Virology (Bio W3310) Columbia Med

The basic thesis of the course is that all viruses adopt a common strategy. The strategy is simple: 1. Viral genomes are contained in metastable particles. 2. Genomes encode gene products that promote an infectious cycle (mechanisms for genomes to enter cells, replicate, and exit in particles). 3. Infection patterns range from benign to lethal; infections can overcome or co-exist with host defenses. The course will emphasize the common reactions that must be completed by all viruses for successful reproduction within a host cell and survival and spread within a host population. The molecular basis of alternative reproductive cycles, the interactions of viruses with host organisms, and how these lead to disease are presented with examples drawn from a set of representative animal and human viruses, although selected bacterial viruses will be discussed.

Resources: OpenCourseware from Columbia Med, UH Maui, U of Wisconsin School of Medicine, U of Virginia School of Medicine, Medical Student TV, MIT, UC Berkeley, Stanford along with many of the World's finest University's.

Language: English

Professors: Michael Williams, Mariah Wilson Biersack

Units: 27