The discovery of adenoviruses naturally induced a new interest in viruses of the human upper respiratory tract since previously unknown viruses infecting this portion of the human body had not been identified in 20 years, and their unique characteristics stimulated investigations into the biochemical events essential for replication of animal viruses. Indeed, the field of molecular virology has evolved during the period since their dis- covery, and adenoviruses have played a major role in this development. The exciting discoveries made with adenoviruses have had such a pro- found effect on...