Developmental biology is one of the most exciting and fast-growing fields today. In part, this is so because the subject matter deals with the innately fascinating biological events changes in form, structure, and function of the organism. The other reason for much of the excitement in developmental biology is that the field has truly become the unifying melting pot of biology, and provides a framework that integrates anatomy, physiology, genetics, biochemistry, and cellular and molecular biology, as well as evolutionary biology. No longer is the study of embryonic development merely...

Since the pioneering work of U. S. VonEuler, G. O. Burr, B. Samuelsson, and others in the field of eicosanoids, research in this area continues to grow rapidly. Novel eicosanoids are being discovered even as enzymes that ca- lyze the synthesis of well-established eicosanoids are being critically studied with respect to their regulation and function. The novice in this field will most likely encounter three areas of intense research activity: regulation of expression and function of enzymes, i.e., ph- pholipases, cyclooxygenases, and lipoxygenases involved in the syntheses of established...

In recent years there has been a tremendous increase in our understanding of the functioning of the cell at the molecular level. This has been achieved in the main by the invention and development of new methodology, parti- larly in that area generally referred to as "'genetic en- neering." While this revolution has been taking place in the field of nucleic acids research, the protein chemist has at the same time developed fresh methodology to keep pace with the requirements of present day molecular bi- ogy. Today's molecular biologist can no longer be content with being an expert in one...

In recent years there has been a tremendous increase in our understanding of the functioning of the cell at the molecular level. This has been achieved in the main by the invention and development of new methodology, parti- larly in that area generally referred to as "genetic en- neering." While this revolution has been taking place in the field of nucleic acids research, the protein chemist has at the same time developed fresh methodology to keep pace with the requirements of present day molecular bi- ogy. Today's molecular biologist can no longer be content with being an expert in one...

Over the past 10 years great progress has been made in the development of efficient techniques for both gene isolation and mapping. The identifica tion and isolation of transcribed sequences from large chromosomal regions are central to the human genome mapping project. Techniques for isolating novel cDNAs have applications both in the overall construction and integra tion of long-range physical and transcription maps and in the identification of disease genes. A number of different techniques for the isolation of cDNAs from mam malian genomes have been developed, including screening "zoo"...

Electroporation is one of the most widespread techniques used in modem molecular genetics. It is most commonly used to introduce DNA into cells for investigations of gene structure and function, and in this regard, electroporation is both highly versatile, being effective with nearly all species and cell types, and highly efficient. For many cell types, electroporation is either the most efficient or the only means known to effect gene transfer. However, exposure of cells to brief, hi- intensity electric fields has found broad application in other aspects of biological research, and is now...

Recombinant viruses provide an efficient mechanism for the transfer and expression of DNA in eukaryotic cells. First, the transfer of DNA by viral infection-utilizing specific cell surface receptors and cellular intern- ization mechanisms-occurs much more readily than DNA transfer via uptake induced by such physical methods as calcium phosphate coprecipitation or electroporation. Second, the novel strategies employed by the virus to express its own genes can then be "hijacked" in the recombinant virus to express the researcher's gene of interest The purpose of Practical Molecular Virology...

DNA sequencing has become increasingly efficient over the years, resulting in an enormous increase in the amount of data gener- ated. In recent years, the focus of sequencing has shifted, from being the endpoint of a project, to being a starting point. This is especially true for such major initiatives as the human genome project, where vast tracts of DNA of unknown function are sequenced. This sheer volume of available data makes advanced computer methods essen- tial to analysis, and a familiarity with computers and sequence analy- sis software a vital requirement for the researcher involved...

Chromosomes, as the genetic vehicles, provide the basic material for a large proportion of genetic investigations, from the construction of gene maps and models of chromosome organization, to the inves tigation of gene function and dysfunction. The study of chromosomes has developed in parallel with other aspects of molecular genetics, beginning with the first preparations of chromosomes from animal cells, through the development of banding techniques, which permitted the unequivocal identification of each chromosome in a karyotype, to the present analytical methods of molecular cytogenetics....

The field of eukaryotic DNA repair is enjoying a period of remarkable growth and discovery, fueled by technological advances in molecular biol ogy, protein biochemistry, and genetics. Notahle achievements include the molecular cloning of multiple genes associated with classical human repair disorders, such as xeroderma pigmentosum, Cockayne syndrome, and ataxia telangiectasia; elucidation of the core reaction of nucleotide excision repair (NER); the discovery that certain NER proteins participate not only in repair, but also in transcription; recognition of the crucial role played by mismatch...