Due to advances in molecular biology, studies of chromatin structure and function have re-emerged as a key area in the exploration of gene regulation and expression. This book provides an overview of the latest research in this important area, with contributions by an international group of over 30 leading scientists. Topics include a detailed discussion of the components of the nucleosome, both the histone octamer and the DNA itself, and its replication and assembly, the initiation of expression and transcription on chromatin templates, and presentation of evidence for domains, boundaries, and packaging differences in the context of known epigenetic regulation in yeast, fruit flies, and mice. A complete understanding of these higher order effects will be essential to a complete understanding of gene regulation during eukaryotic differentiation and development. Carefully illustrated, with key data and sketches of models currently being tested, the book is designed to promote discussion with sections at the end of each chapter on important questions and comments from authors of other chapters. The work offers valuable, up-to-date reading for molecular biologists, biochemists, and geneticists.