C. elegans: A Practical Approach.

Ian A. Hope (ed.). Oxford University Press, Oxford. 1999. Pp. 281. Price £29.95, paperback. ISBN 0 19 963738 5.

In the introduction to this book the editor states that it was intended as an introductory guide aimed at researchers interested in C. elegans but currently working outside the field. The editor has admirably fulfilled the remit, producing a book that covers all aspects of this model organism.

The book emphasises what a powerful and important model C. elegans is, by illustrating how much is already known about this organism, its natural history, genetics, neurobiology and biochemistry. It covers the latest developments, including the genome project and data available via the web, as well as the conventional genetics, biochemistry and neurobiology of C. elegans and some very practical chapters on strain maintenance and electron microscopy. Many methods and protocols are included that describe how to use C. elegans in research. The book is written in a readable style with a very useful and detailed index to allow the reader to identify sections of interest quickly.

C. elegans: A Practical Approach consists of twelve chapters in total. Each chapter is written clearly and is suitable for Ph.D. students, those who are interested in moving into this field to exploit the wealth of information available on this organism, and those who want to find out what all the fuss is about! The literature cited is up-to-date and includes many relevant URLs that would lead the reader to the web pages of the C. elegans sequencing program and to important groups working in this area. Topics covered include: the genome project; genome sequence data base searching and analysis; transformation of C. elegans; reverse genetic techniques such as gene inactivation by RNA mediated interference; analysis of phenotypes by Normarski, 4-dimensional, confocal and electron microscopy; neurobiology; approaches for studying gene expression; gene characterisation; biochemistry; conventional genetics with procedures for selfing and crossing; mutagenesis and mutant screening; characterisation of mutants; gene mapping; temperature-shift experiments and mosaic analysis.

For a small, concise book it has a very wide coverage, although where appropriate the authors of the various chapters point the reader to more detailed texts or web sites which may be of interest if further information is required.

Overall, this book provides a concise, state-of-the-art account of the utility of C. elegans for studying a wide range of systems. It shows how the range of knowledge and techniques can be applied to address important biological questions and provides an excellent entry for anyone thinking of moving into this area.