Patrick Arbuthnot - Böcker

Gene Therapy for Viral Infections provides a comprehensive review of the broader field of nucleic acid and its use in treating viral infections. The text bridges the gap between basic science and important clinical applications of the technology, providing a systematic, integrated review of the advances in nucleic acid-based antiviral drugs and the potential advantages of new technologies over current treatment options.

Coverage begins with the fundamentals, exploring varying topics, including harnessing RNAi to silence viral gene expression, antiviral gene editing, viral gene therapy vectors, and non-viral vectors.

Subsequent sections include detailed coverage of the developing use of gene therapy for the treatment of specific infections, the principles of rational design of antivirals, and the hurdles that currently face the further advancement of gene therapy technology.

Provides coverage of gene therapy for a variety of infections, including HBV, HCV, HIV, hemorrhagic fever viruses, and respiratory and other viral infections Bridges the gap between the basic science and the important medical applications of this technology Features a broad approach to the topic, including an essential overview and the applications of gene therapy, synthetic RNA, and other antiviral strategies that involve nucleic acid engineering Presents perspectives on the future use of nucleic acids as a novel class of antiviral drugs Arms the reader with the cutting-edge information needed to stay abreast of this developing field

The insights following the wake of the Human Genome project are radically influencing our understanding of the molecular basis of life, health and disease. The improved accuracy and precision of clinical diagnostics is also beginning to have an impact on therapeutics in a fundamental way. This book is suitable for undergraduate medical students, as part of their basic sciences training, but is also relevant to interested under- and postgraduate science and engineering students. It serves as an introductory text for medical registrars in virtually all specialties, and is also of value to the General Practitioner wishing to keep up to date, especially in view of the growing, internet-assisted public knowledge of the field. There is a special focus on the application of molecular medicine in Africa and in developing countries elsewhere.