Synthetic Vaccines

This handbook covers the experimental basis and essential steps involved in the construction of a synthetic vaccine - from the initial determination of the antigenic sites, through chemical or recombinant DNA directed synthesis, to the use of engineered viruses. Chapters are also devoted to antigenicity of carbohydrate structures and anti-idiotype vaccines. A general outline of the immune system has been included for those unfamiliar with this aspect and as an introduction to the detailed consideration in later chapters of the mechanisms and molecules involved, including cell-mediated immunity, antibody structure, processing and presentation of antigen, peptide structure in solution and how these molecules are recognised. The latter part of the book illustrates these techniues and some of the problems encountered in their application to six well-known diseases - malaria, foot and mouth disease, hepatitis, AIDS, influenza and polio.