Chromatin and Chromosome Structure consists of chapters that reflect a 1975 seminar course and the reported observations after the session. The seminar is organized for the benefit of both faculty and students in the Biology Ph.D. Program of the City University of New York. This book begins with a presentation of the conformational studies of histones. It then describes the histone-DNA interactions and the subunits isolated either from chromatin or from nuclei. It also explains the post-synthetic modifications of histone structure. Furthermore, the book talks about the chemistry and function of nuclear nonhistone proteins, low molecular weight nuclear RNA, and polytene chromosome structure. The regulation of gene expression in chick oviduct model system and the main features of lampbrush chromosomes are shown as well. Aside from the students and faculty of the above-mentioned university, this compilation will be invaluable as well to other undergraduate and graduate students; professors; and researchers. It will also be a good reference to those who are specializing in chromatin and chromosome studies.

The first volume of the Chromosomal Nonhistone Proteins treatise presents a summary of the many attempts in the literature to correlate changes in chromosomal histone proteins specificity and metabolism with transcriptional regulations in eukaryotic cells.

The HMG Chromosomal Proteins focuses on various research on HMG proteins, particularly their association with active genes. Composed of literature of authors that are divided into 10 chapters, the book starts with the discussions on the history and problems in the study of chromosomal proteins. The text proceeds with the discussions on the occurrence of HMG proteins in eukaryotes; tissue specificity of HMG proteins; and species specificity and evolution of HMG proteins. The book presents techniques that are used to analyze HMG proteins and provides information on the primary structures of different proteins, such as HMG 14 and HMG 17, and the methods for cleaving these proteins. The processes involved in isolating proteins and postsynthetic modifications of their structures are noted, clarified with the study done on the HMG proteins of rainbow trout. The text ends with discussions on the association of HMG proteins with chromatin and nucleosomes and a tabulation of accumulated data. This selection is valuable for readers interested in studying HMG proteins.

This comprehensive book is a compilation of Professor Lubomir S. Hnilica's twenty years of research experimentally addressing the chemistry and the biological functions of chromosomal proteins. The histones and other nuclear proteins found associated with DNA in a number of tissues and cell types are featured. Lubomir Hnilica played a major role in establishing the extent to which these basic chromosomal polypeptides are conserved and the manner in which they interact with DNA to modify chromatin structure. In addition, non-histone chromosomal protein research is explained, and his technique of applying several biochemical and immunological approaches to the characterization of this complex and heterogeneous class of chromosomal polypeptides is discussed. Highlighted is the use of chemical crosslinking for studying protein/DNA interactions in intact cells. The proteins as well as the structure, organization, and regulation of the genes are also presented.

Epigenetics is one of the fastest growing fields of sciences, illuminating studies of human diseases by looking beyond genetic make-up and acknowledging that outside factors play a role in gene expression. The goal of this volume is to highlight those diseases or conditions for which we have advanced knowledge of epigenetic factors such as cancer, autoimmune disorders and aging as well as those that are yielding exciting breakthroughs in epigenetics such as diabetes, neurobiological disorders and cardiovascular disease. Where applicable, attempts are made to not only detail the role of epigenetics in the etiology, progression, diagnosis and prognosis of these diseases, but also novel epigenetic approaches to the treatment of these diseases. Chapters are also presented on human imprinting disorders, respiratory diseases, infectious diseases and gynecological and reproductive diseases. Since epigenetics plays a major role in the aging process, advances in the epigenetics of aging are highly relevant to many age-related human diseases. Therefore, this volume closes with chapters on aging epigenetics and breakthroughs that have been made to delay the aging process through epigenetic approaches. With its translational focus, this book will serve as valuable reference for both basic scientists and clinicians alike. Comprehensive coverage of fundamental and emergent science and clinical usage Side-by-side coverage of the basis of epigenetic diseases and their treatments Evaluation of recent epigenetic clinical breakthroughs

This book has been designed to help medical students succeed with their histology classes, while using less time on studying the curriculum. The book can both be used on its own or as a supplement to the classical full-curriculum textbooks normally used by the students for their histology classes. Covering the same curriculum as the classical textbooks, from basic tissue histology to the histology of specific organs, this book is formatted and organized in a much simpler and intuitive way. Almost all text is formatted in bullets or put into structured tables. This makes it quick and easy to digest, helping the student get a good overview of the curriculum. It is easy to locate specific information in the text, such as the size of cellular structures etc. Additionally, each chapter includes simplified illustrations of various histological features. The aim of the book is to be used to quickly brush up on the curriculum, e.g. before a class or an exam. Additionally, the book includes guides to distinguish between the different histological tissues and organs that can be presented to students microscopically, e.g. during a histology spot test. This guide lists the specific characteristics of the different histological specimens and also describes how to distinguish a specimen from other similar specimens. For each histological specimen, a simplified drawing and a photomicrograph of the specimen, is presented to help the student recognize the important characteristics in the microscope. Lastly, the book contains multiple “memo boxes” in which parts of the curriculum are presented as easy-to-remember mnemonics.

A Historical Perspective on the Study of Chromosome Structure and Function R. Appels Division of Plant Industry CSIRO P.O. Box 1600 A.C.T. AUSTRALIA "Modern physical science gives us no model to explain the re duplication of the gene-string in each cell generation, or to ex plain the production of effective quantities of specific enzymes or other agents by specific genes. The precise pairing and inter change of segments by homologous gene-strings at meiosis also suggest novel physical properties of this form of matter". Stadler (1954) The very strong influence of reductionism in the history of understanding chromosome structure and function is evident in the above quotation from Stadler's 1954 paper, "The gene". Earlyob servations on the constancy of the cytological appearance of chromo somes and their regular behaviour in cell division led to specula tion on their biological importance. As genetics became more refined in the early decades of the 20th century the genes-on-a string model of chromosomes developed and greater emphasis was placed on the further dissection of these structures. As a result, in the 1980's the reductionist approach is reaching a crest as extensive regions of the genetic material are being sequenced.

Epigenetics of the Immune System focuses on different aspects of epigenetics and immunology, providing readers with the fundamental mechanisms relating to epigenetics and the immune system. This book provides in-depth information on immune cells as a toolbox in deciphering systematically regulated mechanisms using "omics" and computational biology approaches. In addition, the book presents the translational importance of epigenetics and the immune system in our understanding of pathophysiology in diseases and its therapeutic applications.

Contemporary views on the structure and function of chromatin are presented and the history of the development of these ideas as well as the nature of the nucleic acid and protein components of chromatin are reviewed. The structure of chromatin is studied at several levels, and its modes of transcription and replication are analyzed. Chromatin provides researchers with a critical evaluation of current knowledge. It combines much information that has never before been assembled, and evaluates and interrelates it in a critical way. This has not been done before so that readers are not only provided with an overview, but with extensive references to the literature (there are about 2000 references in all).