Description

The publication of this fully updated edition of A Dictionary of Genetics coincides with the hundredth anniversary of the introduction of the term genetics by the British biologist William Bateson in 1906. Since then genetics has made tremendous advances in knowledge and technique and now occupies a pivotal position in the life sciences as the most powerful means for probing fundamental questions in cell biology, development, and evolution. The determination of sequences of complete genomes, the study of gene expression and genetic variation on a global scale, and the ability to rapidly amplify gene sequences and to achieve targeted gene disruptions are just some examples of major achievements in this field. Proliferation of new terms inevitably accompanies such remarkable progress. This new edition of the Dictionary addresses the needs of students, educators, and clinical geneticists for an authoritative and up-to-date reference work that not only defines the latest terms, but in most cases, also presents important ancillary encyclopedic information.

A Dictionary of Genetics is unique in that it includes terms from a wide range of disciplines which now intertwine with genetics, including molecular biology, cell biology, medicine, botany, and evolutionary studies. Its 7,000 cross-referenced definitions are illustrated by over 300 line drawings, tables, and chemical formulae (among them are 10 full page spreads). One-fifth of the Dictionary is devoted to six appendices to which the definitions are cross-referenced and which contain an extraordinary trove of supplementary information. This includes a chronology of important advances spanning the years 1590 to 2005, lists of useful internet sites and periodicals, a classification of living organisms into an evolutionary hierarchy, and a table listing 49 species that range in genome size by a million-fold factor. These features make A Dictionary of Genetics a lexicon unparalleled in the field.

For the first time, the Dictionary is available on Oxford Reference Online (ORO): Premium Collection!

Features

• King's Dictionary is unsurpassed by any other genetics dictionary in breadth of terms defined
• Chronicles over 400 years of historical events in genetics, cytology, and evolutionary science, with an index of scientists listed in appendix
• Extensive cross referencing between the terms, appendices, and chronology
• The sixth edition (OUP, 2002) sold 5,221 copies in paperback, 873 in cloth
• For the first time in the Dictionary's history, it will be part of Oxford Reference Online (ORO)

Reviews

"The latest edition of A Dictionary of Genetics is a fantastic reference and very useful to me. It is by far the most scholarly dictionary I have had the pleasure of using that strongly interfaces with evolutionary biology."-- Bruce G. Baldwin, Curator of the Jepson Herbarium, Integrative Biology, University of California at Berkeley.

"King, Stansfield and Mulligan defeat the notion of a dull dictionary. If you look up a definition you get carried away and find dozens of other things that you want to read about. It is equally useful and stimulating for young students and old timers working in the field."--Walter J. Gehring, Division of Cell Biology, University of Basel

"This latest edition is a welcome update of the most useful and reliable reference work in the area."--Joseph G. Gall, Department of Embryology, Carnegie Institution of Washington

"There are many new terms, modifications of some previous definitions, plus very worthwhile expansions of the previous appendices. The authors' meticulous editing and succinct writing provides a well organized global coverage of genetics, cellular, developmental, molecular, and evolutionary biology."--Ellen Rasch, J. M. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University

"A Dictionary of Genetics is a fascinating collection. Its remarkable breadth of coverage ensures that a simple flip through the pages will be educational, yet the information is detailed enough to make the book a valuable reference for the specialist. The chronology of biological discoveries provides a true sense of the excitement and rapid pace of progress in modern biology."--Paul Lasko, Department of Biology, McGill University

"This is the most useful book on my genetics bookshelf! King, Stansfield, and Mulligan have updated the outstanding 6th edition to produce an amazing 7th edition. I recommend this well-organized and easy to read reference to students and faculty alike."--Susanne M. Gollin, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh

Product Details

608 pages; 212 maps, halftones & line illus.; 6-7/8 x 10; ISBN13: 978-0-19-530761-0ISBN10: 0-19-530761-5

About the Author(s)