Introduction

Autophagy, a term coined by Christian de Duve in 1955 to describe his observations of the cell “eating itself” within lysosomes, is now recognized as a fundamental cellular process that enables living organisms to maintain homeostasis and respond to stress. The last 3 decades have witnessed an explosion in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that orchestrate autophagic activity, which both functions to break down intracellular constituents and works in conjunction with endocytic pathways to internalize and degrade extracellular material or invading pathogens. As such, autophagy is required for cell survival, and its deficiency or dysfunction is now implicated in an ever-growing list of human diseases. The second edition of this book provides a contemporary snapshot of advances in the field and focuses on a range of topics from basic mechanisms to therapeutic targeting of autophagy pathways in human disease. Experts from 15 countries present state-of-the-art knowledge in their respective areas of focus, with engaging illustrations and current references that will serve to guide future investigation in autophagy. Through this book, we hope to communicate the excitement in this vibrant field and beckon the next generation of scientists to make an impact on human health and society through their work in “Autophagy.”.