Biotechnology Resources in Print

Books

Kreuzer H. and Massey A. (2001). Recombinant DNA and Biotechnology: A Guide for Teachers. 2nd Edition Washington, D.C., AMS Press.

Recommended for the teaching of Recombinant DNA technology in the classroom, 648 pages of protocols with information on where to obtain the materials and great ideas for incorporating the activities into the standard currriculum.

Sykes B. (2001). The Seven Daughters of Eve. New Yourk N.Y., W. W. Norton and Company.

An easy to read book that covers human evolution and human population genetics. Genetic ancestry is evaluated with mitrocohondrial DNA. The author includes discussions on human realtions to Neanderthal, relations to the Italian Alps ice man and whether remains belonged to the Tsar and his family.

Ridley M. (2000). Genome An Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters. New York N.Y., HarperCollins Publishing.

A great history of DNA Biology. Fun to read with many interesting points about the Genome project. Each chapter discusses one gene out of its chromosome and focuses on its role in our development and adult life, but also goes further, exploring the implications of genetic research and our quickly changing social attitudes toward this information. The author forcues of the historical significantce of genes associated with cancer, intelligence, sex, instinct and more.

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Ed. by Phillips S. J. and Comus P. W. (2000). A Natural History of the Sonoran Desert . Tucson AZ, ASDM Press.

Chapters cover the expected topics -- geology, climate, human cultures, plants, an animals -- and the unexpected -- the uniqueness of the desert's air and light and its "deep" history. The Sonoran Desert is enthralling, and this book will heighten your awareness of the desert's beauty and complexity and will provide you with information on where to visit and what to expect during each of the Sonoran Desert's five seasons.

Bloom, M. V., G. A. Freyer, et al. (1996). Laboratory DNA science. Menlo Park, CA, Benjamin/Cummings Publishing Co.

A highly recommended sequel to DNA Science. The authors have developed excellent classroom-tested laboratories using DNA. This book contains the laboratories found in DNA Science and several new laboratories involving more sophisticated DNA techniques, such as PCR. The laboratories in this book are also fully supported by Carolina Biological.

Drlica, K. A. (1994). Double-edged sword: the promises and risks of the genetic revolution. Reading, MA, Addison-Wesley.

A good overview of how genetic engineering is affecting our lives. Drlica, a microbiology professor, explains genetic technology in a very clear manner and argues very persuasively about the relevance of understanding DNA .

Micklos, D. A. and G. A. Freyer (1990). DNA Science: a first course in recombinant DNA technology. Cold Spring Harbor, Cold Spring Harbor

A great starting place for setting up a classroom to do molecular biology. Although several years old, the laboratory activities are still current. This book also has helpful background material on molecular biology not found in the newer Laboratory DNA Science.

Rabinow, P. (1996). Making PCR. Chicago, University of Chicago Press.

A history of how PCR was discovered, emphasizing the key people involved in making PCR an extremely powerful laboratory tool.

Watson, J. D., M. Gilman, et al. (1992). Recombinant DNA. New York, W.H. Freeman and Co.

An excellent reference on recombinant DNA technology.

Articles:

Ancient DNA

"Ancient DNA." Paabo, S. (1993). Scientific American 269:86-92.

Can Jurassic Park really happen, in which dinosaurs are reconstructed from the remains of their prehistoric genetic material? Not likely, according to this author.

Recombinant DNA

"Discovering Genes for New Medicines." Haseltine, W.A. (1997). Scientific American 276:92-97.

Biotechnology and business intertwine in this article about the medical advances that could result from the gene mapping efforts of the Human Genome Project.

Iovine, J. (1994). "Genetically altering Escherichia coli." Scientific American 270(6): 108-111.

From the Amateur Scientist column, the author explains how to do genetic engineering at home.

Rosenthal, N. (1994). "Tools of the trade - recombinant DNA." New England Journal of Medicine 331(5): 315-317.

A brief overview on recombinant DNA technology and PCR.

Bioluminescence

"Why and How Bacteria Communicate." Losick, R. and D. Kaiser (1997). Scientific American 276:68-73.

This article relates bioluminescence to other chemical signaling systems that occur between bacteria and host organisms.

Slock, J. (1995). "The lux system of bioluminescence, or, how to "sense" your neighbor." American Biology Teacher 57(4): 222-224.

A concise explanation of the gene regulatory pathways required to control bioluminescence.

McFall-Ngai, M. J. (1994). "Animal-bacterial interactions in the early life history of marine invertebrates: the Euprymna scolopes/Vibrio fischeri symbiosis." American Zoologist 34: 554-561.

PCR and DNA fingerprinting

Bowlus, R. D. and S. C. Grether (1996). "A practical polymerase chain reaction laboratory for introductory biology classes." American Biology Teacher 58(3): 172-174.

How to do PCR in the classroom with water baths.

Bowlus, R. D. and S. C. Grether (1996). "Rapid DNA fingerprinting lab with unknowns." American Biology Teacher 58(4): 236-239.

DNA fingerprinting using pre-digested DNA samples.

Mullis, K. B. (1990). "The unusual origin of the polymerase chain reaction." Scientific American 262(4): 56-65.

A personal account of that famous evening drive by Mullis that led to the discovery of PCR.

Phelps, T. L., D. G. Deering, et al. (1996). "Using the polymerase chain reaction in an undergraduate laboratory to produce "DNA fingerprints"." American Biology Teacher 58(2): 106-110.

How to do human DNA fingerprinting in the classroom using DNA isolated from cheek cells.

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BIOTECH Project Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology The University of Arizona August 3, 1998 Nadja Anderson Ph.D. nadja@email.arizona.edu http://biotech.biology.arizona.edu