Viruses: Biology, Applications, and Control / Edition 1

by David Harper

Overview

Viruses: Biology, Application, and Control is a concise textbook for advanced undergraduate and graduate students covering the essential aspects of virology included in biomedical science courses. It is an updated and expanded version of David Harper’s Molecular Virology, Second Edition. Focusing on key mechanisms and developments, Viruses presents many new recent scientific advances, including virus evolution, emerging infections, virus extinction, control of infections, antiviral drugs, gene therapy, bacteriophage therapy, and diagnostics.

The first chapters introduce the reader to the structure and nature of viruses, including their classification and evolution. As viruses cause widespread and serious disease, the ensuing chapters explain how they interact with the immune system and the different ways we try to defeat them: vaccines, antiviral drugs, and immunotherapy. Laboratory methods for viral detection and laboratory diagnosis are also covered. While viruses do cause disease, many do not, and their special biology means they can have beneficial uses, and this aspect of viruses is emphasized. One of the most interesting areas in virology, given extensive coverage here, is how new viruses emerge and establish themselves.

Viruses: Biology, Application, and Control is a rigorous treatment of the molecular side of virology and its conceptual approach makes it an essential text for students and non-specialists.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780815341505
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	06/20/2011
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	346
Product dimensions:	8.40(w) x 10.80(h) x 0.50(d)

Table of Contents

1. Virus Structure and Infection
2. Virus classification and evolution
3. Virus Replication
4. Immune response & evasion
5. Vaccines and vaccination
6. Antiviral Drugs
7. Beneficial use of viruses
8. Emergence, spread, and extinction
9. Viruses, vectors, and genomics
10. Culture, Detection and Diagnosis
Appendix 1: Viral Replication Strategies
Appendix 2: Current Antiviral Drugs

Editorial Reviews

"...this is a recommended book for undergraduates studying virology and would provide a good source material for a lecture series on the topic." - Immunology News

From the Publisher

Reviewer: Rebecca T. Horvat, PhD, D (ABMM)(University of Kansas Medical Center)
Description: This updated and expanded version of Molecular Virology, 2nd edition, Harper and Kinchington (BIOS Scientific, 1998), provides a solid foundation in many areas of virology for undergraduates.
Purpose: The purpose is stated in the first chapter, starting with the question, "What is a virus?" The book systematically answers this question, showing the large variety of viral life and giving students a broad view of viral life.
Audience: This is primarily intended to introduce upper level undergraduate students to viral life cycles and disease. The author shares his experience in the organization of material and the interesting history of this field.
Features: The book begins with the history of the search for and discovery of viruses. Soon after the discovery of bacteria and fungi, it was noted that there were also filterable, small infectious agents that could cause devastating disease. These agents were distinct from the larger bacteria and fungi, and the book describes the various viral forms, with the first distinction the one between enveloped and nonenveloped viruses. Electron microscopy played a vital role in showing the viral structures and shapes. Further progression in science revealed the various genome structures, which range from large to very small with unique organization and conservation of nucleic acid. In general, viruses are cellular parasites that take over a cell's infrastructure to make their own progeny. Subsequent chapters detail the development of vaccines and antiviral drugs. All chapters end with a section on key concepts open-ended questions to prompt students to develop a deeper understanding of key issues. There are also references to Internet resources that will enhance learning.
Assessment: With its interesting discussion of the history of virology and of current techniques used to study viral agents, this would be a good textbook for an advanced undergraduate course in virology.

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