Teaching

BIOL 416: Virology

Evaluation of animal and human viruses at the molecular and cellular level, including discussion of viral discovery, detection, evolution, emergence, pathogenesis, prevention, treatment, and therapeutic potential. Selected bacterial viruses and other infectious agents are discussed.

Course Learning Outcomes

  • Define/describe viruses in terms of their nucleic acid and basic structural composition.
  • Convey that viruses are obligate intracellular pathogens that infect a broad range of host organisms.
  • Explain the replication cycles for diverse RNA and DNA viruses, discussing mechanisms of attachment, entry, gene expression/translation, genome replication, assembly, and release.
  • Describe the host immune response to viruses and how that understanding allows for the development of antivirals and vaccines.
  • Describe established therapies for limiting viral infection, considering steps in the virus replication cycle that can be targeted by antivirals.
  • Connect the principles of virus transmission, pathogenicity, and evolution to virus emergence, especially regarding occurrences of outbreaks and pandemics.
  • Explain how viruses impact the ecology and evolution of all life, including how viruses help us understand the biology of the infected cell.
  • Discuss that virology is a continuously and rapidly evolving field and that knowledge of this can result in the development of research tools and therapeutics.
  • Build skills to assess accuracy of virology information (e.g., in the news and via social media).
  • Evaluate peer-reviewed primary literature in the field of Virology.

BIOL 430: Immunology

Detailed analysis of the immune system at the molecular and cellular level. Topics include how the immune system recognizes and eliminates pathogens, and immunological mechanisms related to vaccines, immunodeficiencies, allergies, transplantation, autoimmunity, and cancer.  

Course Learning Outcomes

  • Define key terms in immunology.
  • List the cells of the immune system and describe their roles in defense.
  • Differentiate between the innate and adaptive immune system.
  • Describe the role and general architecture of major lymphoid organs and tissues.
  • Distinguish between the immediate and induced response to infection.
  • Compare and contrast B and T cell development, activation, and their main effector functions.
  • Explain the development of immunological memory and its role in vaccination.
  • Assess how pathogens escape and/or subvert the human immune response.
  • Summarize the human immune response to allergies & parasites.
  • Discuss how and why autoimmune diseases arise.
  • Describe how cancer emerges and immunotherapy strategies to treat cancer.
  • Evaluate case studies/primary literature related to the immune system.

Resources

Books about Viruses/Microbes

Podcasts / Databases

  • This Week in Virology (TWIV): Up to date scientific information on viruses, including SARS-CoV-2. Discusses both basic (TWIV team) and clinical (Dr. Dan Griffin) aspects of virology.
  • Beyond the Noise: Discussing important health topics with Drs. Paul Offit and Vincent Racaniello. This is the podcast version of Dr. Offit’s substack column.
  • ViralZone: Web resource providing general molecular and epidemiological information about viruses.
  • Next Strain: Real-time tracking of pathogen evolution. Open-source software to visualize pathogen genome data. Aid epidemiological understanding to improve outbreak responses.
  • CoVariants: Open-source software to provide overview of SARS-CoV-2 variants and mutations of interest. Assess where variants are found, how they are named and potential impact of mutations.
  • WHO COVID-19 dashboard: Monitor global COVID-19 cases and deaths.
  • Our World in Data: HIV/AIDS
  • Our World in Data: COVID-19

Vaccines

SARS-CoV-2: Virus & Variants