Viruses and society
"Viruses and Society" is a textbook written by Patricia Melloy, professor of biological sciences, Fairleigh Dickinson University
“Viruses and Society” is geared toward professionals and students in college-level introductory biology courses devoted to understanding viruses, vaccines and their global impact. In approachable and simplified language, the book introduces cells, DNA and viruses themselves. This is followed by a review of how the immune system works and how scientists and physicians harness the immune system to protect people through vaccines. Specific chapters focus on the 1918 influenza pandemic, the fight to eradicate polio, the HIV/AIDS pandemic and the current COVID-19 crisis. Additionally, the book reviews the uses of viruses in genetic engineering and gene therapy. It concludes by describing public health initiatives to keep emerging viruses in check and the role of scientific communication in how viruses are perceived and have an impact on our society.
CRC Press
Are you an ASBMB member who has published a book recently?
If so, we’d like to feature your work in an upcoming issue of ASBMB Today. Please email a synopsis (under 100 words), an image of the book’s cover and your headshot to ASBMB Today.
Enjoy reading ASBMB Today?
Become a member to receive the print edition four times a year and the digital edition weekly.
Learn moreGet the latest from ASBMB Today
Enter your email address, and we’ll send you a weekly email with recent articles, interviews and more.
Latest in People
People highlights or most popular articles
ASBMB names 2025 fellows
American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology honors 24 members for their service to the society and accomplishments in research, education, mentorship, diversity and inclusion and advocacy.
When Batman meets Poison Ivy
Jessica Desamero had learned to love science communication by the time she was challenged to explain the role of DNA secondary structure in halting cancer cell growth to an 8th-grade level audience.
The monopoly defined: Who holds the power of science communication?
“At the official competition, out of 12 presenters, only two were from R2 institutions, and the other 10 were from R1 institutions. And just two had distinguishable non-American accents.”
In memoriam: Donald A. Bryant
He was a professor emeritus at Penn State University who discovered how cyanobacteria adapt to far-red light and was a member of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology for over 35 years.
Yes, I have an accent — just like you
When the author, a native Polish speaker, presented her science as a grad student, she had to wrap her tongue around the English term “fluorescence cross-correlation microscopy.”
Professorships for Booker; scholarship for Entzminger
Squire Booker has been appointed to two honorary professorships at Penn State University. Inayah Entzminger received a a BestColleges scholarship to support their sixth year in the biochemistry Ph.D. program at CUNY.