Molecular Virology and Pathogenesis
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| LIFE3124 | Life Sciences | 3 | 10 | Autumn UK |
- Code
- LIFE3124
- School
- Life Sciences
- Level
- 3
- Credits
- 10
- Semesters
- Autumn UK
Summary
Lecture 1 (CMC): Introductory virology. The Baltimore Scheme, basic virus structure, viruses as obligate intracellular parasites, etc. Overview of replication: attachment, entry, uncoating, etc.
Lectures 2 – 6 (CMC): Virus replication. Using example viruses not covered later: a) DNA viruses (including latency, unless covered later), b) RNA viruses (dsRNA, positive- and negative-sense ssRNA), c) retroviruses, d) a few minutes on ‘others’.
Lectures 7 – 11 (various lecturers): Specific human virus molecular biology and pathogenesis. One lecture each on (subject to change, depending on lecturers): a) blood-borne virus(es), b) respiratory virus(es) (not coronaviruses), c) enterovirus(es), d) oncovirus(es), etc.
Lecture 12 (CMC): Animal and zoonotic viruses. Animal and zoonotic coronavirus replication and pathogenesis.
Interactive seminar: the scientific response to a new virus – using MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 as examples. Will be run as group activity.
Target Students
This module is aimed at any student with an interest in virology. The module is designed to give a comprehensive understanding of virology without any background in the subject. Some other modules have minor virology components, but these only overlap, in minor parts, with lectures 1-6.
Classes
This module may be delivered through lectures, seminars, workshops and labs etc
Assessment
- 50% Exam 1 (1-hour): Short-answer question ExamSys exam on basic virus biology: Baltimore scheme, virus structure, virus replication etc.
- 50% Exam 2 (3-hour): Moodle
Assessed by end of autumn semester
Educational Aims
The aims of this module are for students to:1) gain an understanding of major themes in virology: replication, pathogenesis and interventions;2) consider the scientific response to a new virus;3) practice working as a group in an interactive seminar;4) present and justify ideas on how to respond to a new virus.Learning Outcomes
Intellectual skills, such as critically analysing, synthesising and summarising data.
Analytical and data interpretation skills, through the use of primary research data in lectures (where relevant).
Communication skills, through the interactive seminar.
Independent study skills, through guided independent study of the areas covered.
A detailed understanding of virology, including key concepts on the replication and pathogenesis of human pathogens.
Skills in application of knowledge to a new problem, through the interactive seminar.
Conveners
- Dr Christopher Coleman