Molecular Systematics of Fishes


Book Description

Sequenced biological macromolecules have revitalized systematic studies of evolutionary history. Molecular Systematics of Fishes is the first authoritative overview of the theory and application of these sequencing data to fishes. This volume explores the phylogeny of fishes at multiple taxonomic levels, uses methods of analysis of molecular data that apply both within and between fish populations, and employs molecule-based phylogenies to address broader questions of evolution. Targeted readers include ichthyologists, marine scientists, and all students, faculty, and researchers interested in fish evolution and ecology and vertebrate systematics. - Focuses on the phylogeny and evolutionary biology of fishes - Contains phylogenies of fishes at multiple taxonomic levels - Applies molecule-based phylogenies to broader questions of evolution - Includes methods for critique of analysis of molecular data







Computer Analysis of Genetic Macromolecules


Book Description

Molecular biology and genetics are fast-growing fields with significant results and findings being reported virtually every day. Raw data from the wet lab accumulate at an astonishing rate, making it necessary to analyze the biological data with the use of computers. This book reveals how the current challenges of molecular biology and genetics are met with computer and mathematical treatments. A combined effort of the Computational Genetics and Biophysics Group (Supercomputer Computations Research Institute, USA), the Theoretical Molecular Genetics (Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia) and the Bioinformatics Group (Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Italy), many of these findings are firsthand discoveries made by these groups. The book emphasizes the fundamental principles of the structural-functional organization of the 3 major classes of genetic macromolecules: DNA, RNA and proteins. It also introduces universally applicable theoretical principles into the enormous realm of raw data and develops an integrative, theoretical computer approach to the analysis of these macromolecules to gain insights into the complexities of their function and evolution.




Structural Approaches to Sequence Evolution


Book Description

Recent advances in understanding the thermodynamics of macromolecules, the topological properties of gene networks, the organization and mutation capabilities of genomes, and the structure of populations make it possible to incorporate these key elements into a broader and deeply interdisciplinary view of molecular evolution. This book gives an account of such a new approach, through clear tutorial contributions by leading scientists.




The First Two


Book Description

Stronger than the others, worse than the undead. Adam awakes to discover that he has been miraculously cured of the dreaded zombie virus. He is the First Subject, born from the experiments of a group known as the Charon Initiative. As the first of a new breed of mankind, Adam must struggle to find a place for himself in this strange new world. All he knows about himself is that he is a good man. Then a Second Subject is chosen, and this person may prove to be something very different compared to Adam. The question becomes: Did we ever consider the kind of people we are bringing back from the dead?




Plant Molecular Systematics


Book Description

Describes how the primary chemicals (protein, DNA) found in plants are used in determining plant taxonomic and evolutionary relationships--a growing area reflecting the application of molecular biologic techniques in macromolecular systematic research. Topics include seed protein electrophoresis, electrophoretic studies of Rubisco, enzyme electrophoresis, amino acid sequencing, and systematic serology. Emphasizes evaluation of the systematic potential of the various kinds of data made available by new technology. Includes case studies and discussion of trends and directions in molecular systematics.




Avian Molecular Evolution and Systematics


Book Description

The use of DNA and other biological macromolecules has revolutionized systematic studies of evolutionary history. Methods that use sequences of nucleotides and amino acids are now routinely used as data for addressing evolutionary questions that, although not new questions, have defied description and analysis. The world-renowned contributors use these new methods to unravel particular aspects of the evolutionary history of birds. Avian Molecular Evolution and Systematics presents an overview of the theory and application of molecular systematics, focusing on the phylogeny and evolutionary biology of birds. New, developing areas in the phylogeny of birds at multiple taxonomic areas are covered, as well as methods of analysis for molecular data, evolutionary genetics within and between bird populations, and the application of molecular-based phylogenies to broader questions of evolution. - Contains authoritative contributions from leading researchers - Discusses the utility of different molecular markers for questions of avian evolution, involving populations and higher-level taxa - Applies molecular-based phylogenies of birds and molecular population genetics data to broad questions of organismal and molecular evolution. - Compares and contrasts molecular and morphological data sets




Ultrastructure, Macromolecules, and Evolution


Book Description

Thus far in the history of biology, two, and only two, fundamental principles have come to light that pervade and unify the entire science-the cell theory and the concept of evolution. While it is true that recently opened fields of inves tigation have given rise to several generalizations of wide impact, such as the universality of DNA and the energetic dynamics of ecology, closer inspection reveals them to be part and parcel of either of the first two mentioned. Because in the final analysis energy can act upon an organism solely at the cellular level, its effects may be perceived basically to represent one facet of cell me tabolism. Similarly, because the DNA theory centers upon the means by which cells build proteins and reproduce themselves, it too proves to be only one more, even though an exciting, aspect of the cell theory. In fact, if the matter is given closer scrutiny, evolution itself can be viewed as being a fundamental portion of the cell concept, for its effects arise only as a consequence of changes in the cell's genetic apparatus accumulating over geological time. Or, if one wishes, the diametrically opposite standpoint may be taken. For, if current concepts of the origin of life hold any validity, the evolution of precellular organisms from the primordial biochemicals must have proceeded over many eons of time prior to the advent of even the most primitive cell.