Molecular Medicine

Provides an overview of the impact which recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology is having on medical practice. This book addresses the importance of molecular medicine, which is relevant to many medical disciplines, for example, internal medicine, reproductive medicine, forensic medicine and laboratory practice.

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The second edition of this popular book provides an overview of the impact which recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology is having on medical practice. Called molecular medicine, this rapidly expanding area has an increasing role to play in medicine, and this book addresses the importance of this challenging area. Molecular medicine is relevant to many medical disciplines, e.g. internal medicine, reproductive medicine, forensic medicine and laboratory practice. This new edition has been fully updated with the developments of the last few years. Key genes identified include BRCA1 (breast cancer) OB (obese) and those involved in DNA repair. In addition, the author covers the increase in gene therapy trials and the shifting of emphasis from genetic disorders to the cancers and HIV infection. For Departments of General/Internal Medicine: provides an overview of where rDNA technology fits into present day medicine and outlines what future applications could be. As such, it provides indications of overlap between what are traditional disciplines within General/Internal medicine, i.e. microbiology and internal medicine, therapeutics and internal medicine, etc.
"Molecular Medicine" also introduces the reader to the complex ethical issues involved in this field. For Departments of Medical Genetics: "Molecular Medicine" puts developments in genetics in an overall framework so that a total picture is seen, putting what are sometimes seen as purely scientific findings into a clinical perspective. For Departments of Biochemistry/Molecular Biology: highlights the practical applications that Biochemistry and Molecular Biology has/will have to medical practice. For Departments of Pathology: "Molecular Medicine" highlights areas where rDNA techniques are important investigative tools for routine diagnostic tests or research activities, and outlines the interactions of this technology to other disciplines. For Departments of Medical Microbiology: developments in the fields of medical and forensic genetics often have meaningful repurcussions in the field of microbiology, and vice-versa. Students would have a better understanding of DNA technology if they were introduced to other aspects of genetic engineering.
For Departments of Pharmacology: the potential for drug design using computer modelling is now a realistic therapeutic goal with the ablility to synthesize products through rDNA means. Any pharmacology department which ignores these major new developments, places itself and its students at adisadvantage. For Departments of Obstetrics & Gyneacology: the care of the fetus-in-utero or the neonate is an increasingly important aspect of O&G or a related fetal medicine unit. Obstetricians need to be aware of the rDNA implications (i.e. prenatal diagnosis and screening) to ensure the complete care of the pregnant woman. Acclaim for the first edition! Competitively priced...As a guide to the theory and applications of modern molecular techniques in medicine, this book is a superb introductory monograph - "The Journal of Clinical Pathology". This introductory and highly accessible text combines the minimum of technical details essential for understanding with a wealth of practical clinical examples...the text is admirably clear...excellent glossary...a valuable source for a multidisciplinary core curriculum in medical schools - "Trends in Genetics".