With the decoding of the human genome and the potential application of its information to gene chips, the ability to generate cDNA libraries for functional assays of specific gene sequences has become critical in gene manipulation and genetic research. In Generation of cDNA Libraries: Methods and Protocols, expert researchers and inventors in the field describe their own proven techniques for generating cDNA/mRNA libraries to identify the functions of specific decoded gene sequences. A wide variety of techniques is presented for enhancing the generation of complete and full-length libraries, and for confirming the quality of the cDNAs generated. Among the applications detailed are electrophoresis, Northern blotting, single-cell microarray analysis, subtractive hybridization, subtractive cloning, gene cloning, and peptide library generation. Each method includes background information, step-by-step instructions, a list of reagents, operational tips, and notes on instrumentation. A background tutorial provides essential information: the definition of a cDNA library, the various types of cDNA libraries, the differences between methods for cDNA library generation using either conventional approaches or novel strategies, and the quality of cDNA libraries.
State-of-the-art and highly practical, Generation of cDNA Libraries: Methods and Protocols provides a variety of powerful and readily reproducible techniques for the generation of the entire range of complete, full-length cDNA/mRNA libraries needed in today's forefront genetic research.