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Recombinant DNA methodology
I 18
Parasitology Today, voL I, no. 4, 1985
car producer in the world, had 14.3% of the world car market in 1981 ; by contrast, Hoechst, the company with the largest share of the drug market in the world, held only 3.3% of that market. Similarly, in 198 I, the company with the largest turnover in the world was the oil company Exxon (US$ 108. I billion); Hoechst, the largest chemical company (i.e. not just drugs) only managed 35th position (US$ 15.4 billion). But the book is weak when it looks to the future, partly because scientific as well as commercial factors need to be included. -The suggested impact of the so-called 'biotechnological revolution' in extending the product range of the industry is grossly overstated. Many 'biologicals', produced the hard way, are already marketed. They include vaccines, peptide hormones such
Recombinant DNA Methodology edited byJ.R. Dillon, A. Nasim and E.R. Nestmann John Wiley and Sons, 1985, £22.95 (xx 4- 219pages) ISBN 0 471 89851 I Techniques in molecular biology have been developing rapidly since the first cloning experiments in the mid 1970's. They are now used not only by specialists in the field, but also by other research workers in a wide variety of disciplines. cDNA cloning for example, almost an art form at one stage, has now become much more standardised and routine. Companies supplying molecular biologicals have helped in this by developingand marketing kits covering a wide spectrum of cloning and labelling techniques. This has removed much of the mystique surrounding molecular biology. The techniques are becoming more available and the technology is now being applied to other areas of research such as Tropical Medicine, particularly in studies of the molecular basis of antigenic variation in Trypanosoma brucei and in the possible development of antimalarial vaccines using molecular techniques. These advances have stimulated interest in applying the same techniques to other problems in parasitology and medical entomology. An increasing number of researchers are applying recombinant D N A techniques to previously intractable problems of parasite identification and diagnosis, insect vector identification and taxonomy, insecticide resistance and resistance to anti-parasitic drugs. This research will in turn lead to the use of molecular techniques in the study of rather more difficult problems such as vector-parasite re-
as insulin, and even anti-infectives such as interferon. What the biotechnological revolution will do in the short term is to provide a means of scaling-up production to enhance availability and reduce unit costs. In the long term, the increasing understanding of just how small a segment, or epitope, of a molecule is required to invoke the development of immunity, coupled with advances in peptide chemistry, will bring the synthesis of vaccines and possibly other biologicals back into the sphere of the organic chemist. The present major pharmaceutical companies will survive as much for this reason as they will for taking over the new biotechnology companies. It is also unclear to me how efficient predictions can be done without proper analysis and discussion of problems such as drug piracy and retained profit in
Third World countries. Also, the USA's orphan drug policy to support drugs with small markets, the move in the UK towards a restricted list of National Health prescriptions and the World Health Organization's Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases, are all set to make major impacts. The World Health Market is an example of a good idea that has not fully come to fruition. In retrospect, this is perhaps not surprising: a book of this kind needs to be written by someone with 'a first class degree plus I 0 years' relevant post graduate experience' in science, social science and economics. There is a dearth of such talent, even in the industry itself!
lationships and the manipulation of the mosquito genome for population suppression and control. The text of this book is written in a fairly informal fashion. Techniques are detailed in a clear and easy to understand style. They are covered in reasonable but not exhaustive detail. More importantly, the authors outline the reasons behind carrying out certain steps in the procedures, which is a great advantage where techniques may have to be adapted to suit a specific research problem. Included in this volume are outlines of the basic techniques of D N A and RNA isolation, gel electrophoresis of nucleic acids, nucleic acid hybridisation techniques, cloning in yeast, psuedomonads and in macrophage hybridisation, and D N A sequencing. These chapters offer a good introduction to these basic techniques which are used in most gene cloning experiments. Surprisingly perhaps, subsequent chapters are concerned with cloning in yeast, psuedonomads and lh vitro mutagenesis. Again these are covered in reasonable detail but no mention is made of any techniques involving so-
reening of recombinants using antibodies, protein gel electrophoresis, western blotting or hybrid selection and translation. Such techniques are especially relevant for those involved in studies of, for example, parasite surface antigen genes. In summary, this relatively expensive volume covers some of the basic techniques in molecular biology. However, techniques essential to a large variety of recombinant D N A experiments are omitted in favour of some rather more advanced methods. It is not an exhaustive introductory text suitable for beginners in the field nor is it suitable for those wishing to undertake work such as in vitro mutagenesis. These techniques require a good deal more investment in time and effort and are covered more fully in alternative texts. Set against this, the methods which are covered are dealt with in a clear and informative style.
Cutaneous Infestations and Insect Bites edited by Milton Ork/n and Howard L Maibach, Marcel Dekker, New York 1985. (xv 4- 321 pages) ISBN 0 8247 7273 3 Even today the medical profession is poorly informed about ectoparasites and other arthropods that affect the skin, reflecting a lack of appreciation of their importance by medical school academic authorities. This book is a welcome continuation of the efforts of the editors to enlighten their colleagues about ectoparasites, especially in N. America.
W.E. GUI-rERIDGE, Wellcome ResearchLaboratories, Langley Court, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 3BS, UK
JUUAN CRAMPTON Wolfson Molecular Genetics Unit The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine Pembroke Place Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
The book concentrates on scabies and pediculosis which have re-emerged as important diseases in N. America in the past 15-20 years. Their relative absence during the previous 20 years resulted in inadequate clinical experience in diagnosis and management, which in turn has rendered their upsurge all the more problematic. Thus, a well written, authoritative account is especially timely. The 24 contributors have ensured a broad spectrum of opinion, But some duplication has occurred and conflicting statements appear. For example, lindane shampoo is recommended for pediculosis capitis in chapter 24, even though developing resistance by head lice to lindane is noted in Europe (chapter 25)
Parasitology Today, voL I, no. 4, 1985
car producer in the world, had 14.3% of the world car market in 1981 ; by contrast, Hoechst, the company with the largest share of the drug market in the world, held only 3.3% of that market. Similarly, in 198 I, the company with the largest turnover in the world was the oil company Exxon (US$ 108. I billion); Hoechst, the largest chemical company (i.e. not just drugs) only managed 35th position (US$ 15.4 billion). But the book is weak when it looks to the future, partly because scientific as well as commercial factors need to be included. -The suggested impact of the so-called 'biotechnological revolution' in extending the product range of the industry is grossly overstated. Many 'biologicals', produced the hard way, are already marketed. They include vaccines, peptide hormones such
Recombinant DNA Methodology edited byJ.R. Dillon, A. Nasim and E.R. Nestmann John Wiley and Sons, 1985, £22.95 (xx 4- 219pages) ISBN 0 471 89851 I Techniques in molecular biology have been developing rapidly since the first cloning experiments in the mid 1970's. They are now used not only by specialists in the field, but also by other research workers in a wide variety of disciplines. cDNA cloning for example, almost an art form at one stage, has now become much more standardised and routine. Companies supplying molecular biologicals have helped in this by developingand marketing kits covering a wide spectrum of cloning and labelling techniques. This has removed much of the mystique surrounding molecular biology. The techniques are becoming more available and the technology is now being applied to other areas of research such as Tropical Medicine, particularly in studies of the molecular basis of antigenic variation in Trypanosoma brucei and in the possible development of antimalarial vaccines using molecular techniques. These advances have stimulated interest in applying the same techniques to other problems in parasitology and medical entomology. An increasing number of researchers are applying recombinant D N A techniques to previously intractable problems of parasite identification and diagnosis, insect vector identification and taxonomy, insecticide resistance and resistance to anti-parasitic drugs. This research will in turn lead to the use of molecular techniques in the study of rather more difficult problems such as vector-parasite re-
as insulin, and even anti-infectives such as interferon. What the biotechnological revolution will do in the short term is to provide a means of scaling-up production to enhance availability and reduce unit costs. In the long term, the increasing understanding of just how small a segment, or epitope, of a molecule is required to invoke the development of immunity, coupled with advances in peptide chemistry, will bring the synthesis of vaccines and possibly other biologicals back into the sphere of the organic chemist. The present major pharmaceutical companies will survive as much for this reason as they will for taking over the new biotechnology companies. It is also unclear to me how efficient predictions can be done without proper analysis and discussion of problems such as drug piracy and retained profit in
Third World countries. Also, the USA's orphan drug policy to support drugs with small markets, the move in the UK towards a restricted list of National Health prescriptions and the World Health Organization's Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases, are all set to make major impacts. The World Health Market is an example of a good idea that has not fully come to fruition. In retrospect, this is perhaps not surprising: a book of this kind needs to be written by someone with 'a first class degree plus I 0 years' relevant post graduate experience' in science, social science and economics. There is a dearth of such talent, even in the industry itself!
lationships and the manipulation of the mosquito genome for population suppression and control. The text of this book is written in a fairly informal fashion. Techniques are detailed in a clear and easy to understand style. They are covered in reasonable but not exhaustive detail. More importantly, the authors outline the reasons behind carrying out certain steps in the procedures, which is a great advantage where techniques may have to be adapted to suit a specific research problem. Included in this volume are outlines of the basic techniques of D N A and RNA isolation, gel electrophoresis of nucleic acids, nucleic acid hybridisation techniques, cloning in yeast, psuedomonads and in macrophage hybridisation, and D N A sequencing. These chapters offer a good introduction to these basic techniques which are used in most gene cloning experiments. Surprisingly perhaps, subsequent chapters are concerned with cloning in yeast, psuedonomads and lh vitro mutagenesis. Again these are covered in reasonable detail but no mention is made of any techniques involving so-
reening of recombinants using antibodies, protein gel electrophoresis, western blotting or hybrid selection and translation. Such techniques are especially relevant for those involved in studies of, for example, parasite surface antigen genes. In summary, this relatively expensive volume covers some of the basic techniques in molecular biology. However, techniques essential to a large variety of recombinant D N A experiments are omitted in favour of some rather more advanced methods. It is not an exhaustive introductory text suitable for beginners in the field nor is it suitable for those wishing to undertake work such as in vitro mutagenesis. These techniques require a good deal more investment in time and effort and are covered more fully in alternative texts. Set against this, the methods which are covered are dealt with in a clear and informative style.
Cutaneous Infestations and Insect Bites edited by Milton Ork/n and Howard L Maibach, Marcel Dekker, New York 1985. (xv 4- 321 pages) ISBN 0 8247 7273 3 Even today the medical profession is poorly informed about ectoparasites and other arthropods that affect the skin, reflecting a lack of appreciation of their importance by medical school academic authorities. This book is a welcome continuation of the efforts of the editors to enlighten their colleagues about ectoparasites, especially in N. America.
W.E. GUI-rERIDGE, Wellcome ResearchLaboratories, Langley Court, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 3BS, UK
JUUAN CRAMPTON Wolfson Molecular Genetics Unit The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine Pembroke Place Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
The book concentrates on scabies and pediculosis which have re-emerged as important diseases in N. America in the past 15-20 years. Their relative absence during the previous 20 years resulted in inadequate clinical experience in diagnosis and management, which in turn has rendered their upsurge all the more problematic. Thus, a well written, authoritative account is especially timely. The 24 contributors have ensured a broad spectrum of opinion, But some duplication has occurred and conflicting statements appear. For example, lindane shampoo is recommended for pediculosis capitis in chapter 24, even though developing resistance by head lice to lindane is noted in Europe (chapter 25)