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This book is a comprehensive review of the detailed molecular mechanisms of and functional crosstalk among the replication, recombination, and repair of DNA (collectively called the'3Rs') and the related processes, with special consciousness of their biological and clinical consequences. The 3Rs are fundamental molecular mechanisms for organisms to maintain and sometimes intentionally alter genetic information. DNA replication, recombination, and repair, individually, have been important subjects of molecular biology since its emergence, but we have recently become aware that the 3Rs are actually much more intimately related to one another than we used to realize. Furthermore, the 3R research fields have been growing even more interdisciplinary, with better understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying other important processes, such as chromosome structures and functions, cell cycle and checkpoints, transcriptional and epigenetic regulation, and so on. This book comprises 7 parts and 21 chapters: Part 1 (Chapters 1–3), DNA Replication; Part 2 (Chapters 4–6), DNA Recombination; Part 3 (Chapters 7–9), DNA Repair; Part 4 (Chapters 10–13), Genome Instability and Mutagenesis; Part 5 (Chapters 14–15), Chromosome Dynamics and Functions; Part 6 (Chapters 16–18), Cell Cycle and Checkpoints; Part 7 (Chapters 19–21), Interplay with Transcription and Epigenetic Regulation. This volume should attract the great interest of graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and senior scientists in broad research fields of basic molecular biology, not only the core 3Rs, but also the various related fields (chromosome, cell cycle, transcription, epigenetics, and similar areas). Additionally, researchers in neurological sciences, developmental biology, immunology, evolutionary biology, and many other fields will find this book valuable.

This must-have cell signaling title will appeal to researchers across molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology and genetics. The articles are written and edited by experts in the field and emphasize signaling to and from intracellular compartments including transcriptional responses to cytoplasmic and nuclear signaling events, chromatin remodeling and stress responses, the regulation of endoplasmic reticulum function, control of cell cycle progression and apoptosis and the modulation of the activities of mitochondria and other organelles. - Articles written and edited by experts in the field - Thematic volume covering regulation of endoplasmic reticulum function, regulation of cell cycle progression, and quality control and assurance in mitochondrion events - Up-to-date research on events in membrane proteins and proteins of intracellular matrix

Twenty-five years after the disclosure of the telomeric DNA sequence and 22 years after the discovery of telomerase, it has become clear that telomeres and telomerase influence disease of human ageing including cancer. This book summarizes our current knowledge on the role of telomeres and telomerase in ageing, regeneration, and cancer with a special focus on ageing stem cells. Moreover, the book reviews current ef forts to target telomeres and telomerase for anticancer treatment or reg- erative therapies. 1. 1 Ageing The molecular analysis of ageing is an emerging research field that will have great impact on patients care, lifestyle, and on disease prevention in the human population worldwide. Major molecular mechanisms that influence the ageing process include (1) the accumulation of molecular damage affecting DNA and p- teins, (2) alterations in gene expression, including alterations in checkpoint responses, metabolic pathways, and developmental pathways, and (3) the decline in adult stem cell function. All these mechanisms lead to a decrease in organ main- nance and function, thus representing a major factor limiting the quality of life d- ing ageing. Moreover, the accumulation of molecular damage increases genetic alterations and the cancer risk during ageing. Indeed, increased age is the leading cause of cancer. Understanding the molecular basis of ageing will ultimately point to targets for novel therapies aiming to improve the function of cells and organs in the ageing organism, thus allowing increased vitality or what we think of as “healthy ageing.

Research is fast paced and advances in RNA interference have recently opened up new opportunities for genetic experiments in human cell lines. However, the possibility to easily modify the genome still remains a powerful tool to investigate the function of coding and regulatory sequences in the vertebrate genome. DT40 has never been a quick and easy road to fame. It would be unfair to blame this on DT40 as it has proven to be a reliable and robust companion with fast doubling time, easy clonability and a relatively stable karyotype. If this model system is going to flourish over the next 15 years, it will be thanks to ingenious and original researchers. They may feel as if they work outside the mainstream, but they can take heart by the fact that only the clever exploitation of diversity and conservation makes biological research both elegant and rewarding. It is with this in mind that the DT40 handbook has been conceived and written. This book provides an up to date overview of the different facets of research, and also intends to help newcomers get started and avoid looming pitfalls. The collection of protocols which have been kindly provided by a number of laboratories will be particularly useful in this regard.

Cancer and other genetic human diseases are caused by a variety of mutations, ranging from subtle sequence changes to larger genomic rearrangements and alterations in chromosome number (aneuploidy). With contributions by reputed experts, this book aims to update the knowledge on the multiple mechanisms of genomic instability leading to human disease. Emphasis is given to the different types of genomic sequences involved in disease-related genomic rearrangements as well as to the various exogenous factors increasing the frequency of mutations. Several chapters are dedicated to the dysfunction of important cellular mechanisms like DNA repair and chromosome segregation, which may cause genomic instability and result in tumorigenesis. Important ‘caretaker'genes controlling the stability of our genome have been identified through their defect in genomic instability syndromes, which are also extensively reviewed in this volume. This book provides an important update not only for investigators in biology and medicine, but also for physicians and anyone interested in the molecular basis of human disease.