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First Look at Cold Spring’s Epigenetics

By Trevor | January 24, 2007

When Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press announced the release of the new epigenetics textbook, I knew that I had to get my hands on it. After receiving it earlier this month and getting a chance to read specific portions, I am going to offer some initial, “first look” comments on this highly specialized textbook.

For starters, the textbook is about the same size as your average genetics textbook: 24 chapters, 502 pages. While the book has its fair share of diagrams and illustrations, it is fair to say that the book is dominated by text. Perhaps the best way to describe much of the book would be to call it a fantastic compilation of reviews in every specialized area of epigenetics.

The book’s contributors are largely the foremost experts in their various fields. Cancer, small and interfering RNAs, epigenetics research specialized for various model organisms — these topics are all covered in CSHL’s Epigenetics. It is clear that the editors did a fantastic job of recruiting the best and the brightest to bring their expertise to a wide audience of researchers and students.

Even better, the text is still very approachable for even the novice undergraduate. The authors do an admirable job of educating the reader about important background information necessary to understanding the concepts presented. And the book has already attracted attention from postdocs and other researchers in my lab, who are intrigued by all of the specialized areas of epigenetics that fall outside their own knowledge of this rapidly expanding field.

With that said, I plan to share additional thoughts on the book as I am able to read more of its contents. Until then, I would highly recommend that anyone interested in the field of epigenetics grab the new “must-have” for your reference book shelf. Link

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    • Topics: commentary, reviews |

    2 Responses to “First Look at Cold Spring’s Epigenetics”

    1. Matthias Wjst - Science Surf · The first methylome available Says:
      January 25th, 2007 at 3:23 am

      [...] experiments. The bisulfite kit is not free There is also a new textbook[3] and a preview[4] References: [1] Arabidopsis community [2] Akhtar [3] Methyl Primer Express® Software – [...]

    2. bioephemera Says:
      January 29th, 2007 at 3:04 am

      Thanks for the heads up and review - I can hardly wait to get this text. Let’s just hope I have time to read it. :)