Overview

Biological sex is central to our continued existence. Yet the mechanism that determines sex, rather than being rational and conserved, is a battlefield of warring genes, sexual antagonism, unbalanced expression and self-destructing sex chromosomes that come in bewildering varieties.Drawing on 50 years of research in three fields in which the author has played key roles, this unique book explores the function, activity and evolution of sex genes and chromosomes in humans and other animals. Providing eye-witness stories of early discoveries and modern genomic insights, it examines how genes and chromosomes determine sex; delving into key breakthroughs, theories on gene and chromosome function, and the enormous scope for variation in body traits and behaviour.Reflecting the huge advances in genetics and genomics that help explain the wonders of human existence and evolution, this book is a fascinating resource for anyone interested in the biology of sex– particularly students and researchers in reproduction, genetics and evolution.

Full Product Details

9781009688000

Table of Contents

Reviews

'Sex, Genes and Chromosomes by Jenny Graves is the culmination of a lifelong interest and curiosity in a very special area of developmental biology, the programming of sexual fate. How do organisms become male or female—and how surprising is the diversity of mechanisms by which this decision is made and enacted in different organisms? Jenny is a pioneer in this field and a gifted communicator. She unpacks the dynamic interplay of sex chromosomes, genes, regulatory networks, epigenetic influences, and a role for environment. The book is intellectually rigorous but enlivened by a strong personal element. It spans theory, landmark discoveries, and the passage to the modern genomic era. A must-have for readers interested in sex determination and its environmental reprogramming—and an outstanding resource for anyone with an interest in developmental biology more generally.' Arthur Georges, University of Canberra 'Sex, Genes and Chromosomes is the master work of Distinguished Professor Jennifer Graves, whose unique perspective stems from her decades of paradigm-shifting research on sex chromosome evolution and function. In it, Professor Graves makes available a vast knowledge to a broad audience. The book is a landmark in the history of the study of sex chromosomes, and will be a starting point for coming generations of investigators interested in the genetic basis of sex and sex differences.' Arthur Arnold, University of California, Los Angeles 'Sex might seem straightforward to all of us, however in reality, it is complex and highly nuanced. Graves explores sex in all its guises in her comparative sweep across vertebrates, bringing up-to-date genetic insights and an omnipresent evolutionary perspective. The work is highly accessible, with compelling prose, deft use of asides and aphorisms. This is an important book at a time when simplistic, non-scientific pronouncements on sex abound. It is a valuable 'must read' text for university students, lecturers, and research academics interested in the field.' Andrew Sinclair, Murdoch Children's Research Institute and University of Melbourne 'Sex, Genes and Chromosomes offers a comprehensive journey through vertebrate genomes, blending the organization, evolution, and activity of sex chromosomes with the molecular mechanisms that govern sex determination. It integrates historical discoveries with modern genome biology and evolutionary perspectives, providing a clear foundation for understanding sex chromosome biology. Clear and wide-ranging, Sex, Genes and Chromosomes will appeal not just to students and researchers, but also the broader general public who seek a deep understanding of sex, genes, and chromosome biology.' Paul D. Waters, University of New South Wales

Author Information

Jennifer A. Marshall Graves is Distinguished Professor and Vice Chancellor's Fellow at La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia. Jenny has spent her working life comparing weird animal genomes to discover how sex works and how it evolved. She was a pioneer of comparative genomics and of epigenetics, and was involved in discovering genes important for sex in humans as well as other mammals and reptiles. She has written hundreds of science articles and won many awards, including Australia's top science prize: the Prime Minister's Prize for Science (2017), and the L'Oreal-UNESCO International Prize for Women in Science (2006). Jenny is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and an International Member of the US National Academy of Science. She writes popular science articles for a combined readership of 6 million and recently wrote and performed in an oratorio that celebrates the beautiful science illuminating the Origins of the Universe, of Life, of Species, of Humanity.

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