Table of Contents

Introduction: Cells as macromolecular assemblies: cells obey the laws of physics and chemistry; cells are organized into compartments. Part 1 DNA as a store of information: genes are mutable units; DNA is the genetic material; the topology of nucleic acids; isolating the gene. Part 2 Translation - expressing genes as proteins: the assembly line for protein synthesis; transfer RNA - the translational adaptor; the ribosome translation factory; the messenger RNA template; the apparatus for protein localization. Part 3 Transcription - control of prokaryotic genes: control at initiation - RNA polymerase-promoter interactions; a panoply of operons - the lactose paradigm and others; posttranscriptional feedback and control; control at termination - attenuation and antitermination; lytic cascades and lysogenic repression. Part 4 Perpetuation of DNA: the replicon - unit of replication; the apparatus for DNA replication; systems that safeguard DNA. Part 5 The packaging of DNA: about genomes and chromosomes; organization of nucleosomes in chromatin; the nature of active chromatin. Part 6 Constitution of the eukaryotic genome: the extraordinary power of DNA technology; a continuum of sequences includes structural genes; the organization of interrupted genes; structural genes evolve in families; genomes sequestered in organelles; organization of simple sequence DNA. Part 7 Reaching maturity - eukaryotic RNA synthesis and processing: building the transcription complex; mechanisms of RNA splicing; control of RNA processing. Part 8 The dynamic genome - DNA in flux: recombination and other topological manipulations; transposons that mobilize via DNA; retroviruses and retroposons; engineering changes in the genome. Part 9 Genes in development: generation of immune diversity involves reorganization of the genome; changing gene organization from within and without; gene regulation in development - cascades and gradients; oncogenes - aberrant gene expression and cancer. Epilogue: landmark shifts in perspectives.