Presents a coherent account of many productive lines of investigation, organized as a series of mini-reviews that focus on major research areas including studies on the structure and mechanisms of action of bacterial, viral, and eukaryotic RNA polymerases, and the transcription factors that control their activities. Each review provides a brief but up-to-date account of the progress of research in a particular area, a discussion of the major issues and questions driving that research, and a brief description of the evolving approaches and technologies used to address those questions. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Mechanisms of Transcription presents a unique perspective on the fundamental processes of transcription. A collection of distinguished authors draws together the underlying mechanisms involved in the process of transcription. This includes RNA polymerase function and its interaction with promoter sequences, and the structures of the various components on the transcriptional machinery. Both prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems, NMR and crystallographic structures of a number of important eukaryotic transcription factors are discussed, as well as the role of chromatin structure.

Molecular diagnostic procedures have been described in a number of recent books and articles. However, these publications have not focused on virus detection, nor have they provided practical protocols for the newer molecular methods. Written by the inventors or principal developers of these technologies, Molecular Methods for Virus Detection provides both reviews of individual methods and instructions for detecting virus nucleic acid sequences in clinical specimens. Each procedure includes quality assurance protocols that are often ignored by other methodology books. Molecular Methods for Virus Detection provides clinically relevant procedures for many of the newer diagnostic methodologies. Provides state-of-the-art PCR methods for amplification, quantitation, in situ hybridization, and multiplex reactions Goes beyond PCR with protocols for 3SR, NASBA, LCR, SDA, and LAT Covers important virus detection methods such as in situ hybridization; Southern, dot, and slot blots; branched chain signal amplification; and chemiluminescence Includes quality control information crucial in research and clinical laboratories Most chapters are written by the inventors and principal developers of the methodologies Includes color plates, 77 figures, and 18 tables