Harnessing the Power of Viruses

Harnessing the Power of Viruses

Author: Boriana Marintcheva

Publisher: Academic Press

Published: 2017-11-13

Total Pages: 298

ISBN-13: 0128105151

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Harnessing the Power of Viruses explores the application of scientific knowledge about viruses and their lives to solve practical challenges and further advance molecular sciences, medicine and agriculture. The book contains virus-based tools and approaches in the fields of: i) DNA manipulations in vitro and in vivo; ii) Protein expression and characterization; and iii) Virus- Host interactions as a platform for therapy and biocontrol are discussed. It steers away from traditional views of viruses and technology, focusing instead on viral molecules and molecular processes that enable science to better understand life and offer means for addressing complex biological phenomena that positively influence everyday life. The book is written at an intermediate level and is accessible to novices who are willing to acquire a basic level of understanding of key principles in molecular biology, but is also ideal for advanced readers interested in expanding their biological knowledge to include practical applications of molecular tools derived from viruses. Explores virus-based tools and approaches in DNA manipulation, protein expression and characterization and virus-host interactions Provides a dedicated focus on viral molecules and molecular processes that enable science to better understand life and address complex biological phenomena Includes an overview of modern technologies in biology that were developed using viral components/elements and knowledge about viral processes


Nature's Viral Defenders

Nature's Viral Defenders

Author: Olivia Grant

Publisher:

Published: 2024-01-03

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13:

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Detailed overview of the viral challenges of today and the importance of herbal antivirals Since the beginning of recorded history, the possibility of contracting a viral infection has been one of humanity's primary worries. Since the discovery of novel viruses and the occurrence of pandemics on a global scale, this probability has only grown. During the course of the last ten years, we have seen various outbreaks of potentially fatal viruses, including Ebola, Zika, and COVID-19. These epidemics have caused widespread alarm and economic damage, underscoring the need for comprehensive ways to prevent and cure infectious diseases caused by viruses. Even though there have been great advancements in the treatment of viral infections by modern medicine, there is an increasing interest in employing natural therapies such as herbal antivirals to support the immune system and create resilience against viral threats. This section provides a detailed overview of the current viral threats and the significance of herbal antivirals in the fight against viral infections. Globally, humanity is currently confronting a number of viral threats, some of which have already caused substantial damage to public health as well as the economy of the entire world. The following are some of the most serious viral dangers that the world is now facing COVID-19 is a newly discovered coronavirus that first appeared in Wuhan, China, in December of 2019. It swiftly dispersed throughout the world, resulting in a pandemic on a worldwide scale. There have been almost 200 million confirmed cases of COVID-19, and there have been 4 million deaths as of August 2021. This has led to severe morbidity and mortality. The epidemic has also had a huge impact on the economy, with several countries suffering from recession and job loss as a direct result


Viral Vectors

Viral Vectors

Author: Michael G. Kaplitt

Publisher: Academic Press

Published: 1995-08-14

Total Pages: 486

ISBN-13: 008054357X

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Genetic manipulation of the adult mammalian nervous system is one of the most exciting areas in contemporary neurobiology. The explosive growth of this field has been facilitated by harnessing the power of viruses to transfer genetic material into mammalian cells. Viral Vectors: Gene Therapy and Neuroscience Applications represents the first comprehensive review of viral vector applications to the nervous system by leaders in virology, molecular neurobiology, neuroanatomy, and developmental neurobiology. It serves both as a source of fundamental information for those newly interested in viral vectors and as a compilation of state-of-the-art technologies and applications for more experienced researchers. This work provides expert background information on viral systems, and the broad range of applications will help readers appreciate the current and future impact of viral vectors in both clinical and basic neuroscience.


Herbal Strategies Against Viruses

Herbal Strategies Against Viruses

Author: Richard Fieldstone

Publisher:

Published: 2024-04-10

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13:

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An insightful and thorough investigation into herbal therapy as a powerful defense against viral infections can be found in "Harnessing the Power of Botanicals in Viral Infections." The book explores the long history and solid scientific data demonstrating the effectiveness of herbs in fighting viral infections, emphasizing maximizing the therapeutic potential of botanical treatments. Through careful investigation and case studies, the writers make a strong case for incorporating herbal remedies into conventional medical practices. The book walks readers through various plants known for having antiviral qualities, such as licorice root, echinacea, elderberry, and garlic. Every plant is thoroughly investigated, clarifying its modes of action and therapeutic uses in managing and preventing viral infections. The book also offers helpful advice on how to incorporate herbal treatments into daily living, including where to find premium plants, make potent formulations, and dose them for optimal impact. Readers can explore herbal formulations, from teas and tinctures to capsules and topical applications, based on their specific needs and preferences. The book delves into a comprehensive approach to viral infections beyond its focus on herbal remedies. It highlights the significance of lifestyle elements like stress reduction, nutrition, and immunological enhancement in enhancing the body's defense mechanisms. "Herbal Strategies Against Viruses" is more than just a manual; it's an ode to nature's tenacity and knowledge in overcoming one of the biggest threats to human health. This book is an invaluable tool for herbal lovers, medical experts, and anyone looking for natural remedies for viral infections in a world that is getting more complicated. It is full of helpful information and insightful observations.


Bugs as Drugs

Bugs as Drugs

Author: Robert A. Britton

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2020-07-02

Total Pages: 514

ISBN-13: 1555819702

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Examining the enormous potential of microbiome manipulation to improve health Associations between the composition of the intestinal microbiome and many human diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, and cancer, have been elegantly described in the past decade. Now, whole-genome sequencing, bioinformatics, and precision gene-editing techniques are being combined with centuries-old therapies, such as fecal microbiota transplantation, to translate current research into new diagnostics and therapeutics to treat complex diseases. Bugs as Drugs provides a much-needed overview of microbes in therapies and will serve as an excellent resource for scientists and clinicians as they carry out research and clinical studies on investigating the roles the microbiota plays in health and disease. In Bugs as Drugs, editors Robert A. Britton and Patrice D. Cani have assembled a fascinating collection of reviews that chart the history, current efforts, and future prospects of using microorganisms to fight disease and improve health. Sections cover traditional uses of probiotics, next-generation microbial therapeutics, controlling infectious diseases, and indirect strategies for manipulating the host microbiome. Topics presented include: How well-established probiotics support and improve host health by improving the composition of the intestinal microbiota of the host and by modulating the host immune response. The use of gene editing and recombinant DNA techniques to create tailored probiotics and to characterize next-generation beneficial microbes. For example, engineering that improves the anti-inflammatory profile of probiotics can reduce the number of colonic polyps formed, and lactobacilli can be transformed into targeted delivery systems carrying therapeutic proteins or bioengineered bacteriophage. The association of specific microbiota composition with colorectal cancer, liver diseases, osteoporosis, and inflammatory bowel disease. The gut microbiota has been proposed to serve as an organ involved in regulation of inflammation, immune function, and energy homeostasis. Fecal microbiota transplantation as a promising treatment for numerous diseases beyond C. difficile infection. Practical considerations for using fecal microbiota transplantation are provided, while it is acknowledged that more high-quality evidence is needed to ascertain the importance of strain specificity in positive treatment outcomes. Because systems biology approaches and synthetic engineering of microbes are now high-throughput and cost-effective, a much wider range of therapeutic possibilities can be explored and vetted.


Gene Therapy for Viral Infections

Gene Therapy for Viral Infections

Author: Patrick Arbuthnot

Publisher: Academic Press

Published: 2015-06-01

Total Pages: 391

ISBN-13: 0124114520

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Gene Therapy for Viral Infections provides a comprehensive review of the broader field of nucleic acid and its use in treating viral infections. The text bridges the gap between basic science and important clinical applications of the technology, providing a systematic, integrated review of the advances in nucleic acid-based antiviral drugs and the potential advantages of new technologies over current treatment options. Coverage begins with the fundamentals, exploring varying topics, including harnessing RNAi to silence viral gene expression, antiviral gene editing, viral gene therapy vectors, and non-viral vectors. Subsequent sections include detailed coverage of the developing use of gene therapy for the treatment of specific infections, the principles of rational design of antivirals, and the hurdles that currently face the further advancement of gene therapy technology. Provides coverage of gene therapy for a variety of infections, including HBV, HCV, HIV, hemorrhagic fever viruses, and respiratory and other viral infections Bridges the gap between the basic science and the important medical applications of this technology Features a broad approach to the topic, including an essential overview and the applications of gene therapy, synthetic RNA, and other antiviral strategies that involve nucleic acid engineering Presents perspectives on the future use of nucleic acids as a novel class of antiviral drugs Arms the reader with the cutting-edge information needed to stay abreast of this developing field


The Baculoviruses

The Baculoviruses

Author: Lois K. Miller

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 1997-07-31

Total Pages: 480

ISBN-13: 9780306456411

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The past decade has witnessed an explosion of information on the molecular biology of insect viruses and a frenzy of activity in applying this information to medicine and agriculture. Genetically engineered baculoviruses are presently being tested for commercial use as pesticides, and the study of such viruses is also revealing remarkable insights into basic cellular processes such as apoptosis. This comprehensive volume provides readers with knowledge of basic and applied baculovirology so that current literature in the field can be appreciated.


The Viral Network

The Viral Network

Author: Theresa MacPhail

Publisher: Cornell University Press

Published: 2015-03-03

Total Pages: 247

ISBN-13: 0801454883

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In The Viral Network, Theresa MacPhail examines our collective fascination with and fear of viruses through the lens of the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. In April 2009, a novel strain of H1N1 influenza virus resulting from a combination of bird, swine, and human flu viruses emerged in Veracruz, Mexico. The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) announced an official end to the pandemic in August 2010. Experts agree that the global death toll reached 284,500. The public health response to the pandemic was complicated by the simultaneous economic crisis and by the public scrutiny of official response in an atmosphere of widespread connectivity. MacPhail follows the H1N1 influenza virus's trajectory through time and space in order to construct a three-dimensional picture of what happens when global public health comes down with a case of the flu.The Viral Network affords a rare look inside the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, as well as Hong Kong’s virology labs and Centre for Health Protection, during a pandemic. MacPhail looks at the day-to-day practices of virologists and epidemiologists to ask questions about the production of scientific knowledge, the construction of expertise, disease narratives, and the different "cultures" of public health in the United States, Europe, Hong Kong, and China. The chapters of the book move from the micro to the macro, from Hong Kong to Atlanta, from the lab to the WHO, from the pandemic past in 1918 to the future. The various historical, scientific, and cultural narratives about flu recounted in this book show how biological genes and cultural memes become interwoven in the stories we tell during a pandemic. Ultimately, MacPhail argues that the institution of global public health is as viral as the viruses it tracks, studies, and helps to contain or eradicate. The "global" is itself viral in nature.


The Application of Viruses to Biotechnology

The Application of Viruses to Biotechnology

Author: Carla Varanda

Publisher: Mdpi AG

Published: 2021-12-21

Total Pages: 306

ISBN-13: 9783036525396

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Viruses are microscopic agents that exist worldwide and are present in humans, animals, plants, and other living organisms in which they can cause devastating diseases. However, the advances of biotechnology and next-generation sequencing technologies have accelerated novel virus discovery, identification, sequencing, and manipulation, showing that they present unique characteristics that place them as valuable tools for a wide variety of biotechnological applications. Many applications of viruses have been used for agricultural purposes, namely concerning plant breeding and plant protection. Nevertheless, it is interesting to mention that plants have also many advantages to be used in vaccine production, such as the low cost and low risks they entail, showing once more the versatility of the use of viruses in biotechnology. Although it will obviously never be ignored that viruses are responsible for devastating diseases, it is clear that the more they are studied, the more possibilities they offer to us. They are now on the front line of the most revolutionizing techniques in several fields, providing advances that would not be possible without their existence. In this book there are presented studies that demonstrate the work developed using viruses in biotechnology. These studies were brought by experts that focus on the development and applications of many viruses in several fields, such as agriculture, the pharmaceutical industry, and medicine.