Genetics

Description

Genetics: Genes, Genomes, and Evolution presents fundamental principles of genetics and molecular biology from an evolutionary perspective, as informed by genome analysis. Using what has been learned from analyses of bacterial and eukaryotic genomes as its basis, the book unites evolution, genomics, and genetics in one narrative approach.

• The only text to view genetics through the lens of genomics and evolution, setting out the subject in an integrated fashion that properly reflects the way we think about genetics today
• The widely praised narrative style makes the important concepts clear and understandable for any student
• A range of learning features provide unrivalled flexibility, allowing the book to be used for different types of genetics courses and to support different approaches to learning
• Extensive problem sets present realistic problems that stimulate students to think in an integrated and analytical way, and encourage them to apply their knowledge and understanding to unfamiliar scenarios

About the Author(s)

Philip Meneely, Professor of Biology, Haverford College, PA, Rachel Dawes Hoang, Associate Professor of Biology, Haverford College, PA, Iruka N. Okeke, Professor of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria, and Katherine Heston, Instructor in Biology, Haverford College, PA

Philip Meneely (PhD, U of Minnesota) is a Professor of Biology at Haverford College where he has taught both introductory and advanced genetics for more than 20 years, as well as courses in genomics and bioinformatics. He previously was on the faculty of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. His research with C. elegans has included publications on chromosome rearrangements, polyploidy, meiosis, sex determination, dosage compensation, and gene interactions. He is also the author of Genetic Analysis: Genes, Genomes, and Networks in Eukaryotes (Oxford University Press), now in its second edition, which was short-listed by the Royal Society (London) in 2015 for Undergraduate Biology Textbook of the year.

Rachel Dawes Hoang (Ph.D. Cambridge University, UK) is an Associate Professor in the Biology Department at Haverford College. She has published research and review articles in the fields of developmental biology and evolutionary developmental biology. Her current research investigates the evolution of genes controlling cell shape changes as well as the interactions between endosymbiotic bacteria and host cells during embryonic development of insects. She regularly teaches courses in genetics, evolution, and development. She is currently the chair of the Biology Department. She is a former Helen Hay Whitney fellow.

Iruka N. Okeke (PhD, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria) taught biology at Haverford College, PA, USA from 2002 until 2014. She is presently Professor of Pharmaceutical Microbiology at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria and has also taught in other African and UK applied health programs. Her research on bacterial genetics and microbiology focuses on intestinal pathogens and on antimicrobial resistance. She is co-author of two books and about a hundred articles and chapters. She has been the recipient of Fulbright, Branco Weiss and Institute for Advanced Study (Berlin) Fellowships. Okeke serves on editorial, higher education, health policy and science policy advisory panels and boards in the US, Europe and Africa.

Katherine Heston (M.S. University of Wisconsin, A.B. Princeton University) is an Instructor in Biology at Haverford College. She has been involved in teaching undergraduates for thirty years at Lake Forest College (IL), Northwestern University, Villanova University, and Haverford College. Her teaching background includes botany, ecology, genetics, cell and molecular biology. Working closely with students in the teaching lab has developed her sense of the student perspective, which informs her development of effective teaching materials for her classes.

Table of Contents

1:Darwin's Finches: Evolution, Genomes, and Genes
2:The Central Dogma of Molecular Biology
3:Genome Structure, Organization, and Variation
4:Descent with Modification: DNA Replication and Mutation
5:The Inheritance of Single Gene Traits
6:The Cellular Basis for Mendelian Genetics
7:X-linked Genes and Sex Chromosomes
8:The Inheritance of Multiple Genes
9:The Locations of Genes on Chromosomes: Linkage and Genetic Maps
10:Human Genetic Mapping, Genome Wide Association Studies, and Complex Traits
11:Exchange and Evolution
12:Transcription: Reading and Expressing Genes
13:Translation: From Nucleic Acids to Amino Acids
14:Networks of Gene Regulation
15:Genetic Analysis of Cellular Processes
16:The Genetics of Populations
17:Metagenomes: Genome Analysis of Communities

Reviews

"This is the book youve been looking for! A refreshing, new take on your classic genetics textbook. Its integrated approach successfully weaves basic and advanced topics, and leads students through the latest advances in the field." - André Antunes, Edge Hill University

"A very well written book, which is easy to read and which includes many interesting examples, figures and videos. It ties different fields of genetics and molecular biology into a coherent entity using an evolutionary perspective." - Anneli Hoikkala, University of Jyvaskylä

"An authoritative introductory genetics text which embeds all key concepts within their logical evolutionary framework." - Mike Jackson, Newcastle University

"There are many textbooks on genetics that take a purely molecular biology approach. It is good to have an evolutionary perspective on genetic knowledge." - Jan Hoole, Keele University

"I think that this book could be superior (to other textbooks) in linking the theory with the current knowledge of the genomic architectures of bacteria and eukaryotes and the state-of-the-art analytical approaches and technologies to address evolutionary questions." - Paolo Franchini, University of Konstanz

"Genetics text books can be rather dry. This one shows the relevance of genetics, molecular biology and evolution to modern life and also the impact of previous events (wonderfully explained) on humans today." - Judith Lock, University of Southampton

"A great textbook, easy to read (almost conversational writing style), excellent combination of text and colour figures. I would definitely recommend it. It is fresh and up to date, and the big advantage of this book is that it combines various disciplines at the undergraduate level, making for a strong cohesion in teaching." - Casper J. Breuker, Oxford Brookes University

"Meneely et al. use considerably teaching skills to capture the attnetion of students with a modest background in chemistry and biology. I particularly admire their attention to the three themes of their textbook. New topics incorporate what was learned in earlier chapters and students benefit in the review it provides and the integration of new knowledge it promotes. This is a volume that I hope will go through many editions." - Elof Axel Carlson in The Quarterly Review of Biology, Volume 93

Additional Resources

Genetics: Genes, Genomes, and Evolution is accompanied by extensive online resources including:
- Video tutorials
- Flashcards
For registered adopters:
- Digital image library
- Lecture notes
- Library of exam-style questions
- Test-bank of multiple-choice questions
- Solutions to all questions featured in the book
- Journals clubs
- Instructor's guide