Chronicling a 100-year quest, this book tells the fascinating story of the hunt for the still-elusive malaria vaccine. Its clear, engaging style makes the book accessible to a general audience and brings to life all the drama of the hunt, celebrating the triumphs and documenting the failures. The author captures the controversies, missteps, wars of words, stolen ideas, and clashes of ego as researchers around the world compete to develop the first successful malaria vaccine.
The Elusive Malaria Vaccine: Miracle or Mirage? is based on author Irwin W. Sherman’s thorough investigation of the scientific literature as well as his first-hand interviews with today’s pioneers in malaria vaccine research. As a result, the book offers remarkable insights into the keys to a successful malaria vaccine and the obstacles hindering its development.
Malaria is one of humankind’s greatest killers, currently afflicting some 300 to 500 million people. Moreover, malaria infections have begun to spread and surge in places previously free from the disease. With the book’s easy-to-follow coverage of such topics as immunity, immunology, recombinant DNA, and monoclonal antibodies, readers gain a new understanding of the disease itself, the importance of microbe hunters, and the need for responsible leadership to face the challenges that lie ahead in the battle against malaria.
· Chronicles the successes and failures in the 100-year-old hunt for a malaria vaccine
· Offers easy-to-follow explanations that are understandable to a general audience
· Provides a unique, single-authored, comprehensive and critical review of malaria vaccines
· Incorporates the latest scientific literature as well as viewpoints and perspectives from leaders in malaria vaccine research
· Explains the microbiology underlying the discovery of malaria parasites
· Helps readers understand why a successful malaria vaccine still does not exist
· Serves as essential reading for anyone interested in infectious disease, public health, and public policy regarding malaria prevention and control
Contents
1. Hunting Microbes
2. Malaria, the Sickness
3. The Immunity Alphabet
4. From Milkmaids to Vaccines
5. Fundamental Findings
6. Dreams about Vaccines
7. Promises, Promises, Promises
8. Hunting for Protective Blood Stage Antigens
9. Blocking Transmission
10. Battling Blood Stages
11. Of Mice and Men
12. Informed by the Immune System
