A Primer of Genome Science, Third Edition

Genome science has matured as a discipline to the point where it is now incorporated as a regular part of the genetics curriculum in universities. A Primer of Genome Science, Third Edition bridges the gap between standard genetics textbooks and highly specialized, technical, and advanced treatments of the subdisciplines. It provides an affordable and up-to-date introduction to the field that is suited to advanced undergraduate or early graduate courses. Bioinformatic principles and experimental strategies are explained side-by-side with the experimental methods, establishing a framework that allows teachers to explore topics and the literature at their own pace. The Primer is organized into six chapters dealing with the scope of genomics, genome sequencing, variation and complex traits, gene expression, proteomics, and metabolomics. Each chapter includes several boxes explaining the theory behind bioinformatic methods, discussion questions, and a summary. This edition has been updated to include the latest developments in next-generation sequencing, high-volume genotyping and expression profiling, and advances in metabolomics.

Customer Reviews:

A very good, updated introduction to genomics

By Jeremy Leipzig "Bioinformatics Programmer" - January 6, 2010

This is an upper level genetics textbook and contains chapters on genome projects, genome sequencing, genomic variation, gene expression, proteomics, and systems biology. There are review questions at the end of the chapters - but that should not imply that this is an elementary textbook. I can only comment on the first four chapters.

Chapter 1 has a somewhat prosaic rundown on the overarching goals of genome sequencing as well as the status of various organisms. There is a interesting section on the history of the competing approaches to the human genome project.

Chapter 2 contains one of the best textbook reviews of BAC and WGSS sequencing techniques I've seen anywhere. Chapter 3, which deals with SNPs is very strong. This is an excellent textbook to get if you are confused about the relationship between QTLs, SNPs, and haplotypes. The authors tie it all together without holding back for fear of overgeneralizing. (e.g. "the vast majority of QTL effects are... read more