Developmental Biology Protocols: Volume III (Methods in Molecular Biology, 137) - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0896038548 ISBN 13: 9780896038547

Publisher: Humana, 2000

Synopsis

Developmental biology is one of the most exciting and fast-growing fields today. In part, this is so because the subject matter deals with the innately fascinating biological events―changes in form, structure, and function of the organism. The other reason for much of the excitement in developmental biology is that the field has truly become the unifying melting pot of biology, and provides a framework that integrates anatomy, physiology, genetics, biochemistry, and cellular and molecular biology, as well as evolutionary biology. No longer is the study of embryonic development merely “embryology.” In fact, development biology has produced important paradigms for both basic and clinical biomedical sciences. Though modern developmental biology has its roots in “experimental embry- ogy” and the even more classical “chemical embryology,” the recent explosive and remarkable advances in developmental biology are critically linked to the advent of the “cellular and molecular biology revolution.” The impressive arsenal of expe- mental and analytical tools derived from cell and molecular biology, which promise to continue to expand, together with the exponentially developing sophistication in fu- tional imaging and information technologies, guarantee that the study of the devel- ing embryo will contribute one of the most captivating areas of biological research in the next millennium.

About this title

From the Back Cover

The molecular biology revolution has transformed developmental biology into one of the most exciting and fruitful fields in experimental biomedical research today. In Developmental Biology Protocols, established leaders in this field demonstrate this achievement with a comprehensive collection of cutting-edge protocols for studying and analyzing the events of embryonic development. Drawing on state-of-the-art cellular and molecular techniques, as well as new and sophisticated imaging and information technologies, this 3rd volume and last volume introduces powerful techniques for the manipulation of developmental gene expression and function, the analysis of gene expression, the characterization of tissue morphogenesis and development, the in vitro study of differentiation and development, and the genetic analysis of developmental models of diseases. The 1st and 2nd volumes in this seminal set complete today's widest-ranging collection of techniques designed to decipher the exact cellular, molecular, and genetic mechanisms that control the form, structure, and function of the developing embryo. Volume 1 presents readily reproducible methods for establishing and characterizing several widely used experimental model systems, for both the study of developmental patterns and morphogenesis, and the examination of embryo structure and function. In addition, there are step-by-step methods for the analysis of cell lineage, the production and use of chimeras, and the experimental molecular manipulation of embryos, including the application of viral vectors. No less innovative, volume 2 describes state-of-the-art methods for the study of organogenesis, the analysis of abnormal development and teratology, the screening and mapping of novel genes and mutations, and the application of transgenesis, including the production of transgenic animals and gene knockouts. Highly practical and richly annotated, the three volumes of Developmental Biology Protocols describe multiple experimental systems and details techniques adopted from the broadest array of biomedical disciplines. Every researcher will not only better understand the principles, background, and rationale for how form and function are elaborated in an organism, but also gain full practical access to today's best methods for its analysis.

Review

"We live in a time of rising expectations. Being a developmental biologist at the turn of the millenium demands expertise in embryological manipulation, viral gene expression, in situ hybridization, videomicroscopy, in vitro assays, transgenic embryo production, cell lineage analysis, PCR techniques, and computer-enhanced imaging technology. Rocky Tuan and Cecilia Lo have done the field (and each scientist within it) a wonderful service by collecting and editing the protocols of the masters of each echnique. More than 100 papers spanning these areas (and more) patiently lead one through each method, giving details on what brand of microscope slides to use, what centrifuge tubes work best, and where to purchase each piece of equipment. Copious notes provide details based on the laboratories' experiences of what works and what doesn't. Developmental Biology Protocols is a library in itself and will be essential for every laboratory of developmental biology. This
is the collection to get before your next grant application is due."-Scott Gilbert, Department of Biology, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA

"The range of techniques, from viral vectors to imaging, and of organisms, from sea urchins to mammals, is comprehensive yet focused. This work should be an invaluable aid to those interested in all aspects of comparative development. This work is logically organized and presents a great opportunity for not only picking up a technique but also placing it in a logical context. Well done!" -Barbara B. Knowles, Director of Research, Jackson Labs, Bar Harbor, ME

"Among similar laboratory manuals Developmental Biology Protocols edited by Tuan and Lo impress by their breadth of coverage, timeliness, and scrupulous attention to detail. . .these protocols will be an invaluable aid to every geneticist and developmental biologist."-Davor Solter, Director of Developmental Biology, Max-Planck Institute, Freiburg, Germany

Edition details

• Publisher: Humana
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0896038548
• ISBN 13: 9780896038547
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 548
• Editor: Tuan Rocky S., Lo Cecilia W.