Genetics (non-medical) Books

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisMitochondrial Eve and Y-Chromosomal Adam discusses theoretical ideas, interpretations, and paleontological evidence to narrate the origin and evolutionary story of Sapiens through the transitional stages of archaic human species involved in the evolutionary pilgrimage, from the great apes and to modern humans. Author Subir Ranjan Kundu investigates the DNA footprints of primates – great apes, archaic humans, and anatomically modern human beings – to stretch out the missing links between evolutionary milestones to define and redefine the progress of life.The origin and evolution of Humans have always remained a source of debate between the creationists and evolutionists, in terms of recognizing the results of such researches on biological evolution and its credible interpretation of the evolutionists who upheld the origin and evolution of "Sapiens" resulting from great apes in course of the gradual evolutionary progress of life. Kundu analyzes interpretations of molecular and evolutionary geneticists over the last four decades and presents detailed illustrations on the matrilineal inheritance of mitochondrial DNA (represented by mitochondrial Eve as primordial mother), patrilineal inheritance of Y-chromosomal DNA (represented by Y-chromosomal Adam as primordial father). He also presents elaborate structural aspects of the human genome and molecular aspects of the DNA footprint of Sapiens. This book is addressed to heterogeneous readers, graduate, and post-graduate students, research scientists and the general public interested in the origins and biological evolution of humans in view of molecular phylogenetics.

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Book SynopsisExploring Genome's Junkyard: In the Labyrinth of Evolution narrates the progress of biological evolution, beginning with the conceptual introspection of gene and continuing with the contemporary understanding of the structural and function aspects of the human genome. Recent advances in human genome research have led scientists to the term "biological dark matter," which refers to genetic material whose functionalities are not yet properly understood. Such "dark matter" has been recognized as non-coding, or "junk DNA," and non-coding RNA, which was thought to be devoid of protein encrypting potential but contained 98-99% of the human genome. The mysteries of missing genes from its "Dark DNA" region are a hotbed of recurrent mutations. Hence, the presence of "missing genes" in evolutionary sibling species has indicated that the "missing genes" are not really missing but rather hidden in the mutational hotbeds of "Dark DNA" where they have steered the continuation of life's evolutionary journey.

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Book SynopsisMicroRNA research and development is the billion-dollar baby and most lucrative option for drug discovery in gene therapy industries worldwide. Personalized microRNA treatments are in many cases the only remedy for viral diseases that have no cure in conventional drugs and offer to bring us closer than ever to “personalized medicine.” They also counteract cancer and other infectious and neuro-diseases. Early diagnosis, prognosis, staging, and sub-classification of various cancers can easily be facilitated by microRNA-based biomarkers. MicroRNA surveys recent advances in RNA and RNA-protein components that highlight RNA delivery, its stability, and applications of RNA-based drugs for the modulation of gene/protein expression and gene editing. The book not only focuses on the modern medicines of microRNA-based early diagnostic and therapy development, but also works as a hidden treasure for drug discovery of multiple rare diseases worldwide. It offers indispensable learning materials for academic researchers, graduate, and medical students, and offers a powerful practical guide for RNA-Pharma and gene therapy industries.

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Book SynopsisMost people have heard of senility, dementia and Alzheimer's disease, but how different are these conditions? Whenever memories begin to fail later in life, Alzheimer's is a concern. Some people worry because their parents are not remembering a birthday, or a trip to the store. We all have our moments, right? But the idea of having Alzheimer's disease, and the reaction to this possibility, is usually one of fear and some confusion. Understanding disease progression is critical and new research has given us valuable information about symptoms, how symptoms progress, and how they relate to cellular dysfunction of the neurons involved. This book describes Alzheimer's as a progressive dementia, where neural function is impaired and atrophy of the brain occurs. Symptoms go beyond those mental and behavioral changes associated with normal aging. The region of the brain affected first is the hippocampus, which is critical for memory and higher order thinking, giving rise to classic Alzheimer's symptom of memory loss. Although we understand how early diagnosis influences treatments and outcomes, we don't know what causes Alzheimer's disease and there is no cure. Future treatments for Alzheimer's are promising as researchers work to understand the events that convert the normal balance of repair and function in the brain to a pathology that robs someone of their memories.

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Book SynopsisAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ALS, is a common form of motor neuron disease that involves a loss of function in upper and lower motor neurons. ALS causes a progressive loss of muscle function that frequently initiates in the limbs, called limb-onset ALS, or initiates in facial muscles, called bulbar-onset ALS. This book describes the current understanding of ALS symptoms, diagnosis, causes, and treatments. Initial symptoms vary in type of muscle dysfunction, intensity of symptoms, and speed of disease progression. Diagnosis requires loss of function in both upper and lower motor neurons for limb- and bulbar-onset ALS, distinguishing ALS from other neuromuscular diseases. Although no cause or initial trigger has been determined for ALS, eventually both limb and bulbar muscles will show dysfunction as the disease progresses. In later stages of the disease, muscle dysfunction typically leads to respiratory failure and death. Management of neurotransmitter levels in patients can prolong life by months, but no cure exits for the disease. Other treatments exist that can help patients manage muscle weakness or spasms as the disease progresses. The book concludes by considering future detection, treatment, and diagnostic approaches with the goal of preventing disease initiation or progression.

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Book SynopsisThe human body is protected in critical ways as our immune system provides protection from a broad spectrum of infections and injuries. Unfortunately, in some individuals, their immune system targets components of their own bodies, causing autoimmune disease. Many different types of autoimmune diseases exist, each presenting unique symptoms depending on the body system that is damaged. It is not clear what triggers the progression from normal immune reactivity to autoimmune disease, though both environmental and genetic factors are thought to contribute. This book focuses on three distinct examples of autoimmune disease or reactivity: multiple sclerosis, which involves an autoimmune response against structures that support neurons, rheumatoid arthritis, resulting from autoimmune-dependent damage to joints, and organ or graft rejection, which occurs when the immune system recognizes tissues from another individual as foreign. In each case, we consider current and future issues related to disease progression, diagnosis, and treatments.

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Book SynopsisThis book describes the current understanding of symptoms, diagnosis, mode of transmission, and treatments of four important intestinal diseases, taking into consideration the molecular interactions between host cells and infectious agents. Intestinal diseases are a significant health issue worldwide, with varying causative infections resulting in symptoms that range from mild or asymptomatic to death within hours. Understanding the cause of the different forms of intestinal disease is a critical aspect of proper management of these diseases that can save lives. This book describes the current understanding of symptoms, diagnosis, mode of transmission, and treatments of four important intestinal diseases, taking into consideration the molecular interactions between host cells and infectious agents. Specifically, dysentery caused by infection with Entamoeba histolytica, giardiasis caused by infection with Giardia, shigellosis caused by infection with Shigella, and cholera caused by infection with Vibrio cholera, are discussed in each chapter. The author also discusses future work related to prevention and treatment of these critical infectious diseases, given that the eradication of these diseases is unlikely. Awareness of how these diseases are spread and how they can be contained is a growing public health concern, particularly after natural and human-made disasters where public hygiene may be compromised.

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Book SynopsisThe importance of meeting the dietary needs of individuals is critical for good health. This requires educating individuals so that they understand how to best obtain important nutrients and that quality foods rich in these nutrients are accessible to the increasing world population. Many diseases can arise from nutrient deficiencies and toxicities, including rickets, scurvy, and spina bifida, resulting from deficiencies in vitamins D, C, and B, respectively. It is also possible to ingest materials in the diet that can cause disease, such as lead, which results in lead poisoning. In each case, the imbalance of appropriate nutrients leads to an imbalance of vitamin and minerals, causing defects in critical enzyme function in the body. In some cases, the uptake of nutrients is healthy, but the body is unable to breakdown or utilize the nutrients. In each of these instances, disease initiation or progression is preventable through control of diet. Symptoms will be discussed as they impact normal cellular and organ function in the body and are related to nutrient availability. This book will evaluate the prospects for improved preventative approaches and treatments for established diseases and will conclude with a summary and points toward future prevention of these diseases.

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Book SynopsisThe topic of this book, biotechnology, is about gene manipulation. The authors will explain how genetic modification can enhance and repair DNA at the molecular level to cure genetic conditions, better plant growth, diagnose and fix major genetic disorders, and cancer, as well as learning about the human genome. In addition, some ethical and legal cases are presented and a new tool, CRISPR, is explained. It will move biotechnology along on a brisk yet comprehensible pace.

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Book SynopsisIt is hard to avoid hearing about genetic testing. It is advertised, discussed, debated, and offered to patients. Some are over the counter, such as paternity testing, testing for risk for diabetes and others. Others are offered by private companies and still others by drug companies, These tests may or may not show a distinct answer, so it important for patients to understand these results. Early in 1920s a Eugenics movement began in the United States, courts decided which person had undesirable traits and would be sterilized so they could not pass these traits to their children. The idea here was to create a population with better genes (therefore healthier and richer). Families who were chosen received awards and people began to see the importance of genetics. But little did they know how it would EXPLODE! This book will look at genetic testing as it applies today and how the serious decisions that it demands, cannot be ignored.

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Book SynopsisThis book reveals amazing examples of what has and is happening with science and DNA forensics.The public now knows the DNA molecule by sight and how it can assist in solving crimes such as murder and sexual assaults. In this book, the authors demonstrate how DNA forensics has developed over the years.DNA has assisted in finding criminals and releasing those who were wrongly accused, including prisoners on death row and a few who were already executed!

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Book SynopsisIt seems simple to create a baby, after all everyone does it. Even simpler is the definition of fertility. For a successful conception, you need only three things: egg, sperm, and uterus. However, all of these components have to work together to produce a healthy baby, but what happens if one of these parts is not working properly, or is missing altogether? In this book, we will be discussing normal fertility, infertility, and treatment developed in the last 30 years to help with a problem that is almost an epidemic in some countries. These treatments, called assisted reproduction for infertility, have led scientists to find ways to place the sperm and egg as close together as possible so that they fuse and begin development of an embryo.

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Book SynopsisThis book will look at behavior in a different way. Have you heard of the phrase nature vs nurture? Simply, it asks what influences our behavior? This has been a debated topic since early man. Nature is usually defined as what is given to us before we are born, specifically, as discussed in this text, genetics. Nurture means learning that we acquire from our environment–parents, friends, and other influences.In this book, we will look at the newest scientific work, how both genetics and environment effect how we behave. Science, specifically genetics, is now finding its way into all areas of everyday life, criminal law, politics, and how our brain is involved in our actions.

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Book SynopsisIt is hard to avoid hearing about genetic testing. It is advertised, discussed, debated, and offered to patients. Some are over the counter, such as paternity testing, testing for risk for diabetes and others. Others are offered by private companies and still others by drug companies. These tests may or may not show a distinct answer, so it important for patients to understand these results. Early in 1920s a Eugenics movement began in the United States, courts decided which person had undesirable traits and would be sterilized so they could not pass these traits to their children. The idea here was to create a population with better genes (therefore healthier and richer). Families who were chosen received awards and people began to see the importance of genetics. But little did they know how it would EXPLODE! This book will look at genetic testing as it applies today and how the serious decisions that it demands, cannot be ignored.

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Book SynopsisIllness is a part of life. For many years we have known about disease. But we were not always so smart. The Black Plague ravaged Europe between 1347-1352 and killed 30-80 MILLION people. No one knew how people caught the condition and lots of ideas failed–people just died. But not everyone died; possibly their immune systems help them fight off these "invaders".Today we know about bacteria, viruses, cancers and other invaders and we usually let them run their course. That is because our bodies detect and fight them. That is immunity.

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