Humana Antiviral Methods and Protocols: 24 (Methods in Molecular Medicine, 24)

This latest addition to the Methods in Molecular Medicine series, Anti- ral Methods and Protocols, is opportune because there is an increasing int- est in discovering compounds that are effective against both chronic and acute viral infections. A number of the methods described in the volume are unp- lished and their inclusion indicates the speed at which this field is moving. This volume is not a review but each chapter contains methods validated by the experts who have spent time in developing the protocols. The hallmark of this series is the comprehensive way in which the me- ods are described, which includes a list of all the reagents needed for each protocol. Of importance is the section on tips and pitfalls that the authors have discovered while developing their protocols. The manual itself is designed to be used by researchers in universities and industry who are familiar with a range of biological techniques but who want to set up quickly a novel assay system. We encourage a dialog between readers and authors, which may also result in useful collaborations. Review "...will be of great benefit to all involved with antiviral development..." -Antiviral Research "...Together with some useful general discussions on safety and new approaches to antiviral research this volume offers extremely useful information for both the pharmaceutical industry and the academic researcher."-Microbiology Today "...the editors are to be congratulated for assembling an impressive array of experts in the field as authors for the chapters and the book should remain a valuable reference work for many years, despite the rapidly moving nature of the discipline." - Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy From the Back Cover In Antiviral Methods and Protocols, experienced scientists describe-in an easily-followed format-their state-of-the-art techniques for evaluating antiviral compounds. The assays described include systems for investigating drugs used against herpesviruses, hepatitis viruses, human immunodeficiency viruses, human papillomaviruses, and influenza viruses. These well-tested methods range from cellular assays to some of the most up-to-date molecular approaches for identifying compounds that are active against viral enzymes and the development of viral resistance against drugs currently in use. The detailed protocols also discuss possible pitfalls and ways to overcome them. Timely and comprehensive, Antiviral Methods and Protocols offers today's researchers in academia, clinical departments, and the pharmaceutical industry the powerful, reproducible, and novel methods needed to evaluate compounds effective against both acute and chronic infections.