This volume provides detailed laboratory protocols, advice, hints and tips, example data, key literature citations, background information, and troubleshooting comments for the steps used in most molecular biology laboratories for example transformation, construction of cDNA and genomic libraries, probe preparation, analysis of gene organization and expression, mutagenesis, and DNA sequencing. The information provided is an completely up-to-date account of each topic by established researchers. These two books, the first of four volumes are thoroughly revised and up-dated versions of the original ones published in the series. Together they will offer a complete guide to the major techniques required by modern molecular biology laboratories.