Stroke Genomics

Although numerous genomic studies of stroke have examined such factors as stroke inheritance, chromosomal loci of risk, preclinical models of stroke, and differential gene expression of brain injury, repair, and recovery, much work to determine the precise role of gene function in human neurological pathophysiology remains ahead. In Stroke Genomics: Methods and Reviews, leading experts in the field explore the pragmatic application of the tools of genomic and molecular biology research to the treatment of stroke. Providing the reader with cutting-edge reviews of clinical and preclinical genomics, the authors relate changes in gene expression to physiological end points-such as functional imaging paradigms-to produce a more holistic approach in which molecular biology goes hand in hand with stroke pathophysiology. Topics of special interest include stem cell transplantation, gene therapy, clinical gene/gene interaction studies, and cytokine drug discovery. Readily reproducible techniques are provided, along with ancillary methods (imaging, animal models, human genetic study design, and transgenic animal production) that can be effectively applied to gene discovery. The protocols follow the successful Methods in Molecular Biology? series format, each offering step-by-step laboratory instructions, an introduction outlining the principle behind the technique, lists of the necessary equipment and reagents, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Cutting-edge and highly practical, Stroke Genomics: Methods and Reviews shows how to successfully design, execute, and interpret preclinical and clinical molecular biological studies of stroke, work that will greatly advance its understanding, as well as rapid development of the next generation of stroke therapeutics.