This unique book explores the role of retrotransposons in human health and disease. The ability of retrotransposons to affect the structure of human genes is recognized since the late 80’s. However, the advances of deep-sequencing technologies have shed new light on the extent of retrotransposon-mediated genome variations. These progresses have also led to the discovery that retrotransposon activity is not restricted to the germline - resulting in inheritable genetic variations - but can also mobilize in somatic tissues, such as embryonic stem cells, neuronal progenitor cells, or in many cancers. This book covers topics related to the effects of retrotransposon insertions, and their consequences on germline and somatic genome dynamics, but also discuss the role and impact of retrotransposons sequences in a broader context, including a number of novel topics that emerged recently (long non-coding RNA, neuronal disorders, exaptation) with unexpected connections between retrotransposons, stem cell maintenance, placentation, circadian cycles or aging.

This volume covers the latest protocols designed to identify and characterize TEs in genomes, ancient or recently inserted. Additionally, this book includes a series of protocols designed to understand how host genomes act to regulate the activity of TEs, from elegant genetic mobilization assays to key biochemical methods. Finally, this book also includes chapters that describe how TEs can be used for biotechnological applications. Written for the Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Transposons and Retrotransposons: Methods and Protocols aims to ensure successful results in the further study of this vital field.

Annotation What we now know about mobile DNA--and the substantial roles it plays in humans, animals, and plants. & bull; & bull;Mobile DNA accounts for more than half of our genome: This book explains the important role it plays in shaping evolutionary change. & bull;A rich, thorough, and accessible introduction for all serious students, practitioners, and researchers in human and medical genetics, molecular biology, or evolutionary biology. & bull;By one of the field's leading researchers, Dr. Haig Kazazian. This book thoroughly reviews our current scientific understanding of the significant role that mobile genetic elements play in the evolution and function of genomes and organisms--from plants and animals to humans. Highly regarded geneticist Haig Kazazian offers an accessible intellectual history of the field's research strategies and concerns, explaining how advances opened up new questions, and how new tools and capabilities have encouraged progress in the field. Kazazian introduces the key strategies and approaches taken in leading laboratories (including his own) to gain greater insight into the large proportion of our genome that derives from mobile genetic elements, including viruses, plasmids, and transposons. He also presents intriguing insights into long-term research strategies that may lead to an even deeper understanding.

"This volume presents methods for the analysis of genomic variability in vertebrate neurons and broadens our knowledge in the ways we understand the brain and its neurons. The chapters in this book are divided into 5 parts, and cover the following topics: principles and approaches for discovery of somatic mosaicism in the brain, aneuploidy and ploidy variation, DNA copy number variation, LINE-1 retrotransposition, and genetic and genomic mosaicism in aging and disease. In Neuromethods series style, chapters include the kind of detail and key advice from the specialists needed to get successful results in your laboratory. Cutting-edge and authoritative, Genomic Mosaicism in Neurons and Other Cell Types is a valuable resource for learning about the latest techniques for the analysis of genome and genetic mosaicism in vertebrate neurons"--Publisher's description.

An extension of the original volume, reflecting the latest advances in understanding these elements. This title is published by the American Society for Microbiology Press and distributed by Taylor and Francis in rest of world territories.

This book is about mobile genes—the transfer of DNA between unrelated cells. It discusses the machinery of gene transfer and its wide-ranging biological and health consequences. Mobile DNA makes possible the development of antibiotic resistance in microbes, the conversion of harmless to pathogenic bacteria, and the triggering of cancerous growth in cells. It also contributes to human evolution. This well-illustrated volume contains an up-to-date account of a topic now seen as increasingly important, and will be invaluable for both working scientists and as a textbook for advanced courses.