Section I. Neuroinformatics, computational models and data analysis -- Neurological biomarkers and neuroinformatics: the role of the virtual brain -- Informatics for interoperability of molecular-genetic and neurobehavioral databases -- The Allen Brain Atlas; toward understanding brain behavior and function through data acquisition, visualization, analysis and integration -- ExAtlas: online tool to integrate gene expression and gene set enrichment analyses -- Computational models: how do they help to understand neurologic diseases? -- The use of recombinant inbred strains in systems genetics and functional analyses in behavioral pharmacology -- Section II. Searching for new genes: natural genetic variation -- Spontaneous versus induced mutations: conceptual and methodological considerations for the neurobehavioral geneticist -- Reduced complexity cross design for behavioral genetics -- Collaborative cross as the next-generation mouse genetic reference population designed for dissecting complex traits -- Discovery of novel genes and other lineage-specific features through comparative genomics -- Using signatures of directional selection to guide discovery -- Section III. Discovery of new genes and new functions of genes using gene expression analyses -- Using transcriptomics to study behavior -- Genes, behavior, and next-generation sequencing: the first 10 years -- Abnormal social behaviors and dysfunction of autism-related genes associated with daily agonistic interactions in mice -- Epigenetic mechanisms of learning and memory -- Section IV. Discovery of genes and biological mechanisms: forward genetics and other screening-based methods -- Systematic screens in zebrafish shed light on cellular and molecular mechanisms of complex brain phenotypes -- The transition of zebrafish functional genetics from random mutagenesis to targeted integration -- Section V. Manipulating known genes to understand biological function: reverse genetics -- Molecular techniques used to explore glutamate receptors in synaptic plasticity and memory -- Using Herpes simplex virus type 1-based amplicon vectors for neurosceience research and gene therapy of neurologic diseases -- Cre-lox neurogenetics: history, present, and future -- Functional analysis of proteins involved in neurodegeneration using the model organism Dictyostelium: Alzheimer's, Huntington's, and Batten Disease -- The role of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) in the pathologies of the nervous system -- Optogenetics dissection of sleep circuits and functions -- The use of DREADDs for dissecting the contribution of cellular and neural circuit mechanisms in models of neurodegenerative disease -- Section VI. Ethical considerations -- Genes and human behavior: ethical implications -- Ethical considerations for animal use in behavioral and neural research.
Summary:
Molecular-Genetic and Statistical Techniques for Behavioral and Neural Research presents the most exciting molecular and recombinant DNA techniques used in the analysis of brain function and behavior, a critical piece of the puzzle for clinicians, scientists, course instructors and advanced undergraduate and graduate students. Chapters examine neuroinformatics, genetic and neurobehavioral databases and data mining, also providing an analysis of natural genetic variation and principles and applications of forward (mutagenesis) and reverse genetics (gene targeting). In addition, the book discusses gene expression and its role in brain function and behavior, along with ethical issues in the use of animals in genetics testing. Written and edited by leading international experts, this book provides a clear presentation of the frontiers of basic research as well as translationally relevant techniques that are used by neurobehavioral geneticists.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.