Illuminating the processes and patterns that link genotype to phenotype, Epigenetics seeks to explain features, characters, and developmental mechanisms that can only be understood in terms of interactions that arise above the level of the gene. With chapters written by leading authorities, Epigenetics offers a broad integrative survey of epigenetics. Approaching this complex subject from a variety of perspectives, it presents a broad, historically grounded view that demonstrates the utility of this approach for understanding complex biological systems in development, disease, and evolution. Chapters cover such topics as morphogenesis and organ formation, conceptual foundations, and cell differentiation, and together demonstrate that the integration of epigenetics into mainstream developmental biology is essential for answering fundamental questions about how phenotypic traits are produced.
Epigenetics: Linking Genotype and Phenotype in Development and Evolution
1. Introduction: Emergent Properties and the Phenotype Hallgrimsson and Hall Historical and Philosophical Foundations
2. Historical Foundations Brian K. Hall
3. Heuristic Reductionism and the Relative Significance of Inheritance James Grisemer Approaches to Epigenetics
4. Genomic imprinting Vett Lloyd
5. Methylation Mapping in Humans Christoph Grunau, Montpellier
6. Asexuality and Epigenetic Variation Root Gorelick, Manfred Laubichler and Rachel Massicotte
7. Preformation and the Humpty Dumpty Problem Ellie Larsen
8. A Principle of Developmental Inertia Allesandro Minelli Epigenetics of Vertebrate Organ Development
9. Nervous System Development Carol Schuurmans
10. Morphogenesis of pigment patterns Lennart Olsson
11. Interactions of the Cardiac Neural Crest Margaret Kirby
12. Bone and Cartilage Development Tamara Franz-Odendaal
13. Muscle-Bone Interactions and the Development of Skeletal Phenotype Sue Herring
14. Apical Ectoderm in the Developing Vertebrate Limb Cooper, L.N, Armfield, B.A., J.G.M. Thewissen
15. Role of Skeletal Muscle in the Shaping of Organs, Tissues and Cell Fate Choices Boris Kablar Epigenetics in Evolution and Disease
16. Integration, Complexity and Evolvability of the Head Dan Lieberman
17. Epigenetic interactions: The developmental route to functional integration Miriam Leah Zelditcha and Donald L. Swiderski
18. Epigenetic Contributions to Adaptive Radiation Susan Foster
19. Learning, Developmental Plasticity, and the Rate of Morphological Evolution Rich Palmer and Chris Neufeld
20. Epigenetics: Adaptation or Contingency Thomas Hansen
21. Dysmorphology Joan Richtsmeier
22. Human Disease Peter Gluckman
23. Epigenetics: The Context of Development Hallgrimsson and Hall
Benedikt Hallgrimsson, Professor in the Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy at the University of Calgary, is coeditor of Variation: A Central Concept in Biology and of Advanced Imaging in Biology and Medicine: Technology, Software Environments, Applications.
Brian K. Hall is University Research Professor Emeritus at Dalhousie University. His latest book is Evolution: Principles and Processes.
"Eloquent, comprehensive, and insightful [...] If you are looking for information on a variety of questions and approaches that richly illustrate the contextual and ecological in the evolution of development, this book is for you."
– Marcelo R. Sanchez-Villagra, Evolution & Development
"I hope this book will teach students and researchers to remember the tangled web of causality that lies between genotype and phenotype, and to be inspired to research its intricacies as well as its broad implications for a deep understanding of life."
– Gunter P. Wagner, Trends In Ecology & Evolution
"Engaging conceptual treatments of the field that should contribute a great deal to return the study of epigenetics to the mainstream of developmental and evolutionary developmental biology."
– Armin P. Moczek, Quarterly Review Of Biology
"If you want to understand evolution, you need to understand the murky world of epigenetics. A hearty congratulations should be paid to Hallgrimsson and Hall, who provide reliable and steady illumination."
– Bernard Wood, Center for the Advanced Study of Hominid Paleobiology, George Washington University