Main description:

These books bring together a panel of expert arbovirologists who recall the history of arbovirology from very personal perspectives. In these timely volumes, the authors describe seminal moments in their experiences in the field and how they integrated these findings with lab studies to further clarify the ecology and epidemiology of diverse arboviruses. Authors identify the most pressing questions that remain to be answered, providing a basis for current research and a stimulus to engage those entering the field.

Over the last 20 years a generational gap has developed between the giants of arbovirus research and discovery and the new generation. This gap developed due to an ebbing of training and investment in passing the scepter to the next generation, leading to a lack of continuity among the generations that threatens to derail the rich history of virus discovery, field epidemiology and understanding of the richness of diversity that surrounds us. This lack of continuity may have immediate and disastrous consequences for public health when yet to be discovered arboviruses emerge. The purpose of these books is to bridge this gap by providing a historical context for the work being done today and provide continuity between the generations. To this end, the books provide a narrative of the thrill of scientific discovery and excitement of field adventures and lab studies of that generation -- essential reading for every arbovirologist, and highly recommended for all virologists and public health officials, as well as those students considering future research options. Volume I consists of the personal reflections of arbovirologists who played a significant role in the advancement of arbovirology across the globe. Volume II transitions to descriptions of region-specific and virus family-specific perspectives of arbovirology, as well as recollections of the early events of molecular advances and pathogenesis studies.

Volume II addresses region- and virus family-specific perspectives, as well as molecular biology and pathogenesis

Offers a comprehensive historical analysis of arbovirology by crucial contributors to this field

First-hand narratives of seminal studies and experiments, illuminating how these have contributed to current knowledge

Contents:

Part I. Molecular Biology and Pathogenesis1. RNAi: The Mosquito Defense System Against Damage Due to Arbovirus Infection2. A First-hand Account of the Progression of Flavivirus Molecular Biology3. Sindbis Virus: Studies of Alphavirus Pathogenesis4. Mechanisms of Tick-borne Virus Transmission5. The Use of Humanized Mice to Understand Arbovirus Pathogenesis6. Molecular Biology of Arboviruses
Part II. Regional7. Mosquito-Virus-Environment Interactions8. A Brief Historical Overview of the Discovery of Arboviruses in the USSR and Russia9. The History of the Emergence of La Crosse Encephalitis Virus in the Driftless Area of the United States: A Mosquito Runs Through It!10. "It Isn't Going to Reach Here": Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis in Texas, 197111. History of Arbovirology in Canada12. Arbovirus Discovery in the British Empire: India and Africa, c. 1880-196013. History of Arbovirology in Japan14. Ockelbo Disease in Sweden: Unraveling the Epidemiology, Ecology, and Evolution of Sindbis Virus15. Human Arboviruses in Eastern, South-Eastern, and Southern Asia: A Brief History of Their Isolation and Characteristics16. History of Arbovirus Research in Kenya17. Vector Studies in the Amazon Basin Region of Peru18. Zika Virus Studies in West Africa
Part III. Virus Families19. Hemorrhagic Fevers20. Chronicles of Hantaviruses: Virus Discovery to Vaccine Candidates21. A History of Tick-Borne Encephalitis and Its Virus22. Kyasanur Forest Disease23. The Discovery of Insect-Specific Viruses in Australia: Mossies, Old Mates, and New Methods