Hepatitis C is recognized as one of the most important new diseases afflicting man. The discovery, diagnosis and initial treatments of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are all perfect examples of the increasing impact molecular biology is currently having on disease management throughout the globe. Both the intensity and breadth of HCV research are growing at a remarkable pace and exciting new discoveries are becoming almost commonplace. This book discusses the most recent aspects of HCV infection, replication and molecular biology. The authors review the current state of progress in HCV molecular biology and discuss the questions that are currently facing molecular investigators. The chapters provide in-depth reviews of the most critical areas of HCV molecular research today.