Introductory description

The content in LF213 Virology builds on the introductory first year virology component of BS127 Agents of Infectious Disease.
This module covers the replication strategies of important viruses, the diseases these viruses cause, antiviral therapies, diagnosis and vaccination. Viral replication strategies, how viruses reproduce inside our cells, are the cornerstone of all virology. Molecular knowledge of how a particular virus replicates allows the development of methods of diagnosis, prevention and treatment of disease. These aspects of virology, along with how human viruses emerge and evolve, will be taught within the context of pandemic viruses such as influenza, HIV and coronaviruses.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Lectures 1-2: Virus-host interactions
1-2. Viruses as pathogens, effects on the host, role of the immune system. Introduction to viral replication, summary of the different types of viral genome. Influenza virus replication. Entry into cell and site of replication. Segmented genome structure. Transcription/replication of genome, translation of virus proteins. Assembly and exit from the cell.

Lectures 3-6: Influenza virus
3-4. Replication cycle of influenza virus; entry into cell and site of replication; segmented genome structure; transcription and replication of genome, translation of virus proteins; assembly and exit from the cell.

5-6. Influenza disease; vaccination; emergence of new strains; adaptation of vaccines.

Lectures 7-10: Human immunodeficiency virus
7-8. HIV replication; receptor binding and fusion; reverse transcription, integration into host genome; transcription and nuclear export of RNA; ribosomal frameshifting; assembly, exit and maturation.

9-10. Emergence and evolution of HIV; development of antiviral therapies; effect of therapy on disease.

Lectures 11-14: Coronaviruses
11-12. Coronavirus replication; receptor binding and entry; translation of genomic RNA; transcription and replication of genome; assembly and exit.

13-14. Emergence and evolution of coronaviruses; methods of diagnosis; vaccination and clinical trials.

Lecture 15: Summary
15. Concepts introduced during the module; similarities and differences between viruses.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Level 5 understanding of how viruses evade the host immune system.
• Level 5 understanding of the replication strategies of selected important viruses, and the similarities and differences between them.
• Level 5 understanding of the emergence and evolution of human viruses in a population.
• Level 5 understanding of how viral infections can be diagnosed.
• Level 5 understanding of how vaccines are developed and used to prevent viral infection and disease.
• Level 5 understanding of different types of antiviral therapy, how they are discovered, developed and trialled.
• Understand how to culture and passage of mammalian cells using aseptic technique.
• Understand how to assay the infectivity of mammalian viruses.
• Understand the basis of assays of virus growth.
• Improve data handling skills.

Indicative reading list

Dimmock, N. J., Easton, A. J. and Leppard, K. N. Introduction to Modern Virology, 7th edn. (Wiley-Blackwell, 2016).

Other books to consult:
Collier, L. and Oxford, J. Human Virology, 3rd edn. (Oxford University Press, 2006).

Subject specific skills

Understand the replication strategies of selected important viruses and the similarities and differences between them. Understand how human viruses can emerge from animals and how they evolve in a population. Understand how virus infections can be diagnosed, how vaccines are developed and used to prevent viral infection and disease. Understand different types of antiviral therapy, how they are discovered, developed and trialled.

Transferable skills

Adult learning,
self directed learning,
team based learning
quantitative skills