DNA Viruses

Recently, modern laboratory techniques have been applied with great success to DNA viruses, an important viral class that shares basic survival strategies and mechanisms of pathogenesis, and also provides model systems for the investigation of basic biological processes. In DNA Viruses: Methods and Protocols, a panel of expert academic and biomedical researchers describe in detail the innovative methods they have developed to manipulate DNA viruses and characterize their varied biological properties. The authors emphasize techniques for viral detection and genetics, but also include methods for structure determination, gene expression, replication, pathogenesis, complex cellular models, recombinant genetics, and computational/systems approaches. The protocols follow the successful Methods in Molecular Biology? series format, each offering step-by-step laboratory instructions, an introduction outlining the principle behind the technique, lists of the necessary equipment and reagents, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Wide-ranging and highly practical, DNA Viruses: Methods and Protocols will stimulate new directions in research virology with its novel strategies for engineering viral vectors in gene therapy, and its advanced approaches for detecting viruses in human disease.