Genes V

This is the latest edition of the core text for courses in molecular biology, genetics, cell biology, and related disciplines. "Genes V" provides more introductory material than earlier editions. The contents have been thoroughly revised, reflecting new knowledge and advances. A brand new section on cell biology integrates material scattered throughout previous editions with the latest developments. The whole bookhas a greater coherence and more logical structure than ever before. This is reflected by a design which should help to illustrate major points and summarize large amounts of work. People who should find this book interesting include undergraduates in the second, third or fourth years (and sometimes even the first year) of a degree course in molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, microbiology, virology, cell biology, or preclinical medicine. Research students and scientists who need a thoroughly up-to-date, well-integrated, and authoritative account of the science which may not be their original discipline but has a major impact on their work and that of their competitors should also find this book of interest.

Table of Contents:
Cells as macromolecular assemblies; Cells obey the laws of physics and chemistry; Cells are organized into compartments. Part 1 DNA as a store of information: Genes are mutable units; DNA is the genetic material; The topology of nucleic acids; Isolating the gene. Part 2 Translation: expressing genes as proteins; The assembly line for protein synthesis; Transfer RNA is the translational adaptor; Ribosomes provide a translation factory; Messenger RNA is the template. Part 3 Constructing the cell: The apparatus for protein localization; Receptors and signal transduction: channels and ion uptake; Cell cycle and growth regulation. Part 4 Control of prokaryotic gene expression: Control at initiation: RNA polymerase-promoter interactions; A panoply of operons - the lactose paradigm and others; Control by RNA structure - termination and antitermination; Phage strategies - lytic cascades and lysogenic repression. Part 5 Perpetuation of DNA: The replicon - unit of replication; Primosomes and replisomes - the apparatus for DNA replication; Systems that safeguard DNA. Part 6 Organization of the eukaryotic genome: The extraordinary power of DNA technology; Genome size and genetic content; The eukaryotic gene - conserved exons and unique introns; Gene numbers - repetition and redundancy; Genomes sequestered in organelles; Organization of simple sequence DNA; The genome is packaged into chromosomes; Chromosomes consist of nucleosomes. Part 7 Eukaryotic transcription and RNA processing: Building the transcription complex - promoters, factors, and RNA polymerases; Regulation of transcription - factors that activate the basal apparatus; The apparatus for nuclear splicing; RNA as catalyst - changing the informational content of RNA. Part 8 The dynamic genome: DNA in flux; Recombination of DNA; Transposons that mobilize via DNA; Retroviruses and retroposons; Rearrangement and amplification in the genome. Part 9 Genes in development; Generation of immune diversity by gene reorganization; Gene regulation in development - gradients and cascades; Oncogenes - gene expression and cancer; Epilogue.