S. Modrow – Molecular Virology (2013)

Автор: S. Modrow
Название книги: Molecular Virology
Формат: PDF
Жанр: Биологические науки
Страницы: 1013
Качество: Изначально компьютерное, E-book

The book gives a comprehensive overview on the knowledge of virus infection relevant for humans and animals. For each virus family the molecular details of the virus particle and the viral replication cycle are described. In the case of virus types with relevance for human and/or animal health the data on molecular biology, genetics and virus-cell interaction are combined with those concerning, pathogenesis, epidemiology, clinics, prevention and therapy.

Today, knowledge about viruses or distinct aspects of viral infections has become
important for our daily life. Continuously, we are confronted with headlines and
news concerning, e.g., new influenza viruses, outbreaks of norovirus epidemics, or
transmission of otherwise rare zoonotic infections to humans. Due to the major
progress in molecular biology and biotechnology, the knowledge on viral infections
multiplied during the past decades. Thereby it is possible to characterize and
identify new virus types rapidly after their first emergence. Rational development
of both antiviral drugs and protective vaccines has reduced the potential danger
emanating from viruses for human and animal health.
Indeed, there are hardly any scientific disciplines that have benefited from each
other as much as molecular biology and virology. Several important processes in
molecular biology and genetics have been initially discovered in viral systems as
there is splicing of RNA precursors, nucleosomal structure of double-stranded
DNA, or basic immunological defense reactions based on interferon-mediated
effects. Additionally, the application of modern methods in molecular biology
and biotechnology has led to an advanced knowledge and understanding of the
processes involved in the infection caused by human and animal viruses. The
Handbook of Molecular Virology tries to combine both disciplines to facilitate
the understanding between the basic molecular process and the effects that are
caused by the respective virus infections and manifested as symptoms or diseases.
First published in Germany in 1996, the present volume represents the translation
of the third edition of the text book Molekulare Virologie, which appeared in
print in 2010. In several places the text has been updated with recently published
data. The main focus of all chapters is on virus infections, the knowledge of which
is important for human and animal health. The content is divided into two parts:
Chapters 1–13 address general aspects of virus replication, structure, and immunological
defense. In chapters 14–21, the molecular biology of each virus family is
described in detail along with clinical and epidemiological data for the relevant
viral infections. Primarily written for readers in Central Europe, the German edition
had a special focus on viral infections with relevance for the German-speaking
countries. In the English edition, we have tried to adapt the text and deleted details
that describe the epidemiology and requirements of notification in Central Europe.
For readers that are interested in those data we have included a list of websites of various national and international public health organizations that provide the
respective information.
We thank all the coworkers from Springer, Heidelberg, that have contributed to
the English edition as translators and copyeditors (Ariel Quin˜ones, Dr. Stuart
Evans), and project managers (Daniel Quin˜ones, Dr. Sylvia Blago) who patiently
answered all our questions. Furthermore, we are indebted to all our colleagues in
virology who we pestered with specific questions in order to obtain the most recent
data and results. Dr. Hans Gelderblom supplied almost all the figures that show
selected electron microscopic pictures of representative members of each virus
family in combination with a chapter describing the basic methods in electron
microscopy. Last but not least, we thank all our family members, friends and
colleagues, who share our daily lives and who we had to neglect during the
writing/translation process.