The text maintains a practical focus while providing updates on current research findings and exploring how genetics may affect clinical practice and sport performance training.
An introductory or supplemental text for health or exercise science students needing a deeper understanding of genetics than what is found in standard exercise physiology textbooks; also a reference for exercise physiologists, exercise scientists, and health and medical professionals.
Stephen M. Roth, PhD, is an assistant professor in the department of kinesiology at the University of Maryland, where he teaches courses in genetics and exercise science and health. He has extensive training in both exercise science and human genetics, and he directs the Functional Genomics Laboratory, where he maintains a research program dedicated to understanding the role of genetics in the contexts of aging, health, and exercise.
Dr. Roth has more than 45 peer-reviewed publications in scholarly journals, many of which are in the areas of genetics, health, and exercise. In 2005, the American College of Sports Medicine presented him with a New Investigator Award recognizing his work in genetics and exercise physiology. He also has an award from the National Institutes of Health to further his training in genetic epidemiology, extending his existing training in exercise physiology and human genetics.
Dr. Roth is a member of the American College of Sports Medicine, the American Physiological Society, and the American Society of Human Genetics. He is an assistant editor for Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews.
Preface
Acknowledgments
Part I. Basics of Genetics
Chapter 1. Individual Differences: The Role of Genetics in Exercise Science and Health
-Hidden Aspect of Average Values
-Why Do We See Variation in a Physical Trait?
-Summary
-Learning Aids
Chapter 2. DNA, RNA, and Protein
-Basic Cell Biology
-DNA
-Our Genetic Material as Chromosomes
-Special Focus: The Human Genome Project
-RNA
-Amino Acids and Proteins
-Structure of Genes
-Summary
-Learning Aids
Chapter 3. Transcription, Translation, and the Genetic Code
-Moving From DNA to RNA: Transcription
-Posttranscriptional Modifications of RNA
-Moving From RNA to Protein: Translation
-Posttranslational Modifications of Proteins
-Genetic Code
-Summary
-Learning Aids
Chapter 4. Moving Genetic Material to the Next Generation
-Basic Reproduction
-Sex Cell Production and Meiosis
-Special Focus: Mitosis Versus Meiosis
-Chromosomal Recombination
-Mendelian Inheritance Patterns
-Summary
-Learning Aids
Chapter 5. Heritability and the Basics of Genetic Variation
-Familial Resemblance: Genes and Environment
-Heritability as a Measure of Genetic Contribution
-Special Focus: Twin and Family Studies
-Genetic Variation
-Types of Genetic Variation
-Special Focus: Labeling Polymorphisms
-How Genetic Variation Can Influence Physical Traits
-How Do Polymorphisms Arise? Genetic Variation and Evolution
-Summary
-Learning Aids
Chapter 6. Genetic Variation and Disease
-Mendelian Disease Genetics
-Special Focus: Muscular Dystrophy
-Complex Disease
-Special Focus: Obesity as a Complex Trait
-Gene x Environment Interactions
-Gene x Gene Interactions
-Summary
-Learning Aids
Chapter 7. Linkage Disequilibrium, Haplotype, and Environmental Interaction
-Recombination Revisited
-Linkage Disequilibrium
-Linkage Analysis in Families
-Haplotype: Combinations of Neighboring Alleles
-Special Focus: The International HapMap Project
-Diplotype: Combinations of Haplotypes
-Gene x Environment Interaction Revisited
-An Introduction to Epigenetics
-Summary
-Learning Aids
Part II. Research Design and Methods
Chapter 8. Getting Started: Basic Skills for Genetics Research
-Is Genetic Variation Important for My Trait of Interest?
-Using PubMed
-Interpreting Existing Literature
-Identifying and Selecting Candidate Genes and Polymorphisms
-Using Genome Databases
-Summary
-Learning Aids
Chapter 9. Issues in Study Design and Analysis
-How Genetics Necessarily Alters Study Design
-Typical Study Designs
-Subject Recruitment
-Geographical Ancestry
-Special Focus: Race in Genetics
-Prospective Versus Retrospective
-Statistical Approaches
-Interpretation of Results: Association versus Cause and Effect
-Summary
-Learning Aids
Chapter 10. Basic Laboratory Methods in Genetics
-DNA from Blood or Cheek Cells
-Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
-Genotyping with Restriction Enzymes
-Genotyping with Fluorescent Tags
-Special Focus: DNA Microarrays
-DNA Sequencing
-Summary
-Learning Aids
Part III. Current Findings and Extensions of Genetics Research
Chapter 11. Current Research Findings in the Genetics of Exercise Science and Health
-Overview of Current Findings
-Special Focus: The Human Gene Map for Performance and Health-Related Fitness Phenotypes
-ACTN3 and Muscular Performance
-ApoE and Cognitive Impairment
-ACE and Sport Performance
-Myostatin and Muscle Mass
-Summary
-Learning Aids
Chapter 12. Personalized Medicine
-Genetics and Complex Disease Revisited
-Promise and Limitations of Personalized Medicine
-Special Focus: Pharmacogenomics
-Genetics in Nutrition and Exercise Prescription
-Genetics in Disease Prevention
-Summary
-Learning Aids
Chapter 13. Ethical Challenges in Genetics and Society
-Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications of Genomics Gene Therapy for Disease Treatment
-Special Focus: Stem Cells
-Genetics in Sport: Genetic Testing and Gene Doping for Performance
-Summary
-Learning Aids
Appendix A: Answers to Review Questions
Appendix B: Evolution and Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium
Glossary
Bibliography
Index
About the Author