In the nearly 60 years since Watson and Crick proposed the double helical structure of DNA, the molecule of heredity, waves of discoveries have made genetics the most thrilling field in the sciences. The study of genes and genomics today explores all aspects of the life with relevance in the lab, in the doctor s office, in the courtroom and even in social relationships. In this helpful guidebook, one ofthe most respected and accomplished human geneticists of our time communicates the importance of genes and genomics studies in all aspects of life. With the use of core concepts and the integration of extensive references, this book provides students and professionals alike with the most in-depth view of the current state of the science and its relevance across disciplines.
Bridges the gap between basic human genetic understanding and one of the most promising avenues for advances in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of human disease. Includes the latest information on diagnostic testing, population screening, predicting disease susceptibility, pharmacogenomics and more Explores ethical, legal, regulatory and economic aspects of genomics in medicine. Integrates historical (classical) genetics approach with the latest discoveries in structural and functional genomics"

This volume provides a clear and detailed roadmap of how to design and execute a gene therapy experiment in order to obtain consistent results. Chapters in this book disseminate bits of unknown information that are important to consider during the course of experimentation and will answer questions such as: What delivery vehicle do you use?; How will you ensure that your vector retains stability?; What expression system best fits your needs?; What route will you choose to deliver your gene therapy agent?; How will you model the neurodegenerative disorder that you aim to investigate and what are the proven methods to treat these disorders in preclinical models? 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 thorough, Gene Therapy for Neurological Disorders: Methods and Protocols, is a compilation of protocols and instructive chapters intended to give researchers, clinicians, and students of all levels, a foundation upon which future gene therapy experiments can be designed.

This volume presents key topics of current interest with regard to several pathophysiological conditions including (a) the basic and clinical aspects of bradykinin receptor antagonists, (b) the kallikrein-kinin pathways in hypertension and diabetes, (c) tissue kallikrein-kinin therapy for hypertension and organ damage, (d) the renal (tissue) kallikrein-kinin system in the kidney and novel potential drugs for salt-sensitive hypertension, (e) the kallikrein-kinin system in diabetes retinopathy and (f) genetic manipulation and genetic variation of the kallikrein-kinin system and their impacts on cardiovascular and renal disease. Written by internationally reputed scientists, the book provides an essential overview of the latest developments in the field of kinin research, making it a valuable asset for endocrinologists, nephrologists, cardiologists, pharmacologists, physiologists, ophthalmologists and rheumatologists. Furthermore, it is also intended for postgraduate students in the fields of medicine, pharmacy, physiology and pharmacology and those working at research organizations.

"Our Genes, Our Choices: How Genotype and Gene Interactions Affect Behavior" explains how the complexity of human behavior, including concepts of free will, derives from a relatively small number of genes, which direct neurodevelopmental sequence. Are people free to make choices, or do genes determine behavior? Paradoxically, the answer to both questions is "yes," because of neurogenetic individuality, a new theory with profound implications.

Author David Goldman uses judicial, political, medical, and ethical examples to illustrate that this lifelong process is guided by individual genotype, molecular and physiologic principles, as well as by randomness and environmental exposures, a combination of factors that we choose and do not choose.

Written in an authoritative yet accessible style, the book includes practical descriptions of the function of DNA, discusses the scientific and historical bases of genethics, and introduces topics of epigenetics and the predictive power of behavioral genetics.
Poses and resolves challenges to moral responsibility raised by modern genetics and neuroscienceAnalyzes the neurogenetic origins of human behavior and free will Written by one of the world's most influential neurogeneticists, founder of the Laboratory of Neurogenetics at the National Institutes of Health

This new volume in the "Current topics in Developmental Biology" series concentrates on MicroRNAs in Development. It includes chapters on such topics as miRNA networks in neuronal development, let-7 in development, and Hox networks and miRNA. With an international team of authors, this volume is a must-have addition for researchers and students alike.
Concentrates on microRNAs in development Includes chapters on such topics as miRNA networks in neuronal development, let-7 in development, and Hox networks and miRNA With an international team of authors, this volume is a must-have addition for researchers and students alike"

Classical methods for microbial strain engineering, used to improve the production of bioproducts, have serious drawbacks and have been found to be unsuitable for complex strain development applications. In Strain Engineering: Methods and Protocols, powerful new genetic engineering-based strain engineering methods are presented for rational modification of a variety of model organisms. These methods are particularly powerful when utilized to manipulate microbes for which sequenced and annotated genomes are available. Collectively, these methods systematically introduce genome alterations in a precise manner, allowing the creation of novel strains carrying only desired genome alterations. In the first section, E. coli-based bacterial strain engineering strategies are reviewed, while the second section presents analogous microbial engineering strategies for eukaryotic cells using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model. The third section covers examples of the proliferative adaptations of these base technologies to strain engineer industrially important prokaryotic or eukaryotic microbial systems. 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, Strain Engineering: Methods and Protocols serves as an ideal guide to scientists in academia, pharmaceutical science, and biotechnology who perform microbial strain engineering.

This book addresses two fundamental issues of motor control for both humans and robots: kinematic redundancy and the posture/movement problem. It blends traditional robotic constrained-optimal approaches with neuroscientific and evidence-based principles, proposing a "Task-space Separation Principle," a novel scheme for planning both posture and movement in redundant manipulators. The proposed framework is first tested in simulation and then compared with experimental motor strategies displayed by humans during redundant pointing tasks. The book also shows how this model builds on and expands traditional formulations such as the Passive Motion Paradigm and the Equilibrium Point Theory. Lastly, breaking with the neuroscientific tradition of planar movements and linear(ized) kinematics, the theoretical formulation and experimental scenarios are set in the nonlinear space of 3D rotations which are essential for wrist motions, a somewhat neglected area despite its importance in daily tasks.

JAK tyrosine kinases and STAT transcription factors constitute a signaling pathway, which is activated by cytokines. By activating gene transcription it regulates essential biological responses to environmental cues. The Jak-Stat pathway is involved in the regulation of cell development, differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis. Improper function may contribute to hematopoietic malignancies and cancer. This book provides comprehensive insights into the latest basic and clinical developments in the field. The first part reviews recent findings and new technologies pertaining to basics of Jak-Stat function. The second part describes the evolution of Jak-Stat signaling and the role of the pathway in invertebrate organisms. The third part focuses on Jak-Stat signaling in hematopoietic cells under both physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Finally, chapters in the fourth section describe the relationship of Jak-Stat signaling to various states of disease, particularly infection, leukemias and solid cancers. The book is intended for all scientists in molecular biology, biochemistry and cell biology dealing with biomedical issues.

This volume of Methods in Enzymology looks at Gene Transfer Vectors for Clinical Application. The chapters providean invaluable resource for academics, researchers and students alike. With an international board of authors, this volume covers such topics as General principles of retrovirus vector design, Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD), Gene therapy for blindness, and Retrovirus genetic strategy and vector design.
Chapters provide an invaluable resource for academics, researchers and students alikeInternational board of authorsThis volume covers such topics as general principles of retrovirus vector design, chronic granulomatous disease (CGD), gene therapy for blindness, and retrovirus genetic strategy and vector design"

The existence of 'cancer stem cells' (CSCs) has been a topic of heated debate for the last few years within the field of cancer biology. Their continuous characterization in a variety of solid tumors has lead to an abundance of evidence supporting their existence. CSCs are believed to be responsible for resistance against conventional treatment regimes of chemotherapy and radiation, ultimately, leading to metastasis and patient demise. To help aid clinicians, pharmaceutical companies and academic labs investigating how to better kill these highly aggressive cells we have summarized the DNA repair mechanism(s) and their role in the maintenance and regulation of both normal and cancer stem cells. Our book represents a comprehensive investigation into the highly effective DNA repair mechanisms of CSCs and what we need to understand in order to develop more advanced therapies to eradicate them from patients. Currently, there are no other published works entirely on DNA repair and Cancer Stem Cells. In addition, our book provides a comprehensive overview of CSC isolation and characterization from a variety of solid tumor types.

This volume presents the most recent studies on mRNA polyadenylation in plants. Chapters are divided into three sections covering recent development of the use of bioinformatics tools in the field. numerous molecular, biochemical, and methods used to characterize polyadenylation sites on a genome-wide scale. 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. Some are specific for plant research, but most can be adopted for research in other organisms. Authoritative and practical, Polyadenylation in Plants: Methods and Protocols provides scientists with a wide range of methods to study mRNA 3'-end formation in plants.

This volume explores some of the most exciting recent advances in basic research on protein phosphorylation in health and disease and how this knowledge is leading to advances in the various fields.

Key features:

* Contributions from leading authorities * Informs and updates on all the latest developments in the field

This volume looks at the evolution of the topo field over the last year and discusses how DNA topoisomerases are directly and indirectly involved in numerous cellular processes. The chapters in this book cover various topics, such as type 1 topos with an evolutionary perspective; antimicrobial agents targeting topos; experimental protocols related to DNA topology, including a basic technique to measure DNA supercoiling in bacteria; protocols for in vitro studies, including assays to detect RNA topo activity; topo inhibitors; and a study of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance in bacteria. 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 comprehensive, DNA Topoisomerases: Methods and Protoc ols is intended for specialists and non-specialists with an overview of selected hot topics in the field, and the latest protocols to study DNA topology, topoisomerases functions and inhibition by various compounds.

Cardiac electrophysiologists face many challenging situations in which there is no clear-cut answer about the best way to handle a particular clinical problem. This issue brings together articles on many such situations, presents arguments on both sides, and lets the reader conclude which is the best way to manage a particular patient.? Among the controversial and debatable topics included are how to handle device recalls, optimal timing for assessment of ICD efficacy, extraction o f broken leads, and anticoagulation therapy in device patients.

Written by leading researchers, this text explores the intersection of genetics and metabolomics, and points the way to more comprehensive studies of inborn variation of metabolism. All chapters refer to one or more published experimental datasets.

Master histology with idealized and actual photomicrography! This thirteenth edition of Atlas of Histology with Functional Correlations (formerly diFiore's ) provides a rich understanding of the basic histology concepts that medical and allied health students need to know. Realistic, full-color illustrations as well as actual photomicrographs of histologic structures are complemented by concise discussions of their most important functional correlations. Illustrated histology images show the idealized view, while photomicrographs provide the actual view to help students hone their skills in identifying structures. New and improved layout helps students connect the morphology of a structure with its function. Updated and expanded Functional Correlations boxes integrated throughout chapters reflect new scientific information and interpretations. NEW photomicrographs and electron micrographs provide views of microanatomy as experienced in practice. Bulleted Chapter Summaries distill the most essential knowledge for rapid review. NEW Additional Histologic Images sections round out each chapter with supplemental photomicrographs and electron micrographs. NEW Chapter Review Questions allow students to assess their comprehension of each chapter with 375 questions and answers in the book and 250 more online in an Interactive Question Bank.

This volume explores some of the most exciting recent advances in basic research on cellular RNA interference mechanisms and how this knowledge is leading to advances in the various fields.
* This series provides a forum for discussion of new discoveries, approaches, and ideas
* Contributions from leading scholars and industry experts
* Reference guide for researchers involved in molecular biology and related fields

The ability of a single genome to give rise to hundreds of functionally distinct cell type programs is in itself remarkable. Pioneering studies over the past few decades have demonstrated that this plasticity is retained throughout development, a phenomenon of epigenetic programming and reprogramming that remains one of the most fascinating areas of modern biology, with major relevance to human health and disease. This book presents the basic biology involved, including key mechanistic insights into this rapidly growing field.

"Omics for Personalized Medicine" will give to its prospective readers the insight of both the current developments and the future potential of personalized medicine. The book brings into light how the pharmacogenomics and omics technologies are bringing a revolution in transforming the medicine and the health care sector for the better. Students of biomedical research and medicine along with medical professionals will benefit tremendously from the book by gaining from the diverse fields of knowledge of new age personalized medicine presented in the highly detailed chapters of the book. The book chapters are divided into two sections for convenient reading with the first section covering the general aspects of pharmaocogenomic technology that includes latest research and development in omics technologies. The first section also highlights the role of omics in modern clinical trials and even discusses the ethical consideration in pharmocogenomics. The second section is focusing on the development of personalized medicine in several areas of human health. The topics covered range from metabolic and neurological disorders to non-communicable as well as infectious diseases, and even explores the role of pharmacogenomics in cell therapy and transplantation technology. Thirty-four chapters of the book cover several aspects of pharmacogenomics and personalized medicine and have taken into consideration the varied interest of the readers from different fields of biomedical research and medicine. Advent of pharmacogenomics is the future of modern medicine, which has resulted from culmination of decades of research and now is showing the way forward. The book is an honest endeavour of researchers from all over the world to disseminate the latest knowledge and knowhow in personalized medicine to the community health researchers in particular and the educated public in general.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and premature death of modern era medicine. It is estimated that approximately 81 million people in the United States (US) currently have one or more of the many forms of cardiovascular disease, resulting in 1 in every 2.8 deaths, or 900,000 deaths per year. 40% of all deaths in Europe are a result of cardiovascular disease in people under the age of 75. Aneurysms form a significant portion of these cardiovascular related deaths and are defined as a permanent and irreversible localised dilation of a blood vessel greater than 50% of its normal diameter. Although aneurysms can form in any blood vessel, the more lethal aneurysms develop in the cranial arteries, and in the thoracic aorta and abdominal aorta. Frequently aneurysms are undetected and if left untreated may eventually expand until rupture with very high levels of morbidity and mortality. The biomechanics and mechanobiology of aneursymal diseases are not fully understood and this monograph aims to provide new insights into aneurysm aetiology and behavior based on the most recent biomechanics research related to this important topic. The contributors to this volume bring together a unique blend of expertise in experimental, computational and tissue biomechanics relating to aneurysm behavior and enable the reader to gain a fresh understanding of key factors influencing aneurysm behavior and treatment. Biological risk factors such as tobacco smoking, sex, age, hypertension, family history and mechanobiological risk factors such as aneurysm geometry and shape as well as mechanical properties of the diseased tissues are considered in detail as are many of the diagnostic and treatment options.

The rapid progression of genetics and molecular biology has turned chromosomal engineering from science fiction to reality, with the successful production of transgenic animals with engineered chromosomes and chromosomes developed for pharmaceutical protein production which are now ready for the medical industry. Mammalian Chromosome Engineering: Methods and Protocols provides the reader with up-to date information on this rapidly evolving field and strives to take the reader into the exciting realm of chromosomal engineering from the basic principles to the practical applications of these new technologies. The five overview and ten protocol chapters cover the engineering of chromosomes with extrachromosomal vectors and transposon systems, the manipulation of naturally occurred minichromosomes, the generation and engineering of synthetic artificial chromosomes, and the induced de novo platform artificial chromosome system. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series format, protocols chapters contain brief 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, Mammalian Chromosome Engineering: Methods and Protocols serves as a bench-side resource for current protocols and aims to help scientists to explore the many prospects for future research and vital applications.

Serpins are a group of proteins with similar structures that were first identified as a set of proteins able to inhibit proteases. The acronym serpin was originally coined because many serpins inhibit chymotrypsin-like serine proteases. This volume of "Methods in Ezymology" is split into 2 parts and comprehensively covers the subject.

Aromatase Inhibitors (AIs) treat postmenopausal estrogen receptor positive tumours, which constitute the majority of breast cancer patients. This comprehensive volume brings together the current knowledge from different relevant areas, including molecular mechanisms and translational aspects of drug resistance in AIs. Topics covered include research, experimental , and clinical data specifically focused on AI resistance in breast cancer. The volume will include three sections. The first section covers general knowledge about aromatase inhibitors, including regulation of aromatase genes, and structure and function of aromatase protein. The second section provides the detailed mechanisms of resistance to AIs, while the third section explores prediction of resistance and potential strategies to overcome resistance. Breast cancer is the most common female cancer and AIs significantly improve treatments outcomes compatibly to previously used endocrine treatments. However 10-15% of post-operative patients develop a relapse during adjuvant treatment with AIs; about 25-50% of the patients do not respond to AIs in neo-adjuvant or metastatic setting, and the majority of metastatic patients who initially respond develop resistance within 3 years. There is an important need to understand these mechanisms of resistance in order to develop methods of preventing or overcoming the resistance to AIs, which will ensure a more successful outcome in treating breast cancer.

The huge potential for gene therapy to cure a wide range of diseases has led to high expectations and a great increase in research efforts in this area, particularly in the study of delivery via viral vectors, widely considered to be more efficient than DNA transfection. In Viral Vectors for Gene Therapy: Methods and Protocols, experts in the field present a collection of their knowledge and experience featuring methodologies that involve virus production, transferring protocols, and evaluating the efficacy of gene products. While thoroughly covering the most popular viral vector systems of adenovirus, retrovirus, and adeno-associated virus, this detailed volume also explores less common viral vector systems such as baculovirus, herpes virus, and measles virus, the growing interest in which is creating a considerable demand for large scale manufacturing and purification procedures. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series format, many chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and vital tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Comprehensive and practical, Viral Vectors for Gene Therapy: Methods and Protocols provides basic principles accessible to scientists from a wide variety of backgrounds for the development of gene therapy viral products that are safe and effective.