The interactions of cells with their surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a pivotal role in driving normal cell behavior, from development to tissue differentiation and function. At the cellular level, organ homeostasis depends on a productive communication between cells and ECM, which eventually leads to the normal phenotypic repertoire that characterize each cell type in the organism. A failure to establish these normal interactions and to interpret the cues emanating from the ECM is one of the major causes in abnormal development and the pathogenesis of multiple diseases. To recognize and act upon the biophysical signals that are generated by the cross talk between cells and ECM, the cells developed specific receptors, among them a unique set of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), known as the Discoidin Domain Receptors (DDRs). The DDRs are the only RTKs that specifically bind to and are activated by collagen, a major protein component of the ECM. Hence, the DDRs are part of the signaling networks that translate information from the ECM, and thus they are key regulators of cell-matrix interactions. Under physiological conditions, DDRs control cell and tissue homeostasis by acting on collagen sensors; transducing signals that regulate cell polarity, tissue morphogenesis, cell differentiation, and collagen deposition. DDRs play a key role in diseases that are characterized by dysfunction of the stromal component, which lead to abnormal collagen deposition and the resulting fibrotic response that disrupt normal organ function in disease of the cardiovascular system, lungs and kidneys, just to mention a few. In cancer, DDRs are hijacked by tumor and stromal cells to disrupt normal cell-collagen communication and initiate pro-oncogenic programs. Importantly, several cancer types exhibit DDR mutations, which are thought to alter receptor function, and contribute to cancer progression. Therefore, the strong causative association between altered RTK function and disease it is been translated today in the development of specific tyrosine kinase inhibitors targeting DDRs for various disease conditions. In spite of the accumulating evidence highlighting the importance of DDRs in health and diseases, there is still much to learn about these unique RTKs, as of today there is a lack in the medical literature of a book dedicated solely to DDRs. This is the first comprehensive volume dedicated to DDRs, which will fill a gap in the field and serve those interested in the scientific community to learn more about these important receptors in health and disease.

This title highlights the current and topical areas of research in this rapidly growing field. Expert authors from around the world provide the latest insights into the mechanisms these fascinating organisms use to survive.

Extensively revised and updated, the new edition of this valuable reference work provides a comprehensive and up-to-date analysis of the current knowledge and new research in Bacillus molecular and cellular biology.

Flaviviruses are a diverse group of small RNA enveloped viruses, many of which are important human and animal pathogens. The best known include dengue virus, yellow fever virus, Japanese encephalitis virus, and West Nile virus. These viruses are endemic in many tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. Dengue virus alone infects over 100 million people annually. In recent years, research on flaviviruses has progressed at a remarkable rate, leading to significant advances in our understanding of virus biology. This should ultimately lead to the development of better vaccine and antiviral strategies. This up-to-date and cutting-edge anthology contains contributions from the leading experts in the flavivirus field. Chapters are balanced by contributions from established investigators who have dedicated their careers to flavivirus research with those from newcomers who have recently made significant contributions to the flavivirus field. The book is divided into two sections: Molecular Virology and Virus Prevention. The first section on Molecular Virology covers: virion structure * virus replication * the NS1 glycoprotein * the NS3 protein * the NS5 protein * innate immunity and flavivirus infection * host responses to flavivirus infection * flavivirus fitness and transmission. The Virus Prevention section includes: vaccines * antibody therapy * small molecule antiviral development * flavivirus diagnostics * vector-virus interactions * vector control. The book represents an important update of flavivirus research and will serve as a reference to flavivirus researchers at the graduate level and beyond. It is a recommended text for all virology libraries.

One of the greatest public health achievements during the 20th century was the dramatic reduction in the incidence of infectious diseases due to the development of improved hygiene, vaccines, and antimicrobial agents. However, new infectious diseases are emerging and bacteria-induced illnesses - such as tuberculosis, whooping cough, and typhoid fever - are still a major cause of global mortality. In recent decades, the development of molecular biology and genetic tools has led to extensive studies on the molecular and cellular aspects of the virulence properties of pathogenic bacteria. In this book, a group of distinguished scientists from eight different countries and three continents, under the expert guidance of the editors Camille Locht and Michel Simonet, overview the molecular and cellular mechanisms of bacterial pathogenesis. The 15 chapters are organized into five sections: a) approaches to the study of bacterial pathogenesis; b) bacterial adhesion to the cell surface and extracellular matrix of host tissues; c) poisoning the host by toxins; d) cellular invasion by bacterial pathogens; and e) bacterial evasion of host defenses. The book comprehensively describe the most relevant and up-to-date information on pathogenic features across the bacterial world. Aimed at the entire scientific community from students to senior scientists and physicians, Bacterial Pathogenesis is relevant to a broad range of people interested in the mechanisms of bacterial infectious diseases and is a recommended text for all microbiology laboratories.

As bacterial antibiotic resistance continues to exhaust the supply of effective antibiotics, a global public health disaster appears likely. Poor financial investment in antibiotic research has exacerbated the situation. A call to arms - raised by several prestigious scientific organizations a few years ago - rallied the scientific community and now the scope of antibacterial research has broadened considerably. Multi-disciplinary approaches have yielded a wealth of new data on areas ranging from the identification of novel antibacterial targets to the use of biological agents for antibacterial therapy. In this book, respected international experts summarize the most important concepts and pioneering strategies currently being used to develop novel antibacterials. The book opens with chapters on cellular processes that could be used as novel antibacterial targets. Examples include cell division, efflux pumps, metabolite-sensing riboswitches, and bacterial secretion systems. These are followed by excellent chapters on the identification of new, naturally occurring antibacterial agents, including phage and biosynthetically engineered compounds. Understanding the host-microbe interaction and microbial communities and how they can be exploited to develop new antibacterial strategies is discussed in subsequent chapters. Other topics include antibacterial vaccines adjuvants, host defense peptides, antibodies, within-host models, and diagnostics.

Paramyxoviruses are a diverse family of non-segmented negative strand RNA viruses that include many important human, animal, and zoonotic pathogens. Despite their enormous importance, the nature of the viral genome had proved an obstacle to research, with the result that paramyxoviral research had lagged behind that of other viruses. The advent of reverse genetics in recent years has changed this, enabling great strides in the understanding of the genomics, molecular biology, and viral pathogenesis. This book provides a timely and comprehensive review of current knowledge of all paramyxoviruses and is written by renowned scientists who have made seminal contributions in their respective paramyxovirus fields of expertise. Topics include: mumps virus * simian virus 5 * parainfluenza viruses * Newcastle disease and related avian paramyxoviruses * Sendai virus * Hendra virus * Nipah virus * measles virus * canine distemper virus * rinderpest virus * peste des petits ruminants virus * human respiratory syncytial virus * metapneumoviruses * new and emerging paramyxoviruses. Each chapter covers current knowledge on history, genome organization, viral proteins, reverse genetics, epidemiology, pathogenesis, immunity, diagnosis, prevention, and control and future challenges. This book is an invaluable reference source of timely information for virologists, microbiologists, immunologists, physicians, veterinarians, and scientists working on paramyxoviruses. It is also strongly recommended for all medical and veterinary school libraries.

The revolutionary discovery of Helicobacter pylori started a new era in the understanding and management of gastroduodenal diseases. H. pylori is associated with chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, MALT lymphoma, the pathogenesis of gastric cancer and several extra-gastric diseases. The organism displays an enormous genetic diversity and some strains harbor numerous virulence factors. No vaccines are available yet and increased antibiotic resistance of the bacteria is of growing concern. Many questions about H. pylori pathogenesis, epidemiology, prophylaxis, and treatment remain to be answered. In addition, the role of non-pylori Helicobacter species is becoming a topic of considerable medical interest. This book highlights recent research and provides an up-to-date summary of current knowledge for microbiologists, clinicians, and advanced students working with Helicobacter. The contributors offer an outstanding collection of reviews on many aspects of Helicobacter research, including: microbiology * virulence factors * immunology * vaccine research * epidemiology * diseases associated with the infection * antibiotic resistance * treatment (including the use of non-antibiotic agents). As a major reference volume on Helicobacter pylori and how it impacts on public health worldwide, the book is essential reading for those with an interest in the microbiology of H. pylori and is recommended for all microbiology libraries.

Waterborne Pathogens: Detection Methods and Applications, Second Edition, gives an overview of advanced and emerging technologies in the detection of a range of waterborne pathogens. In addition, the book presents existing methodologies, highlights where improvements can be made, includes applications, and touches on the ways in which new technologies can be applied in water management. Finally, the book addresses issues of sample preparation (from sampling, to concentration and enrichment), a key stage in any detection protocol.

Interferons (IFNs) play pivotal roles in shaping the immune responses in mammals and are particularly important for the control of viral infections, cell growth, and immune regulation. These proteins rapidly induce an anti-viral state in cells that surround infected cells. In order to survive, viruses have evolved with multiple strategies to evade the anti-viral effects of IFNs. Elucidating the molecular and cellular biology of the virus-interferon interaction is key to understanding issues, such as viral pathogenesis, latency, and the development of novel antivirals. In this book, international experts review current research topics, producing a timely overview of this exciting field. The book opens with a chapter that comprehensively reviews the antiviral effects of extracellular double-stranded RNA - the viral toxin. This is followed by chapters that review the properties of type I and type III interferons, and the role of interferon-stimulated genes. Additional chapters are devoted to understanding the diverse strategies used by clinically-relevant human viruses to subvert host interferon responses. The book closes with an interesting overview of the clinical application of interferons as antiviral and anticancer agents. It will be essential reading for every scientist involved in interferon or antiviral research and will be a recommended text for all virology laboratories.

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a significant public health problem of international importance. HCV is capable of establishing chronic infections resulting in progressive liver damage and other problems. Current drug therapies are ineffective, highlighting the need for better antiviral drugs. Recent research in HCV genetics and molecular biology have led to significant advances in our understanding of the life cycle of this important pathogen and may ultimately lead to better antiviral strategies. The editors of this book have recruited experts from around the world to produce a timely and well-compiled review of current HCV research, with an emphasis on antiviral drug development. The chapters provide in-depth reviews of the most critical areas of research. Topics include: the HCV life cycle * HCV assays * HCV resources * HCV databases * HCV infection systems * models of hepatitis C infections * overview of the drug pipeline * clinical trial design * clinical virology and drug development * NS3 protease inhibitors * NS3-NS4A complex inhibitors * NS3 helicase inhibitors * NS4B targets and inhibitors * NS5A inhibitors * nucleoside inhibitors * NS5B polymerase inhibitors * glycoprotein-dependent entry * host cell targets and inhibitors * innate immunity for HCV antiviral therapy.

Alphaherpesviruses are a fascinating group of DNA viruses that include important human pathogens, such as herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), HSV-2, and varicella-zoster virus (VZV) - the causative agents of cold sores, genital ulcerous disease, and chickenpox/shingles, respectively. A key attribute of these viruses is their ability to establish lifelong latent infection in the peripheral nervous system of the host. Such persistence requires subversion of the host's immune system and intrinsic antiviral defense mechanisms. Understanding the mechanisms of the immune evasion and what triggers viral reactivation is a major challenge for today's researchers. This has prompted enormous research efforts into understanding the molecular and cellular biology of these viruses. This up-to-date and comprehensive study distills the most important research in this area, providing a timely overview of the field. Topics include: transcriptional regulation, DNA replication, translational control, virus entry and capsid assembly, the role of microRNAs in infection, and oncolytic vectors for cancer therapy. In addition, there is coverage of virus-host interactions, including apoptosis, subversion of host protein quality control and DNA damage response pathways, autophagy, establishment and reactivation from latency, interferon responses, immunity, and vaccine development. This is essential reading for everyone working with alphaherpesviruses and will be of interest to all virologists working on latent infections.