A Meditation on the Application of Genetic Algorithms"
• Design of linear and planar arrays using genetic algorithms
• Application of genetic algorithms to the design of broadband, wire, and integrated antennas
• Genetic algorithm—driven design of dielectric gratings and frequency-selective surfaces
• Synthesis of magnetostatic devices using genetic algorithms
• Application of genetic algorithms to multiobjective electromagnetic backscattering optimization
• A comprehensive list of the up-to-date references applicable to electromagnetic design problems

1. Discusses the effects of environmental stresses on nitrogen metabolism 2. Useful for people doing research in plant physiologists, plant biochemists, geneticists, molecular biologists, agronomists, environmental researchers 3. Details the significant advances that have been made in understanding the physiological, biochemical, and molecular aspects of nitrogen metabolism and its regulation in plants

1. Blend of classical human genetics with molecular and genome-based applications 2. Techniques applied for the diagnosis of the genetic disorders 3. Diagnostics of 19 genetic disorders including symptoms, etiology, diagnosis, and treatment. 4. Role of gene therapy in the amelioration of disorders 5. Type studies describing the role of diagnostics in conserving the human health.

Bioinformatics brings computational methods to the analysis and processing of genomic data. Bioinformatics: Databases and Systems focuses on the issues of system building and data curation that dominate the day-to-day concerns of bioinformatics practitioners. Included are chapters by many of today's leading bioinformatics practitioners, describing most of the current paradigms of system building and curation, including both their strengths and weaknesses. Biological topics covered include sequence databases, metabolic pathways, phenotypes, variety collections, gene expression atlases and neuroinformatics. Species range from bacteria to mammals to plants. Software systems and technologies covered include OPM, CORBA, SRS, KLEISLI, ACEDB, Web-based integration and laboratory workflow. Bioinformatics: Databases and Systems provides a valuable introduction for newcomers to the field, and a useful reference for veterans.

Educational environments interact with children's unique genetic profiles, leading to wide individual differences in learning ability, motivation, and achievement in different academic subjects - even when children study with the same teacher, attend the same school and follow the same curriculum. This book considers how education can benefit from the recent progress in genetically informative research. The book provides new insights into the origins of individual differences in education traits such as cognitive abilities and disabilities; motivation and personality; behavioural and emotional problems; social functioning; well-being, and academic achievement. Written and edited by international interdisciplinary experts, this book will be of interest to teachers, parents, educational and developmental psychologists, policy makers and researchers in different fields working on educationally-relevant issues.

Statisticians have met the need to test hundreds or thousands of genomics hypotheses simultaneously with novel empirical Bayes methods that combine advantages of traditional Bayesian and frequentist statistics. Techniques for estimating the local false discovery rate assign probabilities of differential gene expression, genetic association, etc. without requiring subjective prior distributions. This book brings these methods to scientists while keeping the mathematics at an elementary level. Readers will learn the fundamental concepts behind local false discovery rates, preparing them to analyze their own genomics data and to critically evaluate published genomics research. Key Features: * dice games and exercises, including one using interactive software, for teaching the concepts in the classroom * examples focusing on gene expression and on genetic association data and briefly covering metabolomics data and proteomics data * gradual introduction to the mathematical equations needed * how to choose between different methods of multiple hypothesis testing * how to convert the output of genomics hypothesis testing software to estimates of local false discovery rates * guidance through the minefield of current criticisms of p values * material on non-Bayesian prior p values and posterior p values not previously published

Biology is often viewed today as a bipartisan field, with molecular level genetics guiding us into the future and natural history (including ecology, evolution, and conservation biology, ) chaining us to a descriptive scientific past. In Darwinian Detectives, Norman Johnson bridges this divide, revealing how the tried and true tools of natural history make sense of the newest genomic discoveries. Molecular scientists exploring newly sequenced genomes have stumbled upon quite a few surprises, including that only one to ten percent of the genetic material of animals actually codes for genes. What does the remaining 90-99% of the genome do? Why do some organisms have a much lower genome size than their close relatives? What were the genetic changes that were associated with us becoming human? As molecular biologists uncover these and other new mysteries, evolutionary geneticists are searching for answers to such questions. Norman Johnson captures the excitement of the hunt for our own genetic history. Through lively anecdotes, he explores how researchers detect natural selection acting on genes and what this genetic information tells us about human origins.

This contributed volume gathers the latest knowledge in the field of stem cells in human reproductive organs, as well as animal models, and to consider the possibility of using this knowledge for clinical purposes. The scope of the book covers both clinical and basic knowledge of stem cells in both reproductive medicine (gynecology and obstetrics) and regenerative medicine as well as cellular and molecular medicine and reproductive biology. Chapters on basic stem cell knowledge in human reproductive tissues and organs or animal models are included, as well as clinical knowledge on their role in the manifestation of infertility and cancer and their clinical use.

This book is an excellent introductory text describing the use of bioinformatics to analyze genomic and post-genomic data. It has been translated from the original popular French edition, which was based on a course taught at the well-respected Ecole Polytechnique in Palaiseau. This edition has been fully revised and updated by the authors.

After a brief introduction to gene structure and sequence determination, it describes the techniques used to identify genes, their protein-coding sequences and regulatory regions. The book discusses the methodology of comparative genomics, using information from different organisms to deduce information about unknown sequences. There is a comprehensive chapter on structure prediction, covering both RNA and protein. Finally, the book describes the complex networks of RNA and protein that exist within the cell and their interactions, ending with a discussion of the simulation approaches that can be used to model these networks.

Praise from the reviews:

""In context of the new developments the genomic era has brought, Bioinformatics: Genomics and Post-Genomics becomes a fundamental and indispensable resource for undergraduate and early graduate students...insightfully authored...will immensely help students...in establishing important foundations while shaping their careers."" NEWSLETTER, BRITISH SOCIETY OF CELL BIOLOGY

RNAi technology are used for large-scale screens that systematically shut down each gene in the cell, which can help identify the components necessary for a particular cellular process or an event such as cell division. Exploitation of the pathway is also a promising tool in biotechnology and medicine. This book reviews the selective and robust effect of RNAi on gene expression which makes it a valuable research tool, both in cell culture and in living organisms because synthetic dsRNA introduced into cells can induce suppression of specific genes of interest. This book will introduce new technology in the study of RNA interference in microorganisms, plants and animals.

Topology and Physics of Circular DNA presents comprehensive coverage of the physical properties of circular DNA. The author examines how topological constraints arising from cyclization of DNA lead to distinctive properties that make closed molecules radically different from linear DNA. The phenomenon of supercoiling, its geometric and topological analysis, and the formation of noncanonical structures in circular DNA under the influence of supercoiling are emphasized. The combination of consistent theoretical analysis and detailed treatment of major experimental approaches make Topology and Physics of Circular DNA an important reference volume for biophysicists, biochemists, molecular biologists, and researchers and students who want to expand their understanding of circular DNA.

Volume I of this book provides a comprehensive discussion of the factors involved in regulation of the cell cycle, the general biological properties of growth factors, and the receptor and postreceptor mechanisms of action of these signaling agents. It evaluates the possible role of growth factors in the regulation of proto-oncogene and tumor suppressor gene expression, and the development of neoplastic processes is discussed in detail.

This book discusses why specific diseases are being targeted for cell-based retinal therapy, what evidence exists that justifies optimism for this approach, and what challenges must be managed in order to bring this technology from the laboratory into routine clinical practice. There are a number of unanswered questions (e.g., surgical approach to cell delivery, management of immune response, optimum cell type to transplant) that very likely are not going to be answered until human trials are undertaken, but there is a certain amount of "de-risking" that can be done with preclinical experimentation. This book is essential reading for scientists, clinicians, and advanced students in stem cell research, cell biology, and ophthalmology.

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 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 ninth volume of a continuing series.

MicroRNAs have recently emerged as key regulators of gene expression during development and are frequently misexpressed in human disease states, in particular cancer. These 22-nucleotide-long transcripts act to promote or repress cell proliferation, migration and apoptosis during development, all of which are processes that go awry in cancer. Thus, microRNAs have the ability to behave like oncogenes or tumor suppressors. In addition, their small size and molecular properties make them amenable as targets and therapeutics in cancer treatment. This book goes into detail on how microRNAs represent a paradigm shift in thinking about gene regulation during development and disease, and provide the oncologist with a potentially powerful new battery of agents to diagnose and treat cancer.