Clinical and molecular neurogenetics in neurosurgery

This chapter describes the basic principles of molecular genetics, particularly in relation to gene mapping and isolation (positional cloning). The application of this technology is illustrated by progress in elucidating the molecular basis of inherited tumour syndromes, including neurofibromatosis types 1 and 2 and von Hippel-Lindau disease, and molecular studies of tumourigenesis in malignant gliomas.