For decades this virus system has served - and continues to do so - to pioneer investigations on the molecular biology, biochemistry and genetics of mammalian cell systems. This three volume work presents an up-to-date account of recent basic research in one of the most important experimental systems for biochemical, cell biological, genetic, virological, and epidemiological investigations in mammalian molecular biology. In this, the first of the three volumes, an overview of adenovirus research is presented with emphasis on the structure and assembly of adenoviruses, viral infections, and viral gene products. The chapters have been written by an international group of leading experts in their respective fields of interest.