Virus Structure covers the full spectrum of modern structural virology. Its goal is to describe the means for defining moderate to high resolution structures and the basic principles that have emerged from these studies. Among the topics covered are Hybrid Vigor, Structural Folds of Viral Proteins, Virus Particle Dynamics, Viral Gemone Organization, Enveloped Viruses and Large Viruses. Covers viral assembly using heterologous expression systems and cell extracts Discusses molecular mechanisms in bacteriophage T7 procapsid assembly, maturation and DNA containment Includes information on structural studies on antibody/virus complexes

DNA Viruses: A Practical Approach groups together the major experimental methods currently employed to study DNA viruses, from the fundamentals of virus culture to novel techniques such as surface plasmon resonance spectrometry and realtime PCR analysis of drug resistance mutations in clinical isolates. Chapter 1 provides an overview of the extraction, purification and characterizations of virus DNA, but also covers the fundamentals of DNA virus culture. Chapters 2 and 3 describe approaches to the molecular investigation and mutagenesis of DNA virus genomes. Chapter 4 considers DNA virus replication and then chapters 5 & 6 describe methods to study transcription control. Chapters 7 to 9 consider aspects of the pathogenesis of DNA virus infections. The final chapter describes the current technology being applied to the development of DNA virus vectors for gene delivery. This volume will therefore be of interest to all those working on DNA viruses whether in academia, industry or clinical research.

Bundled with the eBook, which will be updated regularly as new information about each virus is available, this text serves as the authoritative, up-to-date reference book for virologists, infectious disease specialists, microbiologists, and physicians, as well as medical students pursuing a career in infectious diseases.

A compendium of readily reproducible and novel methods to manipulate DNA viruses and characterize their varied biological properties. The authors emphasize techniques for viral detection and genetics, but also include methods for structure determination, gene expression, replication, pathogenesis, complex cellular models, recombinant genetics, and computational/systems approaches. Wide-ranging and highly practical, DNA Viruses: Methods and Protocols will stimulate new directions in virology research with its novel strategies for engineering viral vectors in gene therapy, and its advanced approaches for detecting viruses in human disease.

In 1980, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared that smallpox had been eradicated. In 1986, WHO's international Ad Hoc Committee on Orthopox Virus Infections unanimously recommended destruction of the two remaining official stocks of variola virus, one at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the other at the VECTOR laboratory in Siberia. In June 1999, WHO decided to delay the destruction of these stocks. Informing that decision was Assessment of Future Scientific Needs for Variola Virus, which examines: -- Whether the sequenced variola genome, vaccinia, and monkey pox virus are adequate for future research or whether the live variola virus itself is needed to assist in the development of antiviral therapies. -- What further benefits, if any, would likely be gained through the use of variola in research and development efforts related to agent detection, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. -- What unique potential benefits, if any, the study of variola would have in increasing our fundamental understanding of the biology, host-agent interactions, pathogenesis, and immune mechanisms of viral diseases.

For years, scientists have been warning us that a pandemic was all but inevitable. Now it's here, and the rest of us have a lot to learn. Fortunately, science writer Carl Zimmer is here to guide us. In this compact volume, he tells the story of how the smallest living things known to science can bring an entire planet of people to a halt--and what we can learn from how we've defeated them in the past. Planet of Viruses covers such threats as Ebola, MERS, and chikungunya virus; tells about recent scientific discoveries, such as a hundred-million-year-old virus that infected the common ancestor of armadillos, elephants, and humans; and shares new findings that show why climate change may lead to even deadlier outbreaks. Zimmer’s lucid explanations and fascinating stories demonstrate how deeply humans and viruses are intertwined. Viruses helped give rise to the first life-forms, are responsible for many of our most devastating diseases, and will continue to control our fate for centuries. Thoroughly readable, and, for all its honesty about the threats, as reassuring as it is frightening, A Planet of Viruses is a fascinating tour of a world we all need to better understand.

Aquaculture Virology, Second Edition covers all the known virus families, and specific diseases that affect each aquatic organism. Descriptions of each disease includes disease name, structure and composition of virus, classification and virus replication, epidemiology, pathology and immunity, diagnostic methods (gross pathology, histopathology, cell culture, PCR, sequencing, ELISA, etc.) and prevention and control. This is an excellent reference of updated foundational and practical knowledge from experts in both academia and research.Those interested in fish viral diseases will find the book an excellent source for high quality illustrations of viral structure, diagrams of pathogenesis of diseases, and many images of gross pathology and histopathology lesions, using the same format in all chapters to facilitate the reading and studying. This second edition of the book will cover all virus families and the specific diseases relevant to aquaculture with current information delivered in a systematic and succinct way to the researcher, teacher, student, diagnostic laboratory staff, clinical veterinarian, aquaculture disease practitioner, farmer, and all people that are interested in viruses in general. Provides unique, comprehensive information on animal pathogens and viruses found in aquaculture and fisheries Presents high-quality illustrations of viral structure, diagrams of viral disease processes, gross pathology, and histopathology lesions to aid in understanding Incorporates all updated changes in taxonomy since the first edition Includes a new chapter on the impact of climate change on the manifestations of different aquatic animal viral diseases Describes aquatic viruses of the major aquatic animals, fish, crustaceans, and mollusks