Viruses (Scientific American Library)

By Arnold J. Levine

Since the isolation of the first virus in 1892 scientists have made tremendous advances by asking one question at a time and building on the answers. Dr. Levine celebrates the successes that have come from viral studies - the development of a wide range of vaccines, the eradication of smallpox, and the insights into the origins of cancer. He also examines the challenges we still face, with a series of interconnected chapters on the specific viruses behind some of our most urgent public health problems, including the viruses that cause AIDS, influenza, herpes and hepatitis.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0716750317
• ISBN13: 9780716750314
• Release Date: October 1991
• Publisher: W H Freeman & Co
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 2.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.5" x 0.8" x 8.8"

Customer Reviews

Good overview

This reference provides an easy to read overview of viruses. It starts with a chapter describing cells and the steps a virus must accomplish in its replicative cycle. Chapters then follow on bacteriophages and their contribution to our understanding of molecular biology, the defenses of cells against viruses, herpesviruses, DNA tumor viruses, retroviruses, influenza A viruses, and hepatitis viruses. The last chapter then considers the origins and evolution of viruses.