Dictyostelium: Evolution, Cell Biology, and the Development of Multicellularity (Developmental and Cell Biology Series, Series Number 38)

Dictyostelia are soil amoebae capable of extraordinary feats of survival, motility, chemotaxis, and development. Characterised by their ability to transform from a single-celled organism into an elaborate assemblage of thousands of synchronously-moving cells, Dictyostelids are often referred to as 'social amoebae', and have been the subjects of serious study since the 1930s. Research in this area has been instrumental in understanding many problems in cellular biology. Beginning with the history of Dictyostelids and discussing each stage of their development, this book considers the evolution of this unique organism, analyses the special properties of the Dictyostelid genome, and presents in detail the methods available, at the time of the book's original publication in 2001, to manipulate their genes. Representing the synthesis of such material and with an emphasis on combining classical experiments with modern molecular findings, this book will be essential for researchers and graduates in developmental and cellular biology. [publisher-supplied Data] Dictyostelia Are Soil Amoebae Capable Of Extraordinary Feats Of Survival, Motility, Chemotaxis, And Development. Characterized By Their Ability To Transform From A Single-celled Organism Into An Elaborate Assemblage Of Thousands Of Synchronously-moving Cells, Dictyostelids Are Often Referred To As 'social Amoebae', And Have Been The Subjects Of Serious Study Since The 1930s. Research In This Area Has Been Instrumental In Understanding Many Problems In Cellular Biology. Beginning With The History Of Dictyostelids And Discussing Each Stage Of Their Development In A Separate Chapter, This Book Considers The Evolution Of This Unique Organism, Analyses The Special Properties Of The Dictyostelid Genome, And Presents In Detail The Methods Available To Manipulate Their Genes. Representing The Only Modern Synthesis Of Such Material And With An Emphasis On Combining Classical Experiments With Modern Molecular Findings, This Book Will Be Essential For Researchers And Graduates In Developmental And Cellular Biology. 1. A Brief Introduction To Dictyostelium Discoideum And Its Relatives -- 2. A History Of Research On Dictyostelium Discoideum -- 3. The Evolutionary Biology Of Dictyostelium -- 4. The Genome And Genetics -- 5. Membranes And Organelles Of Dictyostelium -- 6. Cell Motility And The Cytoskeleton -- 7. The Transition From Growth To Development: From Starvation To Self-sustaining Camp Signal Relay -- 8. Chemotaxis And Aggregation -- 9. Differentiation And Adhesion In The Aggregate -- 10. The Behavior Of Cells In The Slug -- 11. Culmination -- 12. Formation And Germination Of Spores -- 13. Resources. Richard H. Kessin ; Bibliography By Jakob Franke. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 227-284) And Index. The Dictyostelia are soil amoebae capable of extraordinary feats of survival, motility, chemotaxis, and development. Known as the "social amoebae," these organisms have been the subjects of serious study since the 1930s. Research in this area has been instrumental in shaping general views of differentiation, morphogenesis, and communication. Beginning with the history of Dictyostelids, this book considers the problems of the evolution of this multicellular organism. Characterized by its ability to transform from a single-celled organism into an elaborate assemblage of thousands of synchronously-moving cells, each stage of its development is treated in a separate chapter. The special properties of the Dictyostelid genome are rigorously analyzed, and the methods available to manipulate genes are presented in detail. Research techniques that enable many cell biology problems to be approached in studying the organism are also presented. Throughout, the emphasis is on combining classical experiments with modern molecular findings. This 2001 book examines the modern synthesis of Dictyostelid biology. It begins with the history of Dictyostelids and discusses each stage of their development, analyses the properties of the Dictyostelid genome, and presents methods available to manipulate their genes. Essential reading for researchers and graduates in developmental and cellular biology. Dietyostelium discoideum is the most studied species of the social amoebae, which are also known as the cellular slime molds.