Main description:

The importance of molecular approaches for comparative biology and the rapid development of new molecular tools is unprecedented. The extraordinary molecular progress belies the need for understanding the development and basic biology of whole organisms. Vigorous international efforts to train the next-generation of experimental biologists must combine both levels - next generation molecular approaches and traditional organismal biology. This book provides cutting-edge chapters regarding the growing list of marine model organisms. Access to and practical advice on these model organisms have become a conditio sine qua non for a modern education of advanced undergraduate students, graduate students and postdocs working on marine model systems. Model organisms are not only tools they are also bridges between fields - from behavior, development and physiology to functional genomics.

Key Features

Offers deep insights into cutting-edge model system science

Provides in-depth overviews of all prominent marine model organisms

Illustrates challenging experimental approaches to model system research

Serves as a reference book also for next-generation functional genomics applications

Fills an urgent need for students

Related Titles

Jarret, R. L. & K. McCluskey, eds. The Biological Resources of Model Organisms (ISBN 978-1-1382-9461-5)

Kim, S.-K. Healthcare Using Marine Organisms (ISBN 978-1-1382-9538-4)

Mudher, A. & T. Newman, eds. Drosophila: A Toolbox for the Study of Neurodegenerative Disease (ISBN 978-0-4154-1185-1)

Green, S. L. The Laboratory Xenopus sp. (ISBN 978-1-4200-9109-0)

Contents:

Preface. About the Editors. List of Contributors. Marine Bacterial Models for Experimental Biology. Brown Algae: Ectocarpus and Saccharina as Experimental Models for Developmental Biology. Unicellular Relatives of Animals. Porifera. The Homoscleromorph Sponge, Oscarella lobularis. Placozoa. Nematostella vectensis as a Model System. The Marine Jellyfish Model, Clytia hemisphaerica. The Upside-Down Jellyfish Cassiopea xamachana as an Emerging Model System to Study. Cnidarian-Algal Symbiosis. Acropora -The Most-Studied Coral Genus. Stylophora pistillata -A Model Colonial Species in Basic and Applied Studies. Symsagittifera roscoffensis as a Model in Biology. The Annelid Platynereis dumerilii as an Experimental Model for Evo-Devo and Regeneration Studies. Cycliophora-An Emergent Model Organism for Life Cycle Studies. Crustaceans. Parhyale hawaiensis, Crustacea. Echinoderms. Echinoderms: Temnopleurus reevesii. Cephalochordates. Solitary Ascidians. Botryllus schlosseri -A Model Colonial Species in Basic and Applied Studies. Cyclostomes (Lamprey and Hagfish). Current Trends in Chondrichthyes Experimental Biology. Anemonefishes. Index.