Humana Mammalian Artificial Chromosomes: Methods and Protocols: 240 (Methods in Molecular Biology, 240)

In 1996, we organized a workshop, inter alia, at the National Research Co- cil in Milan under the generous sponsorship of the European Science Foun- tion. On that occasion, a small group of investigators convened from many countries and presented early evidence of the possibility of assembling basic units of mammalian chromosomes into artificial constructs (or, indeed, red- ing the relevant components to more manageable dimensions and defined c- stitution). Progress in the following years has been slow but steady. Many scientists who took part in the workshop have since been engaged in active and prod- tive research. It goes to the credit of Humana Press to have realized the need for a book on artificial chromosomes that aims to provide better tools to all scientists committed to this field who are confronted with very difficult tech- cal problems. We have strived to cover in Mammalian Artificial Chromosomes: Methods and Protocols all relevant areas of artificial chromosome research, from basic genetics to daring attempts to build new tools for genetic therapy. We are of course grateful to the authors who have accepted the task of describing the technical steps and pitfalls that can be encountered in their research. Rarely has a very delicate methodology been presented with such meticulous care. We have been helped in this enterprise by the excellent librarian of the LITA Institute in Segrate, Italy, Ms. Claudia Piergigli, whom we thank warmly. Ms. From the Back Cover Assembly of the basic units of mammalian chromosomes into artificial constructs, and the reduction of their components to more manageable dimensions, has now become a reality. In Mammalian Artificial Chromosomes: Methods and Protocols, leading scientists in cell biology, genetics, cell culturing, and gene transfer present their most productive methods for the preparation, characterization, and use of artificial chromosomes. The authors cover all relevant areas of artificial chromosome research-from basic genetics to daring attempts at building new gene therapy tools-and describe possible applications in genetic manipulation requiring large portions of the genome. Each fully tested protocol is described in step-by-step detail and includes a background introduction outlining the principle behind the technique, reagent and equipment lists, and tips on troubleshooting and how to avoid pitfalls. Cutting-edge and much-needed, Mammalian Artificial Chromosomes: Methods and Protocols offers a timely collection of meticulous techniques that will help elucidate the mechanisms of nuclear duplication, allow the introduction of changes into the human genome, and revolutionize our understanding of how chromosomes work.