The fourth edition of this popular textbook retains its focus on the fundamental principles of gene manipulation, providing an accessible and broad-based introduction to the subject for beginning undergraduate students. It has been brought thoroughly up to date with new chapters on the story of DNA and genome editing, and new sections on bioethics, significant developments in sequencing technology and structural, functional and comparative genomics and proteomics, and the impact of transgenic plants. In addition to chapter summaries, learning objectives, concept maps, glossary and key word lists the book now also features new concluding sections, further reading lists and web-search activities for each chapter to provide a comprehensive suite of learning resources to help students develop a flexible and critical approach to the study of genetic engineering.

Table of Contents

Part 1 Genetic Engineering in Context

Chapter 1 Introduction

Chapter 2 The Story of DNA

Chapter 3 Brave New World or Genetic Nightmare?

Part 2 The Basis of Genetic Engineering

Chapter 4 Introducing Molecular Biology

Chapter 5 The Tools of the Trade

Chapter 6 Working with Nucleic Acids

Part 3 The Methodology of Gene Manipulation

Chapter 7 Host Cells and Vectors

Chapter 8 Cloning Strategies

Chapter 9 The Polymerase Chain Reaction

Chapter 10 Selection, Screening and Analysis of Recombinants

Chapter 11 Bioinformatics

Chapter 12 Genome Editing

Part 4 Genetic Engineering in Action

Chapter 13 Investigating Genes, Genomes and ‘Otheromes’

Chapter 14 Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology

Chapter 15 Medical and Forensic Applications of Gene Manipulation

Chapter 16 Transgenic Plants and Animals

Chapter 17 The Other Sort of Cloning

Review

‘Genetic engineering represents a toolbox that all students within the basic and applied biology fields must get acquainted with. The fourth edition of An Introduction to Genetic Engineering is an excellent up-to-date version of a classic textbook. This ambitious book excellently balances the molecular biology knowledge required to grasp the comprehensive gene technology toolbox with a discussion of its impact on society.’ Per Amstrup Pedersen, University of Copenhagen

‘As a biomedical engineering professor teaching an undergraduate Genetic Engineering course for close to 10 years, I use Dr Nicholl’s An Introduction to Genetic Engineering as my go-to textbook. It is not one of those overly thick textbooks that overwhelm students. Its comprehensiveness captures readers’ attention with succinct fundamental concepts that truly promote one’s interest in exploring the wonder of many genetic engineering techniques and applications. To facilitate that further, the material provided at the end of each chapter encourages readers to expand their learning with relevant resources … Many of my students become so interested that they pursue graduate degrees and have a career in this field. Dr Nicholl’s textbook has a long-term influence on its readers.’ M. Ete Chan, State University of New York at Stony Brook

Dr Nicholl’s book covers all the basic material that one would expect from its title, but what particularly impressed me was how it isn’t afraid to move into political and socio-economic arenas. In Chapter 16, for example, balanced arguments are presented for and against the development of transgenic organisms, and these don’t always come out in favour of the science.’ Neil Crickmore, University of Sussex

Book Description

An accessible introduction to genetic engineering, including recent developments in bioethics, sequencing technology and genome editing.

About the Author

Desmond S. T. Nicholl was Senior Lecturer in Biological Sciences, Head of Bioscience, Head of Quality Enhancement and Assistant Dean for Education at the University of the West of Scotland. As well as three previous editions of An Introduction to Genetic Engineering, he also authored Cell and Molecular Biology (Learning & Teaching Scotland, 2000).