The Nucleic Acid Protocols Handbook

There can be no doubt that some ofthe most spectacular advances made in science over the past few decades have been in the isolation, analysis, and manipulation of nucleicacids. Thishas ledtoamuchgreaterunderstandingofmechanismsandprocesses across many fields of bioscience, such as biochemistry, microbiology, physiology, pharmacology, and the medical sciences to name a few. It has also led to the growth of the biotechnology industry, which seeks to develop and commercialize many ofthese important processes and methods. Much ofthis has come about because ofthe devel- opment of numerous molecular biology and genetic manipulation techniques. The discovery of restriction enzymes and the development of cloning vectors in the early 1970sopenedthedoortowaysofisolatingandmanipulatingnucleic acidsthathadnever been thought possible. Gene probe labeling and hybridization were developed and refined toprovidepowerfulmethodsofanalysis. These-togetherwiththedevelopment of DNA sequencing methods, protein engineering techniques, and PeR-have all continued to contribute substantially to the understandingofbiological processes at the molecular level. Theprotocols for these importantmethods are the focus ofThe Nucleic AcidProtocols Handbook, whose aim is to provide a comprehensive set oftechniques in onevolume thatwill enable the isolation, analysis, and manipulationofnucleic acids to be readily undertaken. The NucleicAcidProtocols Handbook is divided into 10 parts; within each there are approximately 10chapters. The first fourpartsfollow oneanotherlogically: nucleic acid extraction (Part I), basic separation and analysisofDNA (II), through probe design and labeling (III), and RNA analysis techniques (IV). The following three sections deal with gene libraryconstruction andscreening(V), DNA sequencing (VI), andthe polymerase chain reaction (VII).

Table of Contents:
Nucleic Acid Extraction.- Basic Separation and Analysis of DNA.- Probe Design, Synthesis, and Labeling.- RNA Analysis Techniques.- Gene Library Construction and Screening.- DNA Sequencing.- Basic Polymerase Chain Reaction Methods.- Analyzing Genes, Mutations, and Protein Interactions.- mutagenesis, transcription, and Translation In Vitro.- Gene Localization, Mapping In Situ, and Bioinformatics.

Review :
"... the techniques are presented in minute details and in a "cookbook-standardized manner"... The personal notes inserted by each contributor provide assurance that the techniques would work in any laboratory... Having all of those protocols updated and tested in practice and bound in one volume will be attractive to many scientists who deal with molecular biology techniques."- Modern Pathology "There were over 190 authors involved in writing the protocols, ...each protocol is presented in outline format an follows a common numbering scheme, making it easy to find relevant sections....Many of the protocols include tables of data or figures, including drawings or photographs of gels...One of the most useful sections in each protocol lists notes, which elucidate possible pitfalls, provide troubleshooting tips, or give alternate methods or explanations for steps. This very practical information makes successful duplication of the procedure much more likely than when attemptingto follow the often less detailed or less flexible descriptions given in journal articles....this handbook would be extremely useful as a reference in most university libraries."-E-Streams "...it covers practically all of the very important and large field of nucleic acid research. The volume summarizes, in 10 parts, recent advances in the isolation , analysis and manipulation of nucleic acids. ...The chapters were contributed by authors from leading laboratories in the field all over the world....The book provides the reader with a large set of ready-to use protocols needed to undertake complex molecular biology experimental project on a large spectrum of biological models involving isolation and analysis of nucleic acids. It is thus an almost indispensable handbook for anybody working in the field of molecular biology and genetics."-Folia Microbiologica "...extremely useful as a reference in most university libraries." - E-Streams "...comprehensiveand detailed...this is an set of recipes for the genetic kitchen." -The Biologist