Chromatin: Structure, Function, and History

Chromatin: Structure, Function, and History brings the reader up to date on the remarkable progress made in chromatin research over the course of the past 50 years. Coverage includes the basics of chromatin biology, beginning with the discoveries that culminated in the recognition of the nucleosome as the basic subunit of chromatin. Chromatin folding, nucleosome positioning, and histone variants are discussed, as well as research on chromatin modifications and remodeling, which exploded in the early to mid-1990s and led to widespread interest in epigenetics. Considerable attention is given to methods and experiments that led to key insights, and recent developments such as the use of genome-wide approaches and innovations in imaging approaches are also emphasized. By providing historical background together with detailed discussion of contemporary studies, the book aims to instill in the reader an appreciation not only of our current knowledge of chromatin structure and function, but also of the remarkable path that has taken chromatin to the forefront of modern research.

• Provides a current, expansive, and well-documented resource on chromatin and epigenetics
• Addresses the role of chromatin in transcription regulation and chromatin abnormalities in disease
• Reviews the historical background of specific areas of chromatin research, enabling readers to understand how the field was born and to appreciate the discoveries and technical advances that have propelled it forward

Randall H. Morse's interest in chromatin originated with an undergraduate course in molecular genetics in 1975. After finishing his graduate studies in biophysical chemistry at Caltech, Dr. Morse worked as a postdoctoral fellow at Columbia University and the National Institutes of Health. He continued to conduct research on chromatin and transcription in his own lab at the Wadsworth Center in Albany, New York. Additionally, he has taught chromatin structure and function to graduate students in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University at Albany School of Public Health since 1994. Dr. Morse has contributed his expertise and research on chromatin structure and function to numerous conferences. Furthermore, he has written articles and reviews on this subject and has received several competitive grants to fund his research.