Book excerpt: Designed for students learning about viruses for the first time at the undergraduate or graduate level, Fundamentals of Molecular Virology is presented in a style which relates to today's students and professors. This book is also a valuable, up-to-date source of information for graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and research scientists working with viruses. Chapters contributed by prominent virologists were edited to conform to a clear and accessible style. The text provides a thorough presentation of basic and contemporary concepts in virology for a student's first exposure to the field.