| Subject |
General properties of viruses (the architecture of viruses, viral genome types), classification and nomenclature of viruses; molecular principles of viral replication: mechanisms of viral entry into the host cell, types of receptors, replication of viral genome, virus assembly, maturation and release from the host cell. How viruses cause disease (viral factors: pathogenicity and virulence; interaction between viruses and host cells; spread of viruses in the host; patterns of disease; shedding of virus from the host). Resistance to virus infections (general factors in resistance; local non-specific defences; the adaptive immune system; T-cells and cell-mediated immunity; harmful immune responses; resistance and recovery). Viruses and cancers in mammals (general features of viral oncogenesis; viral oncogenes; cellular oncogenes; viruses implicated in cancers of humans). Viruses of bacteria, plants and animals; selected viral diseases in humans. Control of viral diseases by immunization (the technology and practicalities of virus vaccine production and development; virus vaccines and public health; passive immunization; new approaches to vaccine development). Antiviral chemotherapy (points of action of antivirals in the virus life cycle; the use of antivirals: general considerations; the future of antivirals). Genetic variation of viruses, new and (re)emerging viral diseases; ecology and epidemiology of viruses. Virological methods; special safety precautions in virological laboratories. Current and future use of viruses in biotechnology and medicine.
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| Further information |
Recommended reading:
Baron, S. Medical Microbiology, 4th edition, http://www.gsbs.utmb.edu/microbook/.
Microbiology and Immunology On-line Textbook, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, http://pathmicro.med.sc.edu/book/welcome.htm.
Flint, S.J., Enquist, L.W., Racaniello, V.R., Skalka, A.M. Principles of Virology; Molecular Biology, Pathogenesis and Control of Animal Viruses, 2nd edition, Amer. Society for Microbiology 2003, 918 p. ISBN-10: 1555812597.
Cann, A.J. Principles of Molecular Virology, 4th edition, Elsevier 2005, 352 p., ISBN-10: 0-12-088787-8.
Digard, P., Nash, A.A., Randall, R.E. Molecular Pathogenesis of Virus Infections, Cambridge University Press 2005, 358 p., ISBN: 0-52-183248-9.
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