There is an increasing awareness that, far from being composedof junk DNA, the non-coding human genome is packedwith information that controls where, when and by how much genesare expressed. Indeed, much of the information essential to normalgene expression, embryonic development and health are containedwithin this vast component of the human genome. It is now acceptedthat individual susceptibility to many common diseases stemdirectly from non-coding polymorphisms that compromise normal geneexpression mechanisms. This unique, accessible introduction to the field willguide advanced undergraduate students and Phd and Post-doctoralresearchers through the most up-to date information available onthe mechanisms within the non-coding genome that control theexpression of genes at the levels of transcription, RNA processingand translation. It will go on to describe how highly conservedsequences within the genome can interact with each other to supportthe expression of genes in specific tissues and how this processmay be compromised in disease. Interpreting the non-codingGenome in Health and Disease will also allow the student to gain anunderstanding of the biology and architecture of the non-codinggenome in a way that can only currently be gained through thereading of multiple specialist reviews.
