Introduction to Modern Virology

by N.J. Dimmock, Sandy B. Primrose

The latest edition of this best-selling textbook continues to provide a unique cross-sectional study of virology. The text emphasizes structural and functional principles common to different species of virus rather than attempting a less useful taxonomic analysis. An entirely new chapter on HIV and AIDS has been added, providing a valuable vertical profile of an extremely important viral infection. The coverage of all aspects of immunology has been fully updated to take account of recent advances, especially in the T-cell area and in their relation to viral pathogenesis. New and powerful techniques such as PCR are explained in detail and their importance in virology demonstrated. The fourth edition will retain its place as the textbook of choice in virology, continuing to relate our current understanding of viral structure and function in relation to disease, and demonstrating how advances in molecular and cell biology and genetics are affecting the study and control of viruses.

Genres: Biology

264 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1980

Reviews

[lolineka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice introductory reading in virology. But rather soon it turns into somewhat fluent overview of known facts. It's clear, that viruses difficult to be studied and described in such a strictly systematic manner as cellular forms of life e.g. Procaryota/Eukaryota.

First part of the book is kind of compendium of general facts about distinct viruses and their families, which lead to some less or more general conclusions. Next, comes the part where are described some selected species of importance to human being, animals and plants (primarily as pathogenic agents ofc). There, in my mind, one would expect more details on the physiology of those. But this is not the case. Probably, this would blow book volume drastically... So this is why it's called introduction, after all.

Unlike some other books of this ilk, this one doesn't contain such basics like f.ex. extensive DNA structure description, biosynthesis and host biology info. So, some prerequisites in biology required. As viruses still remain a moving target in numerous aspects, this book unavoidably misses things. Not pretending to be comprehensive, it is just a trampoline. Further details have to be mined from articles (virology is not exception here, but it's affected even more than other branches of science about life). In general, what authors aim at, they definitely reach, in my opinion.

All in all, really decent reading, and worth time if you find yourself interested in the topic, have some background already, but you're not a virologist yet :)
(BTW, funny British writing makes it only better :)

PS: don't even try to dig out something COVID-19 there.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent text either as an introduction to virology or to use as a recap. I’ve picked it up 10 years after my degree and it’s engaging and clear.

I’ve never seen a lecture by Prof Dimmock so cannot comment, but if you ever get the chance to attend teaching done by Profs Easton or Leppard then do it - they’re both excellent speakers.

[H M Al amin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have studied this for my semester course. It was a really Interesting book. I have kept this book, in my collection. Hope in future, I will be able to use this books for my future reference.