The Evolution and Emergence of RNA Viruses

by Edward C. Holmes

Overview

RNA viruses provide unique insights into the patterns and processes of evolutionary change in real time. The study of viral evolution is especially topical given the growing awareness that emerging and re-emerging diseases (most of which are caused by RNA viruses) represent a major threat to public health. However, while the study of viral evolution has developed rapidly in the last 30 years, relatively little attention has been directed toward linking work on the mechanisms of viral evolution within cells or individual hosts, to the epidemiological outcomes of these processes. This novel book fills this gap by considering the patterns and processes of viral evolution across their entire range of spatial and temporal scales.

The Evolution and Emergence of RNA Viruses provides a comprehensive overview of RNA virus evolution. This is the first book to link mechanisms of viral evolution to epidemiological outcomes, incorporating case studies in RNA virus emergence and evolution using topical examples such as influenza, HIV, dengue fever, and rabies. It reveals the underlying evolutionary processes by which emerging viruses cross species boundaries and spread in new hosts.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780199211128
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	08/31/2009
Series:	Oxford Series in Ecology and Evolution
Pages:	268
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.30(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Edward C. Holmes is Professor of Biology and Eberly College of Science Distinguished Senior Scholar at The Pennsylvania State University. He has authored over 200 scientific publications and in 2003 was awarded the Scientific Medal for 'Achievement in Research by a Zoologist Under the Age of 40' by the Zoological Society of London for his work on evolutionary biology and bioinformatics. He is also co-author of a highly regarded text book in molecular evolution and phylogenetics. His research sits at the interface of four disciplines - evolutionary biology, genomics, infectious disease and bioinformatics - and for the last 20 years he has been involved in the development and use of a variety of computational techniques to reveal the fundamental patterns and processes of evolutionary change in viruses.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction2. The Origins of RNA Viruses3. The Mechanisms of RNA Virus Evolution4. The RNA Virus Quasispecies5. Comparative Genomics and the Macroevolution of RNA Viruses6. The Molecular Epidemiology, Phylogeography and Emergence of RNA Viruses7. Case Studies in RNA Virus Evolution and Emergence8. EpilogueReferencesIndex

Editorial Reviews

"A useful addition to the bookshelves of academicians and researchers. The combination of topical examples, appropriate and useful diagrams, and manageable scope are also sure to attract young researchers and graduate-level students. Holmes manages to bring together evolutionary biology, epidemiology, virology, disease ecology, and population genetics in a clear and concise way. The book highlights the results of new computational phylogenetic approaches that have been applied to viruses and the potential they have for elucidating the mechanisms of viral evolution, which will hopefully encourage more research in the future."—Systematic Biology

"The aim of The Oxford Series in Ecology and Evolution is to stimulate ideas in new research fields, and The Evolution and Emergence of RNA Viruses is an excellent addition to this series."—TREE

"Impressive...I recommed it to those who have knowledge of and interest in the molecular biology of RNA viruses."—Brian W. J. Mahy, Emerging Infectious Diseases

"A volume that will be essential for any student of RNA virus diversity and evolution."—Quarterly Review of Biology

From the Publisher