This open access book offers the first comprehensive account of the pan-genome concept and its manifold implications. The realization that the genetic repertoire of a biological species always encompasses more than the genome of each individual is one of the earliest examples of big data in biology that opened biology to the unbounded. The study of genetic variation observed within a species challenges existing views and has profound consequences for our understanding of the fundamental mechanisms underpinning bacterial biology and evolution. The underlying rationale extends well beyond the initial prokaryotic focus to all kingdoms of life and evolves into similar concepts for metagenomes, phenomes and epigenomes. The book’s respective chapters address a range of topics, from the serendipitous emergence of the pan-genome concept and its impacts on the fields of microbiology, vaccinology and antimicrobial resistance, to the study of microbial communities, bioinformatic applications and mathematical models that tie in with complex systems and economic theory. Given its scope, the book will appeal to a broad readership interested in population dynamics, evolutionary biology and genomics.

During the last decades a breakthrough in the understanding of the mechanisms controlling development has been achieved. This has been possible, in great part, by the use of various experimental approaches. This book focuses on topics concerning some of the processes involved in development, the main emphasis being on the genetic and molecular mechanisms in the evolutionary context. Drosophila is used as an experimental model for the genetic approach to the understanding of behaviour.

With its unique integration of genetics and molecular biology, this text probes fascinating questions that explore how our understanding of key genetic phenomena can be used to understand biological systems. Opening with a brief overview of key genetic principles, model organisms, and epigenetics, the book goes on to explore the use of gene mutations, the analysis of gene expression and activity, a discussion of the genetic structure of natural populations, and more.

How do we know what role a particular gene has? How do some genes control the expression of others? How do genes interact to form gene networks? With its unique integration of genetics and molecular biology, Genetic Analysis probes fascinating questions such as these, detailing how our understanding of key genetic phenomena can be used to understand biological systems. Opening with a brief overview of key genetic principles, model organisms, and epigenetics, the book goes on to explore the use of gene mutations and the analysis of gene expression and activity. A discussion of the interactions of genes during suppression, synthetic enhancement, and epistasis follows, which is then expanded into a consideration of genetic networks and personal genomics. Drawing on the latest experimental tools, including CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing, microarrays, RNAi screens, and bioinformatics approaches, Genetic Analysis provides a state-of-the-art review of the field, but in a truly student-friendly manner. It uses extended case studies and text boxes to augment the narrative, taking the reader right to the forefront of contemporary research, without losing its clarity of explanation and insight. We are in an age where, despite knowing so much about biological systems, we are just beginning to realise how much more there is still to understand. Genetic Analysis is the ideal guide to how we can use the awesome power of molecular genetics to further our understanding.

Sequence - Evolution - Function is an introduction to the computational approaches that play a critical role in the emerging new branch of biology known as functional genomics. The book provides the reader with an understanding of the principles and approaches of functional genomics and of the potential and limitations of computational and experimental approaches to genome analysis. Sequence - Evolution - Function should help bridge the "digital divide" between biologists and computer scientists, allowing biologists to better grasp the peculiarities of the emerging field of Genome Biology and to learn how to benefit from the enormous amount of sequence data available in the public databases. The book is non-technical with respect to the computer methods for genome analysis and discusses these methods from the user's viewpoint, without addressing mathematical and algorithmic details. Prior practical familiarity with the basic methods for sequence analysis is a major advantage, but a reader without such experience will be able to use the book as an introduction to these methods. This book is perfect for introductory level courses in computational methods for comparative and functional genomics.

There is growing enthusiasm in the scientific community about the prospect of mapping and sequencing the human genome, a monumental project that will have far-reaching consequences for medicine, biology, technology, and other fields. But how will such an effort be organized and funded? How will we develop the new technologies that are needed? What new legal, social, and ethical questions will be raised? Mapping and Sequencing the Human Genome is a blueprint for this proposed project. The authors offer a highly readable explanation of the technical aspects of genetic mapping and sequencing, and they recommend specific interim and long-range research goals, organizational strategies, and funding levels. They also outline some of the legal and social questions that might arise and urge their early consideration by policymakers.