The Molecular Biology Of Ciliated Protozoa

The Molecular Biology of Ciliated Protozoa covers topics that are unique to ciliates, including major molecular progress, genetics, life history, and development of ciliates. Organized into 11 chapters, it focuses on the importance of ciliated protozoa as experimental organisms. The introductory chapter traces the ups and downs of ciliate biology, emphasizing the prominent role of the ciliates in early studies of cell structure, reproduction, and heredity. The book goes on to discuss ciliate genetics and conjugation, providing the basic biological framework for molecular studies of ciliate. Chapters 4 and 5 cover the nuclear DNA content, sequence, and arrangement of holotrichous and hypotrich ciliates. Chapters 6 to 9 examine the characterization of chromosomal telomeres, ribosomal gene amplification, and chromatin and histone structure using ciliated protozoa as experimental organisms. The final two chapters describe the mating mechanism of two ciliates, Blepharisma japonicum and Euplotes raikovi, and the function of surface antigens of Paramecium ciliate. The book is intended for students and investigators who want to learn more about the ciliated protozoa, particularly, in areas that cover fundamental features of eukaryotic biology.

distances between groups of ciliates were as vast as significant hurdles to obtain copyright permissions the genetic distances between plants and animals for the over 1,000 required illustrations, and I put – THE major eukaryotic kingdoms at that time! the publication schedule ahead of this element. I continued to collaborate with Mitch, and in There are a number of significant illustrated guides 1991 my first “molecular” Magisterial student, to genera and species that have recently been pub- Spencer Greenwood, published an article estab- lished. References are made to these throughout lishing 1990 or thereabouts as the beginning of the book as sources that readers can consult for this the “Age of Refinement” – the period when gene aspect of ciliate diversity. A future project that I am sequencing techniques would deepen our under- contemplating is an illustrated guide to all the valid standing of the major lines of evolution within ciliate genera.

As new hypotheses to explain biological processes are formulated and new techniques are perfected, the ubiquitous presence of ciliates and their ease of cultivation have won new converts from genetics, cell biology, ecology, molecular biology, and other specialists who are searching for a convenient organism to test their hypotheses and techniques. For these scientists as well as general biologists, graduate students beginning their careers, and those protozoologists already charmed by ciliates, this compilation of the current state of knowledge of ciliates will be exciting reading. Modern ultrastructural and molecular techniques offer insights on cytology, metabolism, and genetics of ciliates that have stimulated new conclusions about ontogenesis, sexuality, ecology, and systematics.

Contents: Appearance of Protozoa, Laboratory Methods, Cell Organelles, Inheritance, Living Activities, Protozoans in Environment, Movement, Exoskeleton, Parasitic Protozoans, Multiplication, Life of Amoeba, Life of Paramecium, Life of Euglena, Life of Polystomella, Life of Radiolaria, Life of Radiolaria, Life of Opalina, Life of Vorticella.