Genetic Disease Discovery and Therapeutics presents information on the methods used to determine how specific gene defects influence pathology and phenotype and to review novel therapeutic approaches designed for the treatment of specific genetic and genomic disorders.This book investigates methodologies applied to the characterization of downstream functional effects of specific gene mutations associated with altered phenotypes and clinical disease. It documents evidence of how specific mutations influence pathology and lead to disease manifestations. This book also reviews information on therapeutic approaches that could potentially be applied in diseases due to gene defects. Genetic Disease Discovery and Therapeutics is a valuable reference for scientists and graduate students involved in laboratory research related to genetics, physiology, pathology, and pharmacology as well as clinicians who encounter patients with genetic disorders.• Considers refined diagnostic techniques for genetic diseases.• Documents evidence regarding mechanisms through which gene defects alter biochemical function and lead to pathology.• Presents new techniques being applied to the treatment of gene and genome-based disorders.• Aims to consider the goals of personalized precision medicine as defined by the NIH.

Progress in Genomic Medicine: From Research to Clinical Application provides a careful synthesis of the foundations, current trends and translational challenges in genomic medicine, clarifying pathways forward and enabling genomic medicine research and implementation across clinical settings and treatment development. Sections address the history and growth of genetic medicine, with a discussion of key studies in syndrome delineations, inherited diseases, biochemical genetics, and chromosome abnormalities, overview clinical applications made possible through genomic advances, with chapters on DNA sequencing for clinical genetic diagnosis, genotype-phenotype correlations in individuals and across populations, new-born screening for treatable genetic disorders, and more. In addition, social, ethical and public health aspects of applying genomic technologies are included throughout. Here, Dr. Smith applies her experience and participation in the field, across its major milestones, to put current research, clinical advances, and ongoing questions in context. Traces the development of the field of genomic medicine, exploring key scientific advances and recent steps forward in clinical translation Considers the influence of genomic medicine on complex and monogenic pathology analysis, treatment plans and therapeutics Ties recent research and clinical advances to their historical context

The Regulatory Genome in Adaptation, Evolution, Development, and Disease synthesizes insights from recent genomic and gene expression studies across organisms, from humans to plants, animals, and single cell life, exploring common roles gene regulation plays in adaptive evolution, developmental biology and susceptibility to disease. The book sheds light on gene regulation across evolutionary timelines, illuminating new areas of focus and future research. Chapters consider key elements in gene expression regulation, fundamentals of genomic alterations over time, and in response to environmental and local conditions, epigenetics in adaptive evolution, and adaptive gene regulation in healthy processes and developmental biology, and in disease biology. Throughout the book, a comparative approach is adopted across organisms to highlight common evolutionary themes and genome diversity revealed by recent sequencing and GWAS studies, as well as how this informs our understanding of human adaptive evolution. The book finishes by detailing how we can use this knowledge to impact disease outcomes and healthy human metabolism, development, and physiology. - Reviews key elements in the regulation of gene expression and modes of studying gene regulation across evolutionary timelines - Adopts a cross-species view, synthesizing recent sequencing and GWAS studies across organisms to draw out fresh meaning and highlight pathways for future research - Considers altered gene expression associated with developmental defects and disease, as well as healthy biology and physiology, and our adaptive response to disease influence

Seeking Cures outlines the progress and implications of science's quest to identify therapeutic targets and initiate novel treatments at the gene, RNA, protein, and physiological levels. Also considered are aspects of treatment at the cellular level (e.g., those with hematopoietic stem cells or induced pluripotent stem cells).

Mechanisms and Genetics of Neurodevelopmental Cognitive Disorders connects neurodevelopment with genetics and behavior to better understand the underlying factors leading to cognitive neurodevelopmental disorders. This book focuses on mechanisms of disease and follows the development of specific brain regions, functions, and gene expression to causes and processes in autism, attention deficit disorder, and learning disabilities. Topics include brain mapping, brain plasticity, epigenetics, neuroimmunology, and many other factors that influence the development of these diseases. This book will promote understanding of recent investigations and developments related to brain development from fetal life onward with specific relevance to neurodevelopmental cognitive disorders and conditions. This is an essential reference for anyone who is looking to learn more about different aspects of neurodevelopment and emerging concepts in psychiatric disorders. - Discusses links between brain development, gene expression, and brain function - Covers neural stem cells, proliferation, migration, differentiation, and neurogenesis - Includes brain mapping, brain plasticity, epigenetics, neuroimmunology, and more - Provides insight into causation and brain function in autism, attention deficit disorder, and learning disabilities - Examines impact of society and environmental factors on mental health

Gene Environment Interactions: Nature and Nurture in the Twenty-first Century offers a rare, synergistic view of ongoing revelations in gene environment interaction studies, drawing together key themes from epigenetics, microbiomics, disease etiology, and toxicology to illuminate pathways for clinical translation and the paradigm shift towards precision medicine. Across eleven chapters, Dr. Smith discusses interactions with the environment, human adaptations to environmental stimuli, pathogen encounters across the centuries, epigenetic modulation of gene expression, transgenerational inheritance, the microbiome's intrinsic effects on human health, and the gene-environment etiology of cardiovascular, metabolic, psychiatric, behavioral and monogenic disorders. Later chapters illuminate how our new understanding of gene environment interactions are driving advances in precision medicine and novel treatments. In addition, the book's author shares strategies to support clinical translation of these scientific findings to improve heath literacy among the general population. - Offers a thorough, interdisciplinary discussion on recent revelations from gene environment interaction studies - Illuminates environmental factors affecting disease-gene etiology and treatment - Supports the clinical translation of gene environment interaction findings into novel therapeutics and precision medicine

During the past two decades international collaborative studies have yielded extensive information on genome sequences, genome architecture and their variations. The challenge we now face is to understand how these variations impact structure and function of organelles, physiological systems and phenotype. The goal of this book is to present steps in the pathways of exploration to connect genotype to phenotype and to consider how alterations in genomes impact disease. In this book the author reviews published research in functional genomics carried out primarily since 2006 that sheds light on aspects of phenotypic variation. The goal of functional genomics is to gain insight into mechanisms through which specific changes in genome transcripts and regulation induce changes in proteins, pathways, organelles, cellular and tissue functions, morphology and ultimately in phenotype. Topics reviewed include investigations in genome architecture, gene structure, gene regulation epigenetic modifications and function of organelles including mitochondria, and the endosome lysosome system. New insights into neurodevelopment and neurobehavioral disorders gained through functional genomic research are presented. Aspects of genomic studies in complex common diseases are reviewed. Molecular genetic variations and aberrations in cellular mechanisms involved in protein quality surveillance play a role in late onset diseases and one chapter deals with this topic. Molecular analyses of genes and proteins continue to shed light on the pathogenesis of malformation syndromes and specific examples of such studies are presented. There is growing evidence that late onset disorders such as Parkinson disease, are frequently the end result of defects in functioning of components in different pathways and examples of these are discussed. There is evidence that genetic variation determines differences in response to environmental insults. Genetic variations in complement factor genes are an example of this and are discussed in the context of macular degeneration and pathogenesis of hemolytic uremic syndrome in response exposure to E coli Shiga toxin. In the final chapter the author briefly summarizes key features of the cascade of events that constitute functional genomics.

In this new book, noted geneticist and veteran OUP author, Moyra Smith, present a comprehensive critical review of the translation of genetic and genomic research into health care. Dr. Smith's motivation for writing is driven by the gap that exists between the rather amazing discoveries in medical genetics and genomics at basic science levels and the translation to disease management in single gene disorders, specific genetic syndromes, and complex genetic diseases. She also examines information technology in genetic medicine, sociocultural factors that impact provision of medical care, and medical education issues with regard to translational genetics in order to help prepare a work force that is better able to utilize evidence-based medicine and to accomodate the rapid changes in genetic and genomic health care.

Leading medical genetics scholar Moyra Smith reviews current and recent work in genetics and genomics to assess progress in understanding human variation and the pathogenesis of common and rare diseases in which genetics plays a role. Smith provides an exceptional overview of the most important biomedical progress arising from the greatly increased genetic information base generated by gene mapping and the sequencing of the complete Human Genome. This book addresses into a wide spectrum of topics associated with human genetics and genomics, including: Human origins; migrations and human population diversity gained though genomic analyses. The complexities of psychiatric diseases that are influenced by genetics. The pathogenesis of late-onset neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinsonism, and ALS. Key aspects of protein misfolding. Gene-environment interactions in DNA damage and repair and DNA instability. Micro RNAs and mRNA translation. Epigenetics. New functions for old enzymes in cancer.

Recent advances in neuroscience and genetics have greatly expanded our understanding of the brain and of the etiological factors involved in developmental delay and mental retardation. At the same time, the human genome project has yielded a wealth of information on DNA sequencing, regulation of gene expression, epigenetics, and functional aspects of the genome, which newly propels investigation into the pathogenesis of mental retardation. This book makes readily available current knowledge on the subject and applies it to clinical medicine, providing information essential to neurologists, geneticists, physicians and pediatricians as they search for the causes of mental handicap in their patients. Introductory chapters cover normal and abnormal brain structure, neurogenesis, neuronal proliferation, and signal transduction. Latter chapters delve into discussions of both the environmental factors that may lead to neurocognitive deficits and the cytogenetic, biochemical and molecular defects specifically associated with mental retardation. One chapter reviews gene involvement in non-syndromic mental retardation, autism, and language deficits, as well as multifactorial and genetically complex inheritance. The text concludes with a clinically practical discussion of carrier detection, presymptomatic diagnosis, and treatment of various genetic diseases through enzyme therapy, substrate deprivation, and the use of hemapoietic stem cells.