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Course module: BMB430006
BMB430006
Virology
Course info
Course codeBMB430006
EC3
Course goals
At the end of the course, the student is able to:

Knowledge and Insight
 
  1. give a definition of what a virus is and to indicate the differences between viruses on the one hand and toxins, cellular life forms and prions on the other;
  2. explain how viruses multiply and name each of the separate steps of the viral replication cycle;
  3. describe the differences between the main groups of viruses with respect to virion structure, genome structure/organization and replication strategy, also in connection with virus classification;
  4. provide a detailed description of the replication cycle for a number of model viruses;
  5. describe how viruses regulate the expression of their own genes and of those of their hosts, and provide examples of (post)transcriptional and (post)translational regulation;
  6. name the various routes of transmission and describe how viruses spread within and among hosts and host populations;
  7. explain how viral infections cause disease and render examples;
  8. describe the mechanisms that lead to genetic variability of viruses and the consequences thereof for viral pathogenesis and epidemiology;
  9. name the different types of vaccines and discuss the strengths and limitations of vaccination strategies;
  10. describe how viruses modulate and evade the immune system and provide examples thereof;
  11. describe the principles of antiviral therapy, discuss the phenomenon of resistance and, for selected antivirals, explain their mode of action at the molecular level.
Skills
 
  1. prepare and give oral presentations on virological topics at the level of a junior scientist.
Attitude
 
  1. demonstrate a fact-based critical and inquisitive attitude towards opinions, claims and legislation concerning virology-oriented topics, such as measures and strategies to combat viral infections, genetic modification, vaccination, gene therapy, xenotransplantation, bioterrorism;
  2. engage into respectful interactions/discussions with other students.
Content
Period (from – till): 8 October 2018 - 19 October 2018
 
Course coordinator: dr. Raoul de Groot
 
Faculty
dr. Raoul de Groot (course content)
dr. Kristin Denzer (course registration)

Course description
Aim of this course is to provide an overview of the field of virology.
After a general introduction on structure, replication cycle and virus taxonomy, the entry, replication and assembly of specific examples of DNA, RNA and retrovirusses are studied in greater detail.
Furthermore pathogenesis and epidemiology will be part of the course and virus-host interactions are studied on the level of cells, individual hosts and host populations. This will lead to the topics of prophylaxis and therapy of viral diseases (vaccinatie, antiviral therapeutics). Finally, the use of viruses is in molecular biology, vaccin development and gene therapy is discussed.

Exam
The learning material of the complete course will be assessed by means of multiple choice and open questions. In order to successfully complete the course, the grade for the end-of-term exam has to be at least a 5.5. (Dutch grade, equivalent of 50% correct). Only if this prerequisite is met, the grades of tutorials and class room assessment are taken into account. In order to pass for the course a minimum average score of 5.5 is required (Dutch grade, equivalent of 55% correct).

Students that have taken the BMW Infection and Immunity Bachelor course are excused from the lectures on day 1 (An introduction to Virology; HC1-4). During the remainder of the course, presence is compulsory and will be checked after each session. If the overall presence is below 80%, the student is excluded from participation in the written exam.

Tutorials: presentations and active participation
The aim of the tutorials is to deepen and broaden the student’s knowledge by means of presentation assignments and round-table discussions. The sessions are chaired by experienced virologists from the Veterinary Medicine Virology division. This offers the opportunity to ask questions about the learning material and the lectures. In the lectures and in the accompanying text book (Principles of Virology), the various aspects of virology are treated with the main emphasis on general mechanisms, processes and concepts. It is, however, also instructive to get an overview of the biology of individual viruses. During the tutorials, the “virus-of-the-day” will be discussed on the basis of fixed assignments

Literature/study material used:
Mandatory:
Principles of Virology, Molecular Biology, Pathogenesis, and Control of Animal Viruses.
S.J. Flint, V.R. Racaniello, G.F. Rall and A.M. Skalka, 4rth edition 2015, ASM Press, ISBN 9781555819514
 
Additional reference books:
Prescott’s Microbiology, 8th edition 2011, Mc Graw Hill
Fields Virology, 6th edition 2013, Knipe and Howley, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Registration:
Automatically after acceptance to the programme.
Other students apply via the studyguide.

Contact:
Dr. Raoul de Groot (course content), R.J.deGroot@uu.nl
I&I Secretariat (course registration), secretary.iimaster@umcutrecht.nl

Mandatory for students in own Master’s programme:
Yes

Optional for students in other GSLS Master’s programme:
Molecular and Cellular Life Sciences

Prerequisite knowledge:
Basic Cell Biology and Immunology.
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