Abstract

Over the last ten years, much effort has been devoted to improving the biophysical techniques used in the study of viruses. This has resulted in the visualization of these large macromolecular assemblages at atomic level, thus providing the platform for functional interpretation and therapeutic design. Structural Virology covers a wide range of topics and is split into three sections. The first discusses the vast biophysical methodologies used in structural virology, including sample production and purification, confocal microscopy, mass spectrometry, negative-stain and cryo-electron microscopy, X-ray crystallography and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The second discusses the role of virus capsid protein structures in determining the functional roles required for receptor recognition, cellular entry, capsid assembly, genome packaging and mechanisms of host immune system evasion. The last section discusses therapeutic strategies based on virus protein structures, including the design of antiviral drugs and the development of viral capsids as vehicles for foreign gene delivery. Each topic covered will begin with a review of the current literature followed by a more detailed discussion of experimental procedures, a step in the viral life cycle, or strategies for therapeutic development. With contributions from experts in the field of structural biology and virology this exceptional monograph will appeal to biomedical scientists involved in basic and /or applied research on viruses. It also provides up-to-date reference material for students entering the field of structural virology as well as scientists already familiar with the area.
Mavis Agbandje-McKenna is currently Director of the Center for Structural Biology and Associate Professor at the University of Florida College of Medicine. She obtained her BSc (Hons) in Human Biology and Chemistry from the University of Hertfordshire and a PhD in Biophysics at the University of London Institute of Cancer Research. Her postdoctoral research was at Purdue University before she was appointed Senior Research Fellow at the University of Warwick, UK. Robert McKenna obtained his BSc (Physics and Biology) and PhD in Crystallography from the University of London. His postdoctoral research was at Purdue University before he accepted the post of Warwick Research Fellow in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Warwick. He is currently Associate Professor at the University of Florida College of Medicine.