Principles of Molecular Pathology / Edition 1

by Anthony Killeen

Overview

Anthony Killeen, MD, PhD, offers a comprehensive yet concise introduction to molecular pathology that encompasses both applied and theoretical knowledge. Writing in a very readable style, the author reviews the basic concepts of human molecular biology, explains the principles of the most commonly used analytical methods, and discusses the molecular principles that underlie both inherited diseases and acquired genetic abnormalities that lead to cancer. Using common viral infections as examples, the book applies these molecular methods to the detection of microbial pathogens. The growing importance of pharmacogenetics and identity testing in the clinical laboratory is also highlighted.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781617373480
Publisher:	Springer-Verlag New York, LLC
Publication date:	11/05/2010
Edition description:	Softcover reprint of hardcover 1st ed. 2004
Pages:	333
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.03(d)

Table of Contents

1 Basic Concepts in Molecular Pathology.- 2 Genetic Inheritance.- 3 Mutation.- 4 Methods in Molecular Pathology.- 5 Inherited Disorders.- 6 Molecular Origins of Cancer.- 7 Familial Cancer Syndromes.- 8 Molecular Pathology of Hematological Malignancies.- 9 Pharmacogenetics.- 10 Identity Testing.- 11 Molecular Diagnoses of Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Hepatitis C Virus.

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Valerie L Ng, PhD MD(Alameda County Medical Center/Highland Hospital)
Description: This is a concise and fairly comprehensive book on the principles and current applications of molecular pathology.
Purpose: The author's purpose was to create a comprehensive yet concise text on the relatively new and rapidly growing field of molecular pathology.
Audience: This book would be useful to anyone interested in the basic principles of clinical molecular pathology. Given the increasing prominence of this technology in the routine clinical laboratory, this book would especially useful to those who actually perform or use the results of tests performed with this technology (e.g., pathology/laboratory medicine residents, pathologists in practice, laboratory directors, geneticists, genetic counselors, pediatricians, infectious disease practitioners, hematologists, clinical laboratory scientists in training or practice, etc.).
Features: This seemingly small book of only 11 chapters nicely summarizes a broad and rapidly growing diagnostic field. The first few chapters define basic terminology and discuss basic principles. The fourth chapter is a very useful summary of molecular methods employed by the clinical laboratory. Of note and with the exception of a brief discussion of fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), this chapter is devoted to "grind and find" technology - i.e., that which does not rely on procedures in which tissue is left intact and tissue architecture is important in test result interpretation. The remaining chapters discuss specific applications of these technologies to disease states - hematological malignancies, heritable disorders, cancer, pharmacogenetics, identity testing, and testing for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). My impression of the HIV and HCV chapter is that the subject matter is treated too superficially compared to other authoritative texts in the field (e.g., Manual of Clinical Microbiology, 8th edition (ASM Press, 2003)), and would have been best left out of this book.
Assessment: This is a useful introduction to molecular pathology for a wide variety of individuals. I'd recommend it to those seeking broad, concise (but not necessarily comprehensive), and current information in this field.

Doody's Review Service

"...nicely summarizes a broad and rapidly growing diagnostic field...This is a useful introduction to molecular pathology for a wide variety of individuals. I'd recommened it to those seeking broad, concise (but not necessarily comprehensive), and current information in this field." -Doody's Health Sciences Book Review Journal

"...a comprehensive yet concise introduction to molecular pathology that encompasses both applied and theoretical knowledge...illuminates for every pathologist, pathology resident, physician, and medical student the ongoing molecular revolution that is now transforming pathology and the practice of laboratory medicine." -Tumori

"...this book would make a welcome and timely addition to laboratory libraries...provide(s) a great service to and an excellent reference for molecular pathologists." - Clinical Chemistry

From the Publisher