edited by Roland W Herzog (University of Florida, USA) & Sergei Zolotukhin (University of Florida, USA)

Table of Contents (128k)
Preface (41k)
Chapter 1: Non-Viral GeneTherapy (181k)

Ever since the birth of molecular biology, the tantalizing possibility of treating disease at its genetic roots has become increasingly feasible. Gene therapy — though still in its infancy — remains one of the hottest areas of research in medicine. Its approach utilizes a gene transfer vehicle ("vector") to deliver therapeutic DNA or RNA to cells of the body in order to rectify the defect that is causing the disease. Successful therapies have been reported in humans in recent years such as cures in boys with severe immune deficiencies. Moreover, gene therapy strategies are being adapted in numerous biomedical laboratories to obtain novel treatments for a variety of diseases and to study basic biological aspects of disease. Correction of disease in animal studies, is steadily gaining ground, highlighting the immense potential of gene therapy in the medical profession.

This book will cover topics that are at the forefront of biomedical research such as RNA interference, viral and non-viral gene transfer systems, treatment of hematological diseases and disorders of the central nervous system. Leading experts on the respective vector or disease will contribute the individual chapters and explain cutting-edge technologies. It also gives a broad overview of the most important gene transfer vectors and most extensively studied target diseases. This comprehensive guide is therefore a must-read for anyone in the biotechnology, biomedical or medical industries seeking to further their knowledge in the area of human gene therapy.

• Non-Viral Gene Therapy (S M Sullivan)
• Adenoviral Vectors (S A Nicklin & A H Baker)
• Retroviral Vectors and Integration Analysis (C C Bartholomae et al.)
• Lentiviral Vectors (J Mátrai et al.)
• Herpes Simplex Virus Vectors (W F Goins et al.)
• Adeno-Associated Viral (AAV) Vectors (N Muzyczka)
• Regulatory RNA in Gene Therapy (A S Lewin)
• DNA Integrating Vectors (Transposon, Integrase) (L E Woodard & M P Calos)
• Homologous Recombination and Targeted Gene Modification for Gene Therapy (M Porteus)
• Gene Switches for Pre-Clinical Studies in Gene Therapy (C L Guiner et al.)
• Gene Therapy for Central Nervous System Disorders (D Young & P A Lawlor)
• Gene Therapy of Hemoglobinopathies (A E Rivers & A Srivastava)
• Gene Therapy for Primary Immunodeficiencies (A Sauer et al.)
• Gene Therapy for Hemophilia (D Markusic et al.)
• Gene Therapy for Obesity and Diabetes (S Zolotukhin & C H Wasserfall)
• Gene Therapy for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (T Okada & S Takeda)
• Cancer Gene Therapy (K A K Weigel-Van Aken)
• Gene Therapy for Autoimmune Disorders (D F Gaddy et al.)
• Gene Therapy for Inherited Metabolic Storage Diseases (C Mah)
• Retinal Diseases (S E Boye et al.)
• A Brief Guide to Gene Therapy Treatments for Pulmonary Diseases (A T Martino et al.)
• Cardiovascular Diseases (D J Falk et al.)