Cytogenetics of Mammalian Embryonic Development

Dyban and Baranov's book reviews the whole field, including accounts of their own work and that of colleagues.

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Much embryonic mortality and, in our own species, mental and physical defect is due to chromosome anomalies; however, in man it is difficult, if not impossible, to gain an understanding of the underlying causal mechanisms linking chromosomes and development. Why should one chromosome too few be so much more drastic in its effects than one too many or a whole extra set? And to what extent do different chromosomes or different parts of chromosomes have different effects on development? Laboratory experiments, mostly on the mouse, are beginning to provide answers to these and many other questions. Specific chromosomes or even parts of chromosomes can be added or subtracted at will; experimental chimeras can be made, in which chromosomally normal and abnormal cells coexist in the same embryo; the molecular basis of gene expression in early development is at last being elucidated. Dyban and Baranov's book attempts to review the whole field, including accounts of their own work and that of colleagues which has previously been published only in Russia.