Walter Doerfler Knihy

The present volume of Epigenetics and Human Health is devoted to the patho-epigenetics of viral and microbial infections, an exiting new field of disease-related epigenetic research. As recognized during the past years, epigenetic reprogramming of pathogen and host genome functions – the latter frequently induced by pathogens – plays an important role in many infectious processes. Beyond their immediate relevance for pathogen proliferation and obligatorily associated symptoms, such alterations frequently contribute to severe additional complications, such as the development of immunodeficiency, cancer and various chronic disorders. This holds in particular for epigenetic dysregulation of host gene expression induced by latent infections. The present book summarizes current knowledge of the mechanisms underlying epigenetic changes caused by viral, bacterial, fungal and protozoan infections and their impact on human health.

This book presents epigenetics research as a new way of looking at genetics. Topics range from basic epigenetics mechanisms to development of cells and organisms and the biological basis of diseases. In addition the book focuses on immunology and the role of viruses in epigenetics. The last part of the book highlights proteins and peptides as epigenetic modulators.

Science and ethics both attempt to establish a world view that enables us to better understand the conditio humana. Due to using different concepts the issues are wide-ranging and definitive answers are not easy to find. Mutual discussion about these issues could lead to suggestions for both fields and help biomedicine deal with its critical public. Open-mindedness towards other ways of thinking is a prerequisite. Therefore this volume examines various topics from the perspectives of scientists and ethicists such as new challenges for moral and ethical discourse resulting from the latest advancements in life sciences, the limitations of ethical reflection when it comes to the latest developments in molecular biology, the history of the notion of the gene and its significance in human biology, and misunderstandings between science and the humanities in research on life processes. Also included are articles on stem cell issues, the usage of animal models in translational medicine, the dignity of cells in culture, issues of pluripotency of cells and the reprogramming of cell nuclei, and the significance of methylation patterns for epigenetics. The articles are in English or German.

The structural and functional importance of the correct patterns of DNA methylation in all parts of a mammalian genome is, unfortunately, not well understood. The stability, inheritability, and developmental flexibility of these patterns all point to a major role that these patterns appear to play in determining structure and function of the genome. Up to the present time, studies on the repetitive sequences, which comprise more than 90 per cent of the DNA sequences in the human or other genomes, have been neglected.

After three volumes on adenoviruses in 1995 the past years have seen rapid progress in the field of adenovirus research. Moreover, adenoviruses have attracted considerable interest as vectors in gene transfer regimens.

It is unlikely that the established genomes of present day organisms remain stable forever. It is conceivable that foreign DNA can gain entry into individual cells of an organism.Foreign DNA is defined as genetic material that derives from another organism of the same or a different species. The natural environment is heavily "contaminated" with such foreign DNA, and mammals, like other organisms, are frequently exposed to foreign DNA in their environment, notably by ingesting their daily food supply. By necessity, the gastrointestinal tract also of all mammalian organisms is constantly in contact with foreign DNA. So far, next to nothing is known about defense mechanisms in mammals against the intrusion of foreign DNA. At least in cells growing in culture, the uptake and genomic fixation by integration of foreign DNA can readily be demonstrated.For a number of reasons, the author has considered it important to investigate the phenomena and mechanisms involved in the interaction of foreign DNA with mammalian cells and organisms in detail.

Viren spielen eine Doppelrolle als Krankheitserreger und als Überträger genetischer Information. Daß sie bei all ihrer Vielfalt recht einfach zu verstehen sind, zeigt dieses Buch. Es erklärt das genetische Alphabet, aus dem das Erbgut aller Organismen besteht und beschreibt, wie Viren in die Zelle eindringen, sich vermehren und ihr Zerstörungswerk verrichten. Anschaulich wird dargestellt, mit welchen Methoden die Virusforschung den Viren auf der Spur ist und welche Mittel sie im Kampf gegen die Viren entwickelt hat. Die Rolle von Viren bei der Krebsentstehung, ihr Einsatz in der Gentechnologie und der mögliche Übergang gentechnologisch veränderten Erbguts auf Mensch und Tier kommen ausführlich zur Sprache. In Kurzbiographien werden die wichtigsten Virusarten vorgestellt.