BIOL 375 Virology

Joan Slonczewski Office: HIG 302	BIOL 375 Virology Syllabus 2008	Fall 2008 MWF 8:10-9:00, FSH 205
Resources: PLOS Pathogens; J. Virology; Virology J.

Date	#	Subject	Required Reading	Work Due
AUG	29	What are viruses? Smithsonian; PC viruses; Virophage; West Nile	---
SEP	1 3 5	Virus function. The Mimivirus: Is it a "cell"? Iridovirus Mimivirus: A molecular model for infection Poliovirus. FDR and Polio	S&F Ch. 6; Mim1, Mim2 -- Ch.11, 389-405; Mueller	-
SEP	8 10 12	Poliovirus replication. ARF movie. FRAP. Green Pigs. Aequorea. Belov discussion continued. Pull-down assay. 1:10 Polio documentary film -- TOM 206 CDC	Belov; Gillen --- ---	-
SEP	15 17 19	Herpes viruses. Animation. HSV replication: role of nuclear lamina HSV replication (continued)	Ch. 11, 423-428; Zucker Silva --	Viral Biorealm Template Page
SEP	22 24 26	[HSV latency] Papillomavirus. Rural test. 1:10 Rebecca Metcalf: Papilloma at Kenyon -- TOM206	[Branco] HPV; Zuckerman ---	Individual Conferences: Paper Topic
SEP OCT	29 1 2 3	Nonspecific host defenses and interferons. JAK-STAT Cytomegalovirus Thursday 4:15 Joanne Trgovcich, CMV & Interferons No class.*	Hengel Zhang ---
OCT	6 8 10	The Adaptive Immune Response. Immunization. Nobel for HIV and HPV. Virochip. OCTOBER BREAK	Immunity; S&F Ch. 24 Quiz (end of class)
OCT	13 15 17	Influenza Virus. Animation. Spreading "flu": Humidity and temperature 1:10 Influenza 1918 documentary -- TOM 206 1918	Ch. 11, 406-412; Zucker Lowen ---	Individual Conferences: Paper Progress
OCT	20 22 24	Influenza evolution since 1918. Accident? Translation of influenza proteins. Initiation factors. An influenza virulence factor	Nelson Burgui Zamarin
OCT	27 29 31	Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) NYT History Early report; Animation. High School. Kenyon? HIV replication HIV transmission	Ch. 11, 412-422; Levy 1 Levy Ch. 1, 2 Ch. 2 (continued)
NOV	3 5 7	HIV pathogenesis HIV antiviral therapy. PEPFAR. 1:10 And the Band Played On (extended) -- TOM 206	Levy Ch. 13 Levy Ch. 14 ---
NOV	10 12 14	Tumor viruses. Nindl Google flu Cancer transformation. Adenovirus E1A transformation mechanism.	Tumor Viruses; Adenovirus Luzzatto Cao	Paper Draft 1
NOV	17 19 21	Adenoviral gene therapy: Hemophilia. Clotting cascade. Viral ecology: Marine viruses No class.	Thorrez Algal Viruses; Suttle ---	Individual Conferences on Paper
		NOVEMBER BREAK
DEC	1 3 5	"Madagascar Escape:" Polio recombination (Devon) Quasispecies and virulence of Hepatitis C (Piero) 1:10 TOM 206 Computer Viruses (Ron Griggs)	Rakoto Domingo Computer Viruses	-
DEC	8 10 12	Is CJD caused by a virus? (Sasha) Host protein increases RT error rate (Khalid) 1:10 TOM 206 Viruses in nanotechnology (Trevor)	Manuelidis Goncalves Singh	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. (2008) Microbiology: An Evolving Science (Norton, 1E) Ch. 6, 11, 24: Norton Ebooks.
Gillen, C M. (2007) Reading Primary Literature (Pearson)
Papers assigned in class.
Optional text (not in bookstore): Levy, J. L. (2007) HIV and the Pathogenesis of AIDS (ASM Press, 3E)

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 expected, including the Oct. 2 Thursday seminar.
Two class absences may be excused without penalty for any reason, including illness and athletic events. Beyond that, each absence subtracts one letter grade from your final average.
Nevertheless, you are responsible for the content of every class missed.

20% Viral Biorealm page.
20% Quizzes. Quizzes may be unannounced, or may be take-home.
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 08-09. 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.