Biochemistry - Nucleotides & Nucleosides

Visualization of Nucleic Acids

Name: Visualization of Nucleic Acids
Author: Gerard Morel
ISBN: 9780849347818

by Gerard Morel

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Overview

This book presents a review of the principle approaches for visualizing DNA and RNA. Using scanning tunneling and atomic force microscopes, the three-dimensional image of the surface of nucleic acids can be seen at atomic-scale resolutions. Spreading methods provide useful details on structural features of isolated molecules, but the major constituent of living matter is water, and the cryomicroscope makes it possible to look at DNA in its aqueous environment. Genes can be detected simultaneously in situ in chromosomes using fluorescent probes, and also at the electron microscopic level. In cells, nucleic acids are localized and quantified by dyes; electron microscopy is used with cytochemical, immunocytological, nuclease, and in situ hybridization methods. The main potential applications for pathological studies are shown with particular aspects such as viral nucleic acids and in situ PCR.

The book contains predominantly black-and-white illustrations, with some color illustrations.

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Editorials

From The Critics

Reviewer: W. Frank Hughes, PhD(Rush Medical College of Rush University)
Description: This book features reviews of techniques for visualizing nucleic acids and associated proteins in purified preparations and in cells. The international panel of authors provide clear, practical discussions on each method and its applications. These range in sophistication from classical staining techniques and use of molecular probes and hybridization in mapping map cell or viral nucleic acids to the visualization of molecular conformations by atomic force microscopy.
Purpose: The purposes of the book are several. One can obtain practical information about how various techniques are performed, the types of data they provide, and their respective limitations. The volume showcases a cross-section of research devoted to understanding the structural context for nucleic acid function and dysfunction in the pathobiology of viral and genetic disorders.
Audience: This book should be valuable to investigators and students as a reference and introduction to structurally oriented molecular techniques. For individuals trained in traditional cytology and electron microscopy, the vignettes provide an updated perspective on new extensions of standard techniques as well as uses of molecular probes and advanced instrumentation.
Features: The chapter outlines, format, and illustrations of data all contribute to a very readable and well-referenced volume. The photographs, including one very nice color plate, reinforce the visual-morphological context of these studies.
Assessment: As the preface describes, methods developed to explore nucleic acid function from structural perspective are inextricably linked to advances in molecular biology. This volume shows us examples and provides a glimpse of questions that have motivated the nucleic acid biologists and pathobiologists to construct a functional topography of the nucleic acids.

W. Frank Hughes

This book features reviews of techniques for visualizing nucleic acids and associated proteins in purified preparations and in cells. The international panel of authors provide clear, practical discussions on each method and its applications. These range in sophistication from classical staining techniques and use of molecular probes and hybridization in mapping map cell or viral nucleic acids to the visualization of molecular conformations by atomic force microscopy. The purposes of the book are several. One can obtain practical information about how various techniques are performed, the types of data they provide, and their respective limitations. The volume showcases a cross-section of research devoted to understanding the structural context for nucleic acid function and dysfunction in the pathobiology of viral and genetic disorders. This book should be valuable to investigators and students as a reference and introduction to structurally oriented molecular techniques. For individuals trained in traditional cytology and electron microscopy, the vignettes provide an updated perspective on new extensions of standard techniques as well as uses of molecular probes and advanced instrumentation. The chapter outlines, format, and illustrations of data all contribute to a very readable and well-referenced volume. The photographs, including one very nice color plate, reinforce the visual-morphological context of these studies. As the preface describes, methods developed to explore nucleic acid function from structural perspective are inextricably linked to advances in molecular biology. This volume shows us examples and provides a glimpse of questions that have motivated the nucleic acidbiologists and pathobiologists to construct a functional topography of the nucleic acids.

3 Stars from Doody