Immunology and the Quest for an HIV Vaccine


Book Description

How many human immune systems are there? How old are they? Why is there no AIDS vaccine? Is a new approach needed? Why is public opinion growing skeptical of the scientific community after three decades of public awareness about HIV/AIDS? Consider answers to these puzzling questions. Learn from the decades of experience of two senior scholars: Dr. Omar Bagasra (an eminent molecular biologist, immunologist, and retrovirologist) and Dr. Donald Gene Pace (a highly published writer who examines public health policy). Explore intriguing new possibilities about human immunity, and the development of an effective AIDS vaccine. Read Immunology and the Quest for an HIV Vaccine. Benefit from an informed synthesis backed by a wealth of peer-reviewed scientific references. Review basic concepts of immunology, and stretch your perspective by contemplating this creative synthesis that provides a provocative treatise on the origin, evolution, and etiology of several forms of immune systems. Consider compelling ideas that will have an important bearing on HIV vaccine development. Enjoy this informative volume designed for anyone interested in the development of a safe AIDS vaccine, for anyone curious about present knowledge about human immunity, and for anyone yearning for a solution to the global pandemic that is AIDS.




Immunology and the Quest for an HIV Vaccine


Book Description

How many human immune systems are there? How old are they? Why is there no AIDS vaccine? Is a new approach needed? Why is public opinion growing skeptical of the scientific community after three decades of public awareness about HIV/AIDS? Consider answers to these puzzling questions. Learn from the decades of experience of two senior scholars: Dr. Omar Bagasra (an eminent molecular biologist, immunologist, and retrovirologist) and Dr. Donald Gene Pace (a highly published writer who examines public health policy). Explore intriguing new possibilities about human immunity, and the development of an effective AIDS vaccine. Read Immunology and the Quest for an HIV Vaccine. Benefit from an informed synthesis backed by a wealth of peer-reviewed scientific references. Review basic concepts of immunology, and stretch your perspective by contemplating this creative synthesis that provides a provocative treatise on the origin, evolution, and etiology of several forms of immune systems. Consider compelling ideas that will have an important bearing on HIV vaccine development. Enjoy this informative volume designed for anyone interested in the development of a safe AIDS vaccine, for anyone curious about present knowledge about human immunity, and for anyone yearning for a solution to the global pandemic that is AIDS.




HIV-1 Latency


Book Description

This volume summarizes recent advances in understanding the mechanisms of HIV-1 latency, in characterizing residual viral reservoirs, and in developing targeted interventions to reduce HIV-1 persistence during antiretroviral therapy. Specific chapters address the molecular mechanisms that govern and regulate HIV-1 transcription and latency; assays and technical approaches to quantify viral reservoirs in humans and animal models; the complex interchange between viral reservoirs and the host immune system; computational strategies to model viral reservoir dynamics; and the development of therapeutic approaches that target viral reservoir cells. With contributions from an interdisciplinary group of investigators that cover a broad spectrum of subjects, from molecular virology to proof-of-principle clinical trials, this book is a valuable resource for basic scientists, translational investigators, infectious-disease physicians, individuals living with HIV/AIDS and the general public.




Shots in the Dark


Book Description

In 1984 it was announced that an AIDS vaccine would be ready for testing in two years. More than 15 years later only one vaccine has made it to a field trial. This text explains the reasons for this slow progress.




The HLA FactsBook


Book Description

The HLA FactsBook presents up-to-date and comprehensive information on the HLA genes in a manner that is accessible to both beginner and expert alike. The focus of the book is on the polymorphic HLA genes (HLA-A, B, C, DP, DQ, and DR) that are typed for in clinical HLA laboratories. Each gene has a dedicated section in which individual entries describe the structure, functions, and population distribution of groups of related allotypes. Fourteen introductory chapters provide a beginner's guide to the basic structure, function, and genetics of the HLA genes, as well as to the nomenclature and methods used for HLA typing. This book will be an invaluable reference for researchers studying the human immune response, for clinicians and laboratory personnel involved in clinical and forensic HLA typing, and for human geneticists, population biologists, and evolutionary biologists interested in HLA genes as markers of human diversity. Introductory chapters provide good general overview of HLA field for novice immunologists and geneticists Up-to-date, complete listing of HLA alleles Invaluable reference resource for immunologists, geneticists, and cell biologists Combines both structural and functional information, which has never been compiled in a single reference book previously Serological specificity of allotypes Identity of material sequenced including ethnic origin Database accession numbers Population distribution Peptide binding specificities T cell epitopes Amino acid sequences of allotypes Key references




The Vaccine Book


Book Description

The Vaccine Book, Second Edition provides comprehensive information on the current and future state of vaccines. It reveals the scientific opportunities and potential impact of vaccines, including economic and ethical challenges, problems encountered when producing vaccines, how clinical vaccine trials are designed, and how to introduce vaccines into widespread use. Although vaccines are now available for many diseases, there are still challenges ahead for major diseases, such as AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. This book is designed for students, researchers, public health officials, and all others interested in increasing their understanding of vaccines. It answers common questions regarding the use of vaccines in the context of a rapidly expanding anti-vaccine environment. This new edition is completely updated and revised with new and unique topics, including new vaccines, problems of declining immunization rates, trust in vaccines, the vaccine hesitancy, and the social value of vaccines for the community vs. the individual child's risk. - Provides insights into diseases that could be prevented, along with the challenges facing research scientists in the world of vaccines - Gives new ideas about future vaccines and concepts - Introduces new vaccines and concepts - Gives ideas about challenges facing public and private industrial investors in the vaccine area - Discusses the problem of declining immunization rates and vaccine hesitancy




AIDS and HIV in Perspective


Book Description

This new edition of Dr. Schoub's informative and lucid account brings the reader up to date on the current understanding of the natural history of HIV infection, new approaches to management of infection and disease, and improvements in diagnostic capabilities. This book, aimed at the general reader, bridges the gap between specialist science literature and basic educational material available to the general public. Helpful and informative diagrams are adeptly utilized to explain the basic biology of the HIV virus and the immune system that it so lethally undermines. As well as exploring the complex social, legal, and ethical issues surrounding infection, Schoub looks ahead to the prospects for a vaccine. This volume is a valuable handbook for all those in search of a better understanding of HIV infection and its consequences.




The CAPRISA Clinical Trials: HIV Treatment and Prevention


Book Description

Since its inception 14 years ago, CAPRISA has conducted numerous clinical studies that have influenced international TB-HIV treatment guidelines as well as HIV prevention through innovations in the microbicide and vaccine fields. This book provides a historical account of how each of CAPRISA’s high impact studies was created, developed, implemented, analysed and communicated. In doing so, the reader is taken on a journey that provides glimpses into the genesis of research ideas and how this ultimately leads to a range of HIV prevention and treatment studies that have impacted the global response to the HIV and TB epidemics. Comprised of 5 sections, the book details the following: HIV epidemic in South Africa and the establishment of a research centre to undertake clinical, epidemiological and laboratory research on HIV. CAPRISA’s clinical trials on HIV and HSV-2 prevention. These studies investigated the impact of tenofovir gel as topical antiretroviral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), implementation of topical PrEP through family planning clinics, conditional cash incentives for HIV prevention, HIV vaccines, and passive immunisation with broadly neutralising antibodies. CAPRISA’s research on the treatment of HIV and TB co-infection. A review of the major scientific findings from the CAPRISA studies on acute infection and genital mucosal immunology. Essential support activities for the conduct of clinical trials, including research laboratories and pharmacies, as well as establishing effective communication and sustainable structures for community engagement to maintain effective and respectful partnerships with participating communities. The book concludes with a chapter about the challenges facing future HIV prevention and treatment trials. The CAPRISA Clinical Trials: HIV Treatment and Prevention is a resource for undergraduate and postgraduate students, health care providers, doctors, decision-makers and researchers who are seeking guidance and insights on clinical trials – their creation, conduct and impact.




Gene Vaccines


Book Description

The induction of antigen-specific immune responses after in vivo transfection with expression plasmids has triggered a revolution of vaccine research. After a first hype, evoked by the fascinating options of this method, clinical studies did not reach the ambitious aims and a phase of disillusion ensued. It became obvious that Gene vaccines displayed a weaker immunogenicity in humans than had been observed in the mouse models. Meanwhile these hurdles have been overcome and gene vaccines undergo a renaissance. The present book gives an update of the “world of naked gene vaccines”, namely DNA and RNA vaccines. Its content ranges from general mechanisms, inherent immunostimulatory properties and the vast potential to modulate immune responses, to recent successful clinical studies and approved veterinary gene vaccines. Beyond the state-of-the-art of genetic immunization, the reader will be stimulated with a chapter addressing “burning questions”.




Nanostructures for Antimicrobial Therapy


Book Description

Nanostructures for Antimicrobial Therapy discusses the pros and cons of the use of nanostructured materials in the prevention and eradication of infections, highlighting the efficient microbicidal effect of nanoparticles against antibiotic-resistant pathogens and biofilms. Conventional antibiotics are becoming ineffective towards microorganisms due to their widespread and often inappropriate use. As a result, the development of antibiotic resistance in microorganisms is increasingly being reported. New approaches are needed to confront the rising issues related to infectious diseases. The merging of biomaterials, such as chitosan, carrageenan, gelatin, poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) with nanotechnology provides a promising platform for antimicrobial therapy as it provides a controlled way to target cells and induce the desired response without the adverse effects common to many traditional treatments. Nanoparticles represent one of the most promising therapeutic treatments to the problem caused by infectious micro-organisms resistant to traditional therapies. This volume discusses this promise in detail, and also discusses what challenges the greater use of nanoparticles might pose to medical professionals. The unique physiochemical properties of nanoparticles, combined with their growth inhibitory capacity against microbes has led to the upsurge in the research on nanoparticles as antimicrobials. The importance of bactericidal nanobiomaterials study will likely increase as development of resistant strains of bacteria against most potent antibiotics continues. - Shows how nanoantibiotics can be used to more effectively treat disease - Discusses the advantages and issues of a variety of different nanoantibiotics, enabling medics to select which best meets their needs - Provides a cogent summary of recent developments in this field, allowing readers to quickly familiarize themselves with this topic area