This topical, handy volume is the perfect guide for physicians or scientists not specializing in the field, but wishing to understand exciting recent developments in cellular and molecular biology relevant to oncogene research. The terminology used in discussing oncogenes and their products is straightforwardly defined, and the concepts crucial to an understanding of oncogene research are clearly presented. Key topics are explored, including assay techniques used in molecular biology; methods for assessing behavior of normal genes and oncogenes; DNA and RNA tumor viruses; viruses inducing immunodeficiency; cellular proto-oncogenes and their relation to retroviral oncogenes; and possible roles of gene amplification and mutation, chromosomal translocation, and cellular growth factors in human cancer. An up-to-date survey of research on the major oncogenes and a discussion of the possibilities for future diagnostic and therapeutic applications of oncogene research are provided. The presentation is enhanced through many original illustrations, an appendix on oncogenes and related genes, and an up-to-date bibliography.

The National Plant Genome Initiative was launched in 1998 as a long-term project to explore DNA structure and function in plants so that useful properties of plants can be understood, improved, and ultimately harnessed to address national needs, including agriculture, nutrition, energy and waste reduction. Experts in the community were asked to consider how to build on current accomplishments in order to address major questions in plant biology and to make recommendations for objectives for the next five-year phase of the Initiative.

Infectious diseases are a global hazard that puts every nation and every person at risk. The recent SARS outbreak is a prime example. Knowing neither geographic nor political borders, often arriving silently and lethally, microbial pathogens constitute a grave threat to the health of humans. Indeed, a majority of countries recently identified the spread of infectious disease as the greatest global problem they confront. Throughout history, humans have struggled to control both the causes and consequences of infectious diseases and we will continue to do so into the foreseeable future. Following up on a high-profile 1992 report from the Institute of Medicine, Microbial Threats to Health examines the current state of knowledge and policy pertaining to emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases from around the globe. It examines the spectrum of microbial threats, factors in disease emergence, and the ultimate capacity of the United States to meet the challenges posed by microbial threats to human health. From the impact of war or technology on disease emergence to the development of enhanced disease surveillance and vaccine strategies, Microbial Threats to Health contains valuable information for researchers, students, health care providers, policymakers, public health officials. and the interested public.

Zoonotic diseases represent one of the leading causes of illness and death from infectious disease. Defined by the World Health Organization, zoonoses are "those diseases and infections that are naturally transmitted between vertebrate animals and man with or without an arthropod intermediate." Worldwide, zoonotic diseases have a negative impact on commerce, travel, and economies. In most developing countries, zoonotic diseases are among those diseases that contribute significantly to an already overly burdened public health system. In industrialized nations, zoonotic diseases are of particular concern for at-risk groups such as the elderly, children, childbearing women, and immunocompromised individuals. The Emergence of Zoonotic Diseases: Understanding the Impact on Animal and Human Health, covers a range of topics, which include: an evaluation of the relative importance of zoonotic diseases against the overall backdrop of emerging infections; research findings related to the current state of our understanding of zoonotic diseases; surveillance and response strategies to detect, prevent, and mitigate the impact of zoonotic diseases on human health; and information about ongoing programs and actions being taken to identify the most important needs in this vital area. Table of Contents Front Matter 1 Introduction 2 The Importance of Zoonotic Diseases 3 Factors of Emergence 4 Diagnosis and Control of Zoonotic Infections 5 Surveillance and Management of Zoonotic Disease Outbreaks 6 Summary and Assessment Appendix A: Glossary and Acronyms Appendix B: Workshop Agenda Appendix C: Forum Member and Speaker Biographies

The emergence of HIV disease and AIDS, the reemergence of tuberculosis, and the increased opportunity for disease spread through international travel demonstrate the critical importance of global vigilance for infectious diseases. This volume highlights risk factors for the emergence of microbial threats to health, warns against complacency in public health, and promotes early prevention as a cost-effective and crucial strategy for maintaining public health in the United States and worldwide. The volume identifies infectious disease threats posed by bacteria and viruses, as well as protozoans, helminths, and fungi. Rich in information, it includes a historical perspective on infectious disease, with focuses on Lyme disease, peptic ulcer, malaria, dengue, and recent increases in tuberculosis. The panel discusses how "new" diseases arise and how "old" ones resurge and considers the roles of human demographics and behavior, technology and industry, economic development and land use, international travel and commerce, microbial adaptation and change, and breakdown of public health measures in changing patterns of infectious disease. Also included are discussions and recommendations on disease surveillance; vaccine, drug, and pesticide development; vector control; public education and behavioral change; research and training; and strengthening of the U.S. public health system. This volume will be of immediate interest to scientists specializing in all areas of infectious diseases and microbiology, healthy policy specialists, public health officials, physicians, and medical faculty and students, as well as anyone interested in how their health can be threatened by infectious diseases. Table of Contents FRONT MATTER EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1 BACKGROUND 2 FACTORS IN EMERGENCE 3 ADDRESSING THE THREATS REFERENCES APPENDIXES A TASK FORCES B CATALOG OF EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASE AGENTS C GLOBAL RESOURCES FOR INFECTIOUS DISEASE SURVEILLANCE D COMMITTEE AND STAFF BIOGRAPHIES GLOSSARY ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS INDEX

Infectious diseases are a global hazard that puts every nation and every person at risk. The recent SARS outbreak is a prime example. Knowing neither geographic nor political borders, often arriving silently and lethally, microbial pathogens constitute a grave threat to the health of humans. Indeed, a majority of countries recently identified the spread of infectious disease as the greatest global problem they confront. Throughout history, humans have struggled to control both the causes and consequences of infectious diseases and we will continue to do so into the foreseeable future. Following up on a high-profile 1992 report from the Institute of Medicine, Microbial Threats to Health examines the current state of knowledge and policy pertaining to emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases from around the globe. It examines the spectrum of microbial threats, factors in disease emergence, and the ultimate capacity of the United States to meet the challenges posed by microbial threats to human health. From the impact of war or technology on disease emergence to the development of enhanced disease surveillance and vaccine strategies, Microbial Threats to Health contains valuable information for researchers, students, health care providers, policymakers, public health officials. and the interested public. Table of Contents Front Matter Executive Summary 1. Introduction 2. Spectrum of Microbial Threats 3. Factors of Emergence 4. Addressing the Threats: Conclusions and Recommendations Epilogue Glossary References Appendix A: Microbial Threats to Health Public Committee Meeting Agendas Appendix B: Syndromic Surveillance Appendix C: Pathogen Discovery, Detection, and Diagnostics Appendix D: Forum on Emerging Infections Membership and Publications, Board on Global Health Appendix E: Computational Modeling and Simulation of Epidemic Infectious Diseases Appendix F: Committee and Staff Biographies Index

Antibiotic resistance is neither a surprising nor a new phenomenon. It is an increasingly worrisome situation, however, because resistance is growing and accelerating while the world's tools for combating it decrease in power and number. In addition, the cost of the problem?especially of multidrug resistance?in terms of money, mortality, and disability are also rising. This book summarizes a workshop on antimicrobial resistance held by the Forum on Emerging Infections. The goal of the Forum on Emerging Infections is to provide an opportunity for representatives of academia, industry, government, and professional and interest groups to examine and discuss scientific and policy dilemmas of common interest that are specifically related to research on and the prevention, detection, and management of emerging infections. Organized as a topic-by-topic synthesis of presentations and exchanges during the workshop, the book highlights lessons learned, delineates a range of pivotal issues and the problems they raise, and proposes some simplified ideas about possible responses. Table of Contents Front Matter Workshop Summary Workshop Report Appendix A: Inventory of Surveillance Systems Appendix B: American Society for Microbiology Recommendations Appendix C: Glossary and Acronyms Appendix D: Workshop Agenda