Modules – Skills & Tools
Virology
Background Lab Information
WHY SHOULD YOU CARE ABOUT…
This introduction is easy to write: during the SARS-CoV-2 (the virus) pandemic the whole world cares about a virus that causes COVID19 (the disease).
Just in case….a virus is a parasite that reproduces inside the cells of living hosts. When infected by a virus, a host cell is forced to quickly produce thousands of identical copies of the original virus. Unlike most living things, viruses do not have cells that divide; new viruses are assembled in the infected host cell.
Probably all of you had a viral infection before, bronchitis, flu, or the common cold. All of these diseases are caused by viruses: Bronchitis, chicken pox, Chikungunya, common cold, Dengue, Ebola, Herpes, HIV, Marburg disease, measles, MERS, Mumps, Pink Eye (some), Pneumonia (some), Polio, Rabies, Rubella, SARS, Shingles, Yellows fever, Zika, etc..
Also, you probably recognize many of the terms from the vaccines you have been given. We have developed powerful tools through helping our immune system recognize and fight disease. For current vaccines and recommendations check out the “Pink Book” from the CDC.
Access OpenStax: 6.1 Viruses and 18.5 Vaccines
The department offers an elective “Virology” MCB4503
LEARNING GOALS
After completing this module, students will be able to:
- Recall new vocabulary and definitions that pertain to this module.
- Name 3 viruses that can be found in Florida.
- Contrast ways in which viruses can differ from each other.
- Relate different components and characteristics of viruses and their role in infection.
- Name 3 reliable resources for finding information about the COVID pandemic.
- Recall the difference between antibiotics and antivirals.
HISTORY CONNECTION
Many epidemics and pandemics throughout history shaped our history, civilization and culture as we see it today. Check out this great read by David Clark: “Germs Genes & Civilization How Epidemics Shaped Who We Are Today”
Virtual Lab Simulations
Virtual Lab Activity: Virus Explorer
Online Lab
ACTIVITY #1: Virology -The Covid-19 Pandemic – Really did this happen? What’s next?
Voice your opinion, share your experience with your classmates. The pandemic was the most unreal and unexpected event in my lifetime. How did it affect you all in your teens/early twenties? Please feel safe to share. It was a super difficult time!
Discussion is in canvas 🙂
ACTIVITY #2: Vaccines
Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology 2023: awarded for the Covid mRNA vaccine https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/2023/press-release/
Compare the immunization strategies for Covid with past vaccines, what’s new and different? Use the “Pink Book” from the CDC https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/index.htmlLinks to an external site.
Download you International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis booklet and add all the vaccines you received. I have mine since I was born some 50 years ago and it’s up to date with my COVID vaccines!
What is the origin of the “Anti-Vaxxer” movement? Is it justified?
On 28 February 1998, Andrew Wakefield, a British gastroenterologist published this seminal paper: Wakefield AJ, Murch SH, Anthony A, Linnell J, Casson DM, Malik M, Berelowitz M, Dhillon AP, Thomson MA, Harvey P, Valentine A, Davies SE, Walker-Smith JA. Ileal-lymphoid-nodular hyperplasia, non-specific colitis, and pervasive developmental disorder in children. Lancet. 1998 Feb 28;351(9103):637-41. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(97)11096-0.
This paper was later retracted: Lancet. 2010 Feb 6;375(9713):445. Erratum in: Lancet. 2004 Mar 6;363(9411):750. PMID: 9500320.
Please look at some papers pro-and con vaccines and write a reflection!
In-Person Lab
Activity: Plaque Assay Module
Resources
- Take a look at the appropriate module for the vocabulary that is being tested: Virology Quizlet
- Check out different types of viruses at the Virus explorer from Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Interactive
- Learn about Corona Virus Vaccines at the Coronavirus Vaccine Tracker
- “What is a virus?” Virology overview lectures by Vincent Racaniello (he does the podcast TwiV, this Week in Virology)
- JOVE Microbiology Education: Plaque Assay: A Method to Determine Viral Titer as Plaque Forming Units (PFU)
- The European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing – EUCAST
- Bioinformatic comparison of sequences from SARS-CoV-2 isolates: COVID-19: Where Did You Come From, Where Did You Go?
