Genome Chaos: Rethinking Genetics, Evolution, and Molecular Medicine

In recent years, human genomics research has focused primarily on the decoding of genes through large-scale association studies, with emphasis on locating specific genetic errors that would aid in developing novel biomarkers and precision therapies. However, to-date, large scale –omics projects that emphasize genetic inheritance have led to more questions than answers. In Genome Chaos: Rethinking Genetics, Evolution, and Molecular Medicine, celebrated molecular geneticist Henry H. Heng has gathered the most pressing of these questions and offers alternative explanations to intriguing and timely puzzles in genome theory.

Here, across nine evidence-driven chapters, Dr. Heng has constructed a new conceptual framework for interpreting genomic data, where chromosomal topologies and seemingly random features of our genomes play a key role in defining biosystems and genetic inheritance. By illustrating recent research leaps in genomics and cytogenomics, Genome Chaos transports readers from Mendelian Genetics to 4D-genomics, building a case for genes and genomes as distinct biological entities, and positing that the genome, rather than individual genes, defines system inheritance and represents a clear unit of selection for macro-evolution.

In authoring this thought-provoking text, Dr. Heng invigorates fresh discussions in genome theory and helps readers reevaluate their current understanding of human genetics, evolution, and pathways for advancing molecular and precision medicine.

Bridges basic research and clinical application and provides a foundation for re-examining the results of large-scale omics studies and advancing molecular medicineGathers the most pressing questions in genomic and cytogenomic research and offers alternative explanations to timely puzzles in the fieldDetails a new conceptual framework in genome theory, based on recent leaps in genomic and cytogenomic research, where chromosomal topologies play a key role in defining biosystems and genetic inheritanceNine, evidence-based chapters discuss 4d-genomics, genes and genomes as distinct biological entities, genome chaos and macro-cellular evolution, evolutionary cytogenetics and cancer, chromosomal coding and fuzzy inheritance, and novel rationale and challenges for precision medicine

1. From Mendelian Genetics to 4D-Genomics
2. Genes and Genomes Represent Different Biological Entities
3. Genome Chaos and Macro-cellular Evolution: How Evolutionary Cytogenetics Unravels the Mystery of Cancer
4. Chromosomal Coding and Fuzzy Inheritance
5. Why sex? Genome Re-interpretation Dethrones the Queen
6. Breaking the Genome Constraint: The Mechanism of Macro-evolution
7. The Genome Theory: A New Framework
8. The Rationale and Challenges for Precision Medicine