MICR 108 Spring MCB Core Course Modules

The final term of a year-long graduate-level course in biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, a continuation of BIOC 101 and BIOL 103. These special-topics mini-courses provide more in-depth information about specific areas in biochemistry, cell and molecular biology.  Each first-year MCB student must enroll in three sequential modules.  Module topics offered each year will vary.  Students should contact Janet Cheney for current list of spring-term modules and descriptions.

Overview

This three-week class will cover basic aspects of virology in a largely didactic fashion for 2/3 sessions per week. The final session of each week will feature a student-driven presentation and discussion of a “classic” paper in virology with an emphasis on the developments in the field of virology and beyond that stemmed from the work.

Proposed topics

Week 1: Basic virus structure and replication strategies, how to assay and culture viruses, how to genetically manipulate them, how they may be used in research and therapeutics. Cellular responses to virus infection will be covered, to include innate antiviral responses, apoptosis, and transformation. Classic paper presentation on Friday.

Week 2: RNA viruses, with special emphasis on medically and historically important viruses (e.g. SARS-CoV-2, polio, influenza, retroviruses), their history, epidemiology, replication cycle, pathogenesis and genetics. Classic paper presentation on Friday.

Week 3: DNA viruses, with special emphasis on medically important viruses which have importance as incurable pathogens (e.g. herpes viruses), importance historically (smallpox), or for our understanding cancer (DNA tumor viruses). Emphasis will be placed on their history, epidemiology, replication cycle, pathogenesis, and genetics. Classic paper presentation on Friday.

Instructor

David Leib