Read more
Informationen zum Autor Salvador Macip is head of the Mechanisms of Cancer and Ageing Laboratory in the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Leicester and professor at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya. Klappentext COVID-19 has made us all aware of the fact that we live in a world full of invisible enemies. Normally, we don't even realize they're there, but from time to time one of these microscopic creatures becomes powerful enough to turn everything upside down. What are these invisible enemies, and how can we prepare ourselves for the pandemics of the future?A specialist in the cellular biology of diseases, Salvador Macip explains, in a language everyone can understand, what it means to share the planet with millions of microbes - some wonderful allies, others terrible foes. He provides a concise account of epidemics that changed history, and focuses on the great modern plagues that are still causing millions of deaths every year, from influenza, TB and malaria to COVID-19. Macip also examines the methods we have used - from vaccines to improved sanitation and social distancing - to try to control these invisible enemies.This authoritative overview of modern epidemics and the pathogens that cause them will be essential reading for anyone who wants to understand our world today, a world in which some of the greatest threats to the human species come from the invisible microbes with which we share this planet. Zusammenfassung COVID-19 has made us all aware of the fact that we live in a world full of invisible enemies. Normally, we don't even realize they're there, but from time to time one of these microscopic creatures becomes powerful enough to turn everything upside down. What are these invisible enemies, and how can we prepare ourselves for the pandemics of the future?A specialist in the cellular biology of diseases, Salvador Macip explains, in a language everyone can understand, what it means to share the planet with millions of microbes - some wonderful allies, others terrible foes. He provides a concise account of epidemics that changed history, and focuses on the great modern plagues that are still causing millions of deaths every year, from influenza, TB and malaria to COVID-19. Macip also examines the methods we have used - from vaccines to improved sanitation and social distancing - to try to control these invisible enemies.This authoritative overview of modern epidemics and the pathogens that cause them will be essential reading for anyone who wants to understand our world today, a world in which some of the greatest threats to the human species come from the invisible microbes with which we share this planet. Inhaltsverzeichnis Acknowledgements Introduction An ever-present danger Let's do our homework A tool for understanding the present and preparing for the future Part I Sharing the World with Microorganisms 1 Travel Companions They were here first Peaceful passengers The dark side A bit of terminology Bacteria Viruses: the smallest life form? Fungi: microscopic mushrooms 2 The Story of a Never-Ending Struggle The invisible hand behind things Rats, fleas, and bacteria The 'Spanish' flu The resuscitated virus Smallpox, a disease of the past Poliomyelitis: next on the list? Cost in lives, cost in money 3 Our Arsenal Simple but vital The immune system The next step forward: vaccines Cancer vaccines The papilloma vaccine, a controversial solution The danger of listening to the wrong people Future challenges Antibiotics: the offensive begins Powerful poisons or a sophisticated messaging system? Miracles with an expiry date The microbes of the future Resting on our laurels The antibiotics of the future ...
