Analysis of Genes and Genomes by Richard J. Reece (US edition, paperback) - 9780470843802

This beautifully illustrated textbook provides a clear guide to the tools and techniques of genetic engineering, gene cloning and molecular biology. All aspects of genetic engineering in the post-genomic era are covered, beginning with the basics of DNA structure and DNA metabolism. Using an example-driven approach, the fundamentals of creating mutations in DNA, cloning in bacteria, yeast, plants and animals are all clearly presented. Strong emphasis is placed on the latest, post genomic technologies including DNA macro and microarrays, genome-wide two hybrid analysis, proteomics and bioinformatics. A modern post-genome era introduction to key techniques used in genetic engineering. An example driven past-to-present approach to allow the experiments of today to be placed in an historical context The book is beautifully illustrated in full-colour throughout. Associated website including updates, additional content and illusions  Table of Content Preface xiii Acknowledgements xv Abbreviations and acronyms xvii 1 DNA: Structure and function 1 1.1 Nucleic acid is the material of heredity 2 1.2 Structure of nucleic acids 7 1.3 The double helix 11 1.3.1 The antiparallel helix 12 1.3.2 Base pairs and stacking 14 1.3.3 Gaining access to information with the double helix without breaking it apart 16 1.3.4 Hydrogen bonding 17 1.4 Reversible denaturing of DNA 18 1.5 Structure of DNA in the cell 21 1.6 The eukaryotic nucleosome 24 1.7 The replication of DNA 28 1.8 DNA polymerases 31 1.9 The replication process 33 1.10 Recombination 37 1.11 Genes and genomes 39 1.12 Genes within a genome 40 1.13 Transcription 43 1.13.1 Transcription in prokaryotes 43 1.13.2 Transcription in eukaryotes 46 1.14 RNA processing 54 1.14.1 RNA splicing 55 1.14.2 Alternative splicing 58 1.15 Translation 59 2 Basic techniques in gene analysis 65 2.1 Restriction enzymes 66 2.1.1 Types of restriction–modification system 70 2.1.2 Other modification systems 72 2.1.3 How do type II restriction enzymes work? 74 2.2 Joining DNA molecules 76 2.3 The basics of cloning 78 2.4 Bacterial transformation 84 2.4.1 Chemical transformation 86 2.4.2 Electroporation 87 2.4.3 Gene gun 88 2.5 Gel electrophoresis 88 2.5.1 Polyacrylamide gels 89 2.5.2 Agarose gels 89 2.5.3 Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis 95 2.6 Nucleic acid blotting 98 2.6.1 Southern blotting 100 2.6.2 The compass points of blotting 102 2.7 DNA purification 103 3 Vectors 109 3.1 Plasmids 112 3.1.1 pBR 322 116 3.1.2 pUC plasmids 119 3.2 Selectable markers 122 3.3 λ vectors 126 3.4 Cosmid vectors 135 3.5 M13 vectors 137 3.6 Phagemids 140 3.7 Artificial chromosomes 142 3.7.1 YACs 143 3.7.2 PACs 146 3.7.3 BACs 148 3.7.4 HACs 149 4 Polymerase chain reaction 153 4.1 PCR reaction conditions 159 4.2 Thermostable DNA po