Written by leading experts, this learned but accessible book highlights the latest work on eukaryotic DNA replication.

This book reviews the latest trends and future directions of DNA replication research. The contents reflect upon the principles that have been established through the genetic and enzymatic studies of bacterial, viral, and cellular replication during the past decades. The book begins with a historical overview of the studies on eukaryotic DNA replication by Professor Thomas Kelly, a pioneer of the field. The following chapters include genome-wide studies of replication origins and initiation factor binding, as well as the timing of DNA replications, mechanisms of initiation, DNA chain elongation and termination of DNA replication, the structural basis of functions of protein complexes responsible for execution of DNA replication, cell cycle-dependent regulation of DNA replication, the nature of replication stress and cells’ strategy to deal with the stress, and finally how all these phenomena are interconnected to genome instability and development of various diseases. By reviewing the existing concepts ranging from the old principles to the newest ideas, the book gives readers an opportunity to learn how the classical replication principles are now being modified and new concepts are being generated to explain how genome DNA replication is achieved with such high adaptability and plasticity. With the development of new methods including cryoelectron microscopy analyses of huge protein complexes, single molecular analyses of initiation and elongation of DNA replication, and total reconstitution of eukaryotic DNA replication with purified factors, the field is enjoying one of its most exciting moments, and this highly timely book conveys that excitement to all interested readers.

DNA replication, the process of copying one double stranded DNA molecule to produce two identical copies, is at the heart of cell proliferation. This book highlights new insights into the replication process in eukaryotes, from the assembly of pre-replication complex and features of DNA replication origins, through polymerization mechanisms, to propagation of epigenetic states. It also covers cell cycle control of replication initiation and includes the latest on mechanisms of replication in prokaryotes. The association between genome replication and transcription is also addressed. We hope that readers will find this book interesting, helpful and inspiring.

Mechanistic Studies of DNA Replication and Genetic Recombination emerged from a symposium on DNA replication and genetic recombination held from March 16-21, 1980 in Keystone, Colorado. The event featured 30 plenary session talks, 13 workshop discussion groups, and the 210 poster sessions. The studies described in this book are paving the way for the elucidation of other basic genetic mechanisms, including ""new"" areas in molecular genetics such as those of eukaryotic gene expression and the transposition of mobile genetic elements. This book is divided into 10 parts: summaries of workshop discussion groups (Part I); studies on eukaryotic model systems for DNA replication (Part II); studies on bacterial replication origins (Part III); studies on replication origins of bacterial phages and plasmids (Part IV); studies on eukaryotic replication origins (Part V); studies on prokaryotic replication enzymology (Part VI); studies on eukaryotic replication enzymology (Part VII); studies on the fidelity of DNA replication (Part VIII); studies on DNA topoisomerases (Part IX); and studies of genetic recombination mechanisms (Part X).

This book is a comprehensive review of the detailed molecular mechanisms of and functional crosstalk among the replication, recombination, and repair of DNA (collectively called the "3Rs") and the related processes, with special consciousness of their biological and clinical consequences. The 3Rs are fundamental molecular mechanisms for organisms to maintain and sometimes intentionally alter genetic information. DNA replication, recombination, and repair, individually, have been important subjects of molecular biology since its emergence, but we have recently become aware that the 3Rs are actually much more intimately related to one another than we used to realize. Furthermore, the 3R research fields have been growing even more interdisciplinary, with better understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying other important processes, such as chromosome structures and functions, cell cycle and checkpoints, transcriptional and epigenetic regulation, and so on. This book comprises 7 parts and 21 chapters: Part 1 (Chapters 1–3), DNA Replication; Part 2 (Chapters 4–6), DNA Recombination; Part 3 (Chapters 7–9), DNA Repair; Part 4 (Chapters 10–13), Genome Instability and Mutagenesis; Part 5 (Chapters 14–15), Chromosome Dynamics and Functions; Part 6 (Chapters 16–18), Cell Cycle and Checkpoints; Part 7 (Chapters 19–21), Interplay with Transcription and Epigenetic Regulation. This volume should attract the great interest of graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and senior scientists in broad research fields of basic molecular biology, not only the core 3Rs, but also the various related fields (chromosome, cell cycle, transcription, epigenetics, and similar areas). Additionally, researchers in neurological sciences, developmental biology, immunology, evolutionary biology, and many other fields will find this book valuable.

Since the discovery of the DNA structure researchers have been highly interested in the molecular basis of genome inheritance. This book covers a wide range of aspects and issues related to the field of DNA replication. The association between genome replication, repair and recombination is also addressed, as well as summaries of recent work of the replication cycles of prokaryotic and eukaryotic viruses. The reader will gain an overview of our current understanding of DNA replication and related cellular processes, and useful resources for further reading.