E-Resources

A Handbook of Clinical Genetics focuses on clinical genetics and the growing demand for genetic counseling. This book begins by introducing issues regarding changes in morbidity and mortality; fall in birth rate; advances in technology and treatment; and complex social changes. Other topics covered include genetic and environmental factors in disease; the genetic code; pedigree information; inheritance patterns; genetic counseling; prenatal diagnosis of genetic disease; special problems; and ethical issues and future developments. The last portion of this text is devoted to a glossary of unfamiliar medical terms, list of recommended books for further research and study, and appendices consist of a case on genetic counseling for Down’s syndrome. This handbook is suitable for nurses, medical students, and doctors needing an introduction to clinical genetics.

This book appears at a time when molecular cytogenetics is positioned to make a significant impact upon evolutionary studies, enabling problems of chromosomal structure and change to be critically assessed. It is an up-to-date and comprehensive survey of the cytogenetics of a major class of animals, including all three amphibian orders, with chapters authored by international leaders in the field.Amphibian Cytogenetics and Evolution will be of interest to classical and molecular cytogeneticists, systematicists, evolutionary biologists, herpetologists, and anyone using amphibians in genetic research.

Bee Genetics and Breeding provides an overview of the state of knowledge in bee genetics and breeding. The book is organized into two parts. Part I deals with the scholarly issues of bee genetics. It is intended as a reference source for students of both bees and genetics. It could also serve as a text for university courses in bee genetics. Topics discussed include the evolution of eusocial insects; geographical variability and classification of honey bees; and behavioral and biochemical genetics of honey bees. Part II deals more specifically with the practical issues of bee breeding. The discussions include the quantitative genetics of honey bees; ways to define and measure honey-bee characteristics so that the “best” parents for honey-bee stock improvement programs can be selected; and mating designs. This section contains sufficient guidance for bee breeders to initiate or improve breeding programs. Apiculturalists generally will find this part especially interesting since the quality of their own bee stock depends on the skills and knowledge of the breeders who produce their queens.

Clinical Genetics: Problems in Diagnosis and Counseling presents the proceedings of the Twelfth Annual New York State Health Department Birth Defects Symposium. The book provides practical information applicable to counseling situations for selected diagnoses and a summary of the limitations of diagnosis and counseling for genetic disorders. The text contains chapters devoted to the description of restriction enzyme site detection and prenatal diagnosis of hemoglobinopathy; counseling for mental retardation of unknown etiology, for idiopathic dysmorphic syndromes, and for psychiatric disorders; interpretation of prenatal cytogenetic diagnosis; preconceptual vitamin supplementation; and cystic fibrosis. Geneticists, clinicians, and physicians will find the book insightful.

Cytogenetics of Aneuploids deals with the cytogenetic aspects of aneuploidy in plants, emphasizing the trisomics, monosomics, and nullisomics and cytogenetics of substitution lines as well as alien additions and substitutions. An account of aneuploidy in animals and man is also given. This volume is organized into 12 chapters and begins with an overview of terminology and chromosomal formulas, along with a brief history of the cytogenetics of aneuploids as a field of enquiry. The next chapters review the entire literature on trisomics, their sources, cytology, transmission rates, genetics, morphology, anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry. The discussion then shifts to monosomics and nullisomics, including their sources and cytology as well as breeding behavior, morphology, and genetic studies. Other uses of monosomics and nullisomics are considered. The following chapters deal with intervarietal substitutions and alien additions and substitutions, emphasizing different methods of producing substitution lines and their utility in genetic analysis and practical plant breeding programs. The book concludes by describing special features of aneuploidy in animals and highlighting specific cases of aneuploidy in the animal kingdom. This book will be of interest to plant breeders and geneticists.

Cytogenetics of Cells in Culture is a compendium of papers that deals with techniques to detect patterns of DNA replication, cellular control mechanisms, and chromosome analyses with automated instrumentation. Some papers discuss the effects of cell hybridization and of noxious substances such as radiation, chemical agents, and viruses on chromosomal patterns. Other papers focus on the influence of altered chromosomal complement on the survival of cells to long-term tissue culture or to ionizing radiation treatment. A couple of papers points out that naturally occurring chromosomal abnormalities in mammalian populations are relatively rare and are not necessarily associated with physical defects or disease. One paper notes that chromosomes in cells with different functions have different patterns of replication in which the changes are small and hidden. The chromosomes will usually be neutralized showing little of the characteristic pattern of replication or condensation during the early cleavage stages, that will later change into differentiated characteristic ways for each tissue type. Another paper describes chromosome breakage associated with viruses and DNA inhibitors. The compendium can prove beneficial for biochemists, micro-biologists, cellular researchers, and academicians involved in the study of cellular biology or physiology.

Drug Discovery in Cancer Epigenetics is a practical resource for scientists involved in the discovery, testing, and development of epigenetic cancer drugs. Epigenetic modifications can have significant implications for translational science as biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis or therapy prediction. Most importantly, epigenetic modifications are reversible and epigenetic players are found mutated in different cancers; therefore, they provide attractive therapeutic targets. There has been great interest in developing and testing epigenetic drugs, which inhibit DNA methyltransferases, histone modifying enzymes or chromatin reader proteins. The first few drugs are already FDA approved and have made their way into clinical settings. This book provides a comprehensive summary of the epigenetic drugs currently available and aims to increase awareness in this area to foster more rapid translation of epigenetic drugs into the clinic.

Ecology, Genetics and Evolution of Metapopulations is acollection of specially commissioned articles that looks at fragmented habitats, bringing together recent theoretical advances and empirical studies applying the metapopulation approach. Several chapters closely integrate ecology with genetics and evolutionary biology, and others illustrate how metapopulation concepts and models can be applied to answer questions about conservation, epidemiology, and speciation. The extensive coverage of theory from highly regarded scientists and the many substantive applications in this one-of-a-kind work make it invaluable to graduate students and researchers in a wide range of disciplines.

Epigenetics is one of the fastest growing fields of sciences, illuminating studies of human diseases by looking beyond genetic make-up and acknowledging that outside factors play a role in gene expression. The goal of this volume is to highlight those diseases or conditions for which we have advanced knowledge of epigenetic factors such as cancer, autoimmune disorders and aging as well as those that are yielding exciting breakthroughs in epigenetics such as diabetes, neurobiological disorders and cardiovascular disease. Where applicable, attempts are made to not only detail the role of epigenetics in the etiology, progression, diagnosis and prognosis of these diseases, but also novel epigenetic approaches to the treatment of these diseases. Chapters are also presented on human imprinting disorders, respiratory diseases, infectious diseases and gynecological and reproductive diseases. Since epigenetics plays a major role in the aging process, advances in the epigenetics of aging are highly relevant to many age-related human diseases. Therefore, this volume closes with chapters on aging epigenetics and breakthroughs that have been made to delay the aging process through epigenetic approaches. With its translational focus, this book will serve as valuable reference for both basic scientists and clinicians alike.

Epigenetics in Psychiatry covers all major areas of psychiatry in which extensive epigenetic research has been performed, fully encompassing a diverse and maturing field, including drug addiction, bipolar disorder, epidemiology, cognitive disorders, and the uses of putative epigenetic-based psychotropic drugs. Uniquely, each chapter correlates epigenetics with relevant advances across genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics. The book acts as a catalyst for further research in this potentially very important and useful area of psychiatry. The elucidation of basic principles of epigenetic biology points to the creation of more optimal and effective therapies for major classes of psychiatric disease. In this regard, epigenetic therapy, the use of drugs to correct epigenetic defects, may help in the pharmacotherapy of patients with these disorders. With time, such advances may eventually point to replacements for psychotropic drugs presently of symptomatic value and low efficacy. Moreover, there is evidence to suggest that other forms of treatment commonly used in the management of psychiatric disorders, like psychotherapy and electroconvulsive therapy, may also act by epigenetic mechanisms.

This is the first book to be devoted entirely to the application and development of flow techniques in cytogenetics. It provides comprehensive information on the use of flow cytometry and sorting for chromosome classification and purification. Cytogenetics and molecular biologists will find this book an invaluable reference source.

Genetics and Biotechnology of Bacilli contains the proceedings of the Second International Conference on Genetics and Biotechnology of Bacilli, held at Stanford University in Stanford, California, on July 6-8, 1983. Contributors discuss the progress that has been made concerning the genetics and biotechnology of Bacillus and focus on topics built around the themes of chromosomal organization, secretion, transcription, gene cloning, gene expression, and synthesis of sporulation-associated products. This text is organized into 33 chapters and begins with an overview of bacteriophage lambda biology, with emphasis on lambda insertion, controlled DNA rearrangements, operator-promoter function, and the evolution of extrachromosomal elements. The reader is then introduced to genetic mapping of cloned ribosomal RNA genes, gene amplification in Bacillus subtilis, beta-lactamases of Bacilli, and the role of a Bacillus secretion vector in the secretion of foreign gene products. This book also gives an account of various facets of Bacillus biology, especially in the identification of promoters, cloning of foreign genes, and selection of expressed gene products. This reference material is a valuable resource for geneticists, microbiologists, and biotechnologists, as well as students and researchers in the fields of molecular biology and biochemistry.

Genetics and Evolution of Infectious Diseases is at the crossroads between two major scientific fields of the 21st century: evolutionary biology and infectious diseases. The genomic revolution has upset modern biology and has revolutionized our approach to ancient disciplines such as evolutionary studies. In particular, this revolution is profoundly changing our view on genetically driven human phenotypic diversity, and this is especially true in disease genetic susceptibility. Infectious diseases are indisputably the major challenge of medicine. When looking globally, they are the number one killer of humans and therefore the main selective pressure exerted on our species. Even in industrial countries, infectious diseases are now far less under control than 20 years ago. The first part of this book covers the main features and applications of modern technologies in the study of infectious diseases. The second part provides detailed information on a number of the key infectious diseases such as malaria, SARS, avian flu, HIV, tuberculosis, nosocomial infections and a few other pathogens that will be taken as examples to illustrate the power of modern technologies and the value of evolutionary approaches.

This title is directed primarily towards health care professionals outside of the United States. It starts with the origin of life and ends with the mechanisms that make muscles adapt to different forms of training. In between, it considers how evidence has been obtained about the extent of genetic influence on human capacities, how muscles and their fibres are studied for general properties and individual differences, and how molecular biological techniques have been combined with physiological ones to produce the new discipline of molecular exercise physiology. This is the first book on such topics written specifically for modules in exercise and sport science at final year Hons BSc and taught MSc levels.

Genetics and the Quality of Life covers the papers and report of a consultation on Genetics and the Quality of Life, held in Zurich on June 25-29, 1973, organized by the sub-unit on Church and Society of the World Council of Churches in cooperation with the Christian Medical Commission. The book focuses on the interrelation of genetics and quality of life. The selection first elaborates on genetics and moral responsibility and ethics and the new biology. Discussions focus on breakdown of values, genetically determined debility versus socially determined debility, ethical problems, and genetic inequality and moral responsibility. The text then examines ethical issues raised by eugenics, judging the social values of scientific advances, ethical problems raised by genetics, and problems raised by eugenics in Africa. Topics include the right to an adequate physical and mental endowment, genetic engineering, euphenics, constraints imposed by genetics, fertilization of human ova in vitro, and ethical questions in eugenics. The manuscript reviews findings on genetics and the quality of life, sociogenetic problems and public opinion, social and ethical problems in caring for genetically handicapped children, ethical problems in genetic counselling, and psychological issues in counselling the genetically handicapped. The selection is a dependable source of information for researchers interested in the connection of genetics and quality of life.

Genetics, Environment, and Behavior: Implications for Educational Policy is a collection of papers from the “Genetic Endowment and Environment in the Determination of Behavior” workshop in New York in October 1971. The book discusses the relationships between genetic characteristics and behavior as being significant in understanding human behavior and learning. The text also considers the different approaches made by geneticists and psychologists on this subject. Several papers review, in terms of both quantitative and qualitative analysis, the role that genetics and the environment play in determining behavior. One paper explains the possible role of genetic determination in behaviors as found in mice and men that show high probabilities of heritabilities. Another paper tackles biochemical genetics and explains the evolution of human behavior by addressing the enzyme variations in human brains and the role of language and culture. The book also cites gene-environment interactions and the variability that can be found in behavior with references to the works of Ginsburg (1967) and Vale and Vale (1969). One paper comments on the future of human behavior genetics, highlighting the distinction between what should happen and what most probably will happen. This text is suitable for sociologists, behavioral scientists, geneticists, educators, and students in psychology, psychiatry, and related branches of medicine.