Objectives/ aim
The student is able:
to describe the molecular aspects (virus entry, gene expression, replication and particle assembly and release) of the viral life cycle.
to describe the techniques that are used to detect, purify and quantitate virus particles and to study viral proteins and/or nucleic acids.
to design experiments (including controls) that yield information on various aspects of the life cycle and structure of a virus.
to design a model (on aspects) of a virus life cycle or structure based on experimental results.
to describe the characteristics and potential use of different virus-based expression vectors.
Content
Period: Feb 2 – Feb 27
This course focuses on the molecular biology and the different strategies that viruses use to exploit the host cell for viral replication, gene expression and virion production. A significant part of the course consists of lab experiments. In this part of the course students will be come familiar with various virological and molecular techniques to detect, quantify and purify viruses and learn methods to study viral genes and gene products. Students will work in couples and the materials that they generate in one experiment will be required for the next experiment.
The emphasis is on viruses with a RNA genome. A textbook and work groups will guide the students through the theoretical part of the course. In addition, a reader containing protocols and selected review articles and relevant research articles will have to be studied A number of seminars by guest speakers are scheduled throughout the course to illustrate some of the major topics in current virology.
At the end of the course the students will have to present the outcome of the experiments and have to take an exam covering the experiments and selected topics from the literature.
This course will particularly work on:
Research competences:
Integrate different biomedical disciplines, recording, organizing and analyzing data
Professional competences:
Commitment, motivation and drive, collaborating with peers, respecting the rules of the group
Form of tuition
Self study assignments, work groups, practicals, demonstration experiments, seminars, written exam.
Mode of assesment
A: Study activities (motivation, independency, and participation in discussion)
B: Oral reporting
C: Written examination
0.4A + 0.2B + 0.4C = final mark