Synopsis
Cells respond to environmental cues through a complex and dynamic network of signaling pathways that normally maintain a critical balance between cellular proliferation, differentiation, senescence, and death. One current research challenge is to identify those aberrations in signal transd- tion that directly contribute to a loss of this division-limited equilibrium and the progression to malignant transformation. The study of cell-signaling m- ecules in this context is a central component of cancer research. From the knowledge of such targets, investigators have been able to productively advance many insightful hypotheses about how a particular cancer cell may misinterpret, or respond inappropriately to, growth regulatory cues in their environment. Despite these key insights, the rapidly evolving nature of cell signaling research in cancer has necessitated a continuous revision of these theoretical constructs and the updating of methods used in their study. One contemporary example of the evolution of this field is provided by an analysis of the Human Genome Project data, which reveal a previously unsuspected diversity in the multigene families encoding for most signaling pathway int- mediates. In assessing the usefulness of a particular methodological approach, therefore, we will need to keep in mind that there is a premium on those p- tocols that can be easily adapted for the analysis of multiple members within a gene family. Cancer Cell Signaling: Methods and Protocols brings together several such methods in cell signaling research that are scientifically grounded within the cancer biology field.
From the Back Cover
The rapidly evolving nature of cell signaling research in cancer has necessitated a continuous updating of the methods used in its study, most recently to take into account the analysis of multiple members within a gene family. Cancer Cell Signaling: Methods and Protocols brings together all the major methods of cell research that are scientifically grounded within the cancer biology field. Presented in step-by-step detail to ensure successful results, the methods include proven techniques for the investigation of apoptosis and cell death, complementary protocols for manipulating and/or monitoring oncogenic signals in cancer cells, and techniques for studying protein-protein interactions. Finally, there is a detailed protocol for capturing pure samples of malignant cells from frozen tissue specimens and two alternative techniques for analyzing their genomic DNA. Each method is described by a hands-on master of the technique and includes invaluable notes on troubleshooting and pitfalls to avoid.
Cutting-edge and highly practical, Cancer Cell Signaling: Methods and Protocols provides today's cancer researchers with new, but well-proven, strategies and procedures for investigating how the signaling cascades essential to normal cell life are corrupted, as well as for developing new molecular tools for cancer therapy.
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