Genes

A Very Short Introduction

Jonathan Slack (Autor)

Buch | Softcover

176 Seiten

2023 | 2nd Revised edition
Oxford University Press (Verlag)
978-0-19-285670-8 (ISBN)

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In this Very Short Introduction to the gene Jonathan Slack explores the discovery, nature, and role of genes in evolution and development. Looking at how genes are understood as a concept, the nature of genetic variation, and how their mutation can lead to disease, this is an ideal guide for anyone curious about what genes are and how they work.

Very Short Introductions: Brilliant, Sharp, Inspiring

In this exploration of the concept of the gene, Jonathan Slack looks at the discovery, nature, and role of genes in both evolution and development. By explaining the nature of genetic variation in the human population, how hereditary factors were identified as molecules of DNA, and how certain specific mutations can lead to disease, Slack highlights how DNA variants are used to trace human ancestry and migration, and can also be used by forensic scientists to identify individuals in crime. He also explores issues such as the role of genetic heritability and IQ as well as the changes that occur in the genes of populations during evolution.

An ideal guide for anyone curious about what genes are and how genetics can be put to use, this Very Short Introduction demonstrates the ways in which the gene concept has been understood and used by molecular biologists, population biologists, and social scientists around the world. This second edition has been fully updated and contains new sections on the CRISPR method for targeted genetic modification, on DNA profiling, and developments in our understanding of human ancestry using ancient DNA.

ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Jonathan Slack studied at Oxford and Edinburgh Universities. His specialities are embryonic development and stem cell biology. While working for the Imperial Cancer Research Fund he discovered the first inducing factor controlling embryonic development. He was Head of the Department of Biology and Biochemistry at the University of Bath from 2000-2006 and Director of the Stem Cell Institute at the University of Minnesota from 2007-2012. He is an elected member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO), was awarded the Waddington Medal of the British Society for Developmental Biology in 2002 and elected a Fellow of the UK Academy of Medical Sciences (FMedSci) in 2004. He is author of Stem Cells: A Very Short Introduction (2021, OUP).

Preface
List of illustrations
1: Genes before 1944
2: Genes as DNA
3: Mutations and gene variants
4: Genes as markers
5: Genes of small effect
6: Genes in evolution
Conclusion: the varied concepts of the gene
Further reading
Glossary
Index

Erscheinungsdatum	10.05.2023
Reihe/Serie	Very Short Introductions
Zusatzinfo	19 illustrations
Verlagsort	Oxford
Sprache	englisch
Maße	110 x 175 mm
Gewicht	146 g
Themenwelt	Studium ► 2. Studienabschnitt (Klinik) ► Humangenetik
	Naturwissenschaften ► Biologie ► Genetik / Molekularbiologie
	Technik ► Umwelttechnik / Biotechnologie
ISBN-10	0-19-285670-7 / 0192856707
ISBN-13	978-0-19-285670-8 / 9780192856708
Zustand	Neuware