Many human diseases – including Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, cancer, and cardiovascular disease – have complex genetics that require sophisticated analysis. Genetics of Complex Human Diseases: A Laboratory Manual& brings together the tools that geneticists use to find disease genes with the genetic concepts and statistical theories that underpin these research approaches. Topics covered include basic genetics and Mendelian inheritance, statistical methods, genetic epidemiology, linkage studies, transmission disequilibrium test analysis, variance components analysis, genome-wide association studies, copy-number variation, methods for high-throughput genotyping, the complexity of RNA editing, and genetic computer programs. The book's chapters, written by leading investigators in the field, blend practical information and reviews of each topic, providing both the how and the why of complex disease analysis. Genetics of Complex Human Diseasesis an important guide for anyone with an interest in human genetics or who uses genetic techniques in the study of diseases with complex inheritance.

Covering the whole range of molecular biology techniques - genetic engineering as well as cytogenetics of plants -, each chapter begins with an introduction to the basic approach. followed by detailed methods with easy-to-follow protocols and comprehensive troubleshooting. The first part introduces basic molecular methodology such as DNA extraction, blotting, production of libraries and RNA cloning, while the second part describes analytical approaches, in particular RAPD and RFLP. The manual concludes with a variety of gene transfer techniques and both molecular and cytological analysis. As such, this will be of great use to both the first-timer and the experienced scientist.