This important and timely volume is the first complete review of chlamydial research in ten years. In that time there have been substantial research advances, and the entry of many researchers into the field heralds a new era. The expansion of the field, fueled by the identification of a new emerging chlamydial pathogen, Chlamydia pneumoniae, and the completion of genome sequences for C. trachomatis and C. pneumoniae, provides the impetus for a complete review of chlamydial research. This volume identifies the major issues and questions that will lead to future chlamydial research. It illustrates how genomics is changing the chlamydial research agenda and explores the role of cell biology and the immune response in pathogenesis and immunity. Designed as a synthetic, comparative volume, this book comprehensively compares, contrasts, and integrates issues across all chlamydial species. The contributors provide a thorough review of previous research and indicate the top research needs in each area.