Route Maps in Gene Technology is an exciting new introductory textbook for first-year undergraduates in molecular biology and molecular genetics. The subject is broken down into 140 to 150 key concepts or topics, each of which is dealt with in one doublepaged spread. These range from basic introductory principles to applied topics at the cutting edge of research. A control strip along the top of the page shows the student which pages need to have been read beforehand and which topics may be followed afterward. In addition, at the front of the book are a selection of 'routes,' which the student or teacher may choose in order to study a particular topic. Because courses have become more 'modular' and many students arrive at college with little or no biology background, this approach enables teachers and students to structure a course of study to best suit their disparate exposure to biology. An exciting new concept in textbook design, allowing unparalleled flexibility on the part of the student and the teacher Covers the full range of modern molecular biology, from basic principles to the latest applications Attractive, clear and simple presentation with copious two-colour illustrations

Table of Contents:
Preface. About the Route Maps format. The Concept Of Genes Is Developed. Genes Are Located To Chromosomes. Genes Are Composed Of DNA. The Chemical Building Blocks Of Nucelic Acids. Formation Of The DNA Double Helix. Packaging Of DNA Within Cells. Chromatin Structure And The Functional Activity Of Genes. Types And Functions Of DNA-Protein Interactions. Organization Of Genomes Into Multiple Chromosomes. Distribution Of Nucleic Acids Within Eukaryotic Cells. Types Of RNA Molecules. The Anatomy Of Eukaryotic Chromosomes. The Organisation Of Genes Within Chromosomes. The Molecular Anatomy Of Eukaryotic Genes. Chromosome Aberrations And Human Disease. Types Of Mutations And Their Effects. Forms Of Chemically Altered DNA; DNA Repair Mechanisms. Linkage Analysis. Pedigree Analysis And Modes Of Inheritance. Genes Dictate The Nature Of Proteins. The Nature Of The Genetic Code. Transcription: Forming Genetic Messages. Post-Transcriptional Processing Of Messenger RNA. Transfer And Ribosomal RNA Processing/Modification. Mechanisms Regulating Gene Expression. Transcriptional Regulatory Sequences. Operons And Prokaryotic Control Of Gene Expression. Transcription Factors And Gene Expression. In Vivo Translation: Decoding Genetic Messages. Sequences Involved In Cellular Protein Targeting. Eukaryotic Cell Division: Mitosis And Meiosis. Molecular Mechanisms Of Cell Cycle Control. Genetic Recombination Mechanisms. Gene Transfer During Bacterial Reproduction. Transposable Genetic Elements: Transposons. In Vivo DNA Replication. Genetic Control Of Development. The Natural Biology Of Bacteriophages. Bacteriophage Genetics. Recombinant DNA Technology. Enzymes Commonly Used In Molecular Biology Methods. Restriction Endonucleases. Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms. Isolation Of Nucleic Acids From Cells And Tissues. Visualising Mucleic Acids. Electrophoresis Of Nucleic Acids. In Vitro Hybridisation. Types Of Hybridisation Assay Formats. Southern Blotting; In Situ Hybridisation. Measuring Transcriptional Activity Via Messenger RNA. Converting Messenger RNA Into Complementary DNA (Cdna). Methods For Determining DNA Nucleotide Sequences. The Polymerase Chain Reaction. Alternatives To PCR-Based In Vitro DNA/RNA Amplification. In Vitro Translation Methods. Types And Methods Of Gene Probe Generation. Chemical Synthesis Of Oligonucleotides. Types And Applications Of Nucleotide Analogues. Methods For Labelling Gene Probes. Fundamental Principles Of Cloning. The Nature Of Cloning Vectors. Inserting Foreign DNA Into Vectors. The Development Of Bacteriophage Vectors. Plasmids: Development As Clonign Vectors. Yeast-Derived Plasmid Vectors. Phagemids: Hybrid Phage And Plasmid Vectors. Vectors For Use In Plant And Animal Cells. Delivering DNA Into Cells; Principal Genomic And Cdna Cloning Strategies. Strategies For Identifying Desirable Recombinant Clones. Gene Mapping Techniques. Detecting DNA-Protein Interaction Sites. Detecting Promoter And Enhancer Sequences. Methods For Identifying Protein Encoding Sequences. Genetic Fingerprinting. Analysing Ancient Dnas. In Vitro Mutagenesis Methods. Genetically Modified Micro-Organisms. Genetically Engineered Plants. Genetically Engineered Animals. Molecular Techniques In Prenatal Diagnosis. The Genetics Of Cystic Fibrosis. The Dystrophin Gene And Muscular Dystrophies. Identifying The Gene For Huntingdon's Disease. Lipoprotein Genes And Heart Disease. The Detection Of Microbial Infections. Molecular Biology Of Human Immunodeficiency Virus And AIDS. Engineering Microbial Bioluminescence. Recombinant DNA Techniques In Vaccine Development. Receptors And Cellular Signalling Mechanisms. Oncogenes And The Molecular Basis Of Cancer. Molecular Diagnosis And Therapy Of Cancers. Drug Development Using Recombinant DNA Approaches. Protein Engineering. Immunoglobulin Genetics. Genetic Engineering Of Recombinant Antibodies. Current Approaches To Gene Therapy. The Human Genome Mapping Project. Bibliography. Index.