This work contains updated and clinically relevant information about tuberculosis. It is aimed at providing a succinct overview of history and disease epidemiology, clinical presentation and the most recent scientific developments in the field of tuberculosis research, with an emphasis on diagnosis and treatment. It may serve as a practical resource for students, clinicians and researchers who work in the field of infectious diseases.

An accompanying volume (Volume 6) in this series presents strategies of cellular invasion from the viewpoint of the microbe.This filed of study is growing rapidly after a somewhat slow start over recent decades. This collection of invited chapters attempts to reflect current research, and brings together cell biologists, microbiologists and immunologists with disparate interests. However, there is a certain unity, even repetition of key themes, hopefully like a symphony rather than a boring catalogue. It will be evident that editorial bias favors intracellular paratism and medically important organisms. The neutrophil is far more than a supporting player to the macrophage, and some attempt is made to remind the reader of some of its unique skills. To retain a manageable size, the emphasis is on relatively early events such as mutual recognition, cell entry, and response, rather than on longterm changes in gene expression by either host cell or pathogen. Viruses are excluded not because of lack of importance but because of somewhat different research approaches, although it is cytogenes, share common strategies in invasion and intercellular spread.

This Methods in Molecular Biology book offers methods for studying inflammasome function, including generation of inflammasome stimuli, monitoring of caspase-1 activity and processing, activation of IL-1β cytokines, plus lab protocols, material lists and tips.

'Research on immunity has dramatically expanded in recent six decades, yielding exciting new information concerning the molecules and cells that initiate the multi-faceted processes combined under the term 'Molecular Immunity'. These processes are crucial for protection against invaders, but are also responsible for certain pathogenic conditions. Prof. Kendall Smith, a prominent contributor to this field, provides in this book, for the first time, the detailed history of thoughts and consequent achievements in the field of cellular immunology.'Dr Igal GeryScientist EmeritusNational Eye Institute, NIHThis book covers a scientific history of the discoveries in immunology of the past 60-years, i.e. what was discovered, who made the advances and how they accomplished them, and why others did not.All molecular advances occurred in the last 60 years, and no one has described them.

The aim of this book is to provide detailed protocols for studying the molecular biology of the pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and its int- actions with host cells. As established mycobacterial laboratories move - wards exploiting the genome, and laboratories with expertise in other fields apply them to mycobacteria, both traditional and novel methodologies need to be reviewed. Thus the chapters in Mycobacterium tuberculosis Protocols range from perspectives on storage of strains and safety issues to the application of the latest functional genomics technologies. The last few years have been remarkable ones for research into M. tuber- losis. The most important landmark by far has been the completion of the genome sequence of the widely studied H37Rv strain (1). We can now predict every protein and RNA molecule made by the pathogen. This information is or will soon be enriched by the addition of genome sequences of other strains from the M. tuberculosis complex: a second strain of M. tuberculosis, My- bacterium bovis, and the vaccine strain, M. bovis BCG. Valuable comparative data will also be provided by the genome sequences of Mycobacterium leprae, Mycobacterium avium, and Streptomyces coelicolor. Another recent milestone for M. tuberculosis has been the development of efficient mutagenesis me- odologies, the lack of which has been a major handicap in functional studies.

The Mononuclear Phagocyte System (MPS) of vertebrates is composed of monocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells. Together, they form part of the first line of immune defense against a variety of pathogens (bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses), and thus play an important role in maintaining organism homeostasis. The mode of transmission, type of replication and mechanism of disease-causing differ significantly for each pathogen, eliciting a unique immune response in the host. Within this context, the MPS acts as both the sentinel and tailor of the immune system. As sentinels, MPS cells are found in blood and within tissues throughout the body to patrol against pathogenic insult. The strategy to detect 'microbial non-self' relies on MPS to recognize conserved microbial products known as 'pathogen-associated molecular pattern' (PAMPs). PAMPs recognition represents a checkpoint in the response to pathogens and relies on conserved 'pattern recognition receptors' (PRRs). Upon PRR engagement, MPS mount a cell-autonomous attack that includes the internalization and compartmentalization of intracellular pathogens into toxic compartments that promote destruction. In parallel, MPS cells launch an inflammatory response composed of a cellular arm and soluble factors to control extracellular pathogens. In cases when innate immunity fails to eliminate the invading microbe, MPS serves as a tailor to generate adaptive immunity for pathogen eradication and generation of "memory" cells, thus ensuring enhanced protection against re-infection. Indeed, MPS cell functions comprise the capture, process, migration and delivery of antigenic information to lymphoid organs, where type-1 immunity is tailored against intracellular microbes and type-2 immunity against extracellular pathogens. However, this potent adaptive immunity is also a double-edge sword that can cause aberrant inflammatory disorders, like autoimmunity or chronic inflammation. For this reason, MPS also tailors tolerance immunity against unwanted inflammation. Successful clearance of the microbe results in its destruction and proper collection of debris, resolution of inflammation and tissue healing for which MPS is essential. Reciprocally, as part of the evolutionary process taking place in all organisms, microbes evolved strategies to circumvent the actions bestowed by MPS cells. Multiple pathogens modulate the differentiation, maturation and activation programs of the MPS, as an efficient strategy to avoid a dedicated immune response. Among the most common evasion strategies are the subversion of phagocytosis, inhibition of PRR-mediated immunity, resistance to intracellular killing by reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, restriction of phagosome maturation, modulation of cellular metabolism and nutrient acquisition, regulation of cell death and autophagy, and modulation of pro-inflammatory responses and hijacking of tolerance mechanisms, among others. The tenet of this eBook is that a better understanding of MPS in infection will yield insights for development of therapeutics to enhance antimicrobial processes or dampen detrimental inflammation for the host's benefit. We believe that contributions to this topic will serve as a platform for discussion and debate about relevant issues and themes in this field. Our aim is to bring expert junior and senior scientists to address recent progress, highlight critical knowledge gaps, foment scientific exchange, and establish conceptual frameworks for future MPS investigation in the context of infectious disease.