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Overview
In recent years the development of new molecular biology tools and the elucidation of whole genome sequences have revolutionized research on pathogenic fungi. Such advances have led to the development of faster, more reliable diagnostic techniques for medically important pathogens such as Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus and Cryptococcus neoformans. In addition they have led to a major breakthrough in the approach for the generation of novel anti-fungal agents. Now it is possible to search for agents that target essential genes. Research in this area has never been more exciting.
In this book a panel of expert international mycologists critically review the most important cutting-edge topics. Chapters are written from a molecular and genomic perspective and through the provision of extensive reference sections positively encourage readers to pursue the subject in greater detail. Topics include: gene expression and regulation, heterozygosity in Candida, molecular diagnosis, regulation of the host-fungal interaction, the development of anti-fungals, signal transduction, and mechanisms of multi-drug resistance.
Essential reading for everyone with an interest in pathogenic fungi including: mycologists, biotechnologists, molecular biologists, and pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.
Synopsis
The past decade has witnessed a mushrooming of research in the area of medical mycology. San-Blas (Venezuela Institute of Scientific Investigation) and Calderone (Georgetown University) present recent work in the field. Papers on fungal dimorphism and pathogenicity focus on morphogenesis, the cell cycle, and the cell wall of human pathogens, while work on fungal structural biology reviews related to molecular and biochemical analysis. The use of mathematical modeling in building three-dimensional cell structures in the morphogenetic process is demonstrated, and papers on new taxonomic tools describe novel approaches for understanding strain variability, the significance of environmental and patient strains, and the relatedness of uncultured fungi. Of interest to mycologists, biotechnologists, and molecular biologists, the book is distributed in the US by ISBS. Annotation © 2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
Doody Review Services
Reviewer:Rebecca T. Horvat, PhD, D(ABMM)(University of Kansas Medical Center)
Description:This book on pathogenic fungi presents new advances that have occurred since the publication of two volumes in 2004 (Pathogenic Fungi: Host Interactions and Emerging Strategies for Control and Pathogenic Fungi: Structural Biology and Taxonomy).
Purpose:According to the editors, the aim of this book is to support the "busy research scientist and/or teacher of medical mycology to keep abreast of...the latest advances in...fungal pathogens." This aptly sums up the role of this new book. The authors present a succinct review of new information on fungal pathogenicity.
Audience:This book is designed chiefly for scientists working in the area of fungal pathogenicity, but it could be used as a textbook for a graduate course. The authors involved in this updated version are all productive scientists working in this field.
Features:This new volume focuses on gene expression and regulation in fungal pathogens. It describes how to use a molecular approach to discover new antifungal drugs. Several chapters provide important new information about the host-fungal interaction. The book demonstrates the signaling between the yeast or fungi and the host cells. It then discusses how this interaction can change during the process from normal, harmless flora to a dangerous pathogen. There is fascinating information on the pathogen-specific recognition receptors used by the host immune response to innately respond to this invasion. These chapters also describe the coordination between innate and adaptive immune responses. Additional interesting information is how biofilms are used by fungal pathogen to protect the colony and assist survival within a host. There is additional data on the ability to detect fungi using new molecular techniques as diagnostic tools.
Assessment:This new volume on the current research on fungal pathogens is a valuable resource for both scientists and clinicians. These discoveries will clearly lead to new drug discoveries and therapeutic tests that will save the lives of many patients.
Editorials
From The Critics
Reviewer: Rebecca T. Horvat, PhD, D(ABMM)(University of Kansas Medical Center)Description: This book on pathogenic fungi presents new advances that have occurred since the publication of two volumes in 2004 (Pathogenic Fungi: Host Interactions and Emerging Strategies for Control and Pathogenic Fungi: Structural Biology and Taxonomy).
Purpose: According to the editors, the aim of this book is to support the "busy research scientist and/or teacher of medical mycology to keep abreast of...the latest advances in...fungal pathogens." This aptly sums up the role of this new book. The authors present a succinct review of new information on fungal pathogenicity.
Audience: This book is designed chiefly for scientists working in the area of fungal pathogenicity, but it could be used as a textbook for a graduate course. The authors involved in this updated version are all productive scientists working in this field.
Features: This new volume focuses on gene expression and regulation in fungal pathogens. It describes how to use a molecular approach to discover new antifungal drugs. Several chapters provide important new information about the host-fungal interaction. The book demonstrates the signaling between the yeast or fungi and the host cells. It then discusses how this interaction can change during the process from normal, harmless flora to a dangerous pathogen. There is fascinating information on the pathogen-specific recognition receptors used by the host immune response to innately respond to this invasion. These chapters also describe the coordination between innate and adaptive immune responses. Additional interesting information is how biofilms are used by fungal pathogen to protect the colony and assist survival within a host. There is additional data on the ability to detect fungi using new molecular techniques as diagnostic tools.
Assessment: This new volume on the current research on fungal pathogens is a valuable resource for both scientists and clinicians. These discoveries will clearly lead to new drug discoveries and therapeutic tests that will save the lives of many patients.