Antiviral Research: Strategies in Antiviral Drug Discovery Doody's Expert Review Review Questionnaire ISBN: 9781555814397 ISBN-10: 1555814395 Copyright: 2009 Edition: 1st Editor: LaFemina, Robert L. Doody's Expert Review    Score: 78 Doody's Star Rating™ and Doody's Expert Review provide by Doody Enterprises, Inc. Reviewer: Rebecca Horvat,  PhD, D(ABMM)  (University of Kansas Medical Center) Description This book reviews the biochemical mechanisms of current antiviral agents and examines the approach taken to discover new antiviral agents. It also provides details on the techniques used to discover and test these new compounds. Purpose It is designed to bring together research on antiviral agents in a single place and compare the methods used to discover new therapeutic antiviral agents. The compilation of this information in one book will aid other scientist in developing new antiviral agents. Audience This will appeal to scientists working on new compounds that act to interrupt the viral pathogenesis pathways. It also might be of interest to those involved in the study of cell processes. It is written by accomplished scientists who work in this area of antiviral drug discovery and would be of interest to more advanced scientists. Features The book begins with a review of the first successful antiviral agent used as effective therapy against herpes simplex virus. This sets the stage for the rest of the book. It is clear that the current antiviral agents have had a tremendous impact on the clinical outcome of several well-known viral infections such as human immunodeficiency virus and herpesvirus infection. However, viruses are very fluid and have begun to develop resistance to the current agents, thus new drugs are needed to continue to control these devastating diseases. The discovery of new antiviral agents begins with an understanding of the cellular pathway required for viral replication. New agents can then be designed to block the viral replication without damaging uninfected cells. The remaining chapters describe this discovery process and the potential for new antiviral agents. They also describe the methods used in this endeavor. Assessment This book details information on viral pathways in the cell and the mechanism of antiviral action and would be very useful to scientists working on antiviral agents. Most of the chapters address drugs that target HIV and herpesviruses, and there is no data on antiviral agents used to treat hepatitis B, a major viral pathogen. Review Questionnaire Range Question Score 1-10 Are the author's objectives met? 6 1-10 Rate the worthiness of those objectives. 8 1-5 Is this written at an appropriate level? 5 1-5 Is there significant duplication? (1=significant, 5=insignificant) 3 1-5 Are there significant omissions? (1=significant, 5=insignificant) 3 1-5 Rate the authority of the authors. 4 1-5 Are there sufficient illustrations? 5 1-5 Rate the pedagogic value of the illustrations. 4 1-5 Rate the print quality of the illustrations. 4 1-5 Are there sufficient references? 5 1-5 Rate the currency of the references. 4 1-5 Rate the pertinence of the references. 4 1-5 Rate the helpfulness of the index. 3 1-5 If important in this specialty, rate the physical appearance of the book N/A 1-10 Is this a worthwhile contribution to the field? 8 1-10 If this is a 2nd or later edition, is this new edition needed? N/A ©2024 Doody Enterprises, Inc.