Toxin by Alistair J. Lax, Hardcover, 9780198605584 | Buy online at The Nile
Departments
 Free Returns*

Toxin

The cunning of bacterial poisons

Author: Alistair J. Lax  

Toxin
Hardcover

1. Introduction: The importance of toxins 2. The Golden Age of microbiology 3. The search for mechanism: the study of diphtheria 4. The three ways that toxins attack cells 5. New toxins explain old diseases 6. From poison to cure 7. Deadly weapons: the abuse of biology 8. The cell biologist's 'toolkit': tools to explain us 9. Where now? Appendix I: A brief summary of molecular biology Appendix II: Some basic concepts in cell biology Further reading Index

Alistair Lax takes a fascinating look at these most devious molecules, explaining the many ingenious mechanisms they use to penetrate our cell's defences, and the deadly pandemics that result. A story not only of disease but also of human rivalry and persistence in our struggle to understand, combat, and harness these powerful toxins.

Read more
New
$91.07
Or pay later with
Free 30 day returns       Secure transaction
Check delivery options
Hardcover

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Summary

  1. Introduction: The importance of toxins 2. The Golden Age of microbiology 3. The search for mechanism: the study of diphtheria 4. The three ways that toxins attack cells 5. New toxins explain old diseases 6. From poison to cure 7. Deadly weapons: the abuse of biology 8. The cell biologist's 'toolkit': tools to explain us 9. Where now? Appendix I: A brief summary of molecular biology Appendix II: Some basic concepts in cell biology Further reading Index

Alistair Lax takes a fascinating look at these most devious molecules, explaining the many ingenious mechanisms they use to penetrate our cell's defences, and the deadly pandemics that result. A story not only of disease but also of human rivalry and persistence in our struggle to understand, combat, and harness these powerful toxins.

Read more

Description

What do the following have in common: the promise of Botox as the key to everlasting youthful looks; E. coli O157 hamburger disease; a mysterious illness which killed 35 heroin users in 2000; and the assassination by poisoned umbrella-tip of a Bulgarian dissident in the 1970s? The answer is that all of these are caused by toxins, the powerful biological poisons released by bacteria and some plants. In Toxin, Alistair Lax reveals thepanoply of ways in which bacterial toxins overcome the defences of our cells. He explains how they work, how they are so successful in causing major diseases, the terrible human impact they have had, and howapparently 'new' diseases arise from them. He also discusses how we can combat toxins, and how we can harness their actions for beneficial purposes. Enlivened by the very human story of the persistence, rivalries, and insights from which modern microbiology grew, Toxin is the first widely accessible account of this exciting and important topic.

Read more

Critic Reviews

“An enjoyable read. I would thoroughly recommend Toxin to students of biology and related subjects.”

Susan Omar, Biologist

Read more

About the Author

Alistair Lax is Professor of Cellular Microbiology at King's 3ollege London. His research has focused on the interaction of bacterial toxins with the cells in the host's body. He has published numerous papers in international journals. This is his first book for the wider public.

Read more

More on this Book

What do the following have in common: the promise of Botox as the key to everlasting youthful looks; E. coli O157 hamburger disease; a mysterious illness which killed 35 heroin users in 2000; and the assassination by poisoned umbrella-tip of a Bulgarian dissident in the 1970s? The answer is that all of these are caused by toxins, the powerful biological poisons released by bacteria and some plants. In Toxin, Alistair Lax reveals the panoply of ways in which bacterial toxins overcome the defences of our cells. He explains how they work, how they are so successful in causing major diseases, the terrible human impact they have had, and how apparently 'new' diseases arise from them. He also discusses how we can combat toxins, and how we can harness their actions for beneficial purposes. Enlivened by the very human story of the persistence, rivalries, and insights from which modern microbiology grew, Toxin is the first widely accessible account of this exciting and important topic.

Read more

Product Details

Publisher
Oxford University Press
Published
27th October 2005
Edition
1st
Pages
204
ISBN
9780198605584

Returns

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.

New
$91.07
Or pay later with
Free 30 day returns       Secure transaction
Check delivery options
Browse by category
YOUR PAYMENT IS SECURE

We use 100% PCI DSS compliant payment services. That means your payment information is always protected, and never gets seen by anyone.
30-DAY FREE RETURN POLICY

Return nearly all items within 30 days of delivery. Unused or faulty items are acceptable as free returns. *Exceptions apply, see our returns policy.

The Nile
Follow Us
Help & Support
Contact Us

Copyright © 2025 The Nile Group.

Zip

 AfterPay

PayPal

Credit Card
Buy Baby at The Nile
 
 
 
Buy Toys at The Nile
Buy Books at The Nile
Buy Movies & TV at The Nile
Our Top Brands