This volume contains state-of-the-art methods tackling all aspects of small non-coding RNAs biology. Small Non-Coding RNAs: Methods and Protocols guides readers through customized dedicated protocols and technologies that will be of valuable help to all those willing to contribute deciphering the numerous functions of small non-coding RNAs. Written in the highly successful Methods of 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 troubles troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Instructive and practical, Small Non-Coding RNAs: Methods and Protocols reaches out to biochemists, cellular and molecular biologists already working in the field of RNA biology and to those just starting to study small non-coding RNAs.

This work presents the most advanced discoveries from translational research laboratories directly involved in identifying molecules and signalling pathways that play an instrumental role in metastasis. In contrast to other works, conventionally focused on a single type of tumour, the various chapters in this book provide a broad perspective of the similarities and discrepancies among the dissemination of several solid malignancies. Through recurrent and overlapping references to molecular mechanisms and mediators, the readers will gain knowledge of the common ground in metastasis from a single source. Finally, an introductory chapter provides a clinical perspective of the problems presented by metastatic tumours for diagnosis and treatment. The work presented here is directed to researchers in tumour biology with a developing interest in metastatic dissemination as well as medical and graduate students seeking to expand and integrate the notions acquired in basic cancer biology and oncology courses.

Oxidation is any reaction in which electrons are removed from a molecule, thus increasing the number of binding sites on the molecule that are able to react with other atoms and molecules.;This volume addresses oxidant-reduction or redox and antioxidant sensitive molecular mechanisms and how they are implicated in different disease processes. Recent work in this area has revealed that these mechanisms may be linked with different disease processes, such as immune response, cell proliferation, inflammation, metabolism, ageing and cell death. Possible strategies to pharmacologically and/or nutritionally manipulate such redox-sensitive molecular responses are emphasized.

The field of microRNA biology is really emerging in the last couple of years. Several investigators highlighted the importance of miRNAs in cancer. Although there is so much literature on microRNAs exist, a comprehensive book is still not available. Thus this book will be a great use to the scientists in the field of cancer biology. In addition, this book will be a good source of information for undergraduate, graduate students who want to develop their research careers in cancer biology.

Computer access is the only way to retrieve up-to-date sequences and this book shows researchers puzzled by the maze of URLs, sites, and searches how to use internet technology to find and analyze genetic data. The book describes the different types of databases, how to use a specific database to find a sequence that you need, and how to analyze the data to compare it with your own work.
The content also covers sequence phenotype, mutation, and genetic linkage databases; simple repetitive DNA sequences; gene feature identification; and prediction of structure and function of proteins from sequence information. This book will be invaluable to those starting a career in life sciences research as well as to established researchers wishing to make full use of available resources.
Key Features
* Describes a wide range of databases: DNA, RNA, protein, pathways, and gene expression
* Enables readers to access the information they need from databases on the web
* Includes a directory of URLs for easy reference
* Invaluable for those starting a career in life sciences research and also for established researchers wishing to make full use of available resources.

This second edition volume discusses the revolutionary development of faster and less expensive DNA sequencing technologies from the past 10 years and focuses on general technologies that can be utilized by a wide array of plant biologists to address specific questions in their favorite model systems. This book is organized into five parts. Part I examines the tools and methods required for identifying epigenetic and conformational changes at the whole-genome level. Part II presents approaches used to determine key aspects of a gene's function, such as techniques used to identify and characterize gene regulatory networks. This is followed by a discussion of tools used to analyze the levels of mRNA, mRNA translation rates and metabolites. Part III features a compilation of forward and reverse genetic approaches that include recent implementation of high-throughput sequencing in classical methodologies such as QTL mapping. The final two parts explore strategies to facilitate and accelerate the generation and testing of functional DNA elements and basic computational tools used to facilitate the use of systems biology approached by a broad spectrum of plant researchers. Written in the highly successful Methods of 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. Practical and timely, Plant Functional Genomics: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition highlights the latest developments in DNA sequencing technologies that are likely to continue shaping the future of functional genomics.

Over the past decade, we have made great advances in the field of multiple sclerosis (MS) research, and this book focuses on those advances in MS pathogenesis and treatment. While some of these advances have been through new approaches and ideas that have emerged in the last decade such as the newly identified protective role that amyloid proteins may play in MS or the use of helminths to treat autoimmune diseases, others have evolved from previous theories and ideas that have only now gained momentum and a deeper understanding such as the role of HLA or gender in MS susceptibility. This book covers these emerging and evolving topics and highlights the substantial advancements made in elucidation of the factors regulating susceptibility or disease progression, identification of new ways to monitor or predict MS pathology, and development of new strategies for treating MS.

The objective of this book is to catalyze the application of genomics to the diagnosis and treatment of oral diseases by comprehensively presenting focused discussions on the current state of knowledge. The first section book provides basic information about genetics, genomics and personalized medicine and the informatical methods available to apply and organize genetic data so that it has clinical relevance. Recognizing the genetic robustness of the oral cavity, the introductory section includes chapters on the oral micro biome and host genomics and response to infectious agents. The next two sections contain chapters which describe the genomics of specific oral diseases and conditions, including the genetic basis for mechanism and risk of treatment toxicities associated with cancer therapy and bisphosphonates. Four chapters focus on gene-based therapies and the pharmacogenomics applied to oral disease. The final chapter presents a provocative summary which describes a comprehensive vision of the melding of genomics to personalized medicine and the potential actionable outcomes that will likely affect clinical practice in the upcoming years.

Hematopoietic Stem Cells Development brings together articles covering the biology of hematopoietic stem cells during embryonic development, reporting particular aspects of fly, fish, avian and mammalian models. Thus, this book allows a comparative overview of hematopoietic stem cell generation in the different classes, emphasizing the conserved trends in development. This book culminates with state-of-the art knowledge on hematopoietic development in human species and discussions of the most recent breakthroughs with relevance to both researchers and clinicians.

PCR methods for the detection of microbial pathogens have made relatively little impact in diagnostic microbiology laboratories due to the common decision to use expensive commercially produced tests rather than the cheaper alternative of developing one's own tests or introducing tests developed by other workers. PCR Detection of Microbial Pathogens, Second Edition presents alternatives to commercially produced PCR methods to detect microbial pathogens. Although most of the chapters in this book are devoted to the detection of specific pathogens, the first chapters in this book should appeal to anyone working in this field regardless of their particular interests. Although PCR tests can often be made to work with relatively little effort, it is often unclear how efficient the PCR test is, how inhibitory the specimen containing the pathogen of interest is and how the test can be quality controlled. All of which are of great importance in developing tests for diagnostic use. These topics are covered in great depth at the beginning of the book. The main part of the book is devoted to describing methods for the detection of a wide range of pathogens and from widely different specimens and situations. 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, PCR Detection of Microbial Pathogens, Second Edition serves microbiologists regardless of their particular interest because, when used together with the general principles, the sheer variety of procedures provided here enables the reader to design and introduce diagnostic tests in the laboratory with confidence.

This comprehensive text provides a much-needed review of a disease that is currently garnering the interest of molecular biologists, translational scientists, and clinicians. The volume includes emerging developments in the molecular genetics of endometrial carcinoma. In addition to covering the basic genetics of endometrial carcinoma, chapters also cover a wide range of signaling pathways implicated in endometrial carcinoma. A section of the book includes a number of genetically engineered mouse models, which contribute to understanding the role of various genetic alterations in the development and progression of endometrial carcinoma. These models also provide preclinical models for developing effective targeted therapeutic approaches. Endometrial carcinoma is the most common malignancy of the female genital tract in the United States and the number of cases continues to increase around the world. This book is a meant to serve as a resource for a wide range of scientists, from molecular geneticists to signal transduction biologists, as well as to both clinicians and scientists interested in developing targeted therapeutic approaches for women with endometrial carcinoma.

In miRNomics: MicroRNA Biology and Computational Analysis, expert researchers in the field present an overview of the current state of the art and aim to put the respective areas of research into a larger perspective. These include methods and techniques ranging from miRNA biogenesis, their biological function, computational analyses to their medical implications and applications. 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, miRNomics: MicroRNA Biology and Computational Analysis seeks to aid scientists in the further study into miRNA research and statistics.

The ?eld of cellular responses to DNA damage has attained widespread recognition and interest in recent years commensurate with its fundamental role in the ma- tenance of genomic stability. These responses, which are essential to preventing cellular death or malignant transformation, are organized into a sophisticated s- tem designated the "DNA damage response". This system operates in all living organisms to maintain genomic stability in the face of constant attacks on the DNA from a variety of endogenous by-products of normal metabolism, as well as exogenous agents such as radiation and toxic chemicals in the environment. The response repairs DNA damage via an intricate cellular signal transduction network that coordinates with various processes such as regulation of DNA replication, tr- scriptional responses, and temporary cell cycle arrest to allow the repair to take place. Defects in this system result in severe genetic disorders involving tissue degeneration, sensitivity to speci?c damaging agents, immunode?ciency, genomic instability, cancer predisposition and premature aging. The ?nding that many of the crucial players involved in DNA damage response are structurally and functionally conserved in different species spurred discoveries of new players through similar analyses in yeast and mammals. We now understand the chain of events that leads to instantaneous activation of the massive cellular responses to DNA lesions. This book summarizes several new concepts in this rapidly evolving ?eld, and the advances in our understanding of the complex network of processes that respond to DNA damage.

Researchers in the field of ecological genomics aim to determine how a genome or a population of genomes interacts with its environment across ecological and evolutionary timescales. Ecological genomics is trans-disciplinary by nature. Ecologists have turned to genomics to be able to elucidate the mechanistic bases of the biodiversity their research tries to understand. Genomicists have turned to ecology in order to better explain the functional cellular and molecular variation they observed in their model organisms.

We provide an advanced-level book that covers this recent research and proposes future development for this field. A synthesis of the field of ecological genomics emerges from this volume."Ecological Genomics"covers a wide array of organisms (microbes, plants and animals) in order to be able to identify central concepts that motivate and derive from recent investigations in different branches of the tree of life.

"Ecological Genomics"covers 3 fields of research that have most benefited from the recent technological and conceptual developments in the field of ecological genomics: the study of life-history evolution and its impact of genome architectures; the study of the genomic bases of phenotypic plasticity and the study of the genomic bases of adaptation and speciation.

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This book provides a full and practical account of management of myotonic dystrophy, the commonest muscular dystrophy of adult life and a condition of exceptional variability. Written for neurologists, clinical geneticists and other clinical geneticists and other clinical specialties involved with the disorder, it deals with both the neurological aspects and also the wide range of systematic complications that may occur. In addition it provides details of information and support available to patients and families and gives a summary of the present state of clinical trials of therapeutic agents. These sections are preceded by general introductory chapters describing both the clinical features and also the current state of research into understanding the underlying mechanisms.

Pancreatic cancer is a formidable disease, and advances in early detection and improved therapeutics have been slow to come forth. With new advances in molecular genetics in the field of pancreatic tumorigenesis, it is an opportune time to use these recent discoveries to enhance our understanding of pancreatic cancer biology and to improve outcomes in patients. In this volume, leading experts in the field shed light on these findings describing the mutational landscape of pancreatic cancer, including new inroads into our understanding of familial pancreatic cancer, epidemiology, the biology of K-ras signaling, and the emerging contribution of epigenetic alterations to disease initiation and progression. The distinctive pancreatic cancer-stroma ecosystem as determined by the dynamic interplay of inflammation, hallmark mutations, EMT, and cancer stem cells is described, and implications of these interactions in the context of development of novel, personalized therapeutic options are explored.

The goal of this work is summarize the contribution that insertional mutagenesis has made to our understanding of cancer. A variety of insertional mutagens are presented that have been used to study a variety of tumor types in several model organisms. In addition, the impact of insertional mutagenesis in several gene therapy trials is discussed along with strategies to avoid such complications in future clinical trials.

This book covers the origins and subsequent history of research results in which attempts have been made to clarify issues related to cellular ageing, senescence, and age-related pathologies including cancer. Cellular Ageing and Replicative Senescence revisits more than fifty-five years of research based on the discovery that cultured normal cells are mortal and the interpretation that this phenomenon is associated with the origins of ageing. The mortality of normal cells and the immortality of cancer cells were also reported to have in vivo counterparts. Thus began the field of cytogerontology. Cellular Ageing and Replicative Senescence is organized into five sections: history and origins; serial passaging and progressive ageing; cell cycle arrest and senescence; system modulation; and recapitulation and future expectations. These issues are discussed by leading thinkers and researchers in biogerontology and cytogerontology. This collection of articles provides state-of-the-art information, and will encourage students, teachers, health care professionals and others interested in the biology of ageing to explore the fascinating and challenging question of why and how our cells age, and what can and cannot be done about it.

MicroRNA research and development is the billion-dollar baby and most lucrative option for drug discovery in gene therapy industries worldwide. Personalized microRNA treatments are in many cases the only remedy for viral diseases that have no cure in conventional drugs and offer to bring us closer than ever to "personalized medicine." They also counteract cancer and other infectious and neuro-diseases. Early diagnosis, prognosis, staging, and sub-classification of various cancers can easily be facilitated by microRNA-based biomarkers. MicroRNA surveys recent advances in RNA and RNA-protein components that highlight RNA delivery, its stability, and applications of RNA-based drugs for the modulation of gene/protein expression and gene editing. The book not only focuses on the modern medicines of microRNA-based early diagnostic and therapy development, but also works as a hidden treasure for drug discovery of multiple rare diseases worldwide. It offers indispensable learning materials for academic researchers, graduate, and medical students, and offers a powerful practical guide for RNA-Pharma and gene therapy industries.

One of the primary advances for the 21st century is progress beyond the need to defend the findings of behavioral genetic investigations of intelligence. With the advent of developmental behavioral genetics and molecular genetics researchers have taken their discoveries far beyond simple nature/nurture constructs to a finer understanding of how genes and environment intersect to affect cognitive function.

"Behavior Genetics of Cognition across the Lifespan" presents the state of the field in well-documented detail as noted experts examine gene-environment interactions in cognitive function from childhood into old age. Fluidity is at the heart of this coverage: normative and non-normative brain development get equal attention, and statistical, molecular, biological, brain imaging, and neurobiological approaches contribute separately and in combination to the findings.

All major life stages are examined as periods of gene-based cognitive change, including midlife, which until recently has been considered a period for marking time until "real" age-related change occurs. And the book is written so that individual chapters can be as useful on their own as the volume is as a whole. Among the topics covered in depth:

Cognitive abilities in childhood and adolescenceGenetic and environmental influences on intellectual disabilities in childhoodCognition in middle adulthoodGene by environment interplay in cognitive agingDementia: genes, environments, interactionsBrain imaging and cognition

By synthesizing where the field is today--and identifying issues that need further attention--"Behavior Genetics of Cognition across the Lifespan" is a bedrock text for behavioral geneticists, cognitive psychologists and neuroscientists."

High-throughput RNAi screening remains one of the most widely used technologies to perform target identification and validation studies in an unbiased manner. These assays are equally important for research and development across academic, biotech, and pharmaceutical industries. The success of these screening efforts is dependent on robust methodologies to perform these screens. In High-Throughput RNAi Screening: Methods and Protocols, expert researchers in the field share protocols and methods for performing high-throughput RNAi (HT-RNAi) screens. These include the use of various RNAi platforms and delivery methods in mammalian and non-mammalian systems, whole organism and cell models, and various applications, such as drug sensitizer identification. Finally, the book examines the latest advancements in the fields of assay development, library screening, data analysis, and hit selection. 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 thorough, High-Throughput RNAi Screening: Methods and Protocols provides a comprehensive source of protocols and other necessary information to make robust and successful assays possible for all who wish to apply HT-RNAi in their research.