Dictyostelium: Evolution, Cell Biology, and the Development of Multicellularity (Developmental and Cell Biology Series) [Hardcover]

Richard H. Kessin (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521583640 | ISBN-13: 978-0521583640 | Publication Date: January 15, 2001 | Edition: 1

The Dictyostelia are soil amoebae capable of extraordinary feats of survival, motility, chemotaxis, and development. Known as the "social amoebae," these organisms have been the subjects of serious study since the 1930s. Research in this area has been instrumental in shaping general views of differentiation, morphogenesis, and communication. Beginning with the history of Dictyostelids, this book considers the problems of the evolution of this multicellular organism. Characterized by its ability to transform from a single-celled organism into an elaborate assemblage of thousands of synchronously-moving cells, each stage of its development is treated in a separate chapter. The special properties of the Dictyostelid genome are rigorously analyzed, and the methods available to manipulate genes are presented in detail. Research techniques that enable many cell biology problems to be approached in studying the organism are also presented. Throughout, the emphasis is on combining classical experiments with modern molecular findings.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The book is very well organized and beautifully written; difficult concepts are explained with panache and authority, leavened with the occasional flash of humour...It is a major achievement and will serve the field well for several years to come." Trends in Genetics

"The book is rich with explanations, clearly presented data, questions that beg for research projects and an appreciation of the past. In a forst-rate fashion, kessin has provided a valuable resource for anyonr studying Dictyostelium, thinking of studying it or interested in a fast-moving socialite of the amoebae world." Canadian Society of Microbiologists

"[A] major publishing event for the Dictyostelium research community...eagerly awaited and will certainly be well read throughout the Dictyostelium research community. I would recommend it both to the general reader and a new graduate student...Get it in your library before you need it." British Society of Developmental Biology Newsletter (Summer 2001)

Book Description

Known as the "social amoebae," Dictyostelia have been the subjects of serious study since the 1930s. Beginning with the history of Dictyostelids, this book considers the problems of the evolution of this multicellular organism. Characterized by its ability to transform from a single-celled organism into an elaborate assemblage of thousands of synchronously-moving cells, each stage of this development is treated in a separate chapter. The special properties of the Dictyostelid genome are rigorously analyzed. Throughout, the emphasis is on combining classical experiments with modern molecular findings. This book represents the only modern synthesis of such material.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 308 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press; 1 edition (January 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521583640
• ISBN-13: 978-0521583640
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,986,157 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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