Book reviews
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BOOK REVIEWS Epstein, M.A. and Achong, B.G.: The Epstein-Barr virus, Springer-Verlag, Berlin-Heidelberg-New York, 1979, 72 figs., 29 tab. XIV, 459 pp., US $ 66.00, DM 120.-. The present volume provides a valuable source of in- formation on various aspects of the Epstein-Barr virus. In a very readable form the discovery, mor- phology, seroepidemiology, molecular biology and carcinogenity of the virus are dealt with. The book is subdivided into an introduction and 18 chapters. In the introductary part Epstein and Achong give a his- torical survey upon the discovery of the virus. Further- more they describe the general biology amongs which the isolation procedure and the search for strain dif- ferences. For the molecular biologist "pur-sang" several chapters, if not all, are instructive and useful. I would like to mention here chapter 5: The biochem- istry of EBV, reviewed by Becker. It appears from his discussion that there are still mechanisms in the viral life cycle that are obscure. For instance the fact that there is a change from the linear confirmation of the virus to a circular shape in the cell and again the linear form after virus synthesis. Pagano and Shaw in chap- ter 6 describe an experimental approach which is strongly suggestive for the idea that EBV is indeed a human cancer virus. Other chapters of special interest for the student of molecular biology and molecular virology are chapter 8: The state of the virus genome in transformed cells and its relationship to host cell DNA, by A. Adams; chapter 9: Early events in trans- formation of human lymphocytes by the virus, by J.L. Strominger and D. Thorley-Lawson; and chapter 10: Transformation by the virus in vitro, by I. Pope. Altogether a book which can be recommended with- out hesitation. Hardisty, M.W., Biology of the Cyclostomes, Chapman & Hall Ltd, London 1979, 428 pp., s 20.00. The cyclostomes, comprising the lampreys and hag- fishes, are of considerable interest to molecular biologists from a comparative point of view, because they are the sole survivors of the primitive jawless "fishes" which must have diverged from a common ancestor with the jawed vertebrates already in the Precambrium. Cyclostomes are therefore quite often included in comparative biochemical and immuno- logical studies. Knowledge of the biology, in the widest sense, of lampreys and hagfishes is obviously desirable for the student in these fields. This mono- graph covers the most various aspects of cyclostome phylogeny, distribution, anatomy, physiology and biochemistry in an admirable way. W.W. de J. H.B. 63
Transcript of Book reviews
BOOK REVIEWS
Epstein, M.A. and Achong, B.G.: The Epstein-Barr virus, Springer-Verlag, Berlin-Heidelberg-New York, 1979, 72 figs., 29 tab. XIV, 459 pp., US $ 66.00, DM 120.-.
The present volume provides a valuable source of in- formation on various aspects of the Epstein-Barr virus. In a very readable form the discovery, mor- phology, seroepidemiology, molecular biology and carcinogenity of the virus are dealt with. The book is subdivided into an introduction and 18 chapters. In the introductary part Epstein and Achong give a his- torical survey upon the discovery of the virus. Further- more they describe the general biology amongs which the isolation procedure and the search for strain dif- ferences. For the molecular biologist "pur-sang" several chapters, if not all, are instructive and useful. I would like to mention here chapter 5: The biochem- istry of EBV, reviewed by Becker. It appears from his discussion that there are still mechanisms in the viral life cycle that are obscure. For instance the fact that there is a change from the linear confirmation of the virus to a circular shape in the cell and again the linear form after virus synthesis. Pagano and Shaw in chap- ter 6 describe an experimental approach which is strongly suggestive for the idea that EBV is indeed a human cancer virus. Other chapters of special interest for the student of molecular biology and molecular virology are chapter 8: The state of the virus genome in transformed cells and its relationship to host cell DNA, by A. Adams; chapter 9: Early events in trans- formation of human lymphocytes by the virus, by J.L. Strominger and D. Thorley-Lawson; and chapter 10: Transformation by the virus in vitro, by I. Pope. Altogether a book which can be recommended with- out hesitation.
Hardisty, M.W., Biology of the Cyclostomes, Chapman & Hall Ltd, London 1979, 428 pp., s 20.00.
The cyclostomes, comprising the lampreys and hag- fishes, are of considerable interest to molecular biologists from a comparative point of view, because they are the sole survivors of the primitive jawless "fishes" which must have diverged from a common ancestor with the jawed vertebrates already in the Precambrium. Cyclostomes are therefore quite often included in comparative biochemical and immuno- logical studies. Knowledge of the biology, in the widest sense, of lampreys and hagfishes is obviously desirable for the student in these fields. This mono- graph covers the most various aspects of cyclostome phylogeny, distribution, anatomy, physiology and biochemistry in an admirable way.
W.W. de J.
H.B.
63
