An Introduction to Genetic Engineering

An accessible introduction to genetic engineering, including recent developments in bioethics, sequencing technology and genome editing.

Desmond S. T. Nicholl (Author)

9781009180603, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 2 March 2023

466 pages
24.6 x 18.8 x 2.2 cm, 0.96 kg

'Dr Nicholl's book covers all the basic material that one would expect from its title, but what particularly impressed me was how it isn't afraid to move into political and socio-economic arenas. In Chapter 16, for example, balanced arguments are presented for and against the development of transgenic organisms, and these don't always come out in favour of the science.' Neil Crickmore, University of Sussex

The fourth edition of this popular textbook retains its focus on the fundamental principles of gene manipulation, providing an accessible and broad-based introduction to the subject for beginning undergraduate students. It has been brought thoroughly up to date with new chapters on the story of DNA and genome editing, and new sections on bioethics, significant developments in sequencing technology and structural, functional and comparative genomics and proteomics, and the impact of transgenic plants. In addition to chapter summaries, learning objectives, concept maps, glossary and key word lists the book now also features new concluding sections, further reading lists and web-search activities for each chapter to provide a comprehensive suite of learning resources to help students develop a flexible and critical approach to the study of genetic engineering.

Preface
Part I. Genetic Engineering in Context: 1. Introduction
2. The story of DNA
3. Brave new world or genetic nightmare?
Part II. The Basis of Genetic Engineering: 4. Introducing molecular biology
5. The tools of the trade
6. Working with nucleic acids
Part III. The Methodology of Gene Manipulation: 7. Host cells and vectors
8. Cloning strategies
9. The polymerase chain reaction
10. Selection, screening and analysis of recombinants
11. Bioinformatics
12. Genome editing
Part IV. Genetic Engineering in Action: 13. Investigating genes, genomes and 'otheromes'
14. Genetic engineering and biotechnology
15. Medical and forensic applications of gene manipulation
16. Transgenic plants and animals
17. The other sort of cloning
Glossary
Index.

Subject Areas: Genetic engineering [TCBG], Molecular biology [PSD], Biomedical engineering [MQW]