Principles of Virology (Vol. I)

Description

Virology is the study of viruses and virus like agents: their structure, classification and evolution, their ways to infect and exploit cells for virus reproduction, the diseases they cause, the techniques to isolate and culture them, and their use in research and therapy. Virology is often considered a part of microbiology or of pathology. This book provides an in depth study of the properties of viruses, and their impact on bacteria, plants, animals and humans with the coverage of latest information on antiviral drugs and viral vaccines. This book serves as an indispensable tool to know in detail the major viral diseases, the mechanism of their transmission, prevention and control measures. Virology is a fascinating and rapidly developing subject, and is worthy of study purely because viruses are interesting. There is a continuant need for trained virologists, and it is hoped that his book will play a small role to fulfill this need. A major branch of virology is virus classification. Viruses can be classified according to the host cell they infect: animal viruses, plant viruses, fungal viruses, and bacteriophages (viruses infecting bacterium, which include the most complex viruses). Another classification uses the geometrical shape of their capsid (often a helix or an icosahedron) or the virus’s structure (e.g. presence or absence of a lipid envelope). Viruses range in size from about 30 nm to about 450 nm, which means that most of them cannot be seen with light microscopes. The shape and structure of viruses has been studied by electron microscopy, NMR spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography. This book provides the entire basic information required for the beginner of virology. The information provided will be useful to students of all disciplines of biology including agriculture, veterinary, pharmacy and medicine. It also fulfils the long-felt needs of researchers and teachers of all biological sciences.