Office: HIG 302

BIOL 375 Virology
Syllabus 2010
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Fall 2010

Fridays 1:10-4:00, FSH 205

Resources: PLOS Pathogens; J. Virology; Virology J.

Date
#
Subject
Required Reading
Assignments (email)
AUG
27
What are viruses? Suttle
The Mimivirus: Is it a "cell"? Compare Iridovirus
S&F Ch. 6; Mim1, Mim2  

AUG

SEP

31

3

Reading: Poliovirus replication

Poliovirus. Smithsonian; FDR and Polio; ARF movie. FRAP. Green Pigs. Aequorea. Pull-down assay.

S&F Ch.11 (pp 393-398)

Mueller
; Belov
3 questions
SEP

7

10

Viral Biorealm Template Page

The Last Child: Polio documentary film CDC

 

Vaccine handout

Start Wiki

Wiki Complete

SEP 15

17

Reading: Immunity--Innate versus Adaptive

The Adaptive Immune Response.

Immunity

S&F Ch. 24

3 questions
SEP
22

24

Reading: Influenza Virus. Animation.

Influenza 1918 documentary 1918

Ch. 11 (pp 399-405)

Lowen

 

3 questions
SEP

OCT

 

29

1

Reading: Influenza evolution since 1918. Accident?

Translation and virulence. Initiation factors.

Nelson

Burgui; Zamarin
Individual
Conferences:
Paper Topic
OCT

8

OCTOBER BREAK

 

 
OCT
13

15

Reading: Herpes virus replication.

Herpes viruses. Animation. Nuclear lamina

Ch. 11 (pp 415-421)

Silva
; Branco

Individual
Conferences:
Paper Progress

OCT
19

22

 

Reading: Nonspecific host defenses. JAK-STAT

Cytomegalovirus and birth defects.
Dr. Fortunato presentation (Skype)

CDC; Luo, 2010

Fortunato, 2010

3 questions
OCT


26

29

Reading: HIV and AIDS NYT History
Animation.

HIV
replication & transmission

Ch. 11 (pp 405-415); Levy 1

Levy Ch. 2

NOV

3

5

Reading: HIV pathogenesis and antiviral therapy.

And the Band Played On

Levy Ch. 13

Levy Ch. 14

3 questions

 

NOV
  10
11
12

Reading: Retroviral host factors
Thursday 4:10 -- Boris-Lawrie Seminar
Retroviral evolution.

Boll. review; Bollinger

Rambaut; Borderia

Paper Draft 1

NOV
17

19

Reading: Adenoviral gene therapy: Adenovirus E1A; Hemophilia Clotting cascade.
Tumor viruses and gene therapy

Tumor Viruses; Nindl
Ch. 11 (pp 422-424)Adenovirus; Thorrez

Individual Conferences on Paper
  NOVEMBER BREAK

NOV

DEC

30

3

Student readings

1:10 TOM 206 Computer Viruses (Ron Griggs)

TBA

Computer Viruses; TBA

3 questions
DEC
7

10

Student readings

Student readings

TBA

TBA

Final Paper

INTRODUCTION. Virology, the form and function of viruses, is a field of growing importance for human and veterinary health, agriculture, and global ecology. For this advanced seminar, we select major viruses and explore their means of propagation within cells, as well as their immunology and epidemiology. We consider the role of viruses in ecology, particularly global carbon cycles.

Required reading:
Sloncewski, J. L. & Foster, J. W. (2011) Microbiology: An Evolving Science (Norton, 2E) Ch. 6, 11, 24.
Papers assigned on syllabus or in class.
Optional text (not in bookstore): Levy, J. L. (2007) HIV and the Pathogenesis of AIDS (ASM Press, 3E)

Assignments.
The class meets only Friday afternoon; but each week has two due dates for assigned work:

**Tuesday 11:59 pm (midnight)
**Thursday 11:59 pm (midnight) before Friday class
No work will be accepted after the specified date and time.

Attendance.
Because the class meets only once per week, no absence is excused. Any absence, including that due to sports or illness, must be made up by extra assignments.

Viral Biorealm page. Each student authors a page using the Virus template, about an unusual or lesser known virus, preferably one infecting plants or non-human animals.

Research Paper. Topic of student's choice, in consultation with instructor. Must address a current research question. Text minimum: 2000 words (Draft 1), 3000 words (Final), in addition to figures/legends/references.

GRADES. Your grade is based on the following:

30% Attendance and Participation. All articles need to be read and annotated for discussion in class. E-mail discussion also receives credit. 100% attendance is required, including the Nov. 10 Thursday seminar.
20% Viral Biorealm page.

20% Assignments and Quizzes.
Quizzes may be unannounced, or may be take-home email.
30% Research Paper. Grade is based half on Draft 1, half on Final Paper.

No final exam.

Standards for Projects and Exams. The standard College guidelines on individual authorship and plagiarism apply to all work, as stated in the Student Handbook 10-11. All projects, including html, must include footnotes and references cited in detail comparable to that of a term paper. Each exam must represent the work of one individual student.

Disabilities. If you have a physical, psychological, medical or learning disability that may affect your ability to carry out assigned course work, please contact the Office of Disability Services at 5453. The Coordinator of Disability Services, Erin Salva, will review your concerns and determine, with you, what accommodations are appropriate. All information and documentation of disability is confidential.