Genetics (non-medical) Books

Book SynopsisDeoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, is the fundamental building block for an individual''s entire genetic makeup. DNA is a powerful tool for law enforcement investigations because each person''s DNA is different from that of every other individual (except for identical twins). As early as the 1980s, states began enacting laws that required the collection of DNA samples from offenders convicted of certain sexual and other violent crimes. Chapter 1 provides an overview of how DNA is used to investigate crimes and help protect the innocent. Chapters 2 and 3 report on the establishment of a system for integration of Rapid DNA instruments for use by law enforcement to reduce violent crime and reduce the current DNA analysis backlog. Chapter 4 examines what is known about the amount of backlogged DNA evidence at state and local government labs; the extent to which OJP measures CEBR grant performance; and the extent to which OJP has designed controls to identify conflicts of interest related to CEBR grants. Chapter 5 reviews the level of crime scene DNA evidence backlogs among CEBR grantees and the factors that contribute to such backlogs; the extent to which DOJ has clearly defined goals for CEBR; and the extent to which OJP has controls for CEBR related to federal conflicts of interest and lobbying requirements. In 2016, about 323,000 individuals age 12 or older were reported victims of sexual assault, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Studies have shown that exams performed by sexual assault forensic examiners -- medical providers trained in collecting and preserving forensic evidence -- may result in better physical and mental health care for victims, better evidence collection, and higher prosecution rates. Chapter 6 describes what was known in 2016 about the availability of sexual assault forensic examiners nationally and in selected states and the challenges selected states faced in maintaining a supply of sexual assault forensic examiners.

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Book SynopsisThis book opens with a description of the insulin-like growth factor system, with focus on the insulin-like growth factor receptors and functions associated with them. The data on membrane proteins, their N-glycome and oxidation status id related to the authors'' findings on the receptors in different physiological and pathological conditions, such as normal and abnormal tissue growth and development. Next, a review of the current methods used to prepare and study membrane proteins is presented, with focus on large scale simulations and special emphasis on scalable parallel methods. In closing, commandments surrounding integral membrane protein expression and purification, integral membrane protein biochemistry, integral membrane protein functionality studies and integral membrane protein high-resolution structures are described.

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Book SynopsisMedical Genetics is the application of genetics to medicine. Medical genetics is broad and varied and encompasses many different individual fields, including clinical genetics, biochemical genetics, cytogenetics, molecular genetics, the genetics of common diseases (such as neural tube defects), and genetic counselling. Each of the individual fields within medical genetics is a hybrid. Clinical genetics is a hybrid of clinical medicine with genetics. Biochemical genetics is a hybrid of biochemistry, mainly the biochemistry of amino acids and proteins, with genetics. Molecular genetics is a hybrid of the biochemistry of DNA and RNA with genetics. Cytogenetics is a hybrid of cytology and genetics; it involves the study of chromosomes under the microscope. And genetic counselling is a hybrid of genetics with non-directional counselling. This book presents leading-edge research on medical genetics as well as on Down''s syndrome.

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Book SynopsisGenetic inheritance patterns deal with the different ways genes and their alleles interact during the transmission of genetic traits that effect the outcome of gene expression. This book presents new and important research in the field from around the world.

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Book SynopsisThis book presents the latest research on DNA damage, which due to environmental factors and normal metabolic processes inside the cell, occurs at a rate of 1,000 to 1,000,000 molecular lesions per cell per day. While this constitutes only 0.000165% of the human genome''s approximately 6 billion bases (3 billion base pairs), unrepaired lesions in critical genes (such as tumour suppresser genes) can impede a cell''s ability to carry out its function and appreciably increase the likelihood of tumour formation. The vast majority of DNA damage affects the primary structure of the double helix; that is, the bases themselves are chemically modified. These modifications can in turn disrupt the molecules'' regular helical structure by introducing non-native chemical bonds or bulky adducts that do not fit in the standard double helix. Unlike proteins and RNA, DNA usually lacks tertiary structure and therefore damage or disturbance does not occur at that level. DNA is, however, supercoiled and wound around "packaging" proteins called histones (in eukaryotes), and both superstructures are vulnerable to the effects of DNA damage.

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Book SynopsisThis book presents important research from around the world in the field of Antisense molecules which interact with complementary strands of nucleic acids, modifying expression of genes. Some regions within a double strand of DNA code for genes, which are usually instructions specifying the order of amino acids in a protein along with regulatory sequences, splicing sites, non-coding introns and other complicating details. For a cell to use this information, one strand of the DNA serves as a template for the synthesis of a complementary strand of RNA. The template DNA strand is called the transcribed strand with antisense sequence and the mRNA transcript is said to be sense sequence (the complement of antisense). Because the DNA is double-stranded, the strand complementary to the antisense sequence is called non-transcribed strand and has the same sense sequence as the mRNA transcript (though T bases in DNA are substituted with U bases in RNA). Many forms of antisense have been developed and can be broadly categorised into enzyme-dependent antisense or steric blocking antisense.

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Book SynopsisNumerous physical and chemical stress factors, endogenous or exogenous, challenge living organisms. Metabolisation processes generate highly reactive intermediates which can covalently bind to DNA, resulting in bulky addition products called "adducts." DNA adduct formation appears to be a general response of plants to organic chemical exposure, whether in controlled conditions or in the field. In particular, common carcinogenic pollutants and pesticides promote the formation of DNA adducts in plants. The authors of this book examine the development of DNA adducts, as well as the ways in which they can be eliminated due to DNA repair pathways. In this book, the data from in vivo transgenic assays is also examined, which can help to clarify specific pre-mutagenic adducts, DNA repair functions and mutational events that may be involved in the mutagenicity of human carcinogens. Other chapters in this book identify and discuss novel anthracyclines capable of forming DNA adducts, the role of DNA adducts as early biomarkers in the screening and development of marine anticancer drugs, the genotoxicity, such as DNA adduct formation, of air pollutants and its assessment by in vivo mutagenesis and a discussion of oxidative DNA damage, which can play an important role in the carcinogenic processes of PAHs and aromatic amines, in addition to bulky-DNA adducts formation.

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Book SynopsisIn addition to supplementing existing analysis techniques in serious crime cases, trace DNA can allow investigation of volume crime cases such as burglary or vehicle theft, where previously DNA evidence was not considered usable. However, despite the widespread use of trace DNA, at present there are very few specific validated methods. This has lead to controversy in the use of trace DNA, and particularly the low copy number amplification technique. It has been established that the use of existing methodology (developed for high-copy number samples) leads to significant levels of artefacts with trace DNA, including allele drop-out and drop-in, stutter, and allelic/locus imbalance. To minimise these, there are numerous modifications that can be made to existed methods to increase the success of trace DNA analysis. This book presents advances in the field of DNA research as an aid in Forensic studies and Genetics.

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Book SynopsisStem cells are cells found in all multi cellular organisms. They are characterised by the ability to renew themselves through mitotic cell division and differentiate into a diverse range of specialised cell types. This book presents and discusses current research in the study of stem cell research, including cancer and prostate stem cells; neural stem cells and taurine; interactions between transplanted neural stem cells and host tissue; retrovirus vector silencing in stem cells and moral and scientific consideration in embryonic stem cell research.

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Book SynopsisThis book introduces a discrete optimisation technique in four applications: classic Traveller Salesperson Problem (TSP), Multilocus Genetic Mapping, Multilocus Consensus Genetic Mapping, and Physical Mapping. Each of the four sections contains the problem formulation, description of the algorithm, and experimental results. The foregoing problems are solved on the basis of Guided Evolution Strategy (GES) algorithm. The algorithm was implemented in MultiPoint package (http://multiqtl.com). The developed analytical tools were applied in many genome mapping projects.

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Book SynopsisMetagenomics is the study of microbial communities sampled directly from their natural environment, without prior culturing. DNA sequencing (or alternatively, an assay of functional properties) is applied to the culture-independent analyses of complex and diverse ("meta") populations of microbes. The rapid growth of metagenomics entails an expanded focus on microbes in a wide range of basic and applied research fields, ranging from microbiology to agriculture, biomedicine to bioenergy, and from veterinary to clinical medicine. This book is an insightful and inclusive study on metagenomics and its applications.

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Book Synopsis"Advances in Genetics Research" presents original research results on the leading edge of genetics discovery. Each article has been carefully selected in an attempt to present substantial research results across a broad spectrum. In this continuing series compilation, the authors present and discuss varied topical data such as cytogenic mapping of animal genomes; somatic cell counts in cow''s milk and implications for dairy cow breeding; mutations and the carcinogenic process; genetic mapping projects and functional genomics.

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Book SynopsisMicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs involved in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. Thousands of miRNAs have been identified in different organisms including viruses, insects, plants and animals. MiRNAs has emerged as key regulators of important biological processes. The differential expression of miRNAs in various human diseases has made them potential candidates for developing novel therapies and personalized medicines. This book is focused on microRNA let-7, the second miRNA discovered in the year 2000 and one of the most studied miRNA. This book discusses various aspects of miRNA let-7 starting from its discovery, biogenesis, transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation to its crucial role in various fundamental cellular processes such as development, stem cell maintenance and differentiation, regulation of signalling pathways in cancer, drug resistance and therapeutic potential in different human diseases.

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Book SynopsisGenetic diversity plays a very important role in survival and adaptability of a species because when a species''s environment changes, slight gene variations are necessary to produce changes in the organisms'' anatomy that enables it to adapt and survive. A species that has a large degree of genetic diversity among its population will have more variations from which to choose the most fit alleles. In this book, the authors discuss topics that include genetic diversity of human and animal papilloma viruses; conservation genetics of the lion; genetic diversity for quality traits in wild and ancient wheats; the genetic history of Morocco; different approaches to assess structure and genetic diversity in forest species; new genetic provisions for the reinstatement of ginseng natural populations; genetic and epigenetic variations in disease and drug response; genetic diversity and genetic rescue within wildlife populations; and genetic variability and advances in taxonomy.

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Book SynopsisProline might be the most studied amino acid in nature. Many authors have reviewed its many functions in cell homoeostasis. Not only it is essential in primary metabolism, but it is also involved in cell defence response to a variety of stresses. This book presents topical research data in the study of pro-line functions, including role of pro-line in plant subject to salinity, pro-line cycle and its role in secondary metabolite accumulation, role of pro-line in catalysing the asymmetric reaction, studies of polyproline peptides, structural characteristics and transition mechanisms of proline-rich peptides, functions of proline in behaviour of neonatal chicks and tumour suppressor activities of proline oxidase.

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Book SynopsisThe neotropical ecoregion consisting of South America, Central America, Southern Mexico, the Caribbean Islands, and Southern Florida, has long been considered an area rich in mammalian diversity and one that contains some of the world''s iconic carnivores such as the Jaguar and Puma. These, and other carnivores represent the highest trophic levels within neotropical areas and as keystone species, can markedly alter omnivore and herbivore mammalian communities and indirectly, plant communities. Unfortunately, due to human population pressures, many neotropical areas and the mammals within them are increasingly at risk. This problem is compounded by the lack of current genetics, evolutionary biology and conservation data of these critical carnivores available to conservation biologists at the forefront of trying to preserve and protect these imperiled geographical areas. This book helps to meet these shortcomings by providing contributions from 60 of the world''s leading scientists in the area of neotropical carnivores. The first section of the book covers molecular population genetics and phylogeography of diverse neotropical carnivores such as otters, coatis and other Mustelidae and Procyonidae, wild cats (jaguar, puma, ocelot, jaguarondi, Pampas cat, and Andean cat) and the Andean bear. Significant sections of the book are also devoted to the topics of reproduction, geometric morphometrics of wild canids and a complete paleontological view of the evolution of all neotropical carnivore groups. Furthermore, the book contains several chapters on the conservation details and varying cultural perspectives regarding the two larger and more mythical neotropical carnivores, the jaguar and the Andean bear, which together, are the paradigm for the conservation programs in Central and South America.

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Book Synopsis"Advances in Genetics Research" presents original research results on the leading edge of genetics discovery. Each article has been carefully selected in an attempt to present substantial research results across a broad spectrum. In this continuing series compilation, the authors present and discuss varied topical data such as the role of IL-1 in the cytokine network of the body; genetic manipulation of leishmania parasites facilitating the exploration of polyamine biosynthetic pathways as potential therapeutic targets; RNA interference-mediated cell camouflage; identification of RNA in analysis of body fluids stains for forensic purposes; cationic lipid-based nanoparticles for siRNA delivery; Interleukin-1 in osteoarthritis; fungal genetic manipulation using RNA silencing; microglial cathespin B-dependent IL-1B production; role of miRNAs in early embryonic development of drosophila melanogaster; and pHg/pSILBAy vector system for RNA silencing in mycorrhiza via agrobacterium-mediated transformation.

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Book SynopsisThis book presents current research in the study of new technologies, developments and applications of microRNA and non-coding RNA. Topics include the role of microRNA and short interfering RNAs in plants; microRNAs, major affective disorders and suicidal behavior; microRNA in endoparasites; the functional roles of non-coding RNAs in glioma and their clinical implications; identifying miRNA function in innate immunity; and how multiple IsomiRs and diversity of miRNA sequences unveil evolutionary roles and functional relationships across animals.

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Book SynopsisQuantum biology is a wide area of research closely connected with almost all parts of biology. It is based on experimental data of biological sciences and the fundamental laws of physics (de Broglie law of corpuscular-wave dualism of the matter, the conservation laws, including the laws of thermodynamics). At this time, our knowledge in this area is fragmentary. The usual corpuscular biology studies only one plane of living matter organisation, the structure and function of which is determined by the DNA-particle. That is why the theory often does not agree with experience, the physics laws don''t work. It leads to frequent changes of concepts. Many phenomena (division of living matter into cells, restoration and loss of totipotency of cell systems, etc.) do not find an explanation within the corpuscular theory framework. This book includes nine chapters. In Chapter 1 the insight of a cell as a quantum-mechanical system, an equilibrium system, an open and closed system; the notion of biological harmonic oscillator, as an elementary and indivisible unity of the wave properties of a living matter; the principle and regimes of oscillator work in plants; two internal energy sources and their physical nature; the role of DNA-particles and DNA-wave at different hierarchical levels of living matter organisation are discussed. In Chapter 2 the changes of DNA particles, DNA-waves, the cell physical state, its basic components and physiological functions are analysed during cell cycle of proliferating plant cell. In Chapter 3 seven types of cell division (mitosis, differentiative mitosis, free-nucleus mitosis, meiosis, endomitosis, crushing and promitosis) are described. The dependence of the principle of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell development from its condition is shown in Chapter 4. In Chapter 5 physical models of gamete sexual differentiation and fertilisation are considered. The manifestation of the low of total impulse conservation in evolution processes is examined in Chapter 6. In Chapter 7 the mechanisms and manners of biological protection and the reasons for their change during evolution are discussed. How and why a DNA-particle and a DNA-wave change during reproductive development of future plant initial cells is described on Pinus sylvestris L. example in Chapter 8. In Chapter 9 a short overview of quantum biology tasks and problems is given.

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Book SynopsisMetagenomics is the study of microbial communities sampled directly from their natural environment, without prior culturing. DNA sequencing (or alternatively, an assay of functional properties) is applied to the culture-independent analyses of complex and diverse ("meta") populations of microbes. The rapid growth of metagenomics entails an expanded focus on microbes in a wide range of basic and applied research fields, ranging from microbiology to agriculture, biomedicine to bioenergy, and from veterinary to clinical medicine. This book is an insightful and inclusive study on metagenomics and its applications.

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Book SynopsisThe human genome is the complete set of human genetic information, stored as DNA sequences within the 23 chromosome pairs of the cell nucleus and in a small DNA molecule within the mitochondrion. In this publication, the authors present topical research in the study of the components, structural and functional disorders; and ethical issues of the human genome. Topics discussed include critical events in the pathobiology of cancer and the compilation of major biomarkers enabling improved diagnosis; and the evolution of human genome analysis and its impact on disease diagnosis and molecular diagnostics.

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Book SynopsisIn this book, the authors present current research in the study of the evolutionary perspectives, mating strategies and long-term effects on genetic variation of sexual selection. Topics discussed in this compilation include sexual dimorphism in insect longevity; evidence of natural and sexual selection shaping the size of nuptial gifts among a single bush-cricket genus; mate choice copying in both sexes of the guppy; and sexual selection under parental choice.

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Book Synopsis"Advances in Genetics Research" presents original research results on the leading edge of genetics discovery. Each article has been carefully selected in an attempt to present substantial research results across a broad spectrum. In this continuing series compilation, the authors present and discuss varied topical data such as late diagnosis in multiple X and Y chromosome disorders; the design and cloning strategies of recombinant allergens for diagnosis and specific immunotherapy; the advances in molecular cloning directing the production of plant proteins and their applications in pathogens control; the genetic basis of congenital heart disease; the large-scale evolution by generating new genes; characteristics of MX gene that shows resistance to vesicular stomatitis virus; the vertebrate fatty acid and retinoid binding protein and proteins; and the clonal evolution and cytogenetic changes in chronic myeloid leukaemia.

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Book SynopsisOver the course of less than a decade, whole genome sequencing has progressed from being one of our nations boldest scientific aspirations to becoming a readily available technique for determining the complete sequence of an individuals deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) -- that persons unique genetic blueprint. This book focuses on the privacy and progress in whole genome sequencing; and provides a scientific background for policymakers in genetic testing.

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Book SynopsisFingerprints have provided a valuable method of personal identification in forensic science and criminal investigations for over 100 years. Fingerprints left at crime scenes generally are latent prints -- unintentional reproductions of the arrangement of ridges on the skin made by the transfer of materials (such as amino acids, proteins, polypeptides, and salts) to a surface. Palms and the soles of feet also have friction ridge skin that can leave latent prints. The examination of a latent print consists of a series of steps involving a comparison of the latent print to a known (or exemplar) print. Courts have accepted latent print evidence for the past century. However, several high-profile cases in the United States and abroad have highlighted the fact that human errors can occur, and litigation and expressions of concern over the evidentiary reliability of latent print examinations and other forensic identification procedures has increased in the last decade. This book discusses latent print examinations in detail, and provides methods to improving the practice through a systems approach.

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Book Synopsis"Advances in Genetics Research" presents original research results on the leading edge of genetics discovery. Each article has been carefully selected in an attempt to present substantial research results across a broad spectrum. In this continuing series compilation, the authors present and discuss varied topical data such as the "s" allele of the serotonin transporter and its lack of association with major depression in veterans; effects of regular versus special school placement in students with Down Syndrome; the biology of telomeres in multipotential stromal cells; genetic diversity of human and animal papillomaviruses; telomere length in lymphoid malignancies; telomerase and telomere maintenance in the blight fungus ustilago maydis; roles of mirnas in cancers; and genetic programming for music.

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Book Synopsis"Advances in Genetics Research" presents original research results on the leading edge of genetics discovery. Each article has been carefully selected in an attempt to present substantial research results across a broad spectrum. In this continuing series compilation, the authors present and discuss the development of multifunctional plasmids for diverse biotechnological applications; fragile x syndrome-associated language phenotypes; study of the fmr1 gene structure among women with ovarian dysfunction from the Basque country; chromatin structure and epigenetics; the evolution of mammalian x chromosomes and x chromosome inactivation; modifying effect of smoking on the association between SLE and the genetic polymorphisms involved in ROS production; therapeutic approaches to fragile x syndrome; genetic diversity and phylogeny of wild specie teosinte within genera Zea.

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Book SynopsisWith tremendous success of genomic research in discovering genetic variations determining human diseases, it is now time to re-evaluate how the environment affects disease risk by taking into consideration these genetic findings. This book addresses a rapidly growing interest in assessing the relations between environmental risk factors (such as diet, lifestyle) and human diseases, by considering the potential roles of genomic make-up. The book brings together a selection of chapters written by specialists with a variety of backgrounds such as epidemiology, nutrition, genetics, epigenetics, microbiome, biostatistics and bioinformatics. These authors are united in their concerns on the same scientific question how do genomic events modify the effects of traditional, environmental risk factors on disease risk? This book offers an expert overview of the advances in the field of gene-environment interactions on human diseases and the cutting-edge methods used to detect the interactions. The majority of the chapters provide detailed up-to-date descriptions of the major findings of gene-environment interactions on various chronic diseases and risk factors such as obesity, lipids, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, multiple sclerosis, pancreatitis, Parkinson''s disease, and longevity. The book also covers the potential influence of epigenetic events and microbiome on the relation between environment and diseases. In addition, the book also captures the potential application of the findings from this field in personalised prevention and treatment of human diseases.

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Book SynopsisGenetic instability leads to the accumulation of many changes necessary to transform the stable genome of a normal cell into an unstable genome. Such a transformation can be the cause of radiation mutagenesis, carcinogenesis and aging â the main long-term effects of ionizing radiation, UV light, and other harmful environmental factors. A new quantitative assessment of the genetic instability was suggested, taking into account the delay in the formation of colonies by cells surviving after exposure to harmful agents. It was demonstrated that the genetic instability of yeast cells is mainly determined by cell ploidy, but not by the sigmoid shape of the survival curve or the cell's ability of post-irradiation recovery. New experimental data confirm the participation of recovery processes in the manifestation of the relative biological effectiveness of densely ionizing radiation both for cell inactivation and for radiation-induced genetic instability. A number of universal patterns of synergic interactions are demonstrated, which did not depend on the used biological test and objects nor the interacting physical and chemical factors. Potential significance of synergy at low intensities of physical and chemical environmental factors is proved. Original data on the influence of cyclic heating and cooling on cell survival are obtained. It is concluded that osmotic homeostasis of cells, along with DNA, is an important target responsible for cell viability under the damaging action of various agents. Data on the favorable effect of the increased natural background of ionizing radiation are discussed. The manifestations of radiation hormesis were revealed for various radiation accidents, professional and medical exposure. The results obtained demonstrate that the action of high-energy ionizing radiation is accompanied by irradiation with UV light that occurs when charged particles move at a speed exceeding the speed of light in a given medium.Table of ContentsForeword (K P Mishra); Preface; Introduction; Biological Significance of Genetic Instability; Genetic Instability of Yeast Cells Irradiated with Sparsely Ionizing Radiation; Genetic Instability of Yeast Cells After Exposure to Densely Ionizing Radiation; Genetic Instability of Yeast Cells After Irradiation with UV Light; Universal Patterns of Synergistic Interactions; Peculiarities of an Osmotic Homeostasis Display; Radiation Hormesis After Low Doses of Ionizing Radiation; Involvement of Molecule Excitations in the Biological Action of Ionizing Radiation; Conclusion; References; About the Authors; Index.

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Book Synopsis• A New York Times Notable Book •“The richest, freshest, most fun book on genetics in some time.” —The New York Times Book Review We are doomed to repeat history if we fail to learn from it, but how are we affected by the forces that are invisible to us? In The Invisible History of the Human Race Christine Kenneally draws on cutting-edge research to reveal how both historical artifacts and DNA tell us where we come from and where we may be going. While some books explore our genetic inheritance and popular television shows celebrate ancestry, this is the first book to explore how everything from DNA to emotions to names and the stories that form our lives are all part of our human legacy. Kenneally shows how trust is inherited in Africa, silence is passed down in Tasmania, and how the history of nations is written in our DNA. From fateful, anci

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Book SynopsisIn what will certainly be one of the key works in the emerging science of complexity, Kauffman here presents a brilliant new paradigm for evolutionary biology. It extends the basic concepts of Darwinian evolution to accommodate recent findings and perspectives from the fields of biology, physics, chemistry, and mathematics. The book drives to the heart of the exciting debate on the origins of life and maintenance of order in complex biological systems. It focuses on the concept of self-organization - the first time this concept has been incorporated into evolutionary theory. The book shows how complex systems, contrary to expectations, can spontaneously exhibit stunning degrees of order, and how this order in turn is essential for the emergence and development of life on Earth. Origins of Order will advance our understanding of evolution and provoke considerable discussion among evolutionary, molecular, and developmental biologists.Trade Review. . . an integrative book that will become a landmark and a classic as we grope towards a more comprehensive and satisfying theory of evolution. * Stephen Jay Gould *Stuart Kauffman's book . . . is a global representation of a new field, that will greatly enhance our physical understanding of Nature . . . A superb reading, not limited to physicists and biologists, having most important implications in natural philosophy. * Manfred Eigen *Here is a big book with a big purpose. . . . The Origins of Order is the first book to be written by any of the complexity theorists themselves, and it presents Kauffman's view of the biological realm. . . . The Origins of Order will be seen as a major work in the progression of biological theory. At the very least, Kauffman has made a persuasive case to have his bold hypothesis heard. * Roger Lewin *Table of ContentsPART I: ADAPTATION ON THE EDGE OF CHAOS; PART II: THE CRYSTALLIZATION OF LIFE; PART III: ORDER AND ONTOGENY

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Book SynopsisDeath, for bacteria, is not inevitable. Protect a bacterium from predators, and provide it with adequate food and space to grow, and it would continue living--and reproducing asexually--forever. But a paramecium (a slightly more advanced single-cell organism), under the same ideal conditions, would stop dividing after about 200 generations--and die. Death, for paramecia and their offspring, is inevitable. Unless they have sex. If at any point during that 200 or so generations, two of the progeny of our paramecium have sex, their clock will be reset to zero. They and their progeny are granted another 200 generations. Those who fail to have sex eventually die. Immortality for bacteria is automatic; for all other living beings--including humans--immortality depends on having sex. But why is this so? Why must death be inevitable? And what is the connection between death and sexual reproduction? In Sex and the Origins of Death, William R. Clark looks at life and death at the level of the cell, as he addresses such profound questions as why we age, why death exists, and why death and sex go hand in hand. Clark reveals that there are in fact two kinds of cell death--accidental death, caused by extreme cold or heat, starvation, or physical destruction, and programmed cell death, initiated by codes embedded in our DNA. (Bacteria have no such codes.) We learn that every cell in our body has a self-destruct program embedded into it and that cell suicide is in fact a fairly commonplace event. We also discover that virtually every aspect of a cell''s life is regulated by its DNA, including its own death, that the span of life is genetically determined (identical twins on average die 36 months apart, randomly selected siblings 106 months apart), that human tissue in culture will divide some 50 times and then die (an important exception being tumor cells, which divide indefinitely). But why do our cells have such programs? Why must we die? To shed light on this question, Clark reaches far back in evolutionary history, to the moment when inevitable death (death from ageing) first appeared. For cells during the first billion years, death, when it occurred, was accidental; there was nothing programmed into them that said they must die. But fierce competition gradually led to multicellular animals--size being an advantage against predators--and with this change came cell specialization and, most important, germ cells in which reproductive DNA was segregated. When sexual reproduction evolved, it became the dominant form of reproduction on the planet, in part because mixing DNA from two individuals corrects errors that have crept into the code. But this improved DNA made DNA in the other (somatic) cells not only superfluous, but dangerous, because somatic DNA might harbour mutations. Nature''s solution to this danger, Clark concludes, was programmed death--the somatic cells must die. Unfortunately, we are the somatic cells. Death is necessary to exploit to the fullest the advantages of sexual reproduction. In Sex and the Origins of Death, William Clark ranges far and wide over fascinating terrain. Whether describing a 62-year-old man having a major heart attack (and how his myocardial cells rupture and die), or discussing curious life-forms that defy any definition of life (including bacterial spores, which can regenerate after decades of inactivity, and viruses, which are nothing more than DNA or RNA wrapped in protein), this brilliant, profound volume illuminates the miraculous workings of life at its most elemental level and finds in these tiny spaces the answers to some of our largest questions.Trade ReviewAnyone who reckons that science writing is dry stuff may find their outlook broadened by this little book about the biology of death. * New Scientist *

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Book SynopsisDevelopmental Plasticity and Evolution is the first comprehensive synthesis on development and evolution: it applies to all aspects of development, at all levels of organization and in all organisms, taking advantage of modern findings on behaviour, genetics, endocrinology, molecular biology, evolutionary theory and phylogenetics to show the connections between developmental mechanisms and evolutionary change. This book solves key problems that have impeded a definitive synthesis in the past. It uses new concepts and specific examples to show how to relate environmentally sensitive development to the genetic theory of adaptive evolution and to explain major patterns of change.In this book development includes not only embryology and the ontogeny of morphology, sometimes portrayed inadequately as governed by regulatory genes, but also behavioural development and psychological adaptation, where plasticity is mediated by genetically complex mechanisms like hormones and learning. The book Trade ReviewNo other treatment of development and evolution since Darwin's offers such a comprehensive and critical discussion of the relevant issues. * Ethology Ecology & Evolution *The arguments of this book call for a new view of the major themes of evolutionary biology. * Ethology Ecology & Evolution *This book satisfies the need for a truly general book on development, plasticity and evolution that applies to living organisms in all of their life stages and environments. * Ethology Ecology & Evolution *This book solves key problems that have impeded a definitive sythesis in the past. * Ethology Ecology & Evolution *The first comprehensive synthesis on development and evolution. * Ethology Ecology & Evolution *Table of ContentsPart 1: Framework for a Synthesis ; 1. Gaps and Inconsistencies in Modern Evolutionary Thought ; 2. Material for a Synthesis ; 3. The Nature of the Phenotype: Plasticity ; 4. The Nature of the Phenotype: Modularity ; 5. Development ; 6. Adaptive Evolution ; 7. General Principles of Development and Evolution ; 8. Darwin's Theory of Development and Evolution ; Part 2: The Origins of Novelty ; 9. The Nature and Analysis of Phenotype Transitions ; 10. Duplication ; 11. Deletion ; 12. Reversion ; 13. Heterochrony ; 14. Heterotopy ; 15. Cross-sexual Transfer ; 16. Correlated Shifts in Quantitative Traits ; 17. Combinational Evolution at the Molecular Level ; 18. Phenotypic Recombination by Learning ; 19. Recurrent Phenotypes ; Part 3: Alternative Phenotypes ; 20. Alternative Pheontypes as a Phase of Evolution ; 21. Divergence without Speciation ; 22. Maintenance without Equilibrium ; 23. Assessment ; Part 4: Developmental Plasticity and the Major Themes of Evolutionary Biology ; 24. Gradualism ; 25. Homology ; 26. Environmental Modifications ; 27. Speciation ; 28. Adaptive Radiation ; 29. Macroevolution ; 30. Punctuation ; 31. One Final Word: Sex

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Book SynopsisThis text unifies conceptual and empirical advances in evolutionary ecology and provides a volume that can be used as a primary textbook or supplemental reading in an advanced undergraduate or graduate course. The focus is on current concepts in evolutionary ecology and the empirical study of these concepts. Chapters are written by prominent biologists who have made significant contributions to this field and both synthesize the current state of knowledge and identify areas for future investigation. It is divided into five major sections: an overview of the major topics in evolutionary biology for ecologists, and sections on life histories, behaviour, co-evolution, and adaptation to anthropogenic change.Trade Review"[A]n excellent overview of research in evolutionary ecology. The book is extremely up-to-date, authoritative, well written, and ... well produced. ... The editors certainly are to be commended on the list of authors that they have gathered. The table of contents reads like a miniature who's who of evolutionary ecology ... The authors and editors have done a better job of referring between chapters than in any other edited volume I have read. ... a valuable book for a wide audience."--Ecology "This work introduces many of the important topics in evolutionary ecology. ... [the] chapters [are] written almost exclusively by notable scientists ..."--Choice "[E]ven experts working within particular areas of the field will find many of the chapters outside their primary area of research interesting and stimulating ... the 35 authors constitute a vertiable "who's who" in the field. ... the breadth of coverage is impressive ... In many respects the book has a cohesiveness usually found only in single authored works."--The Quarterly Review of Biology "Evolutionary ecology, according to the editors of this collection of essays, combines the two approaches to examine variation in organisms in relation to both past and the present. Edited collections often disappoint but this one does not. One factor in its success is the broad, conceptual theme given to each contribution, covering such topics as variation, natural selection, adaptation, phenotypic plasticity, population structure, inbreeding and outbreeding. . .Each essay sets out the theoretical basis for the topic covered and then it illustrates it with experimental and field examples. . .The level at which the essays are constructed would be suitable for advanced undergraduate studies and ideal for postgraduate students wishing to assimilate an authoritative account on the subject and should be introduced to the current literature. All teachers in such courses should certainly have this book on their shelves."--British Ecological Society "It is a daunting task to develop an integrated text that successfully draws from the diverse disciplines within ecology and evolutionary biology, yet Fox et al. have done this quite well.This text should prove especially useful to professors seeking a well-organized and thorough volume for advanced undergraduate and graduate level courses focusing on evolutionary ecology. ..Given the void of textbooks for teaching evolutionary ecology at the graduate level and the high quality of this volume, we expect Fox et al.'s text to become a standard reader for evolution and ecology graduate programmes, as well as for researchers seeking an up-to-date overview of evolutionary ecology research."--Animal Behaviour "Provides an overview of evolutionary ecology, a field spanning the disciplines of ecology and evolutionary biology and incorporating the techniques and approaches of each. Chapters are written by prominent researchers and are organized into five sections: themes in evolutionary ecology, life histories, behavior, co-evolution, and adaptation to anthropogenic change. For researchers seeking a current overview and graduate or advanced undergraduate students seeking an introduction to the field."--SciTech Book News "[A]n excellent overview of research in evolutionary ecology. The book is extremely up-to-date, authoritative, well written, and ... well produced. ... The editors certainly are to be commended on the list of authors that they have gathered. The table of contents reads like a miniature who's who of evolutionary ecology ... The authors and editors have done a better job of referring between chapters than in any other edited volume I have read. ... a valuable book for a wide audience."--Ecology "This work introduces many of the important topics in evolutionary ecology. ... [the] chapters [are] written almost exclusively by notable scientists ..."--Choice "[E]ven experts working within particular areas of the field will find many of the chapters outside their primary area of research interesting and stimulating ... the 35 authors constitute a vertiable "who's who" in the field. ... the breadth of coverage is impressive ... In many respects the book has a cohesiveness usually found only in single authored works."--The Quarterly Review of BiologyTable of ContentsPART 1: RECURRING THEMES ; 1. Nature and Causes of Variation ; 2. Evolutionary Significance of Variation ; 3. Natural Selection ; 4. Adaptation ; 5. Phenotypic Plasticity ; 6. Population Structure ; 7. Inbreeding and Outbreeding ; PART 2: LIFE HISTORIES ; 8. Age and Size at Maturity ; 9. Offspring Size and Number ; 10. Senescence ; 11. Life Cycles ; 12. Sex and Gender ; 13. Sex Ratios and Sex Allocation ; 14. Ecological Specialization and Generalization ; PART 3: BEHAVIOR ; 15. Mating Systems ; 16. Sexual Selection ; 17. Cooperation and Altruism ; 18. Foraging Behaviour ; 19. The Evolutionary Ecology of Management ; PART 4: INTERSPECIFIC INTERACTIONS ; 20. Ecological Character Displacement ; 21. Predator-Prey Interactions ; 22. Parasite-Host Interactions ; 23. Plant-Herbivore Interactions ; 24. Mutualisms ; 25. The Geographic Dynamics of Coevolution ; PART 5: ADAPTATION TO ANTHROPOGENIC CHANGE ; 26. Pesticide Resistance ; 27. Predicting the Outcome of Biological Control ; 28. Evolutionary Conservation Biology ; REFERENCES ; INDEX

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Book SynopsisThis book gives an overview of the potential and the practical details that need to be resolved to make human germline engineering possible. Chapters present the ethical and social concerns and implications of the fast-approaching capability to alter the human germline and take an active role in the future evolution of the species.Trade ReviewThe book should be commended for bringing to the fore the possibilityof germline manipulation within the next decade * New Genetics & Society *...interesting reading. * Heredity *The participants, mostly drawn from Us academic institutions, fall into three categories: eminent practising scientists; panelists, including James Watson, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA; and commentators- scientists, ethcicists and theologians * Nature *Table of ContentsSection One ; 1. A vision for human germline engineering ; 2. The human genome project - launch pad for human genetic engineering ; 3. Ethics and Safety ; 4. Human germline gene therapy: how and why ; 5. A new front in the battel against disease ; 6. Aging as a target for genetic engineering ; 7. Reprogenetics: how reproductive and genetic technolgies will be combined to provide new opportunities for people to reach their reproductive goals ; Section Two ; Panel: The road ahead ; Section Three"R ; 1. Other voices - Introduction ; 2. Parental choices ; 3. Thoughts on the... ; 4. The psycho-social limits on human germline modification ; 5. Do we know ourselves well enough to be engineering humans? ; 6. Germline manipulation ; 7. Maximize parental choice ; 8. Our societal obligations for keeping human nature untouched ; 9. The question of purpose ; 10. Gene modification technology ; 11. Justice and the germline ; 12. Human germ line intervention: What's the fuss about? ; 13. Germline culture: The genetics of hubris ; 14. Liberty, equality, and solidarity in our genetically engineered future ; 15. Would humanity be better off...Or, what would it be better for? ; 16. Human dignity should not keep us from genetically engineering our children ; 17. Universal bioethics for the human germline ; 18. Multi-jurisdiction regulation of germline intervention 'A policy with neither virtue nor prospect of success ; Section 4. Chapter Contributors and Essay Contributors

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Book SynopsisThis book presents the statistical methods that are useful in the study of molecular evolution and illustrates how to use them in actual data analysis. Molecular evolution has been developing at a great pace over the past decade or so, driven by the huge increase in genetic sequence data from many organisms, the improvement of high-speed microcomputers, and the development of several new methods for phylogenetic analysis. This book for graduate students and researchers, assuming a basic knowledge of evolution, molecular biology, and elementary statistics, should make it possible for many investigators to incorporate refined statistical analysis of large-scale data in their own work. Nei is one of the leading workers in this area. He and Kumar have developed a computer program called MEGA, which has been sold for about $20 to over 1900 users. For the book, the authors are thoroughly revising MEGA and will make it available via FTP. The book also included analysis using the other most poTrade ReviewIt is worth its price * Plant Systematics and Evolution *Table of Contents1. Molecular basis of evolution ; 2. Evolutionary changes of amino acid sequences ; 3. Evolutionary changes of DNA sequences ; 4. Synonymous and nonsynonymous nucleotide substitutions ; 5. Phylogenetic trees ; 6. Phylogenetic inference: Distance methods ; 7. Phylogenetic inference: Maximum parsimony methods ; 8. Phylogenetic inference: Maximum likelihood methods ; 9. Accuracies and statistical tests of phylogenetic trees ; 10. Molecular clocks and linearized trees ; 11. Ancestral nucleotide and amino acid sequences ; 12. Genetic polymorphism and evolution ; 13. Population trees from genetic markers ; 14. Perspectives ; Appendices ; A. Mathematical sumbols and notations ; B. Geological timescale ; C. Geological events in the Cenozoic and Meszoic eras ; D. Evolution of organisms based on the fossil record

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Book SynopsisA new voice in the nature-nurture debate can be heard at the interface between evolution and development. Phenotypic integration--or, how large numbers of characteristics are related to make up the whole organism, and how these relationships evolve and change their function--is a major growth area in research, attracting the attention of evolutionary biologists, developmental biologists, and geneticists, as well as, more broadly, ecologists, physiologists, and paleontologists. This edited collection presents much of the best and most recent work the topic.Trade ReviewI think this volume will provide stimulating reading for most students, teachers and researchers in a variety of biological disciplines. HeredityTable of ContentsForeword: The diversity of complexity ; Phenotypic Integration: Studying the Ecology and Evolution of Complex Phenotypes ; SECTION I: ADAPTATION AND CONSTRAINTS ; 1. Floral integration, modularity, and accuracy: distinguishing complex adaptations from genetic constraints ; 2. Integration and modularity in the evolution of sexual ornaments: An overlooked perspective ; 3. the Evolution of allometry in modular organisms ; 4. Phenotypic integration as a constraint and adaptation ; 5. Evolvability, stabilizing selection, and the problem of stasis ; SECTION II: PHENOTYPIC PLASTICITY AND INTEGRATION ; 6. Studying the plasticity of phenotypic integration in a model organism ; 7. Integrating phenotypic plasticity when death is on the line: Insights from predator-prey systems ; SECTION III: GENETICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF PHENOTYPIC INTEGRATION ; 8. QTL Mapping: a first step towards an understanding of molecular genetic mechanisms behind phenotypic complexity/integration ; 9. Integration, modules, and development: molecules to morphology to evolution ; 10. Studying mutational effects on G-matrices ; SECTION IV: MACROEVOLUTIONARY PATTERNS IN PHENOTYPIC INTEGRATION ; 11. the Macroevolution of phenotypic integration ; 12. Form, Function and Life-History: Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of Integration ; 13. Morphological Integration in Primate Evolution ; SECTION V: THEORY AND ANALYSIS OF PHENOTYPIC INTEGRATION ; 14. Phylogenetic comparative analysis of multivariate data ; 15. The Evolution of genetic architecture ; 16. Multivariate phenotypic evolution in developmental hyperspace ; 17. the Relativism of constraints on phenotypic evolution ; 18. The Developmental Systems Perspective: Organism-environment systems as units of development and evolution ; Conclusion

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Book SynopsisThis edition of Are We Hardwired addresses the role of genes in governing behaviour. It explains the genetic and molecular basis of human behaviour within the broader context of animal behaviour generally. Behaviour is treated as a complex interaction of nature and nurture; to understand ourselves fully, neither can be dismissed out of hand.Trade ReviewThis book tells the story of how genes and other aspects of biology such as pheromones and neurotransmitters affect important behaviours such as aggression, eating disorders, drug use and abuse, sexual preference, learning and memory, and mental function. The story begins with the real stars of genetic research - sea slugs, roundworms, and fruit flies - and builds up to what we know about our own species. The story is told in a captivating way--exciting yet erudite. Excellent! * Robert Plomin, MRC Research Professor, Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College, London and author of the upcoming fourth edition of Behaviour Genetics *Are we hardwired? Do billion-year old genes play an important role in human behaviour? Pick up this book. You won't be able to put it down. * Thomas J. Bouchard, Jr., Professor of Psychology, University of Minnesota *Table of Contents1. Mirror, mirror ; 2. In the beginning: the evolutionary origins of behaviour ; 3. The nose knows ; 4. As the worm turns: learning and memory in the roundworm C. elegans ; 5. About genes and behaviour ; 6. Life in the fourth dimension: the role of clocks in regulating behaviour ; 7. You must remember this: the evolution of learning and memory ; 8. The role of neurotransmitters in human behaviour ; 9. The genetics of aggression ; 10. The genetics of consumption, Part 1: eating disorders ; 11. The genetics of consumption, Part II: alcoholism and drug abuse ; 12. The genetics of human mental function ; 13. The genetics of human sexual preference ; 14. Genetics, the environment and free will ; Appendix 1: finding and identifying genes ; Appendix 2: a brief history of eugenics

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Book SynopsisThis is the story of a profound revolution in the way biologists explore life''s history, understand its evolutionary processes, and reveal its diversity. It is about life''s smallest entities, deepest diversity, and greatest cellular biomass: the microbiosphere. Jan Sapp introduces us to a new field of evolutionary biology and a new brand of molecular evolutionists who descend to the foundations of evolution on Earth to explore the origins of the genetic system and the primary life forms from which all others have emerged. In so doing, he examines-from Lamarck to the present-the means of pursuing the evolution of complexity, and of depicting the greatest differences among organisms. The New Foundations of Evolution takes us into a world that classical evolutionists could never have imagined: a deep phylogeny based on three domains of life and multiple kingdoms, and created by mechanisms very unlike those considered by Darwin and his followers. Evolution by leaps seems to occur regulTrade ReviewIt is a must-read for anyone with the slightest interest in the historical background to the current controversies regarding the role of horizontal gene transfer and how this affects the notion of a tree of life for prokaryotes. * Systematic Biology *Table of ContentsFOREWORD; PREFACE; CONCLUDING REMARKS

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Book SynopsisAdaptive radiation is the evolution of diversity within a rapidly multiplying lineage. It can cause a single ancestral species to differentiate into an impressively vast array of species inhabiting a variety of environments. Much of life''s diversity has arisen during adaptive radiations. Some of the most famous recent examples include the East African cichlid fishes, the Hawaiian silverswords, and of course, Darwin''s Galápagos finches,. This book evaluates the causes of adaptive radiation. It focuses on the ''ecological'' theory of adaptive radiation, a body of ideas that began with Darwin and was developed through the early part of the 20th Century. This theory proposes that phenotypic divergence and speciation in adaptive radiation are caused ultimately by divergent natural selection arising from differences in environment and competition between species. In The Ecology of Adaptive Radiation the author re-evaluates the ecological theory, along with its most significant extensions aTrade Review[Schluter's] book is an ideal basis for graduate student seminar courses, and can both educate and spark spirited discussion ... finely crafted, deeply thoughtful. * Evolution *... a scholarly work of great clarity and force of argument. It is essential reading for all students of evolution ... a book that will take its place near the ones by Dobzhansky, Lack, Mayr and Simpson that inspired it. * Peter R. Grant, Quarterly Review of Biology *... in each decade, one book stands out in terms of its influence on the field of evolutionary biology ... Although only one-year old, this decade might have already produced its member of this pantheon: Dolph Schluter" The Ecology of Adaptive Radiation ... it will lead to new avenues of research and new ways of thinking about adaptive radiation. * Jonathan B. Losos, Trends in Ecology and Evolution *... presents and impressively thorough evaluation of the empirical evidence that has accumulated since Simpson's snythesis ... an absolute "must read" for all graduate students in the fields of ecology and evolution and for anyone interested in evolutionary diversity. It will become a classic. * Axel Meyer, Science *... should be read and regularly consulted by anybody interested in adaptive radiation, in natural selection, and in speciation. * Konrad Bachmann, Plant Systematics and Evolution *Table of Contents1. The origins of ecological diversity ; 2. Detecting adaptive radiation ; 3. The progress of adaptive radiation ; 4. The ecological theory of adaptive radiation ; 5. Divergent natural selection between environments ; 6. Divergence and species interactions ; 7. Ecological opportunity ; 8. The ecological basis of speciation ; 9. Divergence along genetic lines of least resistance ; 10. The ecology of adaptive radiation

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Book SynopsisThis is a history of how sheep breeding contributed to knowledge of heredity, and how the theory was vigorously pursued during the early Nineteenth Century in Brno, where Mendel defined the basis of genetics in 1866. This original and perceptive work is rich in previously unpublished detail.Trade ReviewThis is a very valuable book analysing the period of animal breeding, especially sheep, before the discovering of heredity laws by Gregor Mendel. * Folia Mendeliana *Historians of technology will find here a rich case study of the diffusion of a technology, and the book's implications for the relations of science and technology are significant. * British Journal for the History of Science *In illuminating the milieu in which Mendel worked, Wood and Orel add usefully to our knowledge of nineteenth-century conceptions of heredity. * British Journal for the History of Science *Over the last 30 years Orel and Wood have reconstructured the context of Mendel's work more thoroughly than anyone else. This book is a welcome culmination of that project, integrating the various strands of their work into one long argument. * British Journal for the History of Science *Wood and Orel's book offers answers both intriguing and persuasive. * British Journal for the History of Science *Historians of genetics will find Wood and Orel's case compelling. * Journal of the History of Biology *... an interesting and a stimulating study. They have undertaken an impressive amount of research in the archives on sheep-breeding in Europe in the eighteenth and ninteenth centuries, and presented their findings and conclusions clearly and logically. I learnt a lot from the book. * Nature *Table of ContentsLIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS ; ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ; OVERVIEW ; REFERENCES ; INDEX

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Book Synopsis''Phylogenetics'' is the reconstruction and analysis of phylogenetic (evolutionary) trees and networks based on inherited characteristics. It is a flourishing area of intereaction between mathematics, statistics, computer science and biology.The main role of phylogenetic techniques lies in evolutionary biology, where it is used to infer historical relationships between species. However, the methods are also relevant to a diverse range of fields including epidemiology, ecology, medicine, as well as linguistics and cognitive psychologyThis graduate-level book, based on the authors lectures at The University of Canterbury, New Zealand, focuses on the mathematical aspects of phylogenetics. It brings together the central results of the field (providing proofs of the main theorem), outlines their biological significance,and indicates how algorithms may be derived. The presentation is self-contained and relies on discrete mathematics with some probability theory. A set of exercises and at least one specialist topic ends each chapter.This book is intended for biologists interested in the mathematical theory behind phylogenetic methods, and for mathematicians, statisticians, and computer scientists eager to learn about this emerging area of discrete mathematics.''Phylogenetics'' in the 24th volume in the Oxford Lecture Series in Mathematics and its Applications. This series contains short books suitable for graduate students and researchers who want a well-written account of mathematics that is fundamental to current to research. The series emphasises future directions of research and focuses on genuine applications of mathematics to finance, engineering and the physical and biological sciences.Trade ReviewThe authors' versatility in words, as well as in mathematics, makes reading this book altogether an enjoyable experience for the mathematically-inclined. * Systematic Biology *The authors state in the preface that their intention is to provide "a reasonably self-contained overview of an expanding field". In our opinion, they certainly succeed in meeting that goal. * Systematic Biology *All in all, this book should serve as an excellent mathematical introduction to phylogenetics for beginners and as a good reference for experts in the field. * Systematic Biology *Concisely and clearly written, Phylogenetics is a must-read for mathematicians or computer scientists who wish to do research in molecular phylogenetics, computational biology and bioinformatics. I hope the book will attract powerful mathematicians into this exciting area of research. * TRENDS in Ecology and Evolution *... this book provides a concise and lucid summary of the mathematics literature related to phylogenetics. * TRENDS in Ecology and Evolution *Table of ContentsPreliminaries ; 1. Graphs and their role in biology ; 2. X-trees and phylogenetic trees ; 3. Trees and splits ; 4. Compatibility of characters ; 5. Maximum Parsimony ; 6. Subtrees and supertrees ; 7. Tree-based metrics ; 8. Markov models on trees ; References ; Commonly-used symbols ; Index

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Book SynopsisThe field of molecular evolution has experienced explosive growth in recent years due to the rapid accumulation of genetic sequence data, continuous improvements to computer hardware and software, and the development of sophisticated analytical methods. The increasing availability of large genomic data sets requires powerful statistical methods to analyse and interpret them, generating both computational and conceptual challenges for the field.Computational Molecular Evolution provides an up-to-date and comprehensive coverage of modern statistical and computational methods used in molecular evolutionary analysis, such as maximum likelihood and Bayesian statistics. Yang describes the models, methods and algorithms that are most useful for analysing the ever-increasing supply of molecular sequence data, with a view to furthering our understanding of the evolution of genes and genomes. The book emphasizes essential concepts rather than mathematical proofs. It includes detailed derivationsTrade ReviewWhat sets this books apart is the authority and thoughtfulness with which it is written, the thorough coverage of the relevant literature, and the great care that has been taken in the computational examples to compare different methods on the same set of data, and to present the results clearly. It will be an invaluable resource both for new graduate students and established researchers. It will be a major source for insight and enormously helpful for anyone who wants to understand molecular phylogenies. * The Quarterly Review of Biology *Table of ContentsPREFACE ; APPENDIXES ; REFERENCE

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