Emerson S Prot G S

Vols. for 1963- include as pt. 2 of the Jan. issue: Medical subject headings.

An early view of eukaryotic chromosomes was that of static structures, which stored DNA not in use within a given cell type. It was thought that packaging of DNA into higher levels of chromatin structure would suffice to repress gene expression and that the challenge to the cell would be to rescue specific sequences from these structures. The exten sive packaging of inactive DNA was considered the primary difference between eukaryotic and prokaryotic genomes and except for that point both would be similarly regulated by cis-acting sequences and trans acting factors. Our view of eukaryotic chromosomes has evolved dra matically over the last decade. The picture of chromosomes that is emerging is that of dynamic breathing organelles actively regulating the flow of genetic information from the genome. Indeed chromatin is so fluid that even maintaining gene quiescence is an active process and is tightly regulated. Chromatin dynamics is a consequence of protein complexes that modify histones, remove histone modifications, mobi lize nucleosomes or stabilize nucleosomes. Awide variety of such com plexes have now been described. Some are abundant and may play glo bal roles in chromosome fluidity and function. Others are more rare and specialized for specific functions at discreet loci. Moreover, several complexes share biochemical activities and genetic studies suggest overlapping functions in vivo. Many components of these complexes were first revealed in genetic screens, while others were discovered by novel cell biological or biochemical approaches.

Meiosis in Development and Disease, Volume 151 in the Current Topics in Developmental Biology series, highlights new advances in the field, with this new volume presenting interesting chapters on topics such as The initiation stages of meiosis, The molecular basis and dynamics of meiotic cohesions, and their significance in human infertility, Chromatin, recombination, and the centromeres, Sites and structures that mediate segregation when crossing over calls out sick/Life (or at Least Meiosis) Without Crossing Over, Crossover maturation inefficiency, Non coding RNA mediated gene regulation in meiosis, Short chromosomes in meiotic recombination, Chromatin level changes during meiosis initiation vs. oncogenesis, and much more. Other sections of note include Chromosomal speciation revisited: Meiotic recombination and synapsis of evolutionary diverged homologs, Recombination suppression at specific chromosome regions, Unwinding during stressful times - mechanisms of helicases in meiotic recombination, Meiotic functions of PCH-2/TRIP13 and HORMADs, Crossover interference, Checkpoint control in meiotic prophase: Idiosyncratic demands require unique characteristics, The breadth of meiotic drive genes and mechanisms across the tree of life, and many more interesting topics. Provides the authority and expertise of leading contributors from an international board of authors Presents the latest release in the Current Topics in Developmental Biology series Updated release includes the latest information on the Meiosis in Development and Disease

Here, a stellar international group of contributors examines the various aspects of metabolism in the human adult during pregnancy, in the foetus, and in the new-born. This second edition has been completely updated and now has more than 17 new chapters. Divided into five sections, the book contains discussions of methodologies using molecular biology techniques, expanded coverage of central nervous system metabolism, and an entirely new section on organ-specific metabolism organised according to each organ-system. A must for every physician who cares for the pregnant patient and her child.

Nucleic acids are the fundamental building blocks of DNA and RNA and are found in virtually every living cell. Molecular biology is a branch of science that studies the physicochemical properties of molecules in a cell, including nucleic acids, proteins, and enzymes. Increased understanding of nucleic acids and their role in molecular biology will further many of the biological sciences including genetics, biochemistry, and cell biology. Progress in Nucleic Acid Research and Molecular Biology is intended to bring to light the most recent advances in these overlapping disciplines with a timely compilation of reviews comprising each volume.