stefan r. schmidt consolidates the hugely diverse field of fusion proteins and their application in the creation of biopharmaceuticals . 
 the text is replete with case studies and clinical data that inform and intrigue the reader as to the myriad possibilities available when considering the creation of a fusion protein . 
 this valuable text will serve the novice as a broad introduction or the seasoned professional as a thorough review of the state of the art . 
 the first marketed therapeutic recombinant protein was human insulin ( humulin r ) . 
 its approval in 1982 was followed by other such products , including erythropoietin ( epo ) , interferon ( ifn ) , and tissue plasminogen activator ( tpa ) . since the 1980s 
 , the number and general availability of recombinant products that replace natural proteins harvested from animal or human sources has increased considerably . following the initial success , researchers started de novo designs of therapeutic proteins that do not occur in nature . 
 the first of these new drugs to be approved was etanercept ( enbrel ) , a fusion portion containing a section of the tumor necrosis factor ( tnf ) receptor fused to the fc portion of human igg1 .