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Host-parasite genetics

Paul Schmid-Hempel

in Evolutionary Parasitology: The Integrated Study of Infections, Immunology, Ecology, and Genetics

This chapter takes a deeper look into the genetics of both the host and the parasite. First, it explores the genetic architecture of host resistance, as well as several methods that are used to ... More

This chapter takes a deeper look into the genetics of both the host and the parasite. First, it explores the genetic architecture of host resistance, as well as several methods that are used to elucidate genetic architecture – such as QTL-analysis, gene sequencing, comparative genetic studies, and quantitative genetics. The analyses suggest that host resistance is often based upon a limited number of genes with major effect. The genetics of parasite virulence, on the other hand, is illustrated by bacterial pathogens. The chapter indicates that pathogenicity islands are where importance virulence genes are often located. These pathogenicity islands have their own life-cycle, during which they are transferred to a new host, become adapted, and eventually might be excised and transferred again to a further line. The chapter furthermore explores variation in gene expression, which is also a major source of differences in host–parasite interactions.Less

Internationalization of Science in Modern Law

Robin Feldman

in The Role of Science in Law

This chapter describes the internalization of science in modern law. It begins by examining internalization of scientific markers in abortion cases and law's reluctance to abandon those markers as ... More

This chapter describes the internalization of science in modern law. It begins by examining internalization of scientific markers in abortion cases and law's reluctance to abandon those markers as they prove inadequate for resolving the issues. It then examines the use of scientific lines in Internet searching cases and the inevitable failure of the technical distinctions chosen. Finally, it explores the example described above concerning gene patent cases.Less

Genomics, Human History, and Cooperation

in Darwinian Reductionism: Or, How to Stop Worrying and Love Molecular Biology

This chapter offers a glimpse into what taking gene-sequence data seriously can show us about the nature and history of one particular terrestrial lineage, Homo sapiens. It reports on the light that ... More

This chapter offers a glimpse into what taking gene-sequence data seriously can show us about the nature and history of one particular terrestrial lineage, Homo sapiens. It reports on the light that gene-sequence data can shed on cultural evolution, a process which no responsible reductionist supposes to be a matter of genetically encoded inheritance. If it turns out that culture holds our genes on a leash (instead of the reverse), then at least some twitches on the leash will show up in gene-sequence changes over time. And this record of human affairs recorded in the genes is just what the chapter reports.Less

Genetic Diversity in Headwater-Specific Mayflies Based on the Mitochondrial 16S rRNA Gene Sequences

Koji Tojo

in International Advances in the Ecology, Zoogeography, and Systematics of Mayflies and Stoneflies

This chapter examines the genetic diversity of headwater-specific Japanese dipteromimid mayflies, Dipteromimus tipuliformis and Dipteromimus flavipterus, based on mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene ... More

This chapter examines the genetic diversity of headwater-specific Japanese dipteromimid mayflies, Dipteromimus tipuliformis and Dipteromimus flavipterus, based on mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene sequences. It describes the ecological relationships or dispersal ability of these mayflies and compares them with other species living in other water systems. The findings reveal that dipteromimid mayflies have greater interpopulation genetic distances than any of the other mayfly species studied.Less

Living with Dignity II: Patents and Contracts

Beryck Beyleveld and Roger Brownsword

in Human Dignity in Bioethics and Biolaw

This chapter considers the bearing of human dignity on the commercial exploitation of the human body. First, it discusses the patentability of human gene sequences. It then addresses contractual ... More

This chapter considers the bearing of human dignity on the commercial exploitation of the human body. First, it discusses the patentability of human gene sequences. It then addresses contractual questions, for example, whether respect for human dignity requires that freedom of contract should be limited where the body is exploited in some way and that freedom to contract should be limited where genetic information is used to guide the choice of contractual partners.Less

Genetics in field ecology and conservation

Nancy N. FitzSimmons and Joanna Sumner

in Reptile Ecology and Conservation: A Handbook of Techniques

This chapter discusses the importance of genetics in questions of ecology and conservation, as genetic analyses have provided tremendous insights into the behaviour of reptiles, their evolution, and ... More

This chapter discusses the importance of genetics in questions of ecology and conservation, as genetic analyses have provided tremendous insights into the behaviour of reptiles, their evolution, and the history and dynamics of populations. To that end, the chapter discusses the functions and limitations of certain genetic markers: allozymes and restriction fragment length polymorphisms, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequencing, nuclear gene sequencing (NGS), nuclear microsatellites, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP), and whole genome research. Additionally, this chapter offers some pointers on sampling and labwork, such as the design and considerations for sampling; the process of collection, storage, and preservation; curating; and the subsequent data analysis and management.Less

A Molecular Analysis of the Afrotropical Baetidae

Jean-Luc Gattolliat, Michael T. Monaghan, Michel Sartori, Jean-Marc Elouard, Helen Barber-James, Pascale Derleth, Olivier Glaizot, Ferdy de Moor, and Alfried P. Vogler

in International Advances in the Ecology, Zoogeography, and Systematics of Mayflies and Stoneflies

This chapter describes the result of the molecular analysis of the Baetidae family of mayflies in Africa. It explains that the first comprehensive molecular phylogeny of the Afrotropical Baetidae as ... More

This chapter describes the result of the molecular analysis of the Baetidae family of mayflies in Africa. It explains that the first comprehensive molecular phylogeny of the Afrotropical Baetidae as reconstructed using nuclear and mitochondrial gene sequences from 65 taxa. The molecular reconstruction indicates that Afrotropical Baetidae require a global revision at a generic as well as suprageneric level. The chapter suggests that the major complexes of genera present in Africa are either paraphyletic or polyphyletic, and that the division of the Afrotropical Baetidae into two subfamilies is probably too simplified.Less

Human Genetics

Antonio Regalado

in A Field Guide for Science Writers

Genetic research is moving faster than a nematode poked by a platinum needle. Every week, the scientific journals report a score of new gene discoveries ... More

Genetic research is moving faster than a nematode poked by a platinum needle. Every week, the scientific journals report a score of new gene discoveries made in mice, worms, and men. How can a science journalist cover it all? It's hopeless, of course. So one thing I always keep in mind is it's often the methods or scientific tools behind these molecular discoveries, not the discoveries themselves, that present the best story possibilities. Examples of topics for such “tool stories” include DNA chips, proteomics, and new imaging technologies like the green-fluorescent protein used to make zebrafish and other laboratory critters glow. In writing about the technologies that drive biological research, I've found a formula that has worked well for me, time and again. Of course, not every story fits the same mold, and the best ones break it. But it's important to be familiar with how a tool story typically comes to be, and how to write one. I like to think about biology as a big onion that's rapidly being peeled. There are tens of thousands of biologists peeling away every day, figuring out all of life's working parts. But I never saw much sense in inspecting every peel for its news potential. (And some editors I know refer dismissively to the latest uncovering of a gene for heart attack or schizophrenia as “gene-of-the-week” stories.) It's better, sometimes, to focus on the new techniques and ideas for peeling the onion. Tool stories are big-picture stories that can be newsy, but the trends tend to have a long shelf life. They endure through numerous news cycles, and ultimately nearly every outlet in the journalistic food chain will cover the big ones. Your decision is when to catch the wave. Some reporters put a big emphasis on being first, but others will be content to watch the story unfold and cover their piece of it when it's right for whatever market they happen to be writing for. Either way, a tale of how a new technology is changing biological research is a great way to teach your readers—and yourself—about how science really works. Less