Gene Cloning and Manipulation

Now fully updated to reflect recent advances, this introduction provides a broad, but concise, coverage of recombinant DNA techniques. Written for advanced undergraduates, graduates and scientists who want to use this technology, emphasis is placed on the concepts underlying particular types of cloning vectors to aid understanding and to enable readers to devise suitable strategies for novel experimental situations. An introduction to the basic biochemical principles is presented first. Then PCR and cloning using E. coli hosts and plasmid, phage and hybrid vectors are described, followed by the generation and screening of libraries and how to modify, inactivate or express cloned sequences. Finally genetic manipulation in a range of other organisms is discussed, including other bacteria, fungi, algae and plants, insects and mammals. A series of 'real-life' biological problems are also presented to enable readers to assess their understanding of the material and to prepare for exams.

Updated to reflect advances in the field, this introduction provides a broad, but concise, coverage of recombinant DNA techniques. Written for advanced undergraduates, graduates and scientists who want to use this technology, emphasis is placed on the concepts underlying particular types of cloning vectors to aid understanding and to enable readers to devise suitable strategies for novel experimental situations. An introduction to the basic biochemical principles is presented first. Then PCR and cloning using E. coli hosts and plasmid, phage and hybrid vectors are described, followed by the generation and screening of libraries and how to modify, inactivate or express cloned sequences. Finally genetic manipulation in a range of other organisms is discussed, including other bacteria, fungi, algae and plants, insects and mammals. A series of 'real-life' biological problems are also presented to enable readers to assess their understanding of the material and to prepare for exams.

Preface; 1. The tools for the job; 2. Polymerase chain reaction; 3. Simple cloning; 4. Other vector systems for E. Coli; 5. Making libraries; 6. Screening libraries; 7. Modification and mutagenesis; 8. Use of cloned DNA; 9. Using other organisms; 10. Examples.

Fully updated to reflect recent advances, this introduction provides a broad but concise coverage of recombinant DNA techniques. It is written specifically for students and researchers who want to use this technology, with emphasis placed on understanding the underlying concepts, thereby enabling the reader to devise their own strategies.

Christopher Howe is Professor of Plant and Microbial Biochemistry at the University of Cambridge. His research interests include biochemistry and molecular biology of photosynthetic organisms, and the evolutionary processes that gave rise to them. He has taught molecular biology for twenty years.