Chromosome Structural Analysis

The DNA of eukaryotes is packaged into chromosomes – each chromosome consisting of a very long molecule of DNA and various proteins (e.g. histones), and the number of chromosomes being characteristic for the species concerned. Chromosome analysis can provide a great deal of information for many aspects of cellular genetics such as DNA replication, protein:DNA interactions and genetic manipulation. The book is structured in a methodical fashion – the introductory chapters are centred around analysis of chromatin with chapters on the mapping of protein:DNA interactions in vivo using ligation-mediated PCR and the mapping of chromatin-associated proteins by formaldehyde cross-linking. The next chapters concentrate on the study of whole chromosome structure, including: fission yeast chromosome analysis using FISH and CHIP, isolation of vertebrate metaphase chromosomes and their analysis by FISH, the study of vertebrate chromosome progression through mitosis, and the analysis of mammalian interphase chromosomes by immunofluorescence and FISH. There then follow chapters on FISH in whole-mount tissues and the analysis of the sub-structure of mammalian nuclei in vitro. The final two chapters deal with the experimental manipulation of chromosome structure, including: chromosome assembly in vitro using Xenopus egg extracts and chromosome fragmentation in vertebrate cell lines. This comprehensive and informative laboratory manual includes a diverse range of experimental models for the analysis of chromosomes – such as vertebrates, Drosophila, yeast and Xenopus. Fully illustrated, it focuses on modern techniques and approaches to the study of chromosome structure and will be invaluable to researchers and academic staff in genetics, biomedical science and molecular biology.