The past two decades have seen an ever-accelerating growth in knowledge about molecular pathology of human diseases which received a large boost with the sequencing of the human genome in 2003. Molecular diagnostics, molecular targeted therapy and genetic therapy are now routine in many medical centers. The molecular field now impacts every field in medicine, whether clinical research or routine patient care. There is a great need for basic researchers to understand the potential clinical implications of their research whereas private practice clinicians of all types (general internal medicine and internal medicine specialists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgeons, pediatricians, family practice), clinical investigators, pathologists and medical laboratory directors and radiologists require a basic understanding of the fundamentals of molecular pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment for their patients.
Traditional textbooks in molecular biology deal with basic science and are not readily applicable to the medical setting. Most medical textbooks that include a mention of molecular pathology in the clinical setting are limited in scope and assume that the reader already has a working knowledge of the basic science of molecular biology. Other texts emphasize technology and testing procedures without integrating the clinical perspective. There is an urgent need for a text that fills the gap between basic science books and clinical practice. In the Molecular Pathology Library series the basic science and the technology is integrated with the medical perspective and clinical application. Each book in the series is divided according to neoplastic and non-neoplastic diseases for each of the organ systems traditionally associated with medical subspecialties.
Each book in the series is organized to provide (1) a succinct background of the essential terminology, concepts and technology of molecular biology, (2) an overview of the broad application of molecular biology principles to disease and (3) specific application of molecular pathology to the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of neoplastic and non-neoplastic diseases specific to each organ system. These broad section topics will be broken down into succinct chapters, averaging about 15 to 20 pages each, to cover a very specific disease entity. The chapters will be written by established authorities on the specific topic from academic centers around the world. In one book, diverse subjects are included that the reader would have to pursue from multiple sources in order to have a clear understanding of the molecular pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of specific diseases. Attempting to hunt for the full information from basic concept to specific applications for a disease from the varied sources is time-consuming and frustrating. By providing this quick and user-friendly reference, understanding and application of this rapidly growing field is made more accessible to both expert and generalist alike.
As books that bridge the gap between basic science and clinical understanding and practice, the Molecular Pathology Series serves the basic scientist, the clinical researcher and the practicing physician or other health care provider who require more understanding of the application of basic research to patient care, from "bench to bedside." This series is unique and an invaluable resource. These books will be indispensable to physicians and health care providers in multiple disciplines as noted above, to residents and fellows in these multiple disciplines as well as their teaching institutions and to researchers who increasingly must justify the clinical implications of their research.
