Evolution of Translational Omics

Evolution of Translational Omics
Author: Institute of Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 354
Release: 2012-09-13
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0309224187

Technologies collectively called omics enable simultaneous measurement of an enormous number of biomolecules; for example, genomics investigates thousands of DNA sequences, and proteomics examines large numbers of proteins. Scientists are using these technologies to develop innovative tests to detect disease and to predict a patient's likelihood of responding to specific drugs. Following a recent case involving premature use of omics-based tests in cancer clinical trials at Duke University, the NCI requested that the IOM establish a committee to recommend ways to strengthen omics-based test development and evaluation. This report identifies best practices to enhance development, evaluation, and translation of omics-based tests while simultaneously reinforcing steps to ensure that these tests are appropriately assessed for scientific validity before they are used to guide patient treatment in clinical trials.

Gene Discovery for Disease Models

Gene Discovery for Disease Models
Author: Weikuan Gu
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 642
Release: 2011-03-03
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1118002172

This book provides readers with new paradigms on the mutation discovery in the post-genome era. The completion of human and other genome sequencing, along with other new technologies, such as mutation analysis and microarray, has dramatically accelerated the progress in positional cloning of genes from mutated models. In 2002, the Mouse Genome Sequencing Consortium stated that “The availability of an annotated mouse genome sequence now provides the most efficient tool yet in the gene hunter's toolkit. One can move directly from genetic mapping to identification of candidate genes, and the experimental process is reduced to PCR amplification and sequencing of exons and other conserved elements in the candidate interval. With this streamlined protocol, it is anticipated that many decades-old mouse mutants will be understood precisely at the DNA level in the near future.” The implication of such a statement should be similar to the identification of mutated genes from human diseases and animal models, when genome sequencing is completed for them. More than five years have passed, but genes in many human diseases and animal models have not yet been identified. In some cases, the identification of the mutated genes has been a bottleneck, because the genetic mechanism holds the key to understand the basis of the diseases. However, an integrative strategy, which is a combination of genetic mapping, genome resources, bioinformatics tools, and high throughput technologies, has been developed and tested. The classic paradigm of positional cloning has evolved with completely new concepts of genomic cloning and protocols. This book describes new concepts of gene discovery in the post-genome era and the use of streamlined protocols to identify genes of interest. This book helps identify not only large insertions/deletions but also single nucleotide mutations or polymorphisms that regulate quantitative trait loci (QTL).

Scientific Frontiers in Developmental Toxicology and Risk Assessment

Scientific Frontiers in Developmental Toxicology and Risk Assessment
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 348
Release: 2000-12-21
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 0309070864

Scientific Frontiers in Developmental Toxicology and Risk Assessment reviews advances made during the last 10-15 years in fields such as developmental biology, molecular biology, and genetics. It describes a novel approach for how these advances might be used in combination with existing methodologies to further the understanding of mechanisms of developmental toxicity, to improve the assessment of chemicals for their ability to cause developmental toxicity, and to improve risk assessment for developmental defects. For example, based on the recent advances, even the smallest, simplest laboratory animals such as the fruit fly, roundworm, and zebrafish might be able to serve as developmental toxicological models for human biological systems. Use of such organisms might allow for rapid and inexpensive testing of large numbers of chemicals for their potential to cause developmental toxicity; presently, there are little or no developmental toxicity data available for the majority of natural and manufactured chemicals in use. This new approach to developmental toxicology and risk assessment will require simultaneous research on several fronts by experts from multiple scientific disciplines, including developmental toxicologists, developmental biologists, geneticists, epidemiologists, and biostatisticians.

Genes, Behavior, and the Social Environment

Genes, Behavior, and the Social Environment
Author: Institute of Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 384
Release: 2006-11-07
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 0309133815

Over the past century, we have made great strides in reducing rates of disease and enhancing people's general health. Public health measures such as sanitation, improved hygiene, and vaccines; reduced hazards in the workplace; new drugs and clinical procedures; and, more recently, a growing understanding of the human genome have each played a role in extending the duration and raising the quality of human life. But research conducted over the past few decades shows us that this progress, much of which was based on investigating one causative factor at a time—often, through a single discipline or by a narrow range of practitioners—can only go so far. Genes, Behavior, and the Social Environment examines a number of well-described gene-environment interactions, reviews the state of the science in researching such interactions, and recommends priorities not only for research itself but also for its workforce, resource, and infrastructural needs.

Disease Gene Identification

Disease Gene Identification
Author: Johanna K. DiStefano
Publisher: Humana
Total Pages: 400
Release: 2019-06-06
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 9781493984961

This volume presents detailed laboratory procedures in an easy to follow format that can be carried out with success by investigators lacking previous exposure to a specific research method. Chapter guide readers through the application of molecular approaches to disease gene identification and overviews, and case studies are also presented. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Disease Gene Identification: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition aims to help with the identification and characterization of many more disease-related genes and provide novel, and effective strategies for disease treatment and prevention.

Neurogenetics, Part I

Neurogenetics, Part I
Author:
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 438
Release: 2018-01-08
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0444632352

Genetic methodologies are having a significant impact on the study of neurological and psychiatric disorders. Using genetic science, researchers have identified over 200 genes that cause or contribute to neurological disorders. Still an evolving field of study, defining the relationship between genes and neurological and psychiatric disorders is evolving rapidly and expected to grow in scope as more disorders are linked to specific genetic markers. Part I covers basic genetic concepts and recurring biological themes, and begins the discussion of movement disorders and neurodevelopmental disorders, leading the way for Part II to cover a combination of neurological, neuromuscular, cerebrovascular, and psychiatric disorders. This volume in the Handbook of Clinical Neurology will provide a comprehensive introduction and reference on neurogenetics for the clinical practitioner and the research neurologist. - Presents a comprehensive coverage of neurogenetics - Details the latest science and impact on our understanding of neurological psychiatric disorders - Provides a focused reference for clinical practitioners and the neuroscience/neurogenetics research community

The Drosophila Model in Cancer

The Drosophila Model in Cancer
Author: Wu-Min Deng
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 251
Release: 2019-09-13
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 3030236293

This volume provides a series of review articles that capture the advances in using the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, model system to address a wide range of cancer-related topics. Articles in this book provide case studies that shed light on the intricate cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying tumor formation and progression. Readers will discover the beauty of the fly model’s genetic simplicity and the vast arsenal of powerful genetic tools enabling its efficient and adaptable use. This model organism has provided a unique opportunity to address questions regarding cancer initiation and development that would be extremely challenging in other model systems. This book provides a useful resource for a researcher who wishes to learn about and apply the Drosophila model to tackle fundamental questions in cancer biology, and to find new ways to fight against this devastating disease.

Safety of Genetically Engineered Foods

Safety of Genetically Engineered Foods
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 254
Release: 2004-07-08
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0309166152

Assists policymakers in evaluating the appropriate scientific methods for detecting unintended changes in food and assessing the potential for adverse health effects from genetically modified products. In this book, the committee recommended that greater scrutiny should be given to foods containing new compounds or unusual amounts of naturally occurring substances, regardless of the method used to create them. The book offers a framework to guide federal agencies in selecting the route of safety assessment. It identifies and recommends several pre- and post-market approaches to guide the assessment of unintended compositional changes that could result from genetically modified foods and research avenues to fill the knowledge gaps.

Gene Drives on the Horizon

Gene Drives on the Horizon
Author: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 231
Release: 2016-08-28
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0309437873

Research on gene drive systems is rapidly advancing. Many proposed applications of gene drive research aim to solve environmental and public health challenges, including the reduction of poverty and the burden of vector-borne diseases, such as malaria and dengue, which disproportionately impact low and middle income countries. However, due to their intrinsic qualities of rapid spread and irreversibility, gene drive systems raise many questions with respect to their safety relative to public and environmental health. Because gene drive systems are designed to alter the environments we share in ways that will be hard to anticipate and impossible to completely roll back, questions about the ethics surrounding use of this research are complex and will require very careful exploration. Gene Drives on the Horizon outlines the state of knowledge relative to the science, ethics, public engagement, and risk assessment as they pertain to research directions of gene drive systems and governance of the research process. This report offers principles for responsible practices of gene drive research and related applications for use by investigators, their institutions, the research funders, and regulators.

Essentials of Genomic and Personalized Medicine

Essentials of Genomic and Personalized Medicine
Author: Geoffrey S. Ginsburg
Publisher: Academic Press
Total Pages: 851
Release: 2009-10-02
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0080958117

Derived from the comprehensive two-volume set, Genomic and Personalized Medicine also edited by Drs. Willard and Ginsburg, this work serves the needs of the evolving population of scientists, researchers, practitioners and students that are embracing one of the most promising avenues for advances in diagnosis, prevention and treatment of human disease. From principles, methodology and translational approaches to genome discoveries and clinical applications, Essentials of Genomic and Personalized Medicine will be a valuable resource for various professionals and students across medical disciplines, including human genetics and genomics, oncology, neuroscience, gene therapy, molecular medicine, pharmacology, and biomedical sciences. Updates with regard to diagnostic testing, pharmacogenetics, predicting disease susceptibility, and other important research components as well as chapters dedicated to cardiovascular disease, oncology, inflammatory disease, metabolic disease, neuropsychiatric disease, and infectious disease, present this book as an essential tool for a variety of professionals and students who are endeavouring into the developing the diverse and practical field of genomic and personalized medicine. - Full color throughout - Includes contributions on genetic counselling, ethical, legal/regulatory, and social issues related to the practice of genomic medicine from leaders in the field - Introductory chapter highlights differences between personalized and traditional medicine, promising areas of current research, and challenges to incorporate the latest research discoveries and practic - Ancillary material includes case studies and lab questions which highlight the collaborative approach to the science