Fundamentals of Molecular Virology

Comprehensive coverage of major families of viruses, including human pathogens and viruses of organisms from bacteria to plants, with updated information on antiviral drugs, vaccines, antiviral immunity, and gene therapy.

Fundamentals of Molecular Virology is a textbook designed for university students learning about viruses at the undergraduate or graduate levels. Chapters contributed by prominent virologists cover many of the major virus families. Each chapter is designed to tell a story about the viruses covered, including information on discovery, diseases and pathogenesis, virus structure, steps in replication, and interaction with cellular signalling pathways. This approach portrays the "personality" of each virus, helping students to learn the material and build up their knowledge of virology starting with smaller and simpler viruses and proceeding to more complex viruses.

Major importance is given to viruses that infect humans and cause disease, but coverage is broad, including viruses of bacteria, Archaea, algae, invertebrates, and plants. Information boxes highlight applications and research directions of particular significance. Chapters conclude with sections presenting fundamental concepts, review questions, and lists of key terms, which are defined in a glossary at the end of the book.

This 3rd edition of Fundamentals of Molecular Virology includes detailed information on the recent COVID-19 pandemic and mRNA vaccine technology, additional sections on pathogenic herpesviruses, and updates on recent outbreaks of Zika virus, Ebola virus and mpox diseases. New chapters describe hepatitis C virus, rhabdoviruses, viruses of invertebrates, oncolytic viruses, and virus-mediated gene therapy. All chapters, including those on innate and adaptive immune responses to virus infections, virus vaccines, and antiviral agents, were revised and updated.