Annual Review of Pathology:Mechanisms of Disease, 2016

The 2016 edition of Annual Review of Pathology continues to maintain the high standard that the series has had over the years. This volume begins with a favourite section of mine, the autobiographical essay. This time it is by Michael B.A. Oldstone, one of the pioneers of the field of viral pathogenesis. His article tells us about his research on Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) and how it has become a 'Rosetta stone for solving several important puzzles in biology' and has helped clarify many concepts in virology and immunology. It sparkles with wit. He tells us about his introduction to anatomy dissection where he has a 'nameless cadaver and four classmates with names...' and how he has been wedded to LCMV, but has had a number of intense affairs with measles and influenza viruses.