Twentieth Century Mouse Genetics A Historical and Scientific Review

Twentieth Century Mouse Genetics: A Historical and Scientific Review provides a comprehensive examination of key advances in mouse genetics throughout the 20th century. Here Dr. Robert P. Erickson, a leader in the field, identifies the contributions of historic mouse genetics studies, and how those approaches and early discoveries are still shaping human genetics research and medical genetics today. In addition to historical overviews, the author provides researcher biographies and updates connecting historic research to ongoing advances. Past studies discussed use the T/t complex as an example and include the origins of mouse genetics, the synthesis of genetics and evolution, cytogenetics and gene mapping, population genetics and mutation research, immunogenetics, reproductive genetics, molecular cloning, X-inactivation and epigenetics, sex determination, and pharmacogenetics. Here researchers, students, and clinicians will find fresh inspiration to engage in human genetics research employing mouse models and to translate those findings to clinical practice.

1. The origins of mouse genetics and the discovery of the T-locus
2. The evolutionary modern synthesis, t-haplotypes in the wild, and reproductive isolation
3. Linkage studies, cytogenetics, and the discovery that t-haplotypes consist of a series of inversions—an over-the-Century Project
4. Developmental genetics and recessive t-lethals
5. More population genetics with particular attention to the effects of t-allele mediated transmission ratio distortion
6. Mutation studies including those targeting the T/t-complex—a century long project
7. Immunogenetics and the failed search for t-antigens–from mid-century and continuing to it’s end
8. Gametogenesis and the genetics of gametes, including t-haplotype segregation distortion
9. The cloning era and the cloning of Brachury and other T/t complex genes
10. X-inactivation, epigenetics, and imprinting, including of the T/t complex
11. Sex determination, sex differentiation, and the Y chromosome—a mostly last quarter of the century effort
12. Pharmacogenetics—a mostly last half of the century effort
Book Bibliography

Dr. Robert P. Erickson is the Holsclaw Family Professor Emeritus of Human Genetics and Inherited Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, University of Arizona College of Medicine. He has had a 50 year career of research in human and murine genetics, especially molecular, and patient care. He is author of over 400 scientific and medical papers and has co-authored or co-edited 5 books. He has received Guggenheim and Eleanor Roosevelt Fellowships, was made an honorary visiting fellow of Hughes Hall, University of Cambridge, and a visiting research professor at Universita Roma de la Sapienza. His public service includes being an appointee by then Governor Napolitano to the Arizona Biomedical Research Committee, membership of the Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee (RAC) of the National Institutes of Health and membership of the Scientific Board of Advisors of the International Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology in Warsaw. He is listed in Who’s Who of America.