Chapter 8 discusses the approaches and challenges of antiviral drug discovery. In Chapter 9, the new chapter in this edition, we describe the rapidly expanding applications of viruses as therapeutic agents. The origin of viruses, the drivers of viral evolution, and host-virus conflicts are the subjects of Chapter 10. The principles of emerging virus infections, and humankind’s experiences with epidemic and pandemic viral infections, are considered in Chapter 11. Chapter 12 is devoted entirely to the “AIDS virus,” human immunodeficiency virus type 1, not only because it is the causative agent of the most serious current worldwide epidemic but also because of its unique and informative interactions with the human immune defenses. Volume II ends with a chapter on unusual infectious agents, viroids, satellites, and prions.
The Appendix of Volume II affords snapshots of the pathogenesis of common human viruses. This appendix has been completely re-envisioned in this edition, and now includes panels that define pathogenesis, vaccine and antiviral options, and the course of the infection through the human body. This consistent format should allow students to find information more easily, and compare properties of the selected viruses.
For some behind-the-scenes information about how the authors created the previous edition of Principles of Virology, see: http://bit.ly/Virology_MakingOf.
Acknowledgments
These two volumes of Principles could not have been composed and revised without help and contributions from many individuals. We are most grateful for the continuing encouragement from our colleagues in virology and the students who use the text. Our sincere thanks also go to colleagues who have taken considerable time and effort to review the text in its evolving manifestations. Their expert knowledge and advice on issues ranging from teaching virology to organization of individual chapters and style were invaluable and are inextricably woven into the final form of the book.
We also are grateful to those who gave so generously of their time to serve as expert reviewers of individual chapters or specific topics in these two volumes: Siddharth Balachandran (Fox Chase Cancer Center), Paul Bieniasz (Rockefeller University), Christoph Seeger (Fox Chase Cancer Center), and Laura Steel (Drexel University College of Medicine). Their rapid responses to our requests for details and checks on accuracy, as well as their assistance in simplifying complex concepts, were invaluable.
As noted in “What’s New,” we benefited from the efforts of the students and postdoctoral fellows who provided critiques on our chapters and helped to guide our revisions: Pradeep Morris Ambrose, Ruchita Balasubramanian, Mariana Nogueira Batista, Pierre Michel Jean Beltran, Marni S. Crow, Qiang Ding, Florian Douam, Jenna M. Gaska, Laura J. Halsey, Eliana Jacobson, Orkide O. Koyuncu, Robert LeDesma, Rebecca Markham, Alexa McIntyre, Katelynn A. Milora, Laura A. M. Nerger, Morgan Pantuck, Chen Peng, Katrien Poelaert, Daniel Poston, Anagha Prasanna, Pavithran T. Ravindran, Inna Ricardo-Lax, Fabian Schmidt, Andreas Solomos, Nikhila Shree Tanneti, Sharon M. Washio, Riley M. Williams, and Kai Wu.
Since the inception of this work, our belief has been that the illustrations must complement and enrich the text. The illustrations are an integral part of the text, and credit for their execution goes to the knowledge, insight, and artistic talent of Patrick Lane of ScEYEnce Studios. A key to common figure elements is provided following the “About the Authors” section. As noted in the figure legends, many could not have been completed without the help and generosity of numerous colleagues who provided original images. Special thanks go to those who crafted figures or videos tailored specifically to our needs, or provided multiple pieces in this latest edition: Jônatas Abrahão (Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais), Mark Andrake (Fox Chase Cancer Center), Irina Arkhipova (Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole), Brian Baker (University of Notre Dame), Ben Beaden (Australia Zoo, Queensland), Paul Bieniasz (Rockefeller University), Kartik Chandran (Albert Einstein College of Medicine), Elliot Lefkowitz (University of Alabama), Joseph Pogliano (University of California, San Diego), B.V. Venkatar Prasad and Liya Hu (Baylor College of Medicine), Bonnie Quigley (University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia), Jason Roberts (Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Doherty Institute, Melbourne, Australia), Michael Rout (Rockefeller University), and Nuria Verdaguer (Molecular Biology Institute of Barcelona, CSIC).
The collaborative work undertaken to prepare the fifth edition was facilitated greatly by several authors’ retreats. ASM Press generously provided financial support for these as well as for our many other meetings over the three years that this edition has been in preparation. We thank all those who guided and assisted in its production: Christine Charlip (Director, ASM Press) for her enduring support of our efforts; Megan Angelini (Managing Developmental Editor, ASM Press) for steering us through the complexities inherent in a team effort, and for keeping us on track during production; Susan Schmidler for her elegant and creative designs for the layout and cover; and Lindsay Williams (Editorial Rights Coordinator, ASM Press) for obtaining permissions for images and figures.
There is little doubt that in undertaking such a massive effort typographical errors and/or confusing statements still remain; we hope that the readership of this edition will help to remedy any mistakes. Even so, the three authors who have been part of this endeavor since it was first published in 1995, and the two who joined along the way, feel that with each new edition we get closer to our idealized vision of what this book would be. We aspire to convey more than information: we hope to educate, excite, and encourage future generations of science consumers. As Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, author of The Little Prince, once said: “If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up the workers to gather wood, divide the labor, and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea.”
This often-consuming enterprise was made possible by the emotional, intellectual, and logistical support of our families, to whom the two volumes are dedicated.
About the Authors
L to R: Jane Flint, Vincent Racaniello, Theodora Hatziioannou, Ann Skalka, Glenn Rall
Jane Flint is a Professor Emerita of Molecular Biology at Princeton University. Dr. Flint’s research focused on investigation of the molecular mechanisms by which viral gene products modulate host cell pathways and antiviral defenses to allow efficient reproduction in normal human cells of adenoviruses, viruses that are widely used in such therapeutic applications as gene transfer and cancer treatment. Her service to the scientific community includes membership on various editorial boards, several NIH study sections, and the NIH Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee.
Vincent R. Racaniello is Higgins Professor of Microbiology & Immunology at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons. Dr. Racaniello has been studying viruses for over 40 years, including poliovirus, rhinovirus, enteroviruses, hepatitis C virus, and Zika virus. He teaches virology to undergraduate, graduate, medical, dental, and nursing students and uses social media to communicate the subject outside of the classroom. His Columbia University undergraduate virology lectures have been viewed by thousands at iTunes University, Coursera, and on YouTube. Vincent blogs about viruses at virology.ws and is host of the popular science program This Week in Virology, which, together with six other science podcasts, can be found at microbe.tv.
Glenn F. Rall is a Professor and the Chief Academic Officer at the Fox Chase Cancer
