Hypertension : Methods and Protocols

Modern molecular biology provides a bridge of understanding from the chemical through to the clinical, helping to reduce the risks of stroke, myocardial infarction, renal failure and cardiac failure. Hypertension: Methods and Protocols deals with animal models of hypertension, the methods of assessing the role of free radicals in hypertension that are applicable to all forms of endothelial dysfunction, methods that aid in the genetic dissection of hypertension, protein techniques, gene transfer, and the derivation of cardiomyocytes from embryonic stem cells. Our understanding of the pathogenesis of hypertension and the development of new therapies for its management have each proven to be directly dependent on the availability and application of novel molecular biological methodologies. In Hypertension: Methods and Protocols, a panel of recognized experts from key institutions around the world describes in step-by-step detail many new and essential molecular techniques for cardiovascular hypertension research. The methods presented range widely from producing congenic, consomic, transgenic, and knockout models of hypertension to the gene transfer of specific genetic material using adenoviral and nonviral (polymers, liposomes, and antisense agents) vectors. Additional techniques described include single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping, RNA interference, microarray analysis, pharmacogenetics, and pharmacogenomics for the genetic dissection of hypertension, as well as a practical method for deriving cardiomyocytes from embryonic stem cells that would serve as replacement cells for those damaged by hypertension or heart attack. A review of bioinformatic resources for pharmacogenomics describes the application of in silico strategies to identify nuclear matrix attachment regions. The protocols follow the successful Methods in Molecular Medicine series format, each offering step-by-step laboratory instructions, an introduction outlining the principle behind the technique, lists of the necessary equipment and reagents, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. State-of-the-art and highly practical, Hypertension: Methods and Protocols offers both novice and experienced hypertension researchers an indispensable collection of readily reproducible techniques for successful research, work that has already dramatically improved the outlook for hypertensive patients, and promises much future success. Aimed at researchers, this volume offers step-by-step laboratory instructions for a number of new molecular techniques in cardiovascular hypertension research. Twenty-nine contributions from international specialists describe methods ranging from producing congenic, consomic, transgenic, and knockout models of hypertension to the gene transfer of specific genetic material using adenoviral and nonviral vectors. Each chapter features an introduction outlining the principle behind the technique as well as troubleshooting tips and lists of necessary equipment and reagents. Fennell is affiliated with the Moyne Institute for Preventive Medicine at Trinity College in Dublin, and Baker is a cardiovascular researcher at the U. of Glasgow. Annotation : 2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com) An important approach to the study of multifactorial, polygenic diseases such as essential hypertension is the use of appropriate inbred animal models.