Human Evolutionary Genetics is a groundbreaking text which for the first time brings together molecular genetics and genomics to the study of the origins and movements of human populations. Starting with an overview of molecular genomics for the non-specialist (which can be a useful review for those with a more genetic background), the book shows how data from the post-genomic era can be used to examine human origins and the human colonisation of the planet, richly illustrated with genetic trees and global maps. For the first time in a textbook, the authors outline how genetic data and the understanding of our origins which emerges, can be applied to contemporary population analyses, including genealogies, forensics and medicine. Drawing its material from a range of disciplines, this text is an invaluable resource for courses in: Human Evolution Human Variation Biological Anthropology Physical Anthropology Human Population Genetics Features * Carefully structured to introduce the subject to a diverse readership, this book follows a logical progression: * Introduces molecular genetics and genomics * Examines human evolutionary origins * Describes dispersal of human populations * Applies human genetic data to aspects of contemporary populations including forensics, genealogy and medicine * Extensively supported by thirty 'Opinion Boxes' written by guest contributors, such as David Goldstein and Hank Greely, outlining their views on issues in the field. These boxes demonstrate to the student that scientific research is an ongoing process, and that theories are constantly being questioned and thereby evolving. * In addition to the 'Opinion Boxes', there are boxes giving background theory, describing methodologies, and others which highlight specific genetic loci. * Recognising that students and researchers come from different disciplines the authors explain specialist terms where they are first used, and then collate them in an extensive glossary. * Given the dynamic nature of the subject, numerous web links are included at the end of each chapter. These links also encourage readers to explore topics in greater depth. * To ensure that the reader has fully grasped the essential facts, each chapter concludes with a summary of the key points.

Table of Contents

Section 1: Introduction 1. Why Study Human Evolutionary Genetics? Section 2: How do we study Genome Diversity? 2. Structure, Function and Inheritance of the Human Genome 3. The Diversity of the Human Genome 4. Discovering and Assaying Genome Diversity Section 3: How do we Interpret Genetic Variation? 5. Processes Shaping Diversity 6. Making Inferences from Diversity Section 4: Where and When did Humans Originate? 7. Human Apes 8. Origins of Modern Humans Section 5: How did Humans Colonize the World? 9. The Distribution of Diversity - Out of Africa and into Asia, Australia and Europe 10. Agricultural Expansions 11. Into New Found Lands 12. What Happens When Populations Meet? Section 6: What use is an Evolutionary Perspective? 13. Understanding the Past and Future of Phenotypic Variation 14. Health Implications of Our Evolutionary Heritage 15. Identity and Identification

About the Author

Mark Jobling earned a degree in Biochemistry and a DPhil at the University of Oxford, UK, and in 1992 came to the University of Leicester, UK, where he is now a Wellcome Trust Senior Fellow in Basic Biomedical Sciences and Reader in Genetics. Mark's interests are in Y chromosome diversity as a tool for addressing questions in human evolution, genealogy and forensics, and also male infertility and haploid mutation processes. Matthew Hurles earned his degree in biochemistry at Oxford University, UK, and PhD in Leicester, UK. He was until recently a Research Fellow at the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research at Cambridge University, UK, analyzing genetic variation with the aim of improving our understanding of the human past. He is now at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute near Cambridge, UK, investigating the unusual evolutionary dynamics of recently duplicated genomic regions. Chris Tyler-Smith earned his degree in biochemistry at Oxford University, UK, and PhD in Edinburgh, UK. For the last few years he has been a University Research Lecturer in the Biochemistry Department at Oxford, UK, working on the structure and function of human centromeres, and the application of Y-chromosomal DNA variation to the understanding of the human past. He is now at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute near Cambridge, UK, studying the genetic changes that have taken place during recent human evolution.