Newcastle disease virus: macromolecules and opportunities

Over the past two decades, enormous advances have occurred in the structura l and biological characterization of Newcastle disease virus (NDV). As a re sult, not only the complete sequence of the viral genome has been fully det ermined, but also a clearer understanding of the viral proteins and their r espective roles in the life cycle has been achieved. This article reviews t he progress in the molecular biology of NDV with emphasis on the new techno logies. It also identifies the fundamental problems that need to be address ed and attempts to predict some research opportunities in NDV that can be r ealized in the near future for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of d isease( s).