From DNA to Diversity: Molecular Genetics and the Evolution of Animal Design / Edition 2

by Sean B. Carroll, Jennifer K. Grenier, Scott D. Weatherbee

Overview

In this landmark work, the author team led by Dr. Sean Carroll presents the general principles of the genetic basis of morphological change through a synthesis of evolutionary biology with genetics and embryology. In this extensively revised second edition, the authors delve into the latest discoveries, incorporating new coverage of comparative genomics, molecular evolution of regulatory proteins and elements, and microevolution of animal development.

• An accessible text, focusing on the most well-known genes, developmental processes and taxa.
• Builds logically from developmental genetics and regulatory mechanisms to evolution at different genetic morphological levels.
• Adds major insights from recent genome studies, new evo-devo biology research findings, and a new chapter on models of variation and divergence among closely related species.
• Provides in-depth focus on key concepts through well-developed case studies.
• Features clear, 4-color illustrations and photographs, chapter summaries, references and a glossary.
• Presents the research of Dr. Carroll, a pioneer in the field and the past president of the Society for Developmental Biology.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781405119504
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	10/22/2004
Edition description:	REV
Pages:	270
Product dimensions:	7.50(w) x 9.70(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Sean B. Carroll is currently an investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Professor of Molecular Biology and Genetics at the University of Wisconsin. His research for the past twenty years has focused on the genetics of animal development and evolution, and yielded many original discoveries as to the mechanisms underlying the making and evolution of animal form.

Jennifer K. Grenier is currently a senior scientist in the Microarray Group at Mirus Corporation in Madison, Wisconsin. Her scientific interests include the evolution of development, comparative genomics, and innovative technologies for functional genomics research.

Scott D. Weatherbee is a research fellow at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. He studies the developmental genetics of limb formation and patterning.

Table of Contents

Preface.

1. A Brief History of Animals.

2. The Genetic Toolkit for Development.

3. Building Animals.

4. Evolution of the Toolkit.

5. Diversification of Body Plans and Body Parts.

6. Evolution of Morphological Novelties.

7. Morphological Variation and Species Divergence.

8. From DNA to Diversity: The Primacy of Regulatory Evolution.

Glossary.

Index

Editorial Reviews

Sean Carroll, author of one of the books under review and acoauthor of another, has made important contributions to theunderstanding of evolution and development. From DNA toDiversity, written with two other scientists, is the secondedition of a book that has become a classic for students ofevolution."

The New York Review of Books, Volume LIII, Number 8

"With almost poetic ease, the authors tell a highly complexstory without distorting its scientific substance. The story linegoes through the levels of biological hierarchy all the way to thedetails of gene regulation and emerges with a deeper understandingof biological diversity. In Sean Carroll developmental evolutionhas found its Darwin."

Gunter Wagner, Yale University

"This book will be an excellent introductory text, excitingnewcomers to the field, be they students in biology, or experts ineither evolutionary biology or embryology who want to gain anappreciation for the insights developmental genetics is providinginto the evolution of animal diversity."

Cliff Tabin, Harvard University Medical School

"From DNA to Diversity is written for a general audience,including undergraduates, with an interest in developmental andevolutionary biology, and it is a joy to read. Using strikingexamples, the authors summarize the current state of thinking onthe interconnectedness between developmental genetics andevolutionary diversification."

Axel Meyer, University of Konstanz; Nature

"This book helps to fill a gap in the teaching of evolutionarytheory that arose because developmental biology was not a directparticipant in the evolutionary synthesis….This is anoutstanding account of the latest findings in moleculardevelopmental biology."

James W. Valentine, Professor Emeritus, University ofCalifornia, Berkeley

"The authors have done an excellent job of distilling the largeand complex literature on molecular genetics that is pertinent tounderstanding how gene networks evolve... The writing isconsistently clear, concise, and engaging. "

Gregory A. Wray, Duke University; Science

"Carroll, Weatherbee, and Grenier have produced a wonderful andexciting introduction to the field of evolutionary developmentalbiology....Newcomers and aficionados will find this a compellingread."

Martin J. Cohn, University of Florida; Evolution andDevelopment

"...this is one book that everybody should read who wants toknow why 'evo-devo' is such a hot topic right now."

Manfred Laubichler, Arizona State University

"From DNA to Diversity can be, and should be read by College andUniversity students as well as scientists out of the field, whowant to be informed of what is new and promising in biology."

Jean Deutsch, Universite Phillippe et Marie Curie, Paris;BioEssays

"An engaging style, clear, four-colour illustrations, andup-to-date content all combine to make this text a highlyaccessible and definitive synthesis of the field."

Ethology, Ecology and Evolution

“This highly technical textbook facilitates learning byits conversational tone, summarization of important points [and]exciting case studies…Beautifully illustrated… thisbook is a pleasure to read.”
Southeastern Naturalist

From the Publisher