The Complete Guide to Molecular Virology

From a Russian botanist's 1892 filtration experiment to the mRNA vaccines that reshaped global health in under a year, The Complete Guide to Molecular Virology traces the complete, astonishing story of one of science's strangest and most consequential fields.Across 28 chapters, science writer Vivienne Kestrel guides readers through the structure and classification of viruses, a hands-on tour of more than a dozen major virus families - from bacteriophages and HIV to Ebola, coronaviruses, and influenza - and the immune system, drugs, and vaccines humanity has built in response.Inside, you'll discover: - How a single 1892 filtration experiment launched an entirely new branch of biology- Why some viruses cause nothing worse than a cold while others have reshaped human history- The real molecular arms race between viruses and the human immune system- How mRNA vaccine technology went from laboratory concept to global rollout in under a year- The unresolved scientific questions that will shape how the next pandemic unfoldsWritten in clear, narrative prose rather than dense academic jargon, this book is built for curious general readers, students, and anyone who wants a genuinely complete picture of how viruses work - no biology degree required.