Virology 101
A new class is starting at virology blog: Virology 101.
I began this blog in 2004, to give back what I’ve learned from studying viruses for 30+ years. I’ve written many posts on basic virology, but they tend to disappear with time. To remedy this problem, I’ve collected all these posts with links back to the original article, arranged by topic. They are typically short and easy to read; if you start from the top, soon you will have a good basic understanding of virology.
I’ve also included relevant episodes of the podcastTWiV, where we discuss basic virology about once a month.
For the more adventurous, see the video podcasts from my Columbia University virology course,W3310. This course is taught in the spring semester each year. I’ve also included some of my other lectures to medical and undergraduate students.
If you are specifically interested in influenza virus, there is alwaysInfluenza 101.
Class will always be in session: there is much more to come.
With this virology course you also get access to a virology professor. If you have any questions, send them to vincent@virology.ws.
Basic Background Information
What is a virus? (W3301)
What is a virus?
Are viruses living?
Discovery of viruses
What color is a virus?
How viruses are classified
Virus classification (TWiV 43)
Simplifying virus classification: The Baltimore system
Viral genomes (TWiV 49)
Genomes and genetics (W3310)
The infectious cycle lecture (W3310)
Measurement (also see thevirology toolbox)
Detecting viruses: The plaque assay
How many viruses are needed to form a plaque?
Measurement of viruses by end-point dilution assay
Multiplicity of Infection
The western blot
Detection of antigens or antibodies by ELISA
Detecting viral proteins in infected cells or tissues by immunostaining
Virus Structure
Virus structure (TWiV 39)
Virus structure (W3310)
Attachment and Entry into Cells
Virus entry into cells (TWiV 46)
Attachment and entry (W3310)
Nucleic Acid Synthesis
RNA synthesis (W3310)
Making viral RNA (TWiV 60)
Making viral DNA (TWiV 96)
Making viral DNA II (TWiV 106)
Viral DNA Synthesis (W3310)
Transcription (TWiV 162)
Reverse transcription (W3310)
Reverse transcription (TWiV 66)
Transcription and RNA processing (W3310)
Processing viral RNA (TWiV 216)
Protein synthesis
Translation (W3310)
Virion Assembly
Assembly (W3310)
Pathogenesis and Immunity
Infection Basics (W3310)
Host Defense (W3310)
Virus-Host Interactions (W3310)
Viral Pathogenesis (Medical school lecture)
Acute Infections (W3310)
Antigenic variation explains recurring acute infections
HIV Pathogenesis (W3310)
Transformation and Oncogenesis (W3310)
Innate sensors of DNA
Immunopathology: Too much of a good thing
Innate immune defenses
The inflammatory response
Adaptive immune defenses
Adaptive immune defenses: Antibodies
Virus neutralization by antibodies
The complement system
C1q and the collectins
Natural antibody protects against viral infection
Prevention and Control
Vaccines (W3310)
Antiviral Drugs (W3310)
Tamiflu-resistant pandemic influenza H1N1 virus selected by prophylaxis
Discussion of new HCV antiviral onFutures in Biotech 60
Evolution and Emergence
Viral Evolution (W3310)
Viruses and the tree of life
The abundant and diverse viruses of the seas
Chikungunya: An exotic virus on the move
Lujo virus, a new hemorrhagic fever virus from Southern Africa
The error-prone ways of RNA synthesis
The quasispecies concept
Viral quasispecies and bottlenecks
The number of possible viral variants
Pushing viruses over the error threshold
Increased fidelity reduces viral fitness
Why don’t DNA based organisms discard error repair?
The trajectory of evolution
Virulence: A positive or negative trait for evolution?
Topics that don’t fit anywhere else
Unusual Infectious Agents (W3310)
