Genetic variants and strains of the laboratory mouse /

Although this expensive reference work on mouse genetic loci is appropriate for only the most advanced undergraduates, it may have a wider interest because of recent press accounts about laboratory mice. Given the increasing complexity of mouse genetic maps, nomenclature is of paramount importance. Known genes have produced about 1,500 loci. The 26 contributors, primarily British and American, have produced 20 articles for this invaluable reference work. The catalog of loci occupies about half the text, with additional articles on wild mouse strains, inbred strains, conventions in nomenclature, chromosomal variants, and related topics. The loci catalog is arranged in encyclopedic dictionary format, alphabetized by the loci symbol. Symbols are cross-referenced to named loci in the index. Entries vary from a paragraph to a page or more, and include the chromosome number containing the locus, its name, its function, the various ways it is phenotypically expressed, a bibliography of research on that locus, and other useful information. This second edition contains six new chapters, as well as extensive revisions. The work is recommended for libraries supporting strong programs in genetics, genetic engineering, immunology, biotechnology, and related fields. Such libraries may also wish to keep the material current by subscribing to Mouse Genome (1990- ; formerly Mouse News Letter). -B. E. Fleury, Tulane University