Short description:

Reports of influenza-like illnesses date back to the Middle Ages, and outbreaks of influenza likely afflicted humans long before that. Over the last half century, influenza virus research has led to the development of two classes of antivirals ? ion channel and neuraminidase inhibitors. Recently, a method of the artificial generation of an influenza virus was established. This system has been instrumental in the development of novel influenza vaccines and in the understanding of viral pathogenicity and the functions of viral proteins. Influenza Virus: Methods and Protocols summarizes the current techniques that have made this progress possible, ranging from protocols for virus isolation, growth, and subtyping to procedures for the efficient generation of any influenza virus. Written in the successful Methods in Molecular Biology? series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.

Authoritative and easily accessible, Influenza Virus: Methods and Protocols seeks to serve both professionals and novices with the techniques used in numerous laboratories around the world that are, thus, the building blocks that underpin almost all influenza virus research.

Long description:

Reports of influenza-like illnesses date back to the Middle Ages, and outbreaks of influenza likely afflicted humans long before that. Over the last half century, influenza virus research has led to the development of two classes of antivirals ? ion channel and neuraminidase inhibitors. Recently, a method of the artificial generation of an influenza virus was established. This system has been instrumental in the development of novel influenza vaccines and in the understanding of viral pathogenicity and the functions of viral proteins. Influenza Virus: Methods and Protocols summarizes the current techniques that have made this progress possible, ranging from protocols for virus isolation, growth, and subtyping to procedures for the efficient generation of any influenza virus. Written in the successful Methods in Molecular Biology? series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.

Authoritative and easily accessible, Influenza Virus: Methods and Protocols seeks to serve both professionals and novices with the techniques used in numerous laboratories around the world that are, thus, the building blocks that underpin almost all influenza virus research.

From the reviews:

?The chapters are all extremely informative both for a new researcher in the field or for the more seasoned flu researcher, and I think this book would be a valuable addition to the laboratory bookshelf. ? This really is a multi-disciplinary book, which I personally think is very beneficial, as influenza researchers need to be able to approach research from all angles to try to stay one step ahead of an ever evolving virus.? (Ruth Harvey, Microbiology Today, November, 2012)

?This book describes methods to diagnose and culture influenza viruses as well as procedures used to evaluate antiviral drugs and to evaluate and produce vaccines to new viral strains. It provides detailed, step-by-step procedures for all aspects of influenza research. ? Researchers in the field of virology are the intended audience. The techniques described in the book have been used in numerous laboratories around the world and will be useful for students as well as established scientists.? (Rebecca T. Horvat, Doody?s Book Reviews, July, 2012)

Table of Contents:

Influenza Viruses ? An Introduction.- Influenza Virus Isolation.- Influenza Virus Titration, Antigenic Characterization, and Serological Methods for Antibody Detection.- Diagnosis of Influenza Virus.- Solid-phase Assays of Receptor-binding Specificity.- The Chemiluminescent Neuraminidase Inhibition Assay: A Functional Method for Detection of Influenza Virus Resistance to the Neuraminidase Inhibitors.- The Fluorescence Neuraminidase Inhibition Assay: A Functional Method for Detection of Influenza Virus Resistance to the Neuraminidase Inhibitors.- Animal Models.- Influenza Virus Surveillance, Vaccine Strain Selection and Manufacture.- Genetic Engineering of Live Attenuated Influenza Viruses.- Influenza A Virus Molecular Virology Techniques.- Reverse Genetics of Influenza Viruses.- Genetic Analysis.