Measuring Gene Expression

by Matthew Avison

Overview

In the post-genomic age, much biomedical research looks at when, where, and at what level genes are expressed. Measuring Gene Expression is an all-in-one introduction to the main methods of measuring gene expression, including RT-PCR, differential display, RNA interference, reporter genes, microarrays, and proteomics, as well as a section on RNA isolation and analysis. There is an overview of each method: its pros and cons, sample preparation, sources of error, and data interpretation.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781134189175
Publisher:	CRC Press
Publication date:	04/18/2008
Series:	THE BASICS (Garland Science)
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	328
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

Matthew Avison, Department of Pathology and Microbiology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Bristol, UK

Table of Contents

1. Gene Expression and its Control 2. Isolation and Analysis of RNA 3. Hybridization-based Methods for Measuring Transcript Levels 4. PCR-based Methods for Measuring Transcript Levels 5. Differential Display, Subtractive Hybridization, Amplification Suppression and SAGE Techniques for Measuring Gene Expression 6. Measuring Gene Expression Using Reporter Gene Assays 7. Analysis of the Proteome 8. Statistical Analysis of Gene Expression Data

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Eugene A Davidson, PhD (Georgetown University School of Medicine)
Description: This focused book provides protocols for measuring gene expression, primarily from the nucleic acid vantage point.
Purpose: The goal is to provide detailed information on the use of PCR methods, hybridization, and reporter gene assays in measurement of gene expression. Several similar manuals are available. These are a limited set of objectives given current interests and they are partially achieved in a restricted manner.
Audience: The target audience for this book is the laboratory investigator, generally at the level of an advanced student or research fellow.
Features: There are many tools available for the measurement of gene expression. Most investigators would seek information about both nucleic acid and protein levels for a specific locus. This book is focused on the nucleic acid arena and provides both background and practical material on PCR-based methods, hybridization, and the use of reporter genes. A positive aspect is the detailed discussions of each of these methods. Although short protocols for key experimental procedures are provided, these are broadly duplicative of other presentations and offer little additional. A short bibliography accompanies each of the chapters. Also included are methods of RNA preparation and a very limited discussion of enzyme assays and overall protein quantitation. Several of the methods are somewhat dated, particularly in the protein area. Students entering into laboratory work in this field will find useful background material and several practical hints. Senior scientists will likely seek a broader approach as well as one that is more current.
Assessment: The book seems somewhat dated and more suited to students, although it is not a textbook. There are similar volumes of more utility and more current information.

Doody's Review Service

"This is an excellent book. I wish I had had it a few years ago for my research group. It has all the techniques in one place."

Professor Sir Aaron Klug OM FRS
MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology
Cambridge, UK

From the Publisher