Molecular Methods for Virus Detection


Book Description

Molecular diagnostic procedures have been described in a number of recent books and articles. However, these publications have not focused on virus detection, nor have they provided practical protocols for the newer molecular methods. Written by the inventors or principal developers of these technologies, Molecular Methods for Virus Detection provides both reviews of individual methods and instructions for detecting virus nucleic acid sequences in clinical specimens. Each procedure includes quality assurance protocols that are often ignored by other methodology books. Molecular Methods for Virus Detection provides clinically relevant procedures for many of the newer diagnostic methodologies. - Provides state-of-the-art PCR methods for amplification, quantitation, in situ hybridization, and multiplex reactions - Goes beyond PCR with protocols for 3SR, NASBA, LCR, SDA, and LAT - Covers important virus detection methods such as in situ hybridization; Southern, dot, and slot blots; branched chain signal amplification; and chemiluminescence - Includes quality control information crucial in research and clinical laboratories - Most chapters are written by the inventors and principal developers of the methodologies - Includes color plates, 77 figures, and 18 tables




Molecular Virology of Human Pathogenic Viruses


Book Description

Molecular Virology of Human Pathogenic Viruses presents robust coverage of the key principles of molecular virology while emphasizing virus family structure and providing key context points for topical advances in the field. The book is organized in a logical manner to aid in student discoverability and comprehension and is based on the author's more than 20 years of teaching experience. Each chapter will describe the viral life cycle covering the order of classification, virion and genome structure, viral proteins, life cycle, and the effect on host and an emphasis on virus-host interaction is conveyed throughout the text. Molecular Virology of Human Pathogenic Viruses provides essential information for students and professionals in virology, molecular biology, microbiology, infectious disease, and immunology and contains outstanding features such as study questions and recommended journal articles with perspectives at the end of each chapter to assist students with scientific inquiries and in reading primary literature. - Presents viruses within their family structure - Contains recommended journal articles with perspectives to put primary literature in context - Includes integrated recommended reading references within each chapter - Provides access to online ancillary package inclusive of annotated PowerPoint images, instructor's manual, study guide, and test bank




Molecular Virology


Book Description

The book gives a comprehensive overview on the knowledge of virus infection relevant for humans and animals. For each virus family the molecular details of the virus particle and the viral replication cycle are described. In the case of virus types with relevance for human and/or animal health the data on molecular biology, genetics and virus-cell interaction are combined with those concerning, pathogenesis, epidemiology, clinics, prevention and therapy.




Molecular Methods in Plant Disease Diagnostics


Book Description

Using molecular methods for plant disease diagnosis provides diagnosticians with a number of advantages over more traditional methods. They can allow the identification of morphologically similar species, for example, or the detection of infection prior to symptom formation. Not only can molecular tools help by increasing the efficacy, accuracy and speed of diagnosis; their common technological basis provides further benefits, especially where resources are limited and traditional skills are hard to sustain. This book provides protocols for nucleic acid-based methods currently applied to plant pathogen detection and identification. It takes the practitioner through the full range of molecular diagnostic and detection methods and, as these generic techniques are appropriate for use on any target with minimal modification, also provides a useful resource for students of plant pathology and plant pathologists. Beginning with the background and future directions of the science, it then addresses DNA barcoding, microarrays, polymerase chain reactions (PCR), quality assurance and more, forming a complete reference on the subject.




Manual of Commercial Methods in Clinical Microbiology


Book Description

The Manual of Commercial Methods in Clinical Microbiology 2nd Edition, International Edition reviews in detail the current state of the art in each of the disciplines of clinical microbiology, and reviews the sensitivities, specificities and predictive values, and subsequently the effectiveness, of commercially available methods – both manual and automated. This text allows the user to easily summarize the available methods in any particular field, or for a specific pathogen – for example, what to use for an Influenza test, a Legionella test, or what instrument to use for identification or for an antibiotic susceptibility test. The Manual of Commercial Methods in Clinical Microbiology, 2nd Edition, International Edition presents a wealth of relevant information to clinical pathologists, directors and supervisors of clinical microbiology, infectious disease physicians, point-of-care laboratories, professionals using industrial applications of diagnostic microbiology and other healthcare providers. The content will allow professionals to analyze all commercially available methods to determine which works best in their particular laboratory, hospital, clinic, or setting. Updated to appeal to an international audience, The Manual of Commercial Methods in Clinical Microbiology, 2nd Edition, International Edition is an invaluable reference to those in the health science and medical fields.




Diagnostic Virology Protocols


Book Description

A collection of cutting-edge techniques for detecting most of the major viruses that afflict mankind, including influenza, hepatitis, herpes, polio, mumps, HIV, and many more. The techniques are well-tested, easily reproducible, and readily employ all the new technologies-PCR, RIA, ELISA, and latex-agglutination-that have revolutionized the field. These methods not only make it possible to do the necessary analysis in hours instead of days, but can also be automated in a laboratory havng only low levels of biological containment. Frequently, the protocols for viruses causing human diseases can be adapted to similar viruses of veterinary importance. Through its state-of-the-art methods a physician can, for the first time, determine early in a viral infection which antiviral drug should be used and minimize the period of treatment to avoid unnecessary side effects.




Basic and Applied Aspects of Biotechnology


Book Description

This book explores the journey of biotechnology, searching for new avenues and noting the impressive accomplishments to date. It has harmonious blend of facts, applications and new ideas. Fast-paced biotechnologies are broadly applied and are being continuously explored in areas like the environmental, industrial, agricultural and medical sciences. The sequencing of the human genome has opened new therapeutic opportunities and enriched the field of medical biotechnology while analysis of biomolecules using proteomics and microarray technologies along with the simultaneous discovery and development of new modes of detection are paving the way for ever-faster and more reliable diagnostic methods. Life-saving bio-pharmaceuticals are being churned out at an amazing rate, and the unraveling of biological processes has facilitated drug designing and discovery processes. Advances in regenerative medical technologies (stem cell therapy, tissue engineering, and gene therapy) look extremely promising, transcending the limitations of all existing fields and opening new dimensions for characterizing and combating diseases.




Virus as Populations


Book Description

Virus as Composition, Complexity, Quasispecies, Dynamics, and Biological Implications, Second Edition, explains the fundamental concepts surrounding viruses as complex populations during replication in infected hosts. Fundamental phenomena in virus behavior, such as adaptation to changing environments, capacity to produce disease, and the probability to be transmitted or respond to treatment all depend on virus population numbers. Concepts such as quasispecies dynamics, mutations rates, viral fitness, the effect of bottleneck events, population numbers in virus transmission and disease emergence, and new antiviral strategies are included. The book's main concepts are framed by recent observations on general virus diversity derived from metagenomic studies and current views on the origin and role of viruses in the evolution of the biosphere. - Features current views on key steps in the origin of life and origins of viruses - Includes examples relating ancestral features of viruses with their current adaptive capacity - Explains complex phenomena in an organized and coherent fashion that is easy to comprehend and enjoyable to read - Considers quasispecies as a framework to understand virus adaptability and disease processes




Biotechnology and Plant Disease Management


Book Description

As agricultural production increases to meet the demands of a growing world population, so has the pace of biotechnology research to combat plant disease. Diseases can be caused by a variety of complex plant pathogens including fungi, bacteria, viruses and nematodes, and their management requires the use of techniques in transgenic technology, biochemistry and genetics. While texts exist on specific pathogens or management practices, a comprehensive review is needed of recent developments in modern techniques and the understanding of how pathogens cause disease. This collection of studies discusses the key approaches to managing each group of pathogens within the context of recent developments in biotechnology. Broad themes include microbe-plant interactions, molecular diagnostics of plant pathogens and enhancing the resistance of plants.




Developing Norms for the Provision of Biological Laboratories in Low-Resource Contexts


Book Description

On June 27-28, 2018, the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (the National Academies) convened an international workshop in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, on developing norms for the provision of laboratories in low-resource contexts. The U.S. Department of State's Biosecurity Engagement Program requested that the National Academies organize this workshop to engage an international group of organizations that provide funding for construction, upgrades, and maintenance of biological laboratories in countries without the means to build such labs themselves. Twenty-one people from 19 organizations participated. The intent was to advance the conversation about the identification and application of guiding principles and common norms for use by these organizations in their grants, partnerships, and aid. This publication summarizes the presentations and discussions from the workshop.