Human Gene Evolution

Key Features
* Structure and function in the human genome
* The evolution of gene structure
* Mutational mechanisms in evolution

Audience: Molecular Biologists, Geneticists.

The Human Genome Project is soon expected to yield the entire sequence of the human genome, providing an unparalleled opportunity to understand its structure, function and evolution. Human Gene Evolution bring together the highly dispersed literature on human gene structure, function, organization and expression, integrates this with our emerging knowledge of chromosome and genome structure, and discusses the nature of the mutational mechanisms that underlie evolutionary change.
A companion volume to the best-selling Human Gene Mutation by the same author, a central theme to this book is that mutations in human gene pathology and evolution represent two sides to the same coin, in that those same mutational mechanisms that have been frequently implicated in human pathology have also been involved in fashioning evolutionary change.
Human Gene Evolution is an authoritative and timely review of our current knowledge of this important field. It is essential reading for human molecular geneticists and for post-graduate students and interested clinicians.
"Professor Cooper has given us a comprehensive, authoritative, fascinating and masterful account of the evolutionary history of the human genes. Human Gene Evolution is recommended for the novice and the experienced alike." Professor Stylianos Antonarakis

Michael Cummings

This is the latest volume in the excellent and timely Human Molecular Genetics Series. The purpose is to provide an overview of the structure, function, and evolution of human genes and gene families. This book is intended for researchers in human molecular genetics, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students. Clinicians with an interest in genetic diseases will find valuable insights into the evolutionary history of genes associated with specific disorders. The book has four parts. Part 1 is an introduction to the components of the human genome, their structure, function, and evolution. In Part 2 the evolution of gene structure is detailed, including introns, exons, and alternative splicing, as well as the evolutionary origins of prompters, transcription factors, and pseudogenes. Part 3 is an exploration of the mutational mechanisms that have played a role in the evolution of the human genome, beginning with single base substitutions. Concluding chapters in this section include coverage of the evolution of gene size and number, gross chromosomal changes, and finally, the reconstruction of ancient genes. An impressive span of literature on the structure, function and evolution of human genes has been woven together in a comprehensive, readable volume that is highly recommended to all with interest in human genes.

Cooper, David N. (Univ of Wales)