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Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 243 (2000) 155–157
www.elsevier.nl / locate / jembe
Book review
Molecular Biology Labfax, Volumes I: Recombinant DNA and II: Gene Analysis, 2nd
edition, by T.A. Brown; Academic Press, San Diego and London 1998; Vol. I 377 pp., Vol. II 255 pp.; each volume GBP 45.00; Vol. I ISBN 0-12-136055-5, Vol. II ISBN 0-12-136110-1.
Helpless, kit addicted, protocol followers beware – these two complementary volumes represent a slight departure from the increasing number of laboratory cookbooks. There are some recipes included for standard buffers and media, but these are not ‘‘how to’’ manuals. The independently thinking technician will, however, revel in the depth of information presented here. While all of the data presented are clearly available from other sources (internet sites, suppliers and books) they can be a nightmare to locate, especially since networks crash and catalogues wander at moments carefully calculated to frustrate. Here it all is, however, carefully compiled and thoughtfully presented in a very compact yet easily accessible style. The single volume first edition was, by the author’s own admission, a little difficult to navigate on account of the huge volume of information in such a small space. The new edition has therefore been split into two parts.
Volume I is subtitled ‘‘Recombinant DNA’’ and includes most of the information anyone is likely to need for molecular biology or cloning work, including exhaustive listings of the hosts, vectors and enzymes that form the laboratory technicians’ toolbox. The first chapter is on bacteria and bacteriophages. Data on genotypes of a large number of Escheriscia coli strains are provided together with a full list of abbreviations for mutations and their relevance. Much shorter sections on phagesland M13 detail genes
and their functions. Chapter 2 deals with restriction enzymes; recognition sequences, isoschizomers, details of overhangs left, reaction conditions and the effects of star activity and DNA methylation, all in an easily accessible tabular format. I have found this information particularly useful in selecting cost effective combinations of enzymes in RFLP studies, which can otherwise involve a lot of page flipping. Much of the data here is reproduced from the REBASE restriction enzyme database although the web address given in the references has recently been changed to http: / / rebase.neb.com / rebase / rebase.html. There is a vast array of DNA and RNA modifying enzymes besides those which merely cut it into smaller pieces, and these are listed, along with functions and applications, in the next chapter. Reaction conditions are given for most, although one or two merely say, ‘‘use the conditions recommended by the supplier’’ which is not
156 Book review / J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 243 (2000) 155 –157
particularly informative but less irritating than ‘‘applications as permitted by the supplier’’ which also occurs. Chapter 4 on genomes fortunately makes no attempt to
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precis the efforts of various mega-scale sequencing projects, but rather provides basic information like genome sizes, average CC content and codon usage for all the popular (and some more obscure) model systems. Pointers to individual genome projects and databases will help those in need of more detail. A section on vectors provides restriction maps of most commercially available plasmids and phages, along with important information on markers, promoter sites etc. allowing the reader to evaluate the various options from different suppliers without burying their desk under a mound of catalogues.
Volume II, titled ‘‘Gene Analysis’’, focuses on techniques for comparing and analysing molecules as opposed to manipulating them. The chapters are somewhat shorter and in general I considered them marginally less useful than in Volume I.
Book review / J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 243 (2000) 155 –157 157
The layout of both volumes is, on the whole, excellent. I would have preferred a non-proportional font for restriction enzyme recognition sequences in Volume I and there are one or two landscape format tables in Volume II in very small print which require neck twisting and that could have been better presented graphically. The depth of information provided is generally excellent and will facilitate an intelligent and considered approach to optimisation and problem solving. This will ultimately prove far more useful than ringing a hotline to complain your expensive kit has failed to function as advertised, and especially so for those of us fortunate enough to work on obscure, poorly characterised systems. If your budget is limited to only one of the two then Volume I is probably the one to go for; I am using both volumes extensively.
Bill Burnett
Department of Marine Science and Coastal Management University of Newcastle
