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Microbial subversion of host cells

Microbes have co-evolved with other organisms for eons, to the extent that some are so acquainted with host cell biology that they subvert key cellular processes with unrivalled precision. Pathogenic bacteria and viruses, for example, are extremely adept at intercepting host signal transduction pathways, re-routing protein traffic, remodelling the cytoskeleton and influencing host cell differentiation or death. Symbionts and commensal organisms, too, have evolved sophisticated strategies to derive benefit from the host environment without eliciting responses that compromise their viability. This volume reviews this exciting new discipline, reflecting both the recent explosion of knowledge and the wider insights into fundamental cellular processes that are provided. The authors, chosen for their contributions to the field, cover all the salient aspects using a range of model systems.

Airborne microbes; seventeenth symposium of the Society for General Microbiology held at the Imperial College, London, April 1967

Molecular pathogenesis of virus infections

Virus and prion diseases remain a major public health threat, in both developed and developing countries. The worldwide HIV pandemic is but one example of a newly emerged virus disease; other potential threats come from exotic viruses such as SARS, Ebola and Hantaan viruses. Older human viruses such as influenza, papilloma, herpes and the hepatitis viruses still cause major health problems. Furthermore, as well as causing acute infections, some viruses may also establish persistent infections which can lead to the development of chronic diseases, including cancer. This symposium book covers central factors that influence the pathogenicity of virus and prion infections. Topics range from innate and adaptive immune responses and virus evasion of host defences to details of selected virus host interactions, including those involving dengue virus, HIV, influenza viruses, coronaviruses, hepatitis C virus, herpesviruses, papillomaviruses, African swine fever virus and poxviruses.