HCV genome and life cycle -- HCV 5' and 3'UTR: when translation meets replication -- Assemble and interact: pleiotropic functions of the HCV core protein -- HCV glycoproteins: assembly of a functional E1-E2 heterodimer -- HCV NS2/3 protease -- HCV NS3-4A serine protease -- HCV helicase: structure, function, and inhibition -- HCV NS4B: from obscurity to central stage -- HCV NS5A: a multifunctional regulator of cellular pathways and virus replication -- Biochemical activities of the HCV NS5B RNA-dependent RNA polymerase -- HCV replicon systems -- Animal models for HCV study -- HCV regulation of host defense -- Regulation of adaptive immunity by HCV -- Recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) and other strategies in HCV vaccine designs and immunotherapy -- Development of an infectious HCV cell culture system.