Medical and Molecular Virology

VSC/MCB/MIC433 and MIC533

Student Link | Dept of Veterinary Science and Microbiology | University of Arizona

Introduction

Welcome to Medical and Molecular Virology
Usually offered Fall Semester MTWTh 8 AM

This 4 credit course, "Medical and Molecular Virology" elucidates the structure, classification, replication, and mechanisms of pathogenesis of human and animal viruses. Mechanisms of pathogenesis include some aspects of immunology, physiology, and anatomy. Material on the replication of viruses includes many basic principles of molecular biology. The course has as prerequisite MIC205A OR consent of the instructor. Because of the content students may also find these courses very helpful as prerequisites: MIC419 Immunology; MCB411 Molecular Biology orBIOC462A Biochemistry.
The course serves as an elective for microbiology and veterinary science majors, and as a relevant coures for pre-profesional health (Medicne, Veterinary Medicine, Nursing, Public Health) students.
A gradute (MIC533) and undergraduate honors(H) section meet together for one additional hour per week

Course Objectives

The aim is to introduce students to the fundamentals of virology with an emphasis on the molecular aspects of viral replication, pathogenesis, and host interactions. The objectives are:

1. To provide students with an integrated and fundamental understanding of how viruses with different genomes replicate.
2. To provide basic insights on the ecology and diversity of viruses in humans and animals including emerging viruses.
3. To examine the cellular and systemic effects of viral infection on the host, namely pathogenic effrects and pathways, oncogenesis, and immunopathology.
4. To integrate information from viral replication, virus/host interactions and antiviral therapy and prevention of disease.

The student should be able to understand and explain: Virus strucure and divesity; viral expression of more than one protein from the same nucleotide sequence; the strategies that viruses use to replicate their genome; the potential strategies for control of a newly emerged virus; the pathogenic pathways of viruses that causes chronic disease and ones that cause acute disease; the factors that determine the host range of a virus; the effects of viruses on normal cellular functions; host defense responses; what mechanisms viruses use to avoid host defence responses.

Additionally
A text is required: Viruses and Human Disease, SECOND EDITION J.H. Strauss and E.G. Strauss Academic Press, 2008.

Contact
Dr. Jim Collins, Instructor
jimc@u.arizona.edu