Welcome to the Genome

The popular introduction to the genomic revolution for non-scientists—the revised and updated new edition Welcome to the Genome is an accessible, up-to-date introduction to genomics—the interdisciplinary field of biology focused on the structure, function, evolution, mapping, and editing of an organism's complete set of DNA. Written for non-experts, this user-friendly book explains how genomes are sequenced and explores the discoveries and challenges of this revolutionary technology. Genomics is a mixture of many fields, including not only biology, engineering, computer science, and mathematics, but also social sciences and humanities. This unique guide addresses both the science of genomics and the ethical, moral, and social questions that rise from the technology. There have been many exciting developments in genomics since this book's first publication. Accordingly, the second edition of Welcome to the Genome offers substantial new and updated content to reflect recent major advances in genome-level sequencing and analysis, and demonstrates the vast increase in biological knowledge over the past decade. New sections cover next-generation technologies such as Illumina and PacBio sequencing, while expanded chapters discuss controversial ethical and philosophical issues raised by genomic technology, such as direct-to-consumer genetic testing. An essential resource for understanding the still-evolving genomic revolution, this book: Introduces non-scientists to basic molecular principles and illustrates how they are shaping the genomic revolution in medicine, biology, and conservation biology Explores a wide range of topics within the field such as genetic diversity, genome structure, genetic cloning, forensic genetics, and more Includes full-color illustrations and topical examples Presents material in an accessible, user-friendly style, requiring no expertise in genomics Discusses past discoveries, current research, and future possibilities in the field Sponsored by the American Museum of Natural History, Welcome to the Genome: A User's Guide to the Genetic Past, Present, and Future is a must-read book for anyone interested in the scientific foundation for understanding the development and evolutionary heritage of all life.

Foreward: Still, The Genomic Revolution ix Acknowledgments xi Introduction: Welcome Back to the Genome xiii 1 From Mendel to Molecules 1 2 The Building Blocks of Gene Sequencing 31 3 Sequencing the Genome 47 4 The Next Generation 65 5 Making the Genome Safe 81 6 The Meanings of Genetic Diversity: Part I 121 7 The Meanings of Genetic Diversity: Part II 143 8 The Tree of Life: 4 Billion Years of Divergence 161 9 Sequencing the Small and Infamous: A Look at Metagenomics and Microbiomes 195 10 The World to Come: Agriculture 213 Conclusion: Don’t Believe the Hype (Including Ours) 245 Index 249