The Evolution of the Genome

This book covers a wide variety of key areas, each integral to a complete understanding of genome evolution. Topics include the evolution of genome size, genomic parasites, gene and ancient genome duplications, polypoidy, comparative genomics, and the implications of these genome-level phenomena for evolutionary theory. The first section the historical and conceptual background, and a delineation of the intriguing patterns of variation found in animals, plants, and other organisms. Subsequent sections cover "genomes at large," the rapidly growing database on genome sequencing projects for both prokaryotes and eukaryotes, detailed investigations of the most important evolutionary processes that operate at or below the level of genome, and the role of the genome itself in the evolutionary process.

The Evolution of the Genome provides a much needed overview of genomic study through clear, detailed, expert-authored discussions of the key areas in genome biology. This includes the evolution of genome size, genomic parasites, gene and ancient genome duplications, polypoidy, comparative genomics, and the implications of these genome-level phenomena for evolutionary theory. In addition to reviewing the current state of knowledge of these fields in an accessible way, the various chapters also provide historical and conceptual background information, highlight the ways in which the critical questions are actually being studied, indicate some important areas for future research, and build bridges across traditional professional and taxonomic boundaries.

The Evolution of the Genome will serve as a critical resource for graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and established scientists alike who are interested in the issue of genome evolution in the broadest sense.

· Provides detailed, clearly written chapters authored by leading researchers in their respective fields
· Presents a much-needed overview of the historical and theoretical context of the various areas of genomic study
· Creates important links between topics in order to promote integration across subdisciplines, including descriptions of how each subject is actually studied
· Provides information specifically designed to be accessible to established researchers, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students alike

Dr. T. Ryan Gregory completed his Ph.D. in evolutionary biology and zoology at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada in 2002. He has been the recipient of several prestigious scholarships and fellowships, and was named the winner of the 2003 Howard Alper Postdoctoral Prize by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, one of the nation's premiere research awards. He has been a postdoctoral fellow at the American Museum of Natural History in New York and the Natural History Museum in London, England.