Basic Methods in Molecular Biology discusses the heart of the most recent revolution in biology—the development of the technology of genetics. The achievements in this field have simply changed what biologists do and, perhaps even more important, the way they think. Moreover, never before have scientists from such a broad range of disciplines rushed into such a small and slightly arcane field to learn and carry off a bit of the technology. This book comprises 21 chapters, opening with three introductory ones that discuss the basics of molecular biology; the tools of the molecular biologist; and general preparations, procedures, and considerations for use of the book. The following chapters then discuss cloning vectors and bacterial cells; preparation of DNA from eukaryotic cells; probing nucleic acids; plasmid DNA preparation; DNA restriction fragment preparation; purification of DNA; and preparation and analysis of RNA from eukaryotic cells. Other chapters cover preparation of DNA from bacteriophage clones; cloning DNA from the eukaryotic genome; subcloning into plasmids; M13 cloning and sequencing; further characterization of cloned DNA; transfection of mammalian cells in culture; protein methods; general methods; and specialized methods. This book will be of interest to practitioners in the fields of biology and molecular genetics.

This manual not only provides reliable, up-to-date protocols for lab use but also the theoretical background of molecular biology, allowing users to better understand the principles underlying these techniques. It covers a wide range of methods, including the purification of nucleic acids, enzymatic modification of DNA, isolation of specific DNA fragments, PCR, cloning techniques, and gene expression. A Springer Lab Manual

This volume has evolved from a laboratory methods book that one of us first compiled nearly fifteen years ago. Since that time the book has undergone many minor revisions in order to include new methods and updated versions of older methods. The result has been an increasingly useful and more widely circulated book. However, the recent series of technological explosions generally lumped together under the name of "recombinant DNA technology" has been a turning point in the evolution of this previously underground publication. Minor revisions will no longer do. To keep the book useful we have had to make major revi sions and additions. The result is a dramatically expanded book that should be more useful to more people. The larger size and wider usefulness of the book have made this more formal publication seem a reasonable step to take. One of the reasons that this volume should be useful to many people is that it includes only procedures that have been used repeatedly by us and that have proven highly reliable both to ourselves and to others in our laboratories.

Current techniques for studying biological macromolecules and their interactions are based on the application of physical methods, ranging from classical thermodynamics to more recently developed techniques for the detection and manipulation of single molecules. Reflecting the advances made in biophysics research over the past decade, and now including a new section on medical imaging, this new edition describes the physical methods used in modern biology. All key techniques are covered, including mass spectrometry, hydrodynamics, microscopy and imaging, diffraction and spectroscopy, electron microscopy, molecular dynamics simulations and nuclear magnetic resonance. Each method is explained in detail using examples of real-world applications. Short asides are provided throughout to ensure that explanations are accessible to life scientists, physicists and those with medical backgrounds. The book remains an unparalleled and comprehensive resource for graduate students of biophysics and medical physics in science and medical schools, as well as for research scientists looking for an introduction to techniques from across this interdisciplinary field.