"This book has a number of strengths, including the author's clear writing style and the large number of informative two-color line drawings which make the book easy to read."

-- Choice, 10/99

Submitted by Publisher, August, 2001

The fields of biochemistry, genetics, and cell biology have been dramatically altered in the past two decades by the development of an experimental approach that has been called recombinant DNA technology. In the past five years, this laboratory methodology has expanded into a much wider domain of scientific investigation I have chosen to call applied molecular genetics. One of the difficulties students have with applied molecular genetic concepts is understanding how various molecular genetic techniques are combined to accomplish a research goal. For many students, a conceptual gap exists between the methodological details found in laboratory protocol books and the factual statements contained in biological textbooks. Undergraduate life science students often begin their first hands-on research experience with only a vague idea of what "gene cloning" is all about, and they usually lack a clear understanding of how to design an experimental strategy. Applied Molecular Genetics attempts to fill this knowledge gap by presenting key biochemical and cell biological principles using simple descriptive terms and illustrated flow schemes.
The organization of the book was chosen to facilitate its use as a resource for life science students and researchers who need to see the forest among the trees. Toward this end, Applied Molecular Genetics is divided into three sections to reflect the level of expertise required by the reader. Section 1 is called Laboratory Techniques and it includes Chapters 1- 3. The topics presented in these chapters provide a "nuts and bolts" overview of fundamental concepts in recombinant DNA technology. The material in Section 1 is best suited for readers who have little or no experience performing nucleic acid biochemistry or gene cloning. Section 2, Core Methods, includes Chapters 4 -6 and it represents the heart of applied molecular genetic concepts. This material systematically describes the primary approaches and research objectives that characterize three major areas of applied molecular genetics: manipulation of genomic DNA, isolation and characterization of gene coding sequences, and the polymerase chain reaction. Section 2 is a good starting point for readers who have a basic under-standing of molecular genetic methods but lack a clear idea of how various experimental tools are best applied to the study of complex biological problems. Section 3, entitled Specialized Applications, comprises Chapters 7- 9. Though it would be expected that most life science laboratory researchers would be interested in the core methodologies described in Sections 1 and 2, classroom discussions may benefit more from material in Section 3 which describes cell culture models, animal transgenesis and medical molecular genetics.
Each chapter concludes with a laboratory practicum describing the sequence of steps most often used in the laboratory to implement a specific experimental objective. These laboratory practicums are similar in style to the presentation of medical case studies in that the problem is first described, and then with text and illustrations, a hypothetical flow scheme is presented. An extensive bibliography is also contained in every chapter to guide readers both to landmark publications and to the most current literature in the field of applied molecular genetics. In addition there are seven appendices (standard abbreviations, properties of nucleic acids, amino acids, restriction enzymes, description of genetic markers, gel electrophoresis information, and URL addresses of useful Internet sites) in Section 4 to provide laboratory researchers with essential biochemical information.
The descriptive style of the text makes it an ideal companion book for upper division undergraduate, graduate, and medical school courses utilizing one of the larger molecular biology, biochemistry, or cell biology texts, in which applied molecular genetic concepts are relegated to "shaded boxes" that contain only cursory descriptions of essential techniques. Applied Molecular Genetics could also be used as a stand-alone text for elective/ special topics courses typically offered to advanced life science students with some prior course work in biochemistry, molecular biology, or cell biology. In this context, the many examples of molecular genetic strategies, extensive primary references, and carefully chosen appendix materials provide the instructor with materials to teach students how to design complex molecular genetic strategies using lab exercises and Internet resources.

Applied Molecular Genetics explains the key biochemical and cell biological principles behind some of today's most commonly used applications of molecular genetics, using clear terms and well- illustrated flow schemes. The book is divided into several sections and moves from basic to advanced topics while providing a concise overview of fundamental concepts in modern biotechnology. Each chapter concludes with a Laboratory Practicum describing a hypothetical research objective and the sequence of steps that are most often used to investigate biological questions using molecular genetic methods. In addition, the book provides informative summaries of the latest advances in molecular genetics, using attractive illustrations and a comprehensive reference list. Representative topics include: 1) Genomic mapping using single nucleotide polymorphisms. 2) Creating cell-specific gene knockouts in transgenic mice. 3) Animal cloning methodologies based on whole nuclear transfer. 4) Pharmacogenetic applications of DNA microarray technology.

This text introduces the use of Internet resources through the World Wide Web as a powerful new tool in molecular genetic research. Seven appendices are included in the book, providing a convenient resource for properties of nucleic acids, protein and restriction enzymes, a description of common E. coli genetic markers and gel electrophoresis parameters, as well as a list of useful Internet sites.

A must-have guide for all instructors and students in the fields of modern biochemistry, cell biology, and genetics, Applied Molecular Genetics is an ideal reference for anyone needing a clear, concise source of up-to-date information on this rapidly changing field.

LABORATORY TECHNIQUES.

Biochemical Basis of Applied Molecular Genetics.
Laboratory Tools for Molecular Genetic Applications.
Overview of Gene Analysis Methods.

CORE METHODS.

Characterization of Genomic DNA.
Isolation and Characterization of Gene Transcripts.
The Polymerase Chain Reaction.

SPECIALIZED APPLICATIONS.

Expression of Cloned Genes in Cultured Cells.
Construction of Transgenic Multicellular Organisms.
Contemporary Applied Molecular Genetics.

Appendices.