

Yeast 15, 81 (1999)

Book Review

Operating Instructions for the Yeast Machine et al.), and chromosomal manipulations (E. Louis),
moves to transformation methodology (R. Gietz et al.)
HOWARD BUSSEY Department of Biology, McGill and PCR-based gene disruption (A. Wach et al.), to a
University, 1205 Dr Penfield Ave., Montreal, PQ H3A fine contribution on use of conditional alleles for work-
1B1, Canada ing with essential genes (M. Stark). Chapters on tran-
scriptional analysis (A. Brown et al.) and reporter genes
A review of Yeast Gene Analysis (Methods in Microbiol- (J. McCarthy group) follow and issues of transposon
ogy, Vol. 26, edited by Alistair J. P. Brown and Mick F. mutagenesis and tagging occupy a further three chapters
Tuite. Published by Academic Press, P.B. $59.95; H.C. (D. Garfinkel et al., P. Ross-Macdonald et al., M.
$99.95. Bolotin-Fukuhara). Switching to protein studies, there
are chapters on protein localization (I. Hagan and C.
This volume of Methods in Microbiology aims to be a
Stirling), post-translational modification of both secre-
primer to guide analysis of yeast into the postgenomic
tory and intracellular proteins (F. Klis et al., M. Stark,
era. The origins of the book are firmly centred in the
respectively) and on two-hybrid analysis (J. Rosamond).
European Commission-supported yeast functional
An insightful essay on genetic screens (P. Linder group)
analysis network, EUROFAN. The editors, Al Brown
leads to some more specialized chapters on metabolic
and Mick Tuite, are both members of this consortium as
control analysis (B. Teusink et al.), stress and MAP-
are the authors of most of the 24 chapters. The book
kinase related signal transduction (W. Mager et al. and
seeks to extend, but not repeat, basic core information
the Nombela group, respectively) and protein synthesis
available in earlier ‘Methods’ volumes, such as the
(M. Tuite et al.). Some important applications of yeast
Guthrie and Fink ‘bible’, Methods in Enzymology (1991)
studies are also succinctly covered, namely the discovery
and subsequent works, such as the Johnny Johnston
of human gene function (P. Moore), and an authoritat-
book, Molecular Genetics of Yeast—A Practical
ive article on genomic studies on the pathogenic yeast,
Approach (1994), or the most recent Cold Spring Harbor
Candida albicans (P. Magee). A yeast mutant collections
Yeast Course Manual. Designed as it is to help yeast and
section (K. Entian and P. Kotter) and a discussion on
non-yeast researchers navigate the fast-moving exper-
future prospects for yeast gene analysis (A. Brown and
imental waters of yeast biology, the coverage is broad;
M. Tuite) round out the volume. There are also helpful
spanning the many applications of genomics, genetics,
appendices dealing with gene and protein nomenclature,
molecular biology, biochemistry and cell biology
yeast growth and storage, a list of web sites and a
and their attendant technologies to Saccharomyces
ribosome inventory.
cerevisiae.
Does it work? Given that probably only a reviewer
The chapters have a straightforward and usable lay-
will attempt to read all of a reference work, I put the
out, enhanced by a page-flicker bookmark feature. Each
book in my laboratory for a couple of weeks where it
begins with a contents outline, and relevant abbrevia-
was well received by graduate and postdoctoral students
tions follow in bold. The text headings for the written
after much critical thumbing and detailed checking. The
sections are large and easy to find, and specific protocols
consensus was that the material was up-to-date (finished
are inserted into the text as boxed elements containing
in August 1997) and informative, and that the protocols
clear sets of instructions in a numbered point format.
were detailed and useful. Thus, we think the volume will
The book is informatively illustrated with a wealth of
be a valuable addition to our laboratory bookshelf, both
helpful diagrams, photographs and tables, the chapters
as a reference work and as a starting point for new
are cross-referenced and well referenced, and there is a
analysis. Certainly, it is a compendium packed with
global, terminal index to text, illustrations and tables.
information, insights and discussions of potential pitfalls
The book is far more than a cookbook; it seeks to place
and limitations, all provided by experienced prac-
techniques and experimental strategies in some critical
titioners. The book successfully brings together a diffuse
perspective, and expert investigators provide an
literature on sets of tools, technologies and know-how in
overview of the state of the art in many areas.
an accessible format, and represents a sound investment
As to contents, it begins with chapters on functional
for anyone interested in gene analysis.
genomics (S. Oliver) and bioinformatics (W. Mewes

Copyright  1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.