Comprehensive Sourcebook of Bacterial Protein Toxins

This book describes the major achievements and discoveries relevant to bacterial protein toxins since the turn of the new century illustrated by the discovery of more than fifty novel toxins (many of them identified through genome screening). The establishment of the three-dimensional crystal structure of more than 20 toxins during the same period offers deeper knowledge of structure-activity relationships and provides a framework to understand how toxins recognize receptors, penetrate membranes and interact with and modify intracellular substrates.Edited by two of the most highly regarded experts in the field from the Institut Pasteur, France14 brand new chapters dedicated to coverage of historical and general aspects of toxinologyIncludes the major toxins of both basic and clinical interest are described in depth Details applied aspects of toxins such as therapy, vaccinology, and toolkits in cell biologyEvolutionary and functional aspects of bacterial toxins evaluated and summarizedToxin applications in cell biology presentedTherapy (cancer therapy, dystonias) discussedVaccines (native and genetically engineered vaccines) featuredToxins discussed as biological weapons, comprising chapters on anthrax, diphtheria, ricin etc.