Bi5420en Fundamentals of Virology

Faculty of Science
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 2 credit(s) (plus extra credits for completion). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
doc. RNDr. Ivo Rudolf, Ph.D. (lecturer)
prof. RNDr. Daniel Růžek, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. RNDr. Daniel Růžek, Ph.D.
Department of Experimental Biology – Biology Section – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: Ing. Jiřina Kučerová, Ph.D.
Supplier department: Department of Experimental Biology – Biology Section – Faculty of Science
Prerequisites
The course has been established primarily for bachelor students in the 'Life Sciences' program. In addition, the course may be appropriate for other biology students and potential participants with an interest in virology.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is offered to students of any study field.
Course objectives
The main objective of the course is to familiarize the participants with the basics of virology, in particular, to define the general terms of virology, to determine the position of viruses, to describe the basic structure, stability and morphology of viruses, to explain the individual steps during viral infection of the host cell, to define and translate the strategy of viral genome replication and to interpret the current taxonomy of viruses including their evolutionary perspective, to characterize the specific routes of viral transmission, explain the basic steps in the pathogenesis of viral infections, characterize major viral diseases of plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates including humans, and interpret the state of the art of methods and diagnostic tools used in virology. Students should also describe appropriate interventions against pathogenic viruses, including antiviral treatment and vaccination strategies.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students should be able to review, translate, and apply general virology terms, describe the basic structure and morphology of viruses, define and translate the strategy of viral genome replication, understand the infection cycle of viruses, explain basic terms in viral pathogenesis, and interpret the current taxonomy of viruses including their evolutionary perspective. Students in the course should also characterize major viral diseases of plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates, including humans, and interpret the state of the art of methods and diagnostic tools used in virology. Participants will use the skills acquired in basic and applied research in virology or in diagnostic laboratories.
Syllabus
  • Introduction to general virology; specific terms of virology; basic characteristics of viruses (morphology and structure of viruses, enveloped and non-enveloped viruses); chemical composition of viruses (nucleic acids, proteins, other components of virus particles); stability of viruses in the environment and inactivation of viruses (effect of temperature, pH, chemical reagents, radiation); infection cycle of viruses; strategy of viral genome replication - based on nucleic acid type (dsDNA, ssDNA, dsRNA, +ssRNA; -ssRNA, +ssRNA- RT, dsDNA- RT); bacteriophages (lytic and lysogenic cycle); virophages; cyanophages; plant viruses; viroids; viruses of invertebrates; pathogenesis of viral diseases (definition of terms: disease, virulence, viremia, persistent and latent infection); typical modes of viral spread in the host organism including subsequent excretion of viruses from the host; viral diseases in animals; imported viral infections; oncoviruses; host response to viral infections (nonspecific and specific immunity); immunization against viral diseases (active and passive approach); basic principles of vaccination; composition and types of vaccines; vaccination strategy; chemotherapy of viral diseases; direct and indirect diagnostics of viral diseases; surveillance of viral diseases; safety measures in virology laboratory; good laboratory practice - handling of viruses; viruses and biotechnology; classification and nomenclature of viruses - characteristics of certain virus families with emphasis on medically important pathogens; prions and prion diseases.
Literature
  • ACHESON, N.H. Fundamentals of Molecular Virology. 2nd Edition. Wulley-Blackwell, 2011. ISBN 9780470900598.
  • PAYNE, S. Viruses: From Understanding to Investigation. Academic Press, 2017. 338 s. ISBN 9780128031094.
  • DIMMOCK, N.J. and A.J. EASTON. Introduction to Modern Virology. Wiley-Blackwell, 2016, 519 pp. ISBN 978-1-119-97810-7. info
  • CARTER, John B. and Venetia A. SAUNDERS. Virology : principles and applications. 2nd ed. Chichester: Wiley, 2013, xxix, 364. ISBN 9781119991434. info
  • COLLIER, L. H., Paul KELLAM and J. S. OXFORD. Human virology. 4th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011, xiv, 365. ISBN 9780199570881. info
  • HUBÁLEK, Zdeněk and Ivo RUDOLF. Microbial Zoonoses and Sapronoses. 1st ed. Dordrecht-Heidelberg-London-New York: Springer, 2011, 457 pp. ISBN 978-90-481-9656-2. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-9657-9. URL info
  • RAJČÁNI, Július and Fedor ČIAMPOR. Lekárska virológia. 1. vyd. Bratislava: VEDA vydavateľstvo Slovenskej akadémie vied, 2006, 574 s. ISBN 8022409111. info
Teaching methods
Powerpoint presentation (slide projection) accompanied by showing of illustrations, schemes, photos and video projection. Students are continuously informed with relevant news in the field of virology.
Assessment methods
Final evaluation is based on written test (Success rate 60%).
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
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