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. It covers transformation, construction of cDNA and genomic libraries, probe preparation, analysis of gene organisation and expression, in vitro mutagenesis, and DNA sequencing. The information provided is a completely up to date account of each topic by established researchers. These two volumes, the first of four, are a thoroughly revised and up dated version of the original ones published in the Practial Approach series. Together they will offer a complete guide to the major techniques required by modern molecular biology laboratories.