Reverse Genetics Of Rna Viruses

Reverse genetics, the genetic manipulation of RNA viruses to create a wild-type or modified virus, has led to important advances in our understanding of viral gene function and interaction with host cells. Since many severe viral human and animal pathogens are RNA viruses, including those responsible for polio, measles, rotaviral diarrhoea and influenza infections, it is also an extremely powerful technique with important potential application for the prevention and control of a range of human and animal viral diseases. Reverse Genetics of RNA Viruses provides a comprehensive account of the very latest developments in reverse genetics of RNA viruses through a wide range of applications within each of the core virus groups including; positive sense, negative sense and double stranded RNA viruses. Written by a team of international experts in the field, it provides a unique insight into how the field has developed, what problems are being addressed now and where applications may lead in the future. It will prove invaluable to bioscience, medical and veterinary students, those starting research in this area as well as other researchers and teachers needing to update their knowledge of this fast-moving field. An authoritative, comprehensive overview of reverse genetics in RNA Viruses. Includes numerous examples of cutting- edge applications of reverse genetics within each of the RNA viral groups. Written by a team of international experts, including some of the leading researchers in the field.

This second edition volume expands on the previous edition with new and updated chapters that highlight the latest methods and approaches for the manipulation of RNA viruses. The chapters in this book explore the fundamental role in studying RNA viruses; identifying markers of host range, disease, and transmission; and aid readers with the further development of in silico computational biology tools and artificial intelligence algorithms that can help predict the emergence of certain pathogens. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Cutting-edge and comprehensive, Reverse Genetics of RNA Viruses: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition is a valuable resource for researchers who are interested in learning more about this developing field.

RNA Viruses: A Practical Approach is wide ranging in scope, from emerging technology such as reverse genetics and retrovirus vectors, to money saving tips - how to make your own silica particles for high efficiency RNA extraction and liposomes for cell transfection! Chapter one covers the fundamentals of investigating RNA virus genome structure at a molecular level. Chapters two and three describe techniques for mutagenesis of RNA genomes and analysis of transcription. Chapter four deals with RNA virus-encoded proteinases, an important aspect of the control of RNA virus gene expression. Chapter five considers retrovirus oncogenesis and chapter six analysis of RNA virus quasispecies. Chapter seven describes systems for investigation of in vitro replication of positive-stranded viruses and chapter eight the packaging of RNA virus genomes. In addition to the technical aspects of reverse genetics and retrovirus vectors, both of the final two chapters also consider ethical aspects of these new technologies.

Negative-strand RNA viruses, so named because of the polarity of their genomic RNA to mRNA, include important human and non-human pathogens. This volume covers major advances in reverse genetics techniques over the past decade, state-of-the-art basic science and the clinical implications of experimental findings. This should rekindle interest in negative-strand RNA viruses among readers, including those in other disciplines, leading to further progress in understanding these important viruses and in developing effective measures of control.

Many RNA viruses have been known for decades to be genetically and biologically quite variable. Some well-known examples are influenza viruses, foot and mouth disease viruses, and Newcastle disease virus. During the past decade, it has become clear that most, it not all. , RNA viruses (riboviruses and retroviruses) are much more mutable than was recognized previously, and that this great mutability generates extremely complex populations consisting of indeterminate mixtures of related variants (Le. , "mutant swarms" or "quasispecies" populations). This is also true of DNA viruses (such as hepatitis DNA genomes via RNA transcripts B virus) which replicate their that are reverse-transcribed back to DNA. This hypermutability of RNA replicons provides great biological adaptability for RNA virus genomes. It also allows (but does not necessitate) RNA viruses, so that they can extremely rapid evolution of evolve over a million times more quickly than their eukaryotic DNA-based hosts. The genetics of RNA replicons is so unusual (and often counterintuitive) that it has many important biological conse quences which are neither readily apparent nor widely under stood. Failure to understand the distinctive aspects of RNA genetics frequently generates confusion and controversy and can adversely impact vaccine and antiviral drug programs and other applications of medical virology. The 14 chapters in this volume describe advances in a number of significant areas of RNA virus genetics and evolution.

Modern Biotechnology has potential for solving many problems associated with animal productivity and health and offers exciting opportunities for enhancing agricultural productivity. At present the focus is, however, on the issues and problems of significance for livestock producers in the developed world. In order to fully realize the benefits of this technology in developing countries, there is a need to identify, characterize and apply appropriate gene-based technologies for these regions. These proceedings present peer reviewed state-of-the-art papers describing the achievements in the areas of animal breeding and genetics, animal nutrition, animal health, and environment, ethics, safety, and regulatory aspects of gene-based technologies; achievements which could be realized using these modern scientific tools to maximise the benefits from the 'livestock revolution' that is taking place; and the constraints in the use of gene-based technologies and their specific research needs. This book will help in bridging the wide gap between developed and developing countries, in the development and use of gene-based technologies, and to elucidate the current and future roles of such technologies in the developing world. It is a good reference source for researchers, students and policy-makers alike.

Human coronaviruses caused the SARS epidemic that infected more than 8000 people, killing about ten percent of them in 32 countries. This book provides essential information on these viruses and the development of vaccines to control coronavirus infections.

Coronaviruses are the RNA viruses with the largest genome known to date (27 to 32 kb). Members of this virus family affect most domestic animal species, causing important socio-economical losses, and also infect humans. Human coronaviruses were known to cause the winter common cold, a mild infection without important pathological consequences except in immuno-compromised patients. Recently, two new human coronaviruses have emerged, one causing the Severe and Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) that infected more than 8000 individuals, leading to more than 800 deaths in 32 countries. This epidemic mobilized the World Health Organization, which launched travel restrictions to certain parts of the world for the first time in the last 50 years. The fact that coronaviruses, as many other viruses, crossed the species barrier to infect humans has posed a serious challenge to scientists involved in animal and human health. Control of coronavirus-induced diseases can only be the consequence of research on virus molecular biology and pathogenesis. This book contains information on virus genome structure, mechanism of replication and transcription, and the development of tools that make possible reverse genetic studies to understand virus-host interactions and the molecular basis of virus pathogenesis. The book also provides essential information for the development of classical and recombinant vaccines to control coronavirus infections.