Reporter Genes: A Practical Guide

Reporter genes have played, and continue to play, a vital role in many areas of biological research by providing a ready means for qualitative and quantitative assessment of the activity of genes and location of gene products in different environments. In Reporter Genes: A Practical Guide, renowned researchers describe practical protocols for experimentation with the most useful reporter genes for mammalian systems that are available, concentrating on those marker genes that are currently most commonly used. Among the topics covered in this volume are methodologies for staining and visualization of ß-galactosidase in embryos and tissues, immunohistochemical detection of ß-galactosidase, detection of reporter gene expression in murine airways, and three dimensional analysis of molecular signals with episcopic imaging techniques. Also covered in this groundbreaking text are fluorescent proteins, detection of GFP during nervous system development, fluorescent protein reporter systems for single cell measurements, and non-invasive imaging of molecular events. Comprehensive and illuminating, Reporter Genes: A Practical Guide will be an oft-used reference for geneticists, molecular engineers, and molecular biologists.