Toxin: The cunning of bacterial poisons by Alistair J. Lax (English) Hardcover B

Description: Toxin by Alistair J. Lax Alistair Lax takes a fascinating look at these most devious molecules, explaining the many ingenious mechanisms they use to penetrate our cells defences, and the deadly pandemics that result. A story not only of disease but also of human rivalry and persistence in our struggle to understand, combat, and harness these powerful toxins. FORMAT Hardcover LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description What do the following have in common: the promise of Botox as the key to everlasting youthful looks; E. coli O157 hamburger disease; a mysterious illness which killed 35 heroin users in 2000; and the assassination by poisoned umbrella-tip of a Bulgarian dissident in the 1970s? The answer is that all of these are caused by toxins, the powerful biological poisons released by bacteria and some plants. In Toxin, Alistair Lax reveals thepanoply of ways in which bacterial toxins overcome the defences of our cells. He explains how they work, how they are so successful in causing major diseases, the terrible human impact they have had, and howapparently new diseases arise from them. He also discusses how we can combat toxins, and how we can harness their actions for beneficial purposes. Enlivened by the very human story of the persistence, rivalries, and insights from which modern microbiology grew, Toxin is the first widely accessible account of this exciting and important topic. Notes Fascinating account of these ingenious and opportunistic biological poisons. Author Biography Alistair Lax is Professor of Cellular Microbiology at Kings 3ollege London. His research has focused on the interaction of bacterial toxins with the cells in the hosts body. He has published numerous papers in international journals. This is his first book for the wider public. Table of Contents 1: Toxins are everywhere: how toxins affected history2: The germ of an idea: a gradual acceleration up to the mid 1850s3: The Golden Age of Microbiology: Pasteur, Koch and the birth of the toxin concept4: The anatomy of diphtheria: taming the deadly scourge of childhood5: Understanding: all toxins fit into three basic mechanisms6: Why are plague and typhoid so deadly? A further layer of cleverness7: Deviant biology: weapons, espionage and mans innate inhumanity8: A more optimistic outcome: from poison to cure and the cell biologists toolkit9: Where is toxinology going now? Is there anything new out there?Further readingReferencesIndex Review An enjoyable read. I would thoroughly recommend Toxin to students of biology and related subjects. * Susan Omar, Biologist * Promotional A highly accessible account into the science of bacterial toxins--what they are, how they work, and the terrible human impact they have had Long Description What do the following have in common: the promise of Botox as the key to everlasting youthful looks; E. coli O157 hamburger disease; a mysterious illness which killed 35 heroin users in 2000; and the assassination by poisoned umbrella-tip of a Bulgarian dissident in the 1970s? The answer is that all of these are caused by toxins, the powerful biological poisons released by bacteria and some plants. In Toxin, Alistair Lax reveals thepanoply of ways in which bacterial toxins overcome the defences of our cells. He explains how they work, how they are so successful in causing major diseases, the terrible human impact they have had, and how apparently new diseases arise from them. He also discusses how we can combat toxins, and how we canharness their actions for beneficial purposes. Enlivened by the very human story of the persistence, rivalries, and insights from which modern microbiology grew, Toxin is the first widely accessible account of this exciting and important topic. Review Quote An enjoyable read. I would thoroughly recommend Toxin to students of biology and related subjects. Promotional "Headline" 1. Introduction: The importance of toxins 2. The Golden Age of microbiology 3. The search for mechanism: the study of diphtheria 4. The three ways that toxins attack cells 5. New toxins explain old diseases 6. From poison to cure 7. Deadly weapons: the abuse of biology 8. The cell biologists toolkit: tools to explain us 9. Where now? Appendix I: A brief summary of molecular biology Appendix II: Some basic concepts in cell biology Further reading Index Feature A fascinating account of these ingenious and opportunistic biological poisons.Highly topical, as bacterial toxins play a key role in global diseases, in biological weapons of terror such as anthrax, in cutting edge cancer research, and even in the cosmetic industry.A good introduction to this exciting area of microbiology for both general readers and students.There is no other popular science book on the topic of bacterial toxins. Details ISBN0198605587 Author Alistair J. Lax Short Title TOXIN Language English ISBN-10 0198605587 ISBN-13 9780198605584 Media Book Format Hardcover Year 2005 Imprint Oxford University Press Place of Publication Oxford Country of Publication United Kingdom Edition 1st Birth 1953 Affiliation Guys, Kings and St Thomas Dental Institute, Kings College London, Subtitle The cunning of bacterial poisons DOI 10.1604/9780198605584 UK Release Date 2005-10-27 AU Release Date 2005-10-27 NZ Release Date 2005-10-27 Pages 204 Publisher Oxford University Press Publication Date 2005-10-27 DEWEY 615.95293 Illustrations numerous halftones, 1 table, 1 line drawing Audience Professional & Vocational We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! TheNile_Item_ID:97827498;

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